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Commission hears staff proposal to allow reforestation fund to cover maintenance
Summary
Staff proposed amending the tree‑reforestation fund so the city can use mitigation funds for maintenance of planted trees (not just buying and planting new trees), a change requested by parks staff to support long‑term tree survival.
Staff proposed a narrow amendment to the tree preservation section that would let the city use existing reforestation funds for maintenance of trees the city has planted, rather than limiting the fund to purchasing and planting new specimens.
Wes Morrison explained the current language "does not allow the city to use those funds for tree maintenance" and said parks staff requested the change so the city could, for example, run irrigation to trees the city planted. Morrison said the amendment is limited in scope and that the city’s stricter tree‑preservation ordinance otherwise remains unchanged.
Commissioners responded with remarks about practical maintenance needs — for example, one commissioner asked whether the parks department should be expected to provide daily watering and staff joked about tractors and water tanks — and instructed staff to return the draft with the reforestation fund language clarified.
The proposed language will be included in the next draft the commission reviews.
