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communities, level of fines. Comments included that regulations should be tailored according to neighborhoods, commended the Task Force for the work, consideration toward trees that might pose obstacles to pedestrians Public Comment: Alan Carson asked whether there might be credit for having enhanced landscaping with trees where nothing existed previously. He questioned pruning permits being annual and revocable and asked if where knowledgeable in pruning the homeowner might do the pruning. He stated that current best practices should be endorsed about the removal permits and penalties for the permits related to trees. He also suggested a contest be held to find the 100 largest trees, different species, etc. He asked who decides what a nuisance tree is. Chris Bush extended appreciation to the Task Force and stated her disappointment in the process of the Task Force, resulting proposal, and recommendations. She stated that reference to the four pro tree guest speakers and not mentioning the one homeowners' rights speaker was a biased statement. The letter that went out mentioned various components but did not mention homeowners' rights which is not representative of one of the most contentious issues. Some of the original suggestions submitted were either edited or never included from the original forum. She further stated that No. 13 lacks credibility due to censorship and that the failed recommendation to reinstate code enforcement of the tree ordinance will not enforce the current ordinance. Derby Davidson confirmed that one of the first items voted on was to agree that consensus needed to consist of at least an 80% affirmative vote. Each of the 24 items received an 80% vote of approval. Ralph Nobles supported the plan to create a citizens appeals board. He stated that his reason is that he has had a personal problem Theodore Cedar 50 year -old has two sucker branches that interferes with its beauty. He stated that he obtained a professional assessment that confirmed pruning of the tree is appropriate but that he was denied a permit to do so. Susan Swope commended the Council's forethought in commissioning the Task Force and stated that the urban forest is in need of attention. She congratulated the Task Force for an excellent job overall, stating that she particularly likes the vision; adoption of the idea of a landmark rather than a heritage tree; and development of an education program. Over the last 20 years at the Parks and Recreation Commission level, an appeal is most often due to the wrong tree being planted in the wrong place. She agreed that the impact of the property owner should be considered in decisions for tree removal permits, and that approving and developing an urban master plan is excellent. She stated concern with item #7.0 due to instances where it may not be advisable to replace a tree, and #8 JOINT CITY COUNCIL /REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY DECEMBER 4, 2006 MEETING MINUTES PAGE 7 MINUTE BOOK NO. 61 Page 297