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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,May 5, 2014 Page 7 seemed to be very little understanding of the nature of trees and their value, and how best to protect them during construction and what was meant by compaction and an inherent way to protect them. Regarding Cottonwood trees specifically, Councilmember McGehee noted that they provided a significant home for certain types of birds, including Baltimore Orioles as a nesting area; and agreed that sig- nificant trees should be retained. Councilmember Willmus opined that there was a role for the Parks & Recreation Commissions, in their role as the Tree Board, to enter into this discussion. Coun- cilmember Willmus agreed that the current tree preservation ordinance was wide open from his perspective, and needed review. Councilmember McGehee suggested the Public Works Department's Environ- mental Engineer should also be involved in future discussions as consideration was given to natural area management plans; and further opined that the ordi- nance and its oversight may be better served in the Public Works Department for the Engineer to review stormwater issues and wetland preservation. Acting Mayor Laliberte opined that having development happen in the communi- ty when it was so nearly fully-developed was a great benefit, and suggested more coordination was needed among parties identified, including a tree specialist or forester in the Parks & Recreation Department, and for engineering issues within the Public Works Department. Planning Commissioner Boguszewski agreed with Council concerns with how the current ordinance was written and how trees were apparently reviewed in aggre- gate rather than taking heritage trees into consideration. Commissioner Bo- guszewski opined that by involving the City Engineer, and/or Forester to rewrite the ordinance should make it tighter or provide better guidance, rather than re- strictions; and as a Planning Commissioner, he would support a more robust writ- ing of the ordinance. Planning Commissioner Daire noted that he and his wife were volunteer caretak- ers at Willow Pond, and noted the considerable amount of Black Walnut trees growing naturally as planted by squirrels. Since it was on public land, and con- sidering the value of those mature trees, Commissioner Daire suggested it could become a revenue resource for the City and as an active way to address and fund the tree preservation program and generate revenue for the City. At the request of Acting Mayor Laliberte, Chair Gisselquist stated that the Plan- ning Commission would be willing to take on this review at the direction of the City Council; and that they would encourage expertise from other parties men- tioned. In order to sufficiently address all issues, Chair Gisselquist suggested the involvement of the Public Works and Parks & Recreation Commissions and staff