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Mr. Paschke clarified that the full two-years is not intended in all cases, but noted <br /> that sometimes there may be significant time before a tree can be planted, <br /> depending on the location, weather, season, species, etc. and this two-year <br /> timeframe was intended to allow some flexibility. <br /> At the request of Chair Cihacek, Mr. Paschke and Ms. Collins advised that the <br /> two-year clock started upon the City Council's approval of a final plat. <br /> Specific to tree installation, Chair Cihacek asked if it was the intent that the city <br /> or a contractor replaces the tree, or if the city would assist the developer in finding <br /> a contractor to do the work. <br /> Mr. Paschke stated that this was a good point, and it may depend on whether the <br /> city could find bidders or if a developer hired a contractor to plant the trees; with <br /> Ms. Collins further clarifying that it would depend on the scope of the project and <br /> number of trees to be planted. <br /> Member Seigler asked staff for an example of public lands with tree shortages. <br /> Mr. Paschke advised that he was unable to accurately identify those sites <br /> immediately tonight, but noted that trees were planted in city parks on an annual <br /> basis, whether due to disease, replacement of dead trees, or need for additional <br /> trees. <br /> Ms. Collins noted that staff s next stop would be at the Parks & Recreation <br /> Commission, opining this would be a good question for them to address and to <br /> identify their priorities for trees on public lands. <br /> Chair Cihacek asked the city's Environmental Engineer Ryan Johnson how this <br /> would roll into stormwater management or remediation for the city, and support <br /> for impact on this proposed policy. <br /> Environmental Engineer Johnson responded that basically trees fell into a <br /> stormwater best management practices (BMP) category, and confirmed that a <br /> canopy of mature trees reduced rain volume flow throughout the community. Mr. <br /> Johnson noted that such BMPs could be incorporated into stormwater projects as <br /> another option to treat water and slow down volume since only so much water <br /> could be stored via other options. As additional options are considered, such as <br /> tree canopies, Mr. Johnson admitted there would be considerable benefit to <br /> keeping or adding trees in specific areas throughout the community. As an <br /> example, Mr. Johnson referenced the wetland replacement on Victoria north of <br /> Roselawn with trees added recently in this sensitive area adjacent to a wetland, <br /> and those trees adding a secondary benefit. From an engineering and <br /> environmental perspective, Mr. Johnson stated"trees are a good thing." <br /> Page 7 of 17 <br />