Council debates park-strip maintenance, tree rules and access as staff seeks code clarification

City staff asked the Council for direction to amend Section 12.12.030 to clarify that maintenance of park strips and sidewalks is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner rather than being limited to the "front of the premises." Derric Rykert explained the change aims to reduce enforcement ambiguity for side and rear park strips and to make expectations consistent across neighborhoods.

Council members wrestled with enforcement practicality where rear or side park strips are behind fences or on state-owned rights-of-way. Council Member Staci Carroll supported the clarification and homeowner-education efforts; Council Member Ryan Hunter and others emphasized that taxpayers should not be expected to absorb maintenance that can reasonably be performed by property owners. City Arborist Brady McNaughton proposed a revised tree policy allowing compact species in park strips 4–8 feet wide while prohibiting trees in strips under 4 feet. McNaughton said the intent is to minimize long-term infrastructure conflicts: "trees should not be allowed in park strips narrower than four feet due to the long-term maintenance and infrastructure issues they create." Council directed staff to develop implementation options including an approved species list, permitting process for tree planting, notification to affected homeowners, and options tied to roadway classification.