CC MIN 1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

4 ' Parks and Recreation (continued) MOTION: Councilman Rhodes moved, seconded by Council- man Norris, to eliminate the reading of t1' : entire section submitted by the Parks and Recreation Director and consider only the items of concern to Council members. Lou Byrne, 180 Oakdale , stated that the section titles are not sufficiently definitive and asked for a summary of each. William Harlow, 803 Seminole, suggested the audience be asked to vote on whether or not they wished to hear the report sections read. Mayor Weymouth explained that the Council is elected to review the Budget and will make its own rules of procedure as is customary with such legally constituted bodies. CHANGE OF MOTION : Councilman Rhodes, with the consent of his second, changed his motion to ask that the sec- tions be summarized rather than the reading eliminated. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote. Street Tree Program City Manager Fales summarized the subject program, stating that maintenance of street trees could be reduced to include emergency services only with the full responsibility for planting, trimming, spraying and removal of street trees going to the property owners. Mr. Fales observed that the saving would be about $127, 911 per year which is much less per taxpayer than it would be if each were respon- sible for his own street trees. Lengthy discussion followed concerning the detri- mental effect on the whole City if street trees were not properly maintained; the possibility of development of various types of tree disease and blight which could have disastrous effects on all City trees; the probability that the unfortunate effect of reduced maintenance would not be apparent for a year or so after which it would be difficult to recoup the tree loss; and the desire of Council and citizens to reduce costs wherever possible . Ken Aldrich, 1159 17th Avenue, suggested that the City would encounter major problems if maintenance of street trees is eliminated. Observation was made that the cost of one call by a tree expert to a property owner would be equivalent to more than the amount the Council could possibly reduce the individual property owner' s part of municipal funds. It was the consensus of Council that no change should be made in the Street Tree Program. Services for Special Events and Projects City Manager Fales summarized the subject services, noting that they are for assistance, with manpower -4- Budget Study 6/7/75