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potential degradation of wetland areas. At that time, a group of citizens approached the City <br />Council and encouraged them to consider implementing several different standards. One <br />standard dealt with tree preservation, another dealt with wetland preservation. The City Council <br />opted to form the Environmental Policy Task Force (EPTF) and charged them to work with those <br />two standards. Over time, the EPTF developed a Tree Preservation Policy that was adopted by <br />the City Council. The EPTF then shifted its focus to the Wetland Protection Ordinance and held <br />discussions with the City Council to transition the Task Force to a full -time Board to address <br />environmental issues and policies. City Planner Anderson explained the focus of the EPB is <br />summarized in the City Code, which also lays out the objectives of the Board. This is the <br />existing purpose of the EPB. City Planner Anderson explained that another outcome from the <br />transition from Task Force to Board was to act as a tool for outreach and education on <br />environmental issues facing the City. That led into the accomplishments of the Board over the <br />years including creating a Tree Book that is used when projects are reviewed or to answer <br />resident's questions; Water Conservation toolbox relating to irrigation and establishing turf and <br />lowering water demand; Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan; Wetland Buffer Guidebook to <br />help educate residents what the Wetland Ordinance meant; web pages relating to invasive <br />species, shade tree disease and pest issues, improving recycling operations in the Municipal <br />Center; and, vetting the Green Step Cities Program. <br />Community Development Director Gladhill stated the two issues to be addressed tonight will be <br />the purpose of the EPB and then strategies to accomplish those purposes. As examples, <br />Community Development Director Gladhill offered three purposes: to protect natural resources, <br />create policy, and review development. He encouraged those present to add their suggestions to <br />the posted list. <br />EPB Member Lewis asked the Council whether the EPB should exist. He stated this process can <br />be gone through but until that question is answered, he does not yet know how to respond to the <br />`purpose' question. <br />Community Development Director Gladhill suggested posting that question to the list of <br />purposes. <br />Councilmember Kuzma stated his support for the EPB to remain a City Commission so <br />environmental issues can be addressed. <br />City Planner Anderson read the purposes offered by those present, as follows: <br />• Should EPB Exist <br />o Is a Task Force a Better Solution <br />o Advise on Policy Issues (wetland, water supply, etc.) <br />o Serve as Citizen Advisory Board on all Environmental Matters <br />o Review Existing and New Environmental Policy <br />o Create Environmental Policy <br />o Create/Review Policy /Ordinance <br />o Be the Environmental Conscience of our Community <br />o Community Education/Educate Public <br />o Engage Residents <br />City Council Work Session / September 23, 2014 <br />Page 2 of 10 <br />