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Committee advances amendment to reconstitute Urban Forestry Council; council leadership backs 11‑member model
Summary
The committee moved an amendment to the San Francisco Environment Code to reduce and restructure the Urban Forestry Council, a change supported by the Department of the Environment and the council’s chair, who said the smaller body could still operate committees and continue landmark tree hearings.
The Government Audit and Oversight Committee on Aug. 11 advanced amended legislation to reconstitute the Urban Forestry Council, forwarding the measure to the full Board of Supervisors with a recommendation.
Clerk Annette Launich read an ordinance to amend the San Francisco Environment Code to reconstitute the council’s membership. Supervisor Jake McGoldrick, sponsor of the changes, said the amended legislation reduces membership to improve efficiency and quorums and submitted redline and non-redline versions of the ordinance for the record.
A City Department of the Environment representative expressed support for the amendments, saying they “strengthen the body” and should make it more effective. Terry Milne, chair of the Urban Forestry Council, said the council supports the 11-member model and that the smaller body can maintain committees and continue to hear landmark-tree matters. “We can still have committees to do some of our work and still hear landmark tree hearings,” Milne said.
Supervisor Maxwell moved to adopt the amendments and forward the item to the full board as amended; the motion was made without objection and the item was sent forward with recommendations.
The ordinance would adjust membership details and city-department voting representation; the committee record includes a letter dated Aug. 4 from the Urban Forestry Council signaling its acceptance of the amended language.
