Concerned Escanaba residents attend a meeting at City Hall in 2025. The city asks that people willing to provide a little bit of spare time might join one of the boards that officially advise city council and staff. (Daily Press file photo by Ilsa Minor)

ESCANABA — A second reading, public hearing and adoption of an ordinance to establish the Escanaba Tree Advisory Board will take place on May 7.

If the board is created, it would need at least three resident members to join, according to a draft ordinance.

The City of Escanaba has a number of boards whose role it is to thoroughly look into certain specific areas and advise department heads and the five-person City Council on action. Examples are the Harbor Advisory Committee, Recreation Advisory Board, Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, Electrical Advisory Committee and more.

“A person often seeks appointment to a City Board, Commission or Committee because of her or his involvement with a particular activity, or because she or he has a specific interest or expertise in the focus of that Board, Commission or Committee,” states the City of Escanaba website. “For example, the Harbor Advisory Committee includes some boaters, and bankers serve on the Loan Administration Board. However, it must be remembered that the member represents all people and the entire City and not that special interest when serving on that Board, Commission or Committee.”

That means that although a person may sign up for a board because they have a vested interest in the subject, their duty once appointed is to consider things like the city’s master plan and the wishes of other residents. Any committee member who has a financial interest in the outcome of a particular matter on the agenda is to announce their conflict of interest and be excused from deliberations.

Presently, the City of Escanaba’s existing boards have a handful of vacancies.

One position is available on the Board of Library Trustees who are “responsible for formulation of general policies and procedures relating to library operation for preparation and submission of annual budgets, planning future operation, hiring and overseeing nonunion library employees, and other duties as may be assigned by the City Council.” The library board meets on a monthly basis.

Another vacancy is on the Historic Preservation Commission (formerly the Historic District Commission). Their goal is “to regulate the construction, addition, alteration, repair, moving, excavation, and demolition of resources in historic districts within the city limits” in order to romote the use of historic areas for education and pleasure by the public; “safeguard the heritage of the City of Escanaba by preserving districts which reflect elements of its history, architecture, archeology, engineering, or culture;” and foster civic beauty. The HPC meets quarterly.

The Escanaba Housing Commission, which manages Harbor Tower Apartments, has one vacancy as well. The commission’s responsibility is to guide decisions about providing “proper sanitary housing facilities for families of low income and for the elimination of housing conditions which are detrimental to the public peace, health, safety, morals, and/or welfare.” The Housing Commission meets once a month.

The Zoning Board of Appeals has two alternate vacancies. This board meets when called upon and “functions as a quasi-judicial body and has the power to hold hearings on decisions made by the Zoning Administrator, interpretations, variances, exceptions, and matters involving non-conforming (land) uses.”

The roles are unpaid, but residents are encouraged to engage and make efforts to help the community thrive.

“Citizen participation is an important reason why Escanaba enjoys a reputation as a progressive, home rule city,” states escanaba.org/bc. “Your city government needs your support and advice in its continuing efforts toward responsive local government. Participation on city boards, commissions, and committees is the major way you can contribute.”

If the proposed Tree Advisory Board is created as intended, it would include seven voting members: three residents plus one representative from each of four departments: Public Works, Water/Wastewater, Electric, and the Downtown Development Authority. A certified arborist would also be sought and appointed by city council as a non-voting ex-officio member.

City Manager Jim McNeil explained at the April 16 city council meeting why the city is seeking to establish a board whose focus would be tree maintenance.

“You may have an idea, but you probably wouldn’t believe how much input we get on trees. …So many different voices and opinions and perspectives. …After hearing so much information in the last few years, it really made sense that there needs to be a venue to talk about this. It’s something a little more organized than sharing random opinions at different times,” he said.

Utilities would continue to have the final say, as trees can interfere with power lines and underground pipes, but guidance from other parties could help reach the best decisions.

“What was missing here was a scientific component to removing trees and what type of trees to replace,” said Council Member Karen Moore. “This (board), hopefully, will provide that and answer and be able to answer some of the questions from the citizens, because like Mr. McNeil said, everybody’s got a different opinion. So if a decision is made as a result of a group of experts, then that can be relayed to a citizen who has a complaint or is questioning a decision about a tree removal or something that’s planted.”

Further discussion on the possible Tree Advisory Board will take place at the next Escanaba City Council meeting on May 7.

To sign up for positions on the Housing Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historic Preservation Commission or Board of Library Trustees, people may request applications from the clerk’s office at City Hall (410 Ludington St.) or apply online. Applications are available at escanaba.org/bc.