Over one year later, urban forester still source of debate

City administrator David Rutherford recommended merging McMinnville’s Department of Urban Forestry with its Public Works Department during regular board meetings Tuesday night.

‘Right now I can’t recommend a separate Department of Urban Forestry,’ said Rutherford. ‘If anything, it’s an extension of Public Works. You’ll have to continue to decide what you want to do with this department.’

Mayor Royce Davenport and Alderman Billy Wood didn’t seem to agree with Rutherford’s assessment.

‘That might not be well received in the community,’ said Davenport. ‘It was a long fight to get that department started a few years ago.’

Wood said it would ‘water down’ the department if it merged with another one.

It was reported that Urban Forestry currently has four full-time employees and a few part-time workers. Rutherford said while the department is full of capable employees who can dig holes, there is not a landscape architect on staff.

Rutherford suggested the board take action to remedy that problem soon because the fall planting season of October and November is quickly approaching and the city needs to be ready.

McMinnville has been without an urban forester since Nick Kuhn accepted a job in New Mexico in May 2006.

‘I think it needs to be a division of Public Works, you think it needs to be its own department,’ said Rutherford. ‘We need to have these discussions soon.’

A meeting of the Building and Grounds Committee was set for July 10 to specifically address the vacant urban forester position. Wood urged city officials to be serious about making a decision at that time.

‘Put on your boxing gloves and bring your lunch,’ said Wood. ‘Let’s put this puppy to sleep. We’ve talked about it too long.’