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Attachment A <br />Mr. Reeder noted other ideas in communities, and software applications to establish a baseline, such as <br />by addressing canopy coverage vacillating, to consider where to go in the future. <br />Commissioner Daire spoke in support of that approach. <br />Chair Boguszewski opined that underpinning the whole concept, the key seemed to allow part of the <br />comprehensive plan to involve a quantitative plan by holding a broader public discourse around the <br />entire concept and not just the city deciding they have authority of trees in a private yard, but agreeing <br />to a good, long-term 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 within the realm of <br />government overreach. <br />Mr. Gozola continued with examples from other communities, including addressing either mechanism <br />during development and/or construction (Maple Grove), limiting tree preservation to a subdivision <br />versus zoning ordinance (Plymouth), or cash in lieu of tree removal or restoration (Minnestrista). <br />As outlined in Attachment A of Sambatek's memorandum dated July 6, 2015, Mr. Gozola reviewed his <br />current project understanding and observations of the community's current status. <br />Chair Boguszewski noted the points discussing flexibility on the part of the community and the <br />overarching goal of why to keep or increase trees as part of the 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 discussions, Councilmember <br />Willmus stated his observation of their deliberations was based on how they were interpreting the letter <br />of the law with the zoning code and comprehensive plan. However, Councilmember Willmus noted <br />that the Tree Board, as a role of the Parks & Recreation Commission, had not yet been heard from, and <br />expressed his desire to make sure they weighed in on this discussion as a vital part of the equation. <br />During his eight year tenure with the City, City Manager Trudgeon advised that he was not aware of <br />the Tree Board being involved much or being aware of their actual role. However, going forward, Mr. <br />Trudgeon advised that he would incorporate them into these discussions. <br />Councilmember McGehee opined that Public Works was also part of the equation, as this involved the <br />entire city, whether private trees, right-of-way or boulevard trees, or those located in parks or general <br />common spaces. Councilmember McGehee opined that some of the issues of importance to her <br />included grouping trees or massing them to identify certain areas; recognizing the flyway migratory <br />areas; retaining vegetation in natural areas; diversity with boulevard tree planning, as well as its <br />spacing for maintenance and to ensure tree survival, and how to address use of underground <br />stormwater storage in irrigating trees. Councilmember McGehee also noted her concerns heard from <br />residents in their lack of confidence with tree inspections requiring the expensive removal of <br />apparently diseased 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 for planting <br />elsewhere in lieu of the immediate development area, opining that provided nothing but wasteland in <br />some areas and overcrowding in other areas. Councilmember McGehee further noted a recent <br />newspaper article about one old growth tree species (the state's largest Butternut tree) in the <br />community that needed to be preserved. <br />Councilmember Willmus agreed with Councilmember McGehee in the need to call attention to old <br />growth trees, with much of the tree planning occurring as the community grew from farmland to <br />residential during the 1950's through 1970's; and impressive growth achieved without any actual tree <br />preservation plan in 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 that area for <br /> <br />