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Tree board: city lacks software, staff and funds to add GIS layer for tree work
Summary
Board members were told the KCD map contract is signed but the city's community development staff lack GIS access, software and training; members recommended waiting to add an optional stream-buffer layer until funding and capacity exist.
The Lake Forest Park Tree Board was told on July 1 that the contractor-supplied mapping tool (KCD) is ready but city staff lack the technical access and funding to add an optional stream-buffer layer the board requested.
A staff member (S11) summarized the constraints: "We have no money. We have more work than we can do in 2026," and said the city lacks software, a person to operate GIS files and a way to open the contractor-supplied files. The board had earlier asked whether an additional layer (estimated at $500) could be added; staff said the barrier was access and training, not the work of creating the layer itself.
Council member Goldman (S9) provided budget context, saying that when the city set the biennial budget it prioritized hiring a climate coordinator over a GIS position, noting community feedback influenced that choice. "It came down to either a GIS person or a climate coordinator," she said, adding that the budget outlook for the next two years remains tight.
Board members discussed alternatives, including asking an outside volunteer or contractor to update maps. One member noted Jean Mead had circulated tree maps that could be used for a near-term solution, and another suggested Doug Mitchell as a potential local resource. Staff and members agreed the practical solution is to accept the KCD product as delivered, test how the board might use it, and revisit adding extra layers once there is evidence the extra layer would be used and the city can fund access and training.
The board directed staff to treat the KCD onboarding as a priority to "go live" and then reassess whether purchasing access or adding layers is justified by demonstrated need. The board will check on KCD status at the August meeting.
The board also asked staff to prepare a two-page summary of the existing tree code and to schedule an August refresher so members can identify any code elements that should feed into planned ordinance updates later in the year.
