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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 1767 - Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory CommitteeCity of Tukwila Washington Resolution No. 1767 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF A TUKWILA TREE AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND CALLING FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE UPDATING OF NATURAL ENVIRONMENT RELATED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ELEMENTS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES RELATED TO THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CITY'S URBAN FOREST. WHEREAS, the City of Tukwila adopted its Comprehensive Land Use Plan and Map based on consideration of existing conditions and long -term community goals in 1995; and WHEREAS, RCW 36.70A.130 requires the City of Tukwila to review and, if needed, revise its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations on or before June 30, 2015; and WHEREAS, new State legislation encourages jurisdictions to consider urban forest management when reviewing land use policies and regulations; and WHEREAS, the natural environment in Tukwila, which includes streams, wetlands, steep slopes, coal mine hazard areas, trees and tree canopy, is important for its habitat benefits as well as the aesthetics, quality of life and green infrastructure services (stormwater volume and water quality, air quality, energy conservation) it provides for the City; and WHEREAS, it is important to sensibly preserve and enhance the City's natural environment to promote recreational opportunities and exposure to nature in the City and provide visual relief from the hard, constructed surfaces of urban development; and WHEREAS, engaging a wide range of input from citizens, businesses, and professional and environmental organizations is important to ensure all viewpoints are considered in the updating of the Comprehensive Plan and for incorporation of new goals, objectives and policies to address the natural environment and management of trees; W: \Word Processing- City \Resolutions \Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Cmte 4 -24 -12 CL:bjs Page 1 of 3 NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee. A Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as the "Committee," is formed to advise on the development of new goals, objectives and policies related to the urban forest and on the revision of existing goals, objectives and policies in the Tukwila Comprehensive Plan that relate to the natural environment. Section 2. Committee's Responsibilities. The Committee shall be advisory on substantive issues related to the Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives, policies, and implementation mechanisms related to the natural environment and the community forest. Such issues include, but are not limited to, clearing and grading in sensitive areas; protecting wetlands, streams, and geologically hazardous areas; recognizing the value of trees in urban settings; landscaping in commercial and industrial areas; street tree programs; protection and increase of tree canopy; and management of forests in parks and other public lands. Section 3. Committee Makeup. A. The Committee shall be comprised of one Councilmember, one Planning Commission member, one Parks Commission member, one or two residential property owners, one or two business owners, one representative of an environmental group /garden club such as the Backyard Wildlife organization, and one arborist or landscape professional. B. Committee members shall be appointed by the Mayor, who shall appoint replacements as necessary. C. All Committee members shall have equal standing on the Committee. The Committee shall serve as an advisory body. General consensus should be obtained by the Committee on matters related to the goals and policies. D. A quorum of the Committee shall not be required. Section 4. Chair. The Councilmember appointed to the Committee shall serve as the Chair. The Chair shall strive to be neutral and be responsible for presiding over all meetings, directing the process and helping the Committee arrive at consensus. Section 5. Committee Staffing. A. The Department of Community Development, hereinafter referred to as "DCD," shall be responsible for staffing all Committee meetings. Other City departments or outside experts may be called to provide information to the Committee. DCD shall prepare issue papers and provide background information, as necessary, to be presented to the Committee. W: \Word Processing- City \Resolutions \Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Cmte 4 -24 -12 CL:bjs Page 2 of 3 B. DCD shall provide changes to the pertinent sections of the Comprehensive Plan in strike out/underline format for review and approval by the Committee. C. The Committee shall provide policy guidance for revisions to the tree ordinance, landscape code, street tree policies, forest management in parks and other public lands, and tree management in general. D. DCD shall have the sole responsibility of drafting the regulations to implement the policies and goals recommended by the Committee for updating the tree ordinance and landscape code after consulting and discussing pertinent issues with the Committee. Changes in street tree policies shall be the joint responsibility of DCD, Fire Department and Public Works, taking into account input from the Committee. Changes in policies for trees /urban forest in parks shall be the joint responsibility of DCD and the Department of Parks Recreation. Section 6. Record. In order to ensure that a proper record is kept, staff shall compose written minutes of all meetings of the Committee. All documents and items that go before the Committee shall be part of the legislative record. Section 7. Meetings. The Committee shall meet approximately once a month beginning in August of 2012 with a goal of meeting 6 to 8 times, with the first meeting being devoted to orientation, organization and administrative functions of the Committee. The Committee shall determine a regular meeting day, time and place. All Committee meetings shall be open to the public. The Committee and DCD shall attempt to reach out to groups that may have an interest in natural environment and tree issues and invite them to observe and provide input on these issues. Section 8. Schedule. The Committee shall conclude its recommendations by the second quarter of 2013 or sooner. The committee may be asked to meet further only on an as- needed basis. The Committee shall have an opportunity to discuss their recommendations at a joint meeting of the City Council and the Planning Commission. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a Regular Meeting thereof this 11,iF day of YY\oA ,>I 2012. ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED: Christy O'Flahey, MMC, City CleWc Verna Seal, Council President APPROVED AS TO FORM BY: Filed with the City Clerk: /b -d Passed by the City Council: Resolution Number: Shelley Kerslake, y-Attorney W: \Word Process ing- City \Resolutions \Tukwila Tree and Environment Advisory Cmte 4 -24 -12 CL:bjs Page 3 of 3