Laserfiche WebLink
Attachment A <br />and addressing where responsibilities lie and where final decisions were made; and whether current <br />staffing or a different staffing model was indicated as part of the process moving forward. <br />City Manager Trudgeon thanked Councilmember Willmus for bringing the Tree Board to his attention; <br />noting they did not currently have a direct role in reviewing tree preservation, which was often tied to <br />development. However, Mr. Trudgeon noted the need to include their perspective related to shade <br />trees, pests, and boulevard issues; and noted the need to reconcile their role with this discussion. <br />Mayor Roe opined that the City's first attempt at a tree preservation ordinance was good, but now it <br />was time to refine it. As noted by Councilmember Etten and the discussion held in November of 2014, <br />Mayor Roe opined that fairly reflected the thoughts of the City Council, and while there may be a <br />difference of opinion among individual Councilmembers about ultimate triggers, the policy decision <br />needed to be made. Mayor Roe indicated that to begin that process, a draft ordinance would provide <br />something for the City Council to respond to, while hoping tonight's input had provided some <br />parameter within which to start that work. <br />Mr. Gozola thanked the City Council for their overall direction, noting he was not hearing anything to <br />indicate the points already pointed out were not out-of-line or off-base, but still grounded in what the <br />City hoped to accomplish. Mr. Gozola thanked Planning Commissioners for their input as well; and <br />expressed his interest in bringing all boards and departments into the consultation process. Since this <br />is the first introductory meeting held, Mr. Gozola noted next steps would be to review this discussion <br />with staff, define a cost to develop an ordinance, with nothing signed to-date; and bringing that <br />proposal back to the City Council with a plan about how to get the city where they thought they <br />wanted to go. <br />Mayor Roe opined that the preservation areas provided an interesting concept (e.g. Acorn Road) that <br />may indicate different replacement rates, as well as credits for off-site replacement and/or tree <br />"banking," all of which he found worthy to look at. Mayor Roe opined that the "cash in lieu of" for <br />trees could fund those wanting to put up a tree and the ability to do so at a reduced cost, offering his <br />interest in looking at that concept. <br />Based on earlier comments and what additional information was needed, Councilmember Laliberte <br />noted the need to have all departments aligned and working together. Recognizing the position for a <br />Forester posted earlier this year, Councilmember Laliberte noted the need to hear more options: <br />whether a staff position was preferable, or an outside consultant or business; or whether the City's role <br />was to get involved in the business or identifying good or bad trees beyond disease issues (e.g. EAB) <br />to avoid being seen as "tree snobs." <br />Along those lines of good or bad trees, Councilmember McGehee noted the need to avoid encouraging <br />planting of noxious invasive trees, but also providing a general list of trees that differentiated between <br />native or non-native plantings rather than trying to define all tree species; but only those not serving to <br />encroach further. <br /> <br />