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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1971/04/26 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Monday April 26, 1971 A regular adjourned meeting of the City Council was held on the above date begin- ning at 3 P.M. in the Council Chamber, Civic Center, 276 Fourth Avenue, with the following Councilmen present: Councilmen Scott, Hobel, Hamilton, Hyde, Egdahl Absent: None Also present: Assistant City Manager Bourcier, City Attorney Lindberg, Director of Public Works Cole, City Manager Thomson (arrived late) Mayor Hamilton opened the meeting by announcing that the discussions will be on tree trimming and tree planting, and voting formulas (Comprehensive Planning Organization). Director of Public Works, Lane Cole Mr. Cole referred to the written report submitted to the Council. He presented a series of slides showing different trees throughout the City; diseased trees; trees that have uprooted sidewalks; trees with low branches; and trees that have been trimmed. Councilman Hyde Councilman Hyde asked if any consideration has ever been given to these trees that have uprooted the sidewalks, to having the side- walks constructed around the tree, with the property owners sharing the cost. Trees removed in one year Mayor Hamilton asked how many requests were received for tree removals in one year. Leo Levesque, Public Works Mr. Levesque, Street Tree Maintenance Fore- William Robens, Assistant Public man, stated it would average about 500. Mr. Works Director Robens stated that to date, they have re- ceived 180 this year, so it would average closer to 250 trees a year. Trees replaced Mr. Cole remarked that not all of these trees ara replaced. In many cases the prop- erty owner will not permit it. Alternative suggested Councilman Scott suggested giving these property owners an alternative: leave the tree in and fix the sidewalk for a certain amount of money; or if the tree is removed, the property owner bear thc cost of the tree removal plus having to put in another tree of a different type. City Attorney comments Mr. Lindberg commented on the City's lie' bility in being the "caretakers" of the rights-cf-way and the reason for encourag- ing trcc trimming activities in order to avoid liabilities. Tree trimming policy Mr. Cole explained that when a request is received for tree removal, the Street Tree Maintenance Foreman and his supervisor both inspect the request and both must agree on the removal. Mr. Cole emphasized the fact that his department tries to save as many trees as possible. Mr. Levesque described the policy used in tree trirmning. He noted a new type of equipment used to cut roots of a tree next to a sidewalk that is ready to be uprooted. This machine will cut the roots down to 14 inches, thus saving the sidewalk and the tree. The equipment costs approximately $6,800. Councilman Egdahl commented that this machine would work primarily on the smaller trees -- the large ones wauld have to be removed any- way. It could be a policy of the future but it would not solve the current problems. Whitney-Mankato Circle The Council discussed the trees in this area. Councilman Hyde suggested that a policy be incorporated whereby when these trees must be removed, it be done on a staggered basis, such as every other one, etc., instead of all of them at the same time. Also, that these trees be immediately replaced. Trees in front yards Mr. Cole declared that the best solution would be to have the trees planted in the front yards rather than the rights-of-way. The problem encountered here is that most of the property owners refuse to give ease- ments. He added that you cannot force a property owner to plant a tree in his front yard; if he doesn't want the tree, he will just allow it to die for lack of water or maintenance. The current City policy is to have these trees planted in the front yards of the new subdivisions. Tree planting Councilman Hobel discussed the type of tree being planted which he felt was too small~ he stated that the policy should be to plant a good size, healthy tree. Tree easement The Council discussed not requiring an ease- ment for tree planting -- just give the property owmer a tree to plant. Mayor Hamilton Mayor Hamilton commented on the method used in planting the trees. He felt that if the department would give the people more lati- tude in planting the tree, the City would get more cooperation. Just to arbitrarily go to a property owner with a tree, and state that this is where it must be planted would tend to irritate the property owner. Motion to file report Councilman Scott moved to file the report submitted by the Director of Public Works. No second to motion The motion died for lack of second. Niek Slijk, Executive Manager, Mr. Slijk stated he would like to see a Chamber of Cormmerce policy adopted by the City whereby the City would water the new trees for a period of two years. In the areas where there is a serious problem of sidewalks being lifted, he would suggest the Council consider having sidewalks on one side of the street only. As to the sanitation trucks, these trucks can travel down the middle of the streets, rather than along the sides where the branches are low. The City should also consider purchasing street sweepers that are low and would go beneath the low limbs. -2- Mr. Slijk co,,nented on the parkways that are an eye-sore and suggested a policy be adopted similar to the one used by the Fire Department in handling weed problems. Mrs. KathrynMoore, 1134 Tobias Drive Mrs. Moore stated she is representing the South Bay Citizens Planning Cormnittee. She discussed the policy adopted by the City of San Diego in maintaining and saving their trees. Mrs. Moore added that the greens- keeper at the San Diego Country Club has stated that the eucalyptus trees are never topped. Mrs. Moore then commented on the many artists throughout the ages that have painted trees. Motion to adopt policy It was moved by Councilman Hyde, seconded by Councilman Hobel that the Council adopt a policy that would be flexible, directing the staff to exercise measures to try to save a tree even to the point of spending City's funds on a shared- cost basis to save the tree (if this can be negotiated with the property owner). The staff should pursue a policy of making attempts of saving trees that are healthy that break up sidewalks, and the staff to be authorized to spend a certain amount of money for this purpose. This amount not to exceed $50 per tree. Speaking against motion Councilman Scott stated he is speaking against the motion. The intent is good but it is premature. He would rather see the staff investigate a policy and come back with definite figures as to what can and cannot be done. The Council should have more facts. Motion amended Councilman Hyde stated he will amend his motion and request that the staff make a study of the problem and the feasibility of saving the healthy, mature trees. Suggestion to motion Councilman Scott suggested that the motion include having a complete tree policy come back to the Council: new trees, saving the old trees with the equipment mmntioned (cost of $6,800); have a complete policy delineated step by step. Motion amended Councilman Hyde stated he would amend his motion to incorporate this suggestion. Second agrees Councilman Hobel agreed to the amendment. Time certain added Councilman Hyde stated that the motion should include a time certain as to when this is due back to Council, and this should be sixty days. Motion carries The motion carried unanimously. COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING Councilman Hobel submitted a chart noting ORGANIZATION - Voting Formulas the Brown proposal for which Sandeog is re- questing ratification, and the Escondido proposal which never got on the floor for consideration: -3- Brown Escondido County 30 20 City 40 25 All others 30 55 Affirmative action of agencies 5 5 Percentage questioned Councilman Scott questioned why the County was allowed to have 30%, when the population comprises 20~9%. Mayor Hamilton declared that 49% should be the maximum that the City and County of San Diego should have combined; otherwise, these two entities could defeat any proposition put before them. He added that it would be his move to change the Escondido proposal to the Chula Vista proposal, and that this proposal be presented to this organization. Motion not to ratify It was moved by Councilman Scott, seconded by Councilman Egdahl and unanimously approved that the Council not ratify the Brown pro- posal. General discussion The Council discussed different proposals. Councilman Hobel noted that the next meeting of the CPO will be on the 17th of May. Alternate to be chosen Councilman Hobel asked that an alternate be chosen. He remarked that the organization's policy now is to have the City Managers in attendance at all of these meetings. He felt this was a good policy and requested Council endorsement. Alternate proposal submitted Councilman Hyde suggested a proposal whereby each entity would have one voter as an entity~ and that any measure would take a majority vote of those to pass; that each entity would have a representative vote based on the pop- ulation figure with no two having more than 49% of the vote. This would take a majority vote to pass any measure. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hamilton declared the meeting adjourned at 5:20 P.M. to the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 27, 1971 at 7 P.M. City Cle~ -4-