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explore agreements that could be reached to work more closely together to resolve these <br /> issues. The City responded enthusiastically, and appointed the following Public Works <br /> personnel to the task force: Johnny Medlin, Maintenance Support Manager; Dick Morgan, <br /> Parks Maintenance Manager; Adrian Stansfield, Landscape and Trees Supervisor; and Jan <br /> Staszewski, Urban Forester. EWEB's representatives include: Dave Koski, Overhead Line <br /> Supervisor; Brad Edwards, coordinator of EWEB's tree trimming program; Laurie Power, <br /> Environmental Manager; and myself. <br /> The Task Force has met three times, and has met separately at the site of a future tree <br /> trimming project, on Coburg Road adjacent to the Oakway Mall. <br /> The first Task Force meeting, on September 22, resulted in the identification of the <br /> following general tree trimming issues and information needs, for further discussion: <br /> * Tree Replacement Practices <br /> * Management of Existing Trees <br /> * Identification of Criteria for Tree Removal <br /> * Risk Management <br /> * Identification of Joint Policies and Practices <br /> * Identification of Environmental Concerns <br /> * Coordination in New Construction <br /> * Coordination of Future Tree Trimming Efforts <br /> The second meeting, held on October 4, consisted of overviews of both tree trimming <br /> programs. <br /> Discussion of the first two issues above occurred at the third Task Force meeting, on <br /> October 26. Prior to this meeting, Johnny Medlin and myself agreed that in each of the <br /> issue discussions, we would focus on identifying the sub - issues, the desired outcomes, and <br /> deciding on a process (subcommittees, etc.) to reach resolution. During this discussion, the <br /> subject of EWEB's fairly imminent need to conduct tree trimming on Coburg Road, <br /> adjacent to the Oakway Mall, was brought up. <br /> It was decided that EWEB and the City should work together in developing an approach <br /> to conducting the trimming on Coburg Road, including the consideration of such issues as <br /> tree replacement, the need for some joint training, and public and elected official <br /> communication in the decision- making process. It was further agreed to utilize this project <br /> as a model, or "test case" for addressing the various issues previously identified. A work <br /> plan is now being drafted. This project is being expedited with the recognition of EWEB's <br /> commitment to return to Adams Street and the Whiteaker Neighborhood this winter. The <br /> Coburg Road project would provide an opportunity to review successes and shortcomings <br /> and make necessary adjustments prior to returning to the Whiteaker Neighborhood. <br /> The Task Force discussions and interactions have been extremely cooperative and congenial. <br /> Representatives from both entities have been very open, have acknowledged past internal <br /> and external difficulties, and have pledged to streamline and improve the coordination of <br />