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City Council Liaison LeTourneau asked if the Board is aware of the history and reason for <br />creating the Board, as he was not familiar with the history. <br />City Planner Anderson explained that there was a development that cleared out trees and <br />residents came forward with concern and through that process, a group was created to develop <br />guidelines for tree preservation and wetland protection. He explained that originally a Task <br />Force was developed, which eventually was converted to the EPB. He confirmed that if the <br />Board desires, he could request to set a worksession with the City Council where the function <br />and viability of the Board can be discussed. He agreed with Acting Chairperson Bentz that a <br />Work Plan should be developed which could then be discussed in the worksession, should the <br />discussion lead to the Board continuing. He questioned if the Board Members see a purpose in <br />being at the meetings and on the Board. <br />Board Member Lewis stated that he did not feel that the Board was purposeful. <br />Board Member Hiatt stated that he believed the Board serves a unique purpose and did not <br />believe that other groups would cover the environmental issues in the same manner. <br />Acting Chairperson Bentz believed that the Board could be useful and could be more active, if <br />they were involved proactively in the review of issues rather than hearing about things after the <br />fact. <br />Board Member Lewis agreed that there are things that could be done but questioned an example <br />of anything that the Board has accomplished that has had any influence on a decision made by <br />another group, including the City Council. He agreed that there are things that the Board has <br />done in the past year, but noted that other groups could have certainly accomplished those items <br />with little effort. He stated that most of the Members of the Board do not have environmental <br />expertise and perhaps their efforts towards the City could be better spent outside of the Board. <br />City Council Liaison LeTourneau explained that on the EDA the group chose to find projects <br />with significance in order to feel more relevant. He stated that perhaps when the EPB does meet <br />with the City Council the follow up question should be whether the Council is also willing to <br />accept a more aggressive Work Plan. <br />Acting Chairperson Bentz noted that in regard to GreenStep Cities, the Board did what they set <br />out to do and they did review and present a recommendation. He advised that the goal was not to <br />actively pursue the program but simply to review and make a recommendation. <br />Board Member Prendergast stated that perhaps GreenStep Cities could be a learning experience <br />and perhaps that amount of time should not be spent on single items. <br />City Planner Anderson questioned if the Board would like to bring that topic forward to discuss <br />with the City Council. <br />Board Member Valentine stated that he believed that there should be structure to a meeting of <br />that nature as he noted that simply the idea would not be enough to facilitate that discussion. <br />Environmental Policy Board / June 2, 2014 <br />Page 4 of 6 <br />