Approved Minutes - 2022-09-19
CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO
Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
September 19, 2022
Call to Order / Roll Call
Jay Hamachek called the September 19, 2022 meeting of the Sustainability Advisory Board (SAB) to
order at 6:33 PM.
Members Present: Buzz Chandler, Jay Hamachek, Susan Mead, Mark Puhlman, Kara
Orvieto, Robin Palao, Jules Unitan, Whitney Street (Alt.)
Members Excused/Absent: Matt Schaeffer, Roya Wahab
Staff: Amanda Watson, Scott Siegel, Megan Big John, Morgan Holen,
Chad Tinsley (Parametrix), Sachi Arakawa (Cascadia Partners)
Public: Corey Buchanan, Michael Buck, Jeff Gudman, Theresa Kohlkoff,
Allie Molen, Stephanie Wagner, Kathleen Wiens, Larry Zurcher
Approval of Minutes
Buzz Chandler moved to approve the July 18 meeting minutes. Seconded by Kara Orvieto and passed
unanimously.
Public Comment
None
Regular Business
A. City Council Update
Councilor Nguyen was absent.
B. Urban Forestry Report and Tree Code
Community Development Director Scot Siegel provided an overview of the City’s State of the Urban
Forest Report update project. Chad Tinsley, project manager from Parametrix, introduced the Urban
Tree Canopy modeling methodology used for the report and the initial findings. Sachi Arakawa, from
Cascadia Partners, introduced the carbon sequestration tool her team is developing that will help
estimate the carbon sequestration benefits of tree planting scenarios on public land.
SAB members and members of the public asked questions about modeling the carbon impacts of
tree planting vs developing medium-density housing on undeveloped land; impacts of tree canopy
on water quality; what the report will say about forest/tree health; impacts of middle housing and
increased density on urban tree canopy; and whether a using higher height threshold for the UTC
modeling would exclude environmentally detrimental species like laurel hedges.
Amanda provided an overview of initial recommendations SAB had provided to City Council in May
related to protecting trees and natural resources, including exploring possibilities for more flexible
mitigation requirements for tree removal, and researching strategies that can increase solar energy
availability while also preserving tree canopy. Morgan Holen, the City’s contract arborist, provided
City of Lake Oswego Sustainability Advisory Board Minutes
July 18, 2022
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information on tree removal mitigation requirements in the City’s Tree Code, including the flexibility
staff has in making conditions of approval related to mitigation.
Members provided comments about how the development code reduces the ability to plant
mitigation trees on site by allowing the developer to maximize building footprint with only small
setbacks, and that amount of Tree Fund fees are too low.
C. SAB 2022 Goals Prioritization & Working Groups
The Board started brainstorming for goals they would like to work on in 2023. Jay reminded
members that the City’s Sustainability and Climate Action Plan is a guiding document for SAB’s work.
Objective is for the Board to not have too many goals, and to ensure that goals are actionable and
SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound).
Members recommended beginning with the Board’s existing goals and evaluating which ones need
to be carried forward and finished. Suggestions included putting up informational EV charging signs
to help address range anxiety, gas powered lawn equipment (building on existing work, e.g.
establishing an incentive program, determining what options, funding mechanisms the City has to
protect equity of landscaping companies with existing equipment).
Suggestions for new goals included holding a working session on emergency management/climate
preparedness; reducing pesticide use in public parks (briefing on Parks IPM plan); increasing the
amount of solar installation in Lake Oswego, including exploring options for community solar;
SAB would like to have a meeting with Council where there is more opportunity for discussion.
The Board will continue the goal setting discussion at the October meeting.
D. Demolition Tax Joint Recommendations Memo
Amanda confirmed that all SAB members had reviewed and the joint memo and provided any
feedback they had. Staff will forward the joint memo to City Council.
E. Announcements from Board and Staff
• Buzz reminded members about the Electrification Fair on Saturday, October 1 at the LO
Methodist Church, 10 – 2 pm. It expands on LOSN’s annual EV fair to include vendors and
information about home electrification.
• The Planning Department is recruiting for a Housing Production Strategy Task Force that will
guide the City’s work on HB 2003, and would like to include someone from SAB. Amanda will
share more details by email.
• Mark Puhlman is serving on the committee convened by Metro that is providing community
input on the affordable housing development project on Boones Ferry Road. The group is
providing input on guidelines that the City will use to select a builder and there have been
two meetings so far.
Wrap Up & Adjournment
Jay Hamachek adjourned the meeting at 8:44 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Amanda Watson
Sustainability Program Manager