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Council Members asked various questions. Mayor Pierce stated that additional rationales for the street tree policy was partially information coming out on planting trees and carbon dioxide and water run, beyond creating tree canopy and shade that encouraged the City policy. Mayor Pierce opened the public hearing. Public Comment: Appellants Jim Beamont and Irene Bender stated their reasons for the denial of their tree removal request. They are concerned about the high level of electric usage and bills in their home, partly due to a medical condition and needing to maintain heat in the house. They said they had a recent opportunity to have some solar panels installed but the tree would shade them and not allow optimal production in offsetting their electrical bill. He said that he has some documentation that indicates installing this type of solar system would have the net effect of ecological effect of planting 1.9 acres of trees and in reductions of various greenhouse effects that would otherwise be produced from energy use. In response to a question, they confirmed that they have already done other types of energy efficient activities, such as insulation, wrapping their water heater, and double - paning some of their windows. They suggested possible alternative trees that do not grow as high and cited information that they got in part from other resources, such as the Sierra Club, Horizon Solar System, and a technical book called Carbon Dioxide Reduction for Urban Forestry for consideration. She noted that the book cited Sycamore trees are negative for solar efficiency. They were also concerned about broken sidewalks being a hazard due to large trees, pieces breaking off and the frequency of trimming by the City. Vice Mayor Foust asked PWS Superintendent Mann about the policy from 1961 that talked about what can or cannot be planted and sycamore trees are on the list. Public Works Superintendent Mann cited section Sec. 29.69. of the code: PLANTING OF CERTAIN TREES PROHIBITED: Some types of trees, upon maturing, instead of becoming assets to the community, become liabilities due to structural weaknesses, disease or insect susceptibility, short life, destructive root systems and rank growing branches requiring excessive maintenance. Due to one or more of these characteristics, it shall be unlawful to plant the following trees in or where they may overhang any public street: acacia, black walnut, Arizona Cypress, Asiastic hackberry, Chinese elm, Locust, Polar, Silk oak, Sycamore or European plane, Willow and all species of fruit trees. In response to questions from the Council, Public Works Superintendent Mann stated that the current Tree Task Force will recommend an approved list and he JOINT CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6 MINUTE BOOK NO. 61 Paae 254