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. . I . I .1 Vice Mayor Ruskin stated that the recommendation before the Council is to extend the - moratorium until July 1. He said Public Works Services Director Peter Ingram supported the recommendation and said the moratorium would not adversely affect sidewalk repair contracts. Public Works Services Director Ingram addressed the Council and stated that he recommended Council extend the moratorium to July I to allow a review of the City's policy in conjunction with the budget process. He made the following recommendations: I) Council to allow City Arborist Mann to continue dealing with dead, dying or diseased trees, or trees that present an immediate danger to the public, according to the normal tree work of Public Works Services throughout the year. 2) Council to approve a "force majeure clause" to allow the City crews to deal with emergency tree damages that might occur during winter storms. 3) Council to approve negotiating two outstanding 50-50 sidewalk repair agreements that involve two tree removals. 4. Council to agree that any exceptions to the recommendations would be brought to the Task Force, if not to the full Council, ahead oftime, to seek authorization. 5. Council to approve including Public Works Services Director Ingram in the permit - process requesting removal of Heritage Trees. He stated he could assist the Council in determining if the trees have visual or neighborhood significance, so there would be good communication before any trees were removed. Director Ingram said there are 10 to 12 permit applications for tree removals per week and only 2 or 3 are approved each week during the winter. He stated they are usually dead or dying trees, or are causing other problems to nearby homes. 6. Director Ingram reported that Parks and Recreation Commissioner Don Davis had asked the Task Force to help review the Heritage Tree permit process because the Commission serves as the Appeals Board, as well as reviewing decisions related to Park trees. Director Ingram said that Public Works Services is the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services consultant, and PWS would make sure there was a good explanation for any tree removal in a Park between now and July 1. In response to a question ITom Mayor Howard, Director Ingram indicated that sidewalk repairs would continue under the current contracts without dealing with tree removals, and the moratorium would not hold up legitimate or emergency work where it was needed. Mayor Howard requested a report, at the end of the winter season, indicating how the City fared with respect to tree removals and other emergencies affecting trees. MEMO 1/13/98 - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 JANUARY 12, 1998 MINUTES Page No. 159 PAGE 6