County Council approves healthy tree ordinance

The Pierce County Council passed an ordinance amending elements of the Pierce County Code in unincorporated areas of the county in order to implement healthy tree retention policies from last year’s Pierce County Comprehensive Plan amendment cycle.

“The important thing to consider here is that this isn’t just about aesthetics, although that’s certainly part of it,” council Chair Derek Young said. “It’s also about, you know, making sure that we have safe trees, you know, that we’re not creating situations that are dangerous for people.”

The council passed an emergency resolution authorizing the release of funding to purchase and improve an office building at 920 Fawcett Ave. in Tacoma, near the county courthouse, for the purposes of moving the office of Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett there, as her current office is unsuitable.

“It does appear that this would be beneficial for our office in the short term and the county in the long term,” Robnett told the council prior to the vote.

The council passed an ordinance vacating a portion of Whitman Street Northeast located in the Dash Point area.

The council confirmed the appointment of three new members to the Pierce County Birth to 25 Advisory Board: Jacqueline Tutt, Mary Neff and Sarah Brady.

The council confirmed the appointment of Amanda Babich to the Gig Harbor Peninsula Advisory Commission.

Finally, the council passed a resolution honoring the dedication and work of Sumner Mayor Barbara Skinner to Pierce County. Skinner, Sumner’s first female mayor, served from 1998 through 2006. She  passed away Jan. 6 at age 83.