Heritage Tree Program Being Considered for Normandy Park

In March, the City Council will consider the adoption of a Heritage Tree Program. Trees are a vital asset to any community, and Normandy Park has embraced this value. To celebrate, promote, preserve, and educate the public about this great asset, the city is working to establish a Heritage Tree Program. This program will recognize special and significant trees on private property.

What will make a tree “significant”? It will need to be a tree or collection of trees that is acknowledged and valued for the unique characteristics that set it apart from other similar trees. The proposed criteria to be classified as a Heritage Tree include:

• Has historical significance to a person, place, or event
• Has attained significant size in height, caliper, or canopy spread for its age and species
• Has special aesthetic qualities for its species
• Possesses rare horticulture value

Anyone can nominate a tree for recognition, but all applications must be approved by the property owner before being considered. And a heritage tree can be removed anytime from the city’s Heritage Tree program at the request of the Tree Owner. The Normandy Park Heritage Tree Program will be voluntary and optional and will not create any additional protection on these trees. We believe that the formal recognition and educational value of the designation will encourage tree preservation.

We will continue tweaking this program as it gets ready for City Council consideration at the March 8^th meeting. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

City Council Round-Up

On February 8^th, the City Council held its regular monthly meeting. Here are some of the highlights:

• The City Council discussed approving a contract with architectural firm Miller Hull that would start the design/construction document process for a new Civic Center. The City Council took no action but will consider the contract at the March meeting.
• An amendment to the Waste Management contract was approved. The recycling market has dramatically changed in the last 4 years. This approved amendment clarifies the eligible curbside recycling items to increase recycling viability and stabilize the current recycling programs. To learn more about the city’s recycling program, Click here.
• First reading of an ordinance was accepted for a franchise agreement with King County Water District 49. A franchise agreement is a commonly used tool with utilities that is helpful since it identifies the roles and responsibilities of both parties. The City has worked to ensure that provisions of this franchise provide adequate protection of the public rights-of-way and the city’s ability to continue using these public rights-of-way.
• The City Council agreed to ask the Parks Commission to review the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (PROS Plan). Since the adoption of the PROS Plan in 2018, some of the City’s priorities and desires have changed. The Parks Commission will now review the current PROS plan and consider if any amendments are needed.
  If you are interested in watching the full meeting, Click here.

2020 Census

Normandy Park is part of the Highline School District and is home to one of the district’s 42 schools. Click on this link for a comparison of educational attainment data between Normandy Park and Highline School District.

Senior Community Health Check – February 14th

Normandy Park senior residents are encouraged to take advantage of the upcoming Senior Community Health Check. This event is being hosted on Monday, February 14^th, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, at the Des Moines Activity Center. Those that participate will have the opportunity to know their numbers with free health screenings of blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, nutrition assessment, and social services.  No appointment is necessary. Click here for the flyer and please tell your neighbors.

If you have any questions about these or other topics, please contact me at aarrington@normandyparkwa.gov. Have a great week!

“Tree are a vital asset to any community……”