CITY OF SARASOTA MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE January 30, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers Members Present: Michael Halflants, Chair Michael Gilkey Jr., Vice Chair Members Mary Fuerst, Chris Gallagher, Rob Patten, Trevor Falk Members Absent: None City Staff Present: Timothy Litchet, Director of Development Services and Secretary to the Tree Advisory Committee Mark Miller, Senior Arborist Don Ullom, Arborist Joe Mladinich, Legal Counsel Angela McLeod-Wilkins, Development Services I. CALL MEETING TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL TAC Chair Michael Halflants called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. Secretary Timothy Litchet read the roll call. Chair Halflants 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 of Sarasota. III. CITIZEN'S INPUT 1. Jono Miller - Mr. Miller stated that he was in support of Member Patten's recommendations as well as Mr. Costa's Pilot Program and suggested monetary incentives to encourage the removal of invasive exotic trees. Mr. Miller presented photo examples of trees with compromised health. 2. Norm. Dumaine - Mr. Dumaine supported the pilot program proposed by Mr. Costa. Mr. Dumaine asked the TAC whether homeowners should be required to replace canopy in overgrown areas and asked if homeowners should have the right to choose trees they deem are appropriate for their properties. Mr. Dumaine also requested a more detailed definition of preferred trees. IV. REVIEW MOTIONS FROM THE JANUARY 16TH MEETING The Tree Advisory Committee discussed appropriate caliper inches for canopy trees and understory trees, palm tree survivability and replacement criteria, and also discussed preferred trees. Minutes of the Meeting of the Tree Advisory Committee January 30, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers 2 of 4 V. DISCUSS MOTIONS ON TOPIC #1 = How TO BEST ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF CITY RESIDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE A HEALTHY TREE IN ORDER TO RE- LANDSCAPE THEIR PRIVATELY-OWNED PROPERTIES. The Tree Advisory Committee discussed the definition of right tree, right location site evaluation criteria, avenues and criteria for simplified permits, and the determination ofthe over planting oft trees on lots. VI. DISCUSS MOTIONS ON TOPIC #4 = SHOULD THE SAME CRITERIA BE APPLIED TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO ISSUE. A PERMIT TO REMOVE A TREE CLASSIFIED AS A CLASS II INVASIVE SPECIES AS IS APPLIED TO DETERMINE WHETHER TO ISSUE A PERMIT TO REMOVE A NATIVE TREE? The Tree Advisory Committee and city staff discussed recommendations telated to invasive trees, criteria for removal of trees, and the list of undesirable trees. A motion was made by Vice Chair Gilkey and was seconded by Member Fuerst. MOTION #1: A tree's status as "Undesirable" shall constitute a basis for removal and no mitigation or fees are required. Chair Halflants, Vice Chair Gilkey, Member Fuerst, Member Patten, and Member Falk were in favot, Member Gallagher was opposed. The motion passed 5-1. VII. DISCUSS MOTIONS ON TOPIC #5 = SHOULD THE CURRENT SLIDING SCALE" MITIGATION STANDARDS FOR TREE REMOVAL BE REVISED, AND IF SO, HOW? The TAC discussed recommendations regarding appropriate caliper inches for replacement trees and flexibility by way of payment in place ofr mitigation. The TAC also discussed the number of replacement trees required and canopy maintenance. City staff described the current process for tree replacement, as well as planting and density. A motion was made by Member Fuerst and was seconded by Member Falk. MOTION #1 - TO AMEND MOTION #1 OF ISSUE #1: Upon a finding by the City Arborist that the tree removal is due to over-density of trees on the site, whereby the "right tree, right location" principles (AKA - Site Evaluation and Species Selection Criteria) are better served through tree removal, then no mitigation or fees are required. Minutes of the Meeting of the Tree Advisory Committee January 30, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers 3 of 4 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. The TAC discussed planting mitigation trees versus paying into the mitigation fund, the minimum mitigation required, and the current standards to quantify trees. The TAC also discussed limitations oft the replacement of canopy trees with Cabbage Palms. A motion was made by Vice Chair Gilkey and was seconded by Member Patten. MOTION #2: To amend the caliper minimum for replacement trees required for mitigation to 3" caliper for canopy trees and 2" caliper for all others. Chair Halflants asked if the TAC required further discussion. It was determined that no further discussion was necessary. 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. A motion was made by Vice Chair Gilkey and was seconded by Member Fuerst. MOTION #3: To amend the mitigation requirements whereby permittees shall be required to mitigate based upon the total aggregate number of caliper inches of the tree(s) removed. The minimum number of required replacement trees remains the same, but where the total caliper of the trees replaced is less than the aggregate number of caliper inches of the tree(s) removed, the permittee shall pay a fee for each caliper inch remaining until the total aggregate caliper inches of the tree(s) removed has been reached. The TAC discussed the motion. Chair Halflants prompted a vote. Chair Halflants, Vice Chair Gilkey, Member Fuerst, Member Patten, and Member Falk were in favor. Membet Gallagher was opposed. Minutes of the Meeting of the Tree Advisory Committee January 30, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers 4 of 4 The motion passed 5-1. The TAC discussed the City's current time requirement for mitigation tree management plans. The TAC also discussed Cabbage Palms as mitigation, how many caliper inches should be assigned to Cabbage Palms, and the percentage of mitigation to allow for Cabbage Palms. A motion was made by Member Patten and was seconded by Vice Chair Gilkey. Cabbage palms may be used for mitigation provided that they constitute no more than 30% of the 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. The TAC briefly discussed the motion. 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. VIII. DISCUSS UPCOMING TOPICS Upcoming topics were not discussed by the TAC. IX. DISCUSS NEXT MEETING DATE The date of following meeting was confirmed for February 13, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. The date for the meeting after the February 13th meeting was confirmed for February 27, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. X. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Wy Lls Michael Halflants, Chair h imothy Lirclet, Secretary