Tumwater Tree Board keeps every-other-month schedule, discusses outreach, Arbor Day plans and web improvements

The Tumwater Tree Board voted on Jan. 12 to continue regular meetings on an every-other-month cadence, while allowing additional meetings as needed for the urban forestry code update and joint sessions with the planning commission.

"I was just gonna make a motion that we continue the every other month meeting cadence unless otherwise necessary for the code revision project," a board member moved; the motion was seconded and staff recorded the voice tally before announcing the motion carried.

Members used the discussion around cadence to review outreach and communications. Staff reported the city tree web pages had roughly 50 visits across a year and that only 13 visits came from board members. Communications staff (Monica) offered to use the department’s social channels to promote the web content and the board discussed practical site improvements: clearer navigation, lists of native plants appropriate for Zone 8b, seasonal maintenance tips, and links to permit guidance.

The urban forester described outreach plans to visit Homeowners Associations (HOAs), respond to phone and email inquiries and provide on-site advice. On enforcement, the urban forester said formal fines are rare and staff focus on educating residents and obtaining compliance; when removals occur on private property the city will work to bring owners into compliance and, for street trees, require replacement plantings per landscape rules.

The board also discussed Arbor Day planning: staff will order 101-gallon saplings for the April 18 Arbor Day/Earth Day event and will draft an Arbor Day proclamation for board review before it goes to city council. Members were asked to suggest community advocates who could be honored at the planting.

The meeting adjourned after the board wrapped up items and confirmed the next expected meeting in March.