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5. POLICY BOARD BUSINESS 5.01: 2014 -2015 Work Plan City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He suggested carrying over the tree inventory item on the Plan and advised that the City could seek volunteers, such as Master Gardeners, that could have an interest in participating in the process. Acting Chairperson Bentz questioned if there are any ideas that have been discussed by the City Council. City Council Liaison LeTourneau noted that the Council has not discussed any potential Work Plan items for the Board. Board Member Valentine referenced the issue of demonstration projects and stated that perhaps the Board could create a demonstration of drought tolerant landscaping. Acting Chairperson Bentz referenced the area of irrigation and noted that perhaps updated information could be provided. The City Planner stated that rather than looking towards the City Code standards perhaps the Board should determine whether in- ground irrigation be required. He confirmed that item could be added to the Work Plan. Board Member Lewis stated that he has struggled with the Board as a whole lately in terms of its validity and whether the Board should exist or the duties should be absorbed by other groups. He questioned if the functions of the Board should be rolled into other Boards or Commissions rather than working to develop a Work Plan. He referenced the Park and Recreation Commission and Happy Days Committee, noting that they could absorb some of the duties. He stated that the GreenStep Cities issue brought to light this issue clearly and believed the Board should further discuss whether this group is necessary. Board Member Valentine stated that not being successful with GreenStep Cities was a setback but was unsure that dissolving the group would be the next step. Board Member Lewis stated that he would not have felt that way either, if the GreenStep Cities issue was the only issue that brought this question forward. Board Member Valentine agreed that perhaps the City Council should review the purpose of the Board. He noted that if the purpose of the Board is to exist simply for window dressing, he believed that the Board Members would rather spend their efforts elsewhere. City Planner Anderson stated that is an interesting question but believed that the Board does have a purpose. He agreed that some of the duties could be absorbed by other groups in the City but believed that there is merit in the Board continuing on. He stated that the question would be what makes a worthy Work Plan that merits the Board Members coming in once a month and also spending time on the issues outside of the meetings. He believed that the Board should Environmental Policy Board / June 2, 2014 Page 2 of 6