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Mr. Medlin stressed the need to accomplish tasks such as identifying historic <br /> trees in order to sustain community and staff enthusiasm. Communication was <br /> ( also important. He also emphasize the necessity of sharing information. <br /> Mr. Smith found it interesting that the first four categories are integral <br /> parts of each other. He added that those four categories would also be <br /> expensive. Mr. Smith was glad that the historic trees ideas was not lost <br /> among other items. He also foresaw that members would probably spend <br /> significant time discussing the individual items listed under each category. <br /> Mr. Smith said some great ideas were listed, although others were not <br /> mentioned. He expressed the hope that staff would be able to present those <br /> ideas as well as inform the commission of those which staff felt would be <br /> implausible. He then noted that while the motion to focus on trees was <br /> practical for the moment, other vegetation should not be forgotten. Many <br /> areas that are included in Eugene's urban forest, such as Spencer Butte Park, <br /> Skinner Butte Park, and the Ridgeline Trail, make consideration of other <br /> vegetation a necessity. Overall, Mr. Smith was very enthusiastic about the <br /> accomplishments the commission had made that evening. <br /> Mr. Hale was glad that the commission had agreed that a master plan was its <br /> first priority and that ordinances were also near the top of the list. He <br /> felt that recognizing historic trees was important but that nothing would be <br /> accomplished on the item without an ordinance. Also, focusing on historic <br /> trees would not recognize the fact that trees need to be cared for in all <br /> ages and sizes. Seventy percent of the City's historic trees are located on <br /> private property and even with an ordinance, Mr. Hale was not sure if the <br /> City could regulate them. Money, contrary to the commission's <br /> prioritization, was the most important item. No ordinance could be put in <br /> place without a staff person to support it. Education might prove itself to <br /> be the least expensive objective on which the commission could work. <br /> Mr. Hale added that there was more intergovernmental communication concerning <br /> the urban forest than ever before. Last, he repeated that a master plan was <br /> most important but noted that in order to create one, the commission would <br /> have to know what elements should be included in the plan. <br /> Mr. Eveleth said he was worried at first by the attention the commission gave <br /> to ordinances. Much of the work involved with ordinances would go to the <br /> Permit and Information Center, where the City is trying to streamline permit <br /> processes. He was relieved that the commission put greater emphasis on <br /> education and less on restrictive measures. <br /> Ms. Bentsen said her greatest apprehensions for the urban trees concerned <br /> private construction of driveways, etc. She believed that greater <br /> involvement by the Planning and Development Department might be the only way <br /> to address this issue. <br /> Ms. Sirnio mentioned that the Historic Review Board was concerned about <br /> historic trees and suggested that a Tree Commission member visit a board <br /> meeting to discuss this issue. <br /> Mr. Kolb then explained that staff would review the lists of information and <br /> come back with some proposals and ideas. <br /> MINUTES - -Tree Commission March 8, 1990 Page 11 <br />