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- - . - Couneilman Ira said he agreed that the larger size tree (24 inch) should be used for - replanting purposes, but that the type of species and the size of the trees in certain sidewalk areas have contributed to the problems that now exist. He said it was important to evaluate each situation before replanting anything, to make sure what is planted is appropriate. He said he did not support planting anything during that 45-day moratorium. Couneil Member Claire said City policy allows for replacement of the trees (that were cut down in the affected area) with 15 gallon trees, but he wanted to rnake the residents of the affected area as whole as possible as quickly as possible, and give them an opportunity to have more mature trees. Viee Mayor Ruskin expressed concern that "Part of the policy problems have been the very choices allowed for replacement. I would state that up until now, part of the problem in our policy has been the very choices allowed because some of the species have not been the proper choices. Some of the streets are lined with toy trees, and it's a shame." Couneil Member Claire agreed that the choice of species is important, and that "it is best left up to professional arborists to work those details out with the property owner, rather than have a committee do that." He said the Council had an opportunity to make that neighborhood whole as quickly as possible. Viee Mayor Ruskin said, "I want to let the experts do what they are expert at. But, I think - that... this is a visual matter as well as an environmental matter and matter of property values." He said it was also a policy decision, because "it goes into the look of the City, and the avoidance of toy trees." Superintendent and Arborist Mann described the parameters allowing and limiting certain trees in certain areas, especially the space available. ITERATION OF THE MOTION MIS: CLAIRE/BUCHAN DIRECT STAFF TO REPLACE ANY TREE IN THE AFFECTED AREA WITH A TREE OF THE APPROPRIATE SPECIES AND NO LESS THAN A 45 GALLON TREE (IF THE RESIDENT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT THAT SIZE.) MOTION FAILED ON THE FOLLOWING VOTE: A YES: COUNCIL MEMBERS BUCHAN, CLAIRE AND MAYOR HOWARD NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS HARTNETT, IRA, LEIPZIG AND RUSKIN MINUTE ORDER NO. 97-229 Couneil Member Hartnett said he believed it was the consensus of the Council to move - as quickly as possible in the affected area, with larger trees being planted there than is REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 56 DECEMBER 1,1997 MINUTES Page No. 079 PAGE 7