Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 07/01/2013

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Motion by Board Member Lewis and seconded by Board Member Valentine to approve the 2014 Work Plan as discussed and present the Work Plan through the Council Liaison at the next City Council meeting for review and input. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Max, Board Member Lewis, Valentine, Bentz, and Prendergast. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Members Hiatt and Stodola. 5.02: Review Draft Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson presented the staff report and briefly reviewed the draft version of the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan for the benefit of newer Board Members that have not seen the information. He also reviewed the proposed presentation for the Council that had been prepared in the past. He noted that it is difficult to detect the Emerald Ash Borer early and there are no natural predators. He advised that there is ongoing research to determine a better method of treatment and identification. He noted that a number of items included in the Plan are already being implemented; highlighting the tree inventory that still needs to be completed. He provided additional information on the many benefits that would be provided through a tree inventory and explained the definition of street or boulevard trees to be City maintained trees. He stated that unlike other species, when Ash trees die they become very brittle very quickly which is another unfortunate side effect of having a large inventory of Ash trees. Board Member Bentz stated that perhaps the action should begin now rather than waiting for the bug to get here. Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that many of the items have already been implemented. Board Member Bentz questioned why quarantine is not instituted now in order to further delay the arrival Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that the State does not like to make that decision until there is proof. He explained that this policy was drafted by the EPB in 2010 and advised that the City stopped allowing Ash trees to be planted on public property around 2008. He explained that while the City can discourage the planting of Ash trees on private property, they did not want to limit a resident's right to plant the type of tree desired. Motion by Board Member Valentine and seconded by Board Member Lewis to recommend that the City Council adopt the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Max, Board Member Valentine, Lewis, Bentz, and Prendergast. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Members Hiatt and Stodola. Associate Planner/Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that it would be his intent to group as many items as he could together for presentation to the City Council and asked that as many Board Members as possible attend the meeting, whether that occur at a regular or work session meeting. Environmental Policy Board / July 1, 2013 Page 4 of 7