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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,July 6, 2015 <br /> Page 23 <br /> with tree inspections requiring the expensive removal of apparently diseased <br /> trees, and subsequent discovery when analyzed by the U of MN that they were not <br /> actually diseased at all. Councilmember McGehee expressed her lack of support <br /> for planting elsewhere in lieu of the immediate development area, opining that <br /> provided nothing but wasteland in some areas and overcrowding in other areas. <br /> Councilmember McGehee further noted a recent newspaper article about one old <br /> growth tree species (the state's largest Butternut tree) in the community that need- <br /> ed to be preserved. <br /> Councilmember Willmus agreed with Councilmember McGehee in the need to <br /> call attention to old growth trees, with much of the tree planning occurring as the <br /> community grew from farmland to residential during the 1950's through 1970's; <br /> and impressive growth achieved without any actual tree preservation plan in <br /> place. During the Pulte Housing Development project, Councilmember Willmus <br /> admitted it had served as a real eye opener for the City Council in clear-cutting <br /> that area for development and replacing those trees that may be found lacking <br /> from some perspectives. Councilmember Willmus clarified that he was not inter- <br /> ested in an ordinance governing or requiring a private resident to cut down an old <br /> tree or having to approach City Hall to get a replacement tree permit, but was <br /> more concerned with an ordinance addressing subdivisions or redevelopment and <br /> consistent and fair questions to ask as part of that process. <br /> While recognizing that the Planning Commission as a body didn't have authority <br /> over what the City Council ultimately adopted as an ordinance, Chair Bo- <br /> guszewski noted the individual comments of commissioners, and their willingness <br /> to serve on a task force or advisory board to assist the City Council in their ef- <br /> forts. <br /> Mayor Roe noted that got back to the balance question and what triggered en- <br /> forcement; and his tendency to agree with Councilmember Willmus' interest in a <br /> reasonable approach to promote adding trees,but recognizing while there may not <br /> be much old growth from a technical sense, the community still had some signifi- <br /> cant trees. <br /> Councilmember Etten agreed that it was necessary to decide the City's purpose in <br /> having such an ordinance, with an excellent list available in the annual Arbor Day <br /> Resolution addressing the City's regulatory function and benefits for the commu- <br /> nity and its overall health and public good. Councilmember Etten noted the in- <br /> volvement of the Tree Board as part of the Emerald Ash Borer(EAB) infestation; <br /> and encouraged Mr. Gozola and Reeder to review the staff RCA prepared for the <br /> November 17, 2014 and past discussions. While perhaps not being a desirable <br /> species, Councilmember Etten noted there was value in a 70' tall Cottonwood tree <br /> as a significant tree, even though not considered a specimen tree, a common sight <br /> in Roseville. Councilmember Etten expressed his interest in incentives to pre- <br /> serve such trees; and noted his frustrations in not tying together a tree preserva- <br />