Everett committee holds tree ordinance for more work with city arborist

The Everett Legislative Affairs and Elections Committee voted Oct. 28 to keep a proposed ordinance concerning trees in the City of Everett in committee while staff and the city arborist finish drafting a preamble and continue correspondence. Councilor Katie Rogers introduced the ordinance and said it was developed in collaboration with the city arborist and others.

Rogers told the committee the ordinance was a product of meetings with the city arborist and local stakeholders and that further work was needed on the preamble before the measure should advance. "And so this needs to stay in committee, as they continue to correspond," Rogers said.

A motion to keep the ordinance in committee was made and approved by voice vote. The committee did not take up detailed provisions of the ordinance at this meeting; Rogers indicated the intent was to allow the arborist and collaborators (named in committee discussion as Jacob St. Louis, Dave Palumbo and David Flood) to finalize language before the committee considers the measure again.

The ordinance was described on the agenda as "pertaining to trees in the City of Everett." No vote was taken to adopt or reject substantive provisions; the committee’s action was procedural and leaves the ordinance pending further staff and arborist work. The item will return to committee when the authors provide the revised preamble and any additional materials requested by members.