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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,July 6, 2015 <br /> Page 22 <br /> Chair Boguszewski opined that underpinning the whole concept, the key seemed <br /> to allow part of the comprehensive plan to involve a quantitative plan by holding <br /> a broader public discourse around the entire concept and not just the city deciding <br /> they have authority of trees in a private yard, but agreeing to a good, long-term <br /> goal for the entire community. Chair Boguszewski opined that it certainly made <br /> things more palatable rather than his initial concerns that a tree ordinance was <br /> within the realm of government overreach. <br /> Mr. Gozola continued with examples from other communities, including address- <br /> ing either mechanism during development and/or construction (Maple Grove), <br /> limiting tree preservation to a subdivision versus zoning ordinance (Plymouth), or <br /> cash in lieu of tree removal or restoration(Minnestrista). <br /> As outlined in Attachment A of Sambatek's memorandum dated July 6, 2015, Mr. <br /> Gozola reviewed his current project understanding and observations of the com- <br /> munity's current status. <br /> Chair Boguszewski noted the points discussing flexibility on the part of the com- <br /> munity and the overarching goal of why to keep or increase trees as part of the <br /> educational piece as well. <br /> Mayor Roe noted the need to justify any city ordinance with some kind of policy. <br /> While hearing a lot about tree preservation from Planning Commission discus- <br /> sions, Councilmember Willmus stated his observation of their deliberations was <br /> based on how they were interpreting the letter of the law with the zoning code and <br /> comprehensive plan. However, Councilmember Willmus noted that the Tree <br /> Board, as a role of the Parks & Recreation Commission, had not yet been heard <br /> from, and expressed his desire to make sure they weighed in on this discussion as <br /> a vital part of the equation. <br /> During his eight year tenure with the City, City Manager Trudgeon advised that <br /> he was not aware of the Tree Board being involved much or being aware of their <br /> actual role. However, going forward, Mr. Trudgeon advised that he would incor- <br /> porate them into these discussions. <br /> Councilmember McGehee opined that Public Works was also part of the equation, <br /> as this involved the entire city, whether private trees, right-of-way or boulevard <br /> trees, or those located in parks or general common spaces. Councilmember <br /> McGehee opined that some of the issues of importance to her included grouping <br /> trees or massing them to identify certain areas; recognizing the flyway migratory <br /> areas; retaining vegetation in natural areas; diversity with boulevard tree planning, <br /> as well as its spacing for maintenance and to ensure tree survival, and how to ad- <br /> dress use of underground stormwater storage in irrigating trees. Councilmember <br /> McGehee also noted her concerns heard from residents in their lack of confidence <br />