Motions2025

Proposed motions for member meeting

  • TITLE OF MOTION: _The Board should suspend or eliminate tree height enforcement near waterways for two years and actively encourage tree planting until the area achieves a minimum 30% tree canopy and demonstrates improved tree health.

I MOVE THAT THE SURFSIDE BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONSIDER”  

The board should follow established science and equity laws to suspend or eliminate tree height enforcement near waterways for two years and encourage tree planting until the tree canopy reaches a minimal of 30% and tree health improves.

Raonal/Discussion points

Under RCW 36.70A.172, counties and cities must use best available science to protect the water, functions and values of critical areas.

RCW 70A.02 further mandates reducing environmental and health disparities, especially for vulnerable populations like Surfside’s low-income seniors.

Due to aggressive enforcement from 2020 to 2025 Surfside’s tree canopy is below 16%, far short of the 30% recommended for public health.

16-foot height limits create “ghost trees” through pruning, resulting in decaying, dying, and requiring costly removal. The US Forest Service do not count trees under 16.4 in measuring canopy. Tree canopy is thus 0%

Low-income seniors near waterways face high exposure to pollutants, including airborne microplastics, toxins from algae blooms, and heavy metals, due to a lack of tree canopy.

Cities and counties nationwide are expanding tree cover with 30% tree canopy goals to support vulnerable populations and climate equity.

Surfside’s outdated policies undermine environmental equity laws and public health.

Science confirms that mature trees reduce pollution, cool neighborhoods, prevent flooding, and protect health, especially in vulnerable populations.

TITLE OF MOTION: Protecting Our Most Vulnerable Children and Seniors: Grant no limit Tree Height Variances for the Health of Our Most Vulnerable Residents

I MOVE THAT THE SURFSIDE BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONSIDER granting tree height variances upon request for households with children under age 10, pregnant women, and residents aged 65 or older, based on hundreds of scientific studies showing the Impact of pollutants such as heavy metals and microplastics.

Rationale/Discussion Points:

  1. . A licensed medical opinion or peer-reviewed study indicating that tree removal would negatively impact a resident short or long term health should be sufficient grounds to grant a tree height variance to protect their well-being.
  2. Microplastics have been found in human organs, including the brain and heart, where they are linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired cognitive function, and increased risk of dementia, cancer, respiratory health, and cardiovascular disease.
  3. Children breathe more rapidly and are more vulnerable to air pollutants. Studies show an impact to respiratory health and slower development.
  4. A Scientific study of 3 million pregnant women showed that microplastic pollutants affect fetal development, birth weight, and the long-term health of young children.
  5. Seniors face increased risks from respiratory and cardiovascular effects linked to air pollution and microplastics .
  6. While there is currently no EPA standard for airborne microplastics, over 100 studies link microplastic exposure to health risks—especially for residents living near beaches and oceans where microplastic concentrations are higher.

TITLE OF MOTION: Protecting Our Most Vulnerable Children and Seniors: Grant no limit Tree Height Variances for the Health of Our Most Vulnerable Residents

  • I MOVE THAT THE SURFSIDE BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONSIDER granting tree height variances upon request for households with children under age 10, pregnant women, and residents aged 65 or older, based on hundreds of scientific studies showing the Impact of pollutants such as heavy metals and microplastics.

Rationale/Discussion Points:

  • . A licensed medical opinion or peer-reviewed study indicating that tree removal would negatively impact a resident short or long term health should be sufficient grounds to grant a tree height variance to protect their well-being.
  • Microplastics have been found in human organs, including the brain and heart, where they are linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired cognitive function, and increased risk of dementia, cancer, respiratory health, and cardiovascular disease.
  • Children breathe more rapidly and are more vulnerable to air pollutants. Studies show an impact to respiratory health and slower development.
  • A Scientific study of 3 million pregnant women showed that microplastic pollutants affect fetal development, birth weight, and the long-term health of young children.
  • Seniors face increased risks from respiratory and cardiovascular effects linked to air pollution and microplastics .
  • While there is currently no EPA standard for airborne microplastics, over 100 studies link microplastic exposure to health risks—especially for residents living near beaches and oceans where microplastic concentrations are higher.
  • TITLE OF MOTION: Increasing tree height limits from restrictive areas with 16/20 feet tree height limits to 24 feet to Restore Canopy Coverage and Protect Public Health

TITLE OF MOTION: Increasing tree height limits from restrictive areas with 16/20 feet tree height limits to 24 feet to Restore Canopy Coverage and Protect Public Health

•    I move that the Surfside Board of Trustees consider increasing tree height limits from restrictive areas with 16/20-foot tree height limits to 24 feet, while maintaining the current height limit in areas with tree heights above 24 feet. 

Rational/Discussion points

  1. Years of tree-dropping due to large fines and lawsuits have reduced Surfside’s canopy to just 16% on the west side near the ocean, compared to 33% on the east side. Tree loss increases airborne microplastic, increases flooding and heavy metal pollution driven inland by ocean waves and winds. 
  2. 100s of Studies link these pollutants to health problems like underweight births, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory harm in seniors. Taller trees filter pollutants, absorb stormwater, and reduce toxic runoff. Updating height limits will restore pollutant protection and comply with environmental covenants, choosing our health over vie
  3. 16-foot tree height limits provide little water capture or pollutant absorption near critical areas, increasing stormwater runoff, allowing tire pollutants, septic pollutants, microplastics to flow into waterways, thereby threatening the health of residents near the lake and canal.

TITLE OF MOTION: _Motion to adopt Election Buddy as an Interim Emergency Broadcast Solution to Protect Residents and save lives until a long-term emergency solution is adopted.

I MOVE THAT THE SURFSIDE BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONSIDER”  

  1. I move THE SURFSIDE BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONSIDER the temporary use of ElectionBuddy as Surfside HOA’s emergency broadcast messaging system to alert members in the event of a natural disaster or public safety emergency—such as flooding, tsunamis, wildfires, Shelter-in-Place Warning, or toxic water events—using existing email and SMS infrastructure.

Rational/Discussion points

  1. Immediate Capability: ElectionBuddy offers a ready-to-use alert system that can be quickly implemented using a simple spreadsheet containing residents’ email addresses and phone numbers.
  2. Cost-Effective: At $299 per alert to reach all residents, this is a budget-friendly option compared to systems costing $3,000–$7,000+ annually and complex solutions more geared toward government agencies. It can be done now instead of waiting years for a solution
  3. Multi-Channel Delivery: Supports both phone, sms text, and email, enabling instant reach across multiple platforms for residents. Can have canned emergency links and real-time emergency instructions ready and prepared in advance to be sent out in minutes. Easily sent out and initiated from a phone. Can track receipt and acknowledgment of messages by residents. Rebroadcasts to send out repeated warnings.
  4. Covers Critical Gaps: Surfside currently lacks any formal emergency communication system, which poses a risk to lives in urgent events.
  5. Minimal Training Required: HOA leadership or management can activate messages without requiring technical expertise. An emergency can be initiated by phone by any number of authorized board members.
  6. Use: Provides an adequate temporary solution to allow time for assessing long-term solutions and conducting due diligence (e.g., comparing features and funding needs).