CITY OF SARASOTA MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 13, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers Members Present: Michael Halflants, Chair (arrived at 4:15 p.m.) Michael Gilkey Jr., Vice Chair Members Mary Fuerst, Chris Gallagher, Rob Patten, Trevor Falk (arrived at 4:10 p.m.) Members Absent: None City Staff Present: Timothy Litchet, Director of Development Services and Secretary to the Tree Advisory Committee Mark Miller, Senior. Arborist Donald Ullom, Arborist Joe Mladinich, Legal Counsel Angela McLeod-Wilkins, Development Services I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL TAC Vice Chair Michael Gilkey called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. Secretary Timothy Litchet read the roll call. Vice Chair Gilkey asked all in attendance to mute or turn off their cell phones and reminded those who would be speaking to speak into the microphones. II. PLEDGE OF CONDUCT Secretary Litchet read the Pledge of Conduct adopted by the City Commission ofSarasota. III. CITIZEN'S INPUT 1. Lou Costa -Mr. Costa expressed his concerns for unintended consequences of the the Cabbage Palm as the only preferred palm tree and stated that Motion No. 9 and Motion No. 12 require clarification. Member Patten clarified that there is no prohibition on planting other types of palms, but that Cabbage Palms are the only palm trees that can be used for mitigation. The TAC had a discussion related to the clarity of using Cabbage Palms as mitigation trees. 2. Carl Shofstall - Mr. Schoffstall stated that the CCNA is in favor of the pilot tree planting program. Vice Chair Gilkey stated that Chair Halflants and Member Falk had arrived. Vice Chair Gilkey passed the gavel to Chair Halflants. 3. Diane Dessenberg - Ms. Dessenberg stressed the importance of tree for food production. Minutes of the Meeting of the Tree, Advisory Committee May 13, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers 2 of 5 The TAC explained that Motion No. 1 was made with landscaping flexibility in mind. 4. Norm Dumaine - Mr. Dumaine expressed concerns related to Motions Nos. 1,9,12, and 23 in regard to palm trees and stated that he is not in favor of Cabbage Palms. The TAC discussed palm trees and Vice Chair Gilkey noted that the ordinance should focus on canopy trees and not palm trees. IV. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 27TH MEETING MINUTES The March 27th meeting minutes were unanimously approved as submitted. V. DISCUSS PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION Secretary Litchet clarified that the purpose oft the meeting was to come to agreement regarding the wording of the motions and to discuss the Board Report prepared by Joe Mladinich. Mr. Litchet explained that if any oft the motions are approved by the City Commission, they will have to proceed with the Zoning Code Amendment process. Mr. Litchet explained the specifics ofthe process if any or all of the motions are approved by the City Commission. The TAC and staff discussed questions and specifics regarding the TAC's presentation to the City Commission. Secretary Litchet stated that the presentation is currently scheduled as an agenda item for the July 1st City Commission meeting. VI. REVIEW OF ALL MOTIONS The TAC and staff discussed the Motion No. 13 related to fees per inch. Mr. Mladinich stated that there would be an increase of more than 200 percent in some cases, resulting from increased fees per inch and increased inches to a total aggregate required for mitigation. Mr. Mladinich stated that some ofthe cost will be offset due to the decrease in size oft trees required for mitigation. Arborist Miller presented 4 examples of mitigation under the proposed mitigation plan. The TAC discussed the issue. Member Gallagher stated that not all commercial developers are wealthy, that some of Sarasota's citizens are very wealth, and that a decrease only for single family homeowners does not accurately portray the totality of the community. The TAC decided that the costs would be untenable to existing single-family home owners. Member Falk made a motion and it was seconded by Member Patten. Motion No. 1: A motion to change the proposed cost from $300 per inch to $70 per inch for the removal of Grand Trees for existing single family homeowners. Chair Halflants prompted a vote. Minutes of the Meeting of the Tree Advisory Committee May 13, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers 3 of 5 Chair Halflants, Vice Chair Gilkey, Member Fuerst, Member Patten, and Member Falk were in favor. Member Gallagher was opposed. The motion passed 5-1. The TAC discussed the cost of removal for grand trees for new single family development, new and existing development, affordable housing, and removal of grand trees in overly dense situations. The TAC discussed Motion No. 9. Member Fuerst stated that the motion needs to be amended. Member Gilkey noted that he does not want to restrict the planting of palm trees in any part of the City or limit diversity. Member Fuerst made a motion and it was seconded by Member Gilkey. Motion No.2: A motion to change Motion No. 9 to read: Ifaj palm tree is removed, no mitigation is required unless it is a Cabbage palm. Ifthe Cabbage palm is not mitigated on-site, a $200 fee may be paid in lieu of other mitigation. Palms may not be used as mitigation trees, with the exception of Cabbage palms. Cabbage palms may be used for mitigation provided that they constitute no more than 30% ofthe required mitigation; however, they will only count as two inches per tree towards the total aggregate caliper mitigation required and they must be at least 12 feet tall. Chair Halflants prompted a vote. Chair Halflants, Vice Chair Gilkey, Member Fuerst, Member Patten, and Member Falk were in favor. Member Gallagher was opposed. The motion passed 5-1. VII. DISCUSS FLORIDA HOUSE BILL 1159 The TAC and staff discussed changes that may occur if the Florida House Bill 1159 is signed into law. The TAC discussed Motion No. 1 related to changing the word "landscaping" to "re- landscaping". There was consensus by the committee to change the word landscaping to re- landscaping. Minutes of the Meeting of the Tree Advisory Committee May 13, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers 4 of 5 The TAC and staff discussed Motion No. 6 regarding undesirable trees. There was consensus to remove the sentence that states "trees designated class I and II invasive.. 99 and to remove V and X as they were duplicated elsewhere in the list. Member Patten made a motion and it was seconded by Member Fuerst. Motion No. 3: A motion to add a sentence that states undesirable trees cannot be used for mitigation to Motion No. 6. Chair Halflants prompted a vote. Chair Halflants, Vice Chair Gilkey, Member Fuerst, Member Patten, and Member Falk were in favor. Member Gallagher was opposed. The motion passed 5-1. There was consensus to delete Motion No. 10. There was consensus to move Motion No. 19 to Issue #8. The TAC and staffdiscussed Motion No. 121 regarding the listing ofCabbage Palms as "preferred". There was consensus to change the wording "Preferred Trees" to the phrase "trees eligible for mitigation incentives". The TAC and staff clarified the purpose of Motion No. 25. The TAC and staff discussed concerns and specifics related to Motion No. 23 regarding the tree planting pilot program. There was consensus to change B) to group A or C of the trees eligible for mitigation incentives and to add: D) This committee recommends the purpose of the pilot tree program should be to focus on planting canopy trees. VIII. DISCUSS BOARD REPORT The TAC and staff discussed whether or not the Committee should be dissolved at the end ofthe meeting or if they should be dissolved by the City Commission. It was decided that the City Commission would dissolve the Committee after presentation of a Board Report. The TAC and staff also discussed who would be in attendance for the presentation to the City Commission. IX. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:07 p.m. Minutes of the Meeting of the Tree Advisory Committee May 13, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers 5 of 5 Michael Halflants, Chair Timothy Litchet, Secretary