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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,June 03,2013 <br /> Page 15 <br /> Councilmember McGehee suggested that it would be the most efficient to have a <br /> consulting firm or someone with that expertise; of to use the University of MN <br /> Extension Service to provide the number of people needed when they were need- <br /> ed. <br /> Councilmember Etten suggested it was worth further discussion when Parks & <br /> Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke was present, and the City's current Forester to <br /> determine what she was currently dealing with and what she saw as needs in the <br /> community. Councilmember Etten suggested this may indicate expansion of the <br /> part-time position by only one month in each direction. <br /> Mayor Roe suggested that Mr. Trudgeon, Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Brokke be di- <br /> rected to have that discussion internally and bring their recommended options to <br /> the City Council for further discussion and direction. <br /> Mr. Trudgeon summarized what he was hearing as staff's directive: that the City <br /> Council desired to put more resources toward tree preservation city-wide and to <br /> consolidate it into a better system to determine actual needs. <br /> Councilmember Willmus, with concurrence by Mayor Roe and Councilmember <br /> McGehee, that the position be developer funded. Councilmember Willmus ques- <br /> tioned if the position was actually levy driven. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte questioned if someone was then being freed to perform <br /> other duties or a shifting of responsibilities. <br /> Mr. Trudgeon clarified staff's direction to include options for a Forester position <br /> and/or duties that could create shifting among departments, as long as not unfund- <br /> ed. Mr. Trudgeon also noted the need to have someone at City Hall able to re- <br /> view plans, and provide feet on the ground to monitor and enforce the Tree <br /> Preservation Ordinance; advising that the position could be as extensive as the <br /> City Council desired. However, for effective tree preservation, Mr. Trudgeon <br /> noted that there was the need for on-site monitoring on a frequent basis. <br /> Mr. Paschke concurred, noting that it was similar to erosion control efforts, with a <br /> fee structure provided by the developer in the Public Works area to include in- <br /> spections, fines, and other items; and suggested that their model be used as a start- <br /> ing point for this situation and to set up a system for someone with this expertise <br /> to perform those duties. <br /> Councilmember McGehee asked that resident concerns not be left out; and sug- <br /> gested that there were residents in the community who could volunteer to monitor <br /> and report any issues to staff for their confirmation so staff didn't need to be on- <br /> site all the time. Councilmember McGehee noted that this practice was typical for <br /> watershed districts to have citizens on site to ensure compliance; and opined that <br />