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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mayor Howard recessed the meeting at 9:03 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9: 17 p.m. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- E. UPDATE ON THE TREE POLICY TASK FORCE - ORAL REPORT BY VICE MAYOR RUSKIN; (101) Mayor Howard called on Vice Mayor Ruskin, Chair of the Tree Policy Task Force, and advised that Council Members Hartnett and Ira were the other committee members. Vice Mayor Ruskin described the efforts of the Tree Policy Task Force which was established to review the City's tree policy with an emphasis on preserving and protecting trees, while maintaining the sidewalks, and reviewing other public safety issues. He said that on Thursday evening, January 8, a meeting will be held with forestry consultants to explore the issues, and everyone who had expressed concerns about the trees in Redwood City had been invited to attend. Vice Mayor Ruskin said that after this meeting, the committee will make recommendations to the Council and probably request an extension of the moratorium to allow for a more thorough investigation. Vice Mayor Ruskin said the Task Force was casting a very wide net to include as many different segments of the community as possible, including a nationwide search for appropriate experts and lay people, and wanted as broad a public input as possible. He reported that G. J. Scove, a member of the Pride and Beautification Committee and a landscape architect, will be assisting the Task Force in exploring better approaches to the protection and growth of the City's urban forest. Vice Mayor Ruskin expressed appreciation to the Public Works Services Department, especially Director Ingram and Superintendent Gordon Mann for their commitment to this effort. He also thanked his colleagues for their support, and encouraged them to make their own suggestions and recommendations. Mayor Howard thanked Vice Mayor Ruskin and the committee members for their work on this important issue. She added that the Council, staff, and the community were anxious to have the tree policy revised. She encouraged citizen participation in the meetings and citizen comment when it is before the Council. --------------______n__n______--______n_nnn_______n___---------------------______n___________n______n______--- 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 JANUARY 5,1998 MINUTES Page No. 144 PAGE 7