Buellton planning commission convenes new Tree and Landscape Advisory Board; defers officer appointments and tree project review to June 4

The Buellton City planning commission adjourned its planning session and convened the newly created Tree and Landscape Advisory Board, a body established by a recent ordinance to meet Brown Act requirements and support the city’s pursuit of Tree City USA certification.

City staff explained the board’s purpose and certification requirements. The clerk summarized the ordinance’s primary requirements: "to allocate $2 per capita, for the planting and care of trees in the city, to recognize Arbor Day officially each year and have a Brown Act board to advise the city on tree matters," and staff said the advisory board is intended to meet on an ad hoc basis following planning commission meetings.

Commissioners discussed whether tonight was the appropriate time to appoint board officers while Chair Reese was absent. The moderator moved to continue the appointment of officers and the related agenda item to the next scheduled meeting so all members could participate; the body agreed by general acclimation. Director Andrea Cooper noted the city could schedule the tree-project review for the June 4 planning commission meeting because "Eva Powers is able to attend," and staff said her presence would help answer technical questions about appropriate tree species for the project.

Director Cooper also briefly described attending the State of the City address and said it provided useful information for the community: "it was a really nicely attended, event and nicely planned out event at the Marriott." With no public comments and no immediate urgency, the board adjourned to its next scheduled meeting after agreeing to defer the officer appointments and the tree-project review.

Next steps: the two items will return at the June 4 planning commission meeting when Eva Powers is available to present; staff will place the appointment of officers on the subsequent Tree and Landscape Advisory Board agenda.