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;. No tape . . It M I NUT E S EUGENE CITY COUNCIL COUNCIL CHAMBER JANUARY 31, 1974 Special meeting called for consideration of an ordinance which would regulate removal or cut- ting of trees within the City. The meeting was called to order by His Honor Mayor Lester E. Anderson (left early) at 4:00 p.m. on January 31, 1974 in the Council Chamber with the fol- lowing council members present: Messrs. Williams (arrived later), Hershner, McDonald; Mmes. Beal and Campbell, and Messrs. Keller, Murray, and Wood. I - Committee, Selection of Sculptor for International Symposium Mrs. Beal moved seconded by Mr. Hershner that Mayor Anderson be authorized to appoint a committee to make recommendations for selection of an artist to create a sculpture during the 1974 International Sumposium for permanent location in Eugene. Motion carried unanimously. II - Third Level Commuter Air Service - Airport Commission Policy - Copies of policy state- ment recommended by the Airport Commission were previously distributed to Council members. The statement supports the desirability of third-level air transport service from Eugene to serve passengers traveling to Seattle and Portland and for better choice between Port- land or San Francisco for eastbound connections. Council authorization was requested to present the statement at PUC public hearing scheduled February 11. Mr. Hershner moved seconded by Mrs. Campbell to authorize the statement as r~quested. Motion carried unanimously. III - Tree Cutting Ordinance~(See'committee minutes January 31,,1974/Coun'cii February 11,1974). Mayor Anderson said he would not be able to remain because of a previousiy scheduled meeting. He stated his support of efforts to keep trees as part of the urban landscape and his feeling that the proposed ordinance was a good frame upon which to build some good legislation to accomplish that purpose. However, he thought there was a responsi- bility to have public input on any proposed legislation. The crisis resulting from cutting operations in the South Hills appeared to be over and any further cutting, he said, could only be construed as defiance of efforts to pass a suitable ordinance. He hoped the Council would provide sufficient time at this meeting to receive public testimony and consider carefully the possibility of referring that testimony along with report from committee meeting (January 30) to the subcommittee on tree cutting for re- consideration with the possibility of revising the ordinance to reflect that input. Mayor Anderson left the meeting. Council Vice President Hershner assumed the Chair. Manager reported on similar legislation in effect in Lake Oswego, the only city in Oregon attempting to legislate with regard to tree removal. He said the the ordinance proposed was based on one from San Mateo, California. With more time, he said, further informa- tion could be gathered with regard to administrative problems, funding, etc. He sug- gested further redrafting at staff level should testimony at this meeting indicate con- siderable amendment. Public hearing was opened. Speaking in favor of the ordinance were: Edna Shirey, 3217 Whitten Drive Ruth Miller, 195 West 35th Place Mattox Purvis, 880 West 38th Avenue Nancy Cole, 225 West 35th Place Charlotte Schillman, 780 Lorane Highway Helen Rockett, 245 West 35th Place Betty Higgins, 300 Frederick Court Hillary Hodges, 150 West 35th Place Robert King, 250 West 37th Avenue Most of those speaking in favor of the ordinance urged adoption at this meeting. They were primarily interested in preservation of trees in the 'South Hills area along with orderly development of the area which would take into account possibility of replantiDg where trees necessarily are removed. Support of recommendations in the South Hills study were expressed, but it was pointed out that time lag before adoption of those recommendations would not appear to offer the immediate protection needed. Many called attention to the logging operation prompting the proposed legislation, saying continued operations of that nature would detract from the livability of the South Hills area. They deplored the clear cutting of the property and doubted that the crisis was past. Mr. Hodges felt a written agreement was necessary to ensure no more cutting, unless it was prohibited by ordinance. Others expressed concern about erosion and flooding of properties at lower elevations should similar cutting continue. Marvin Boyer,' Pleasant Hill, identified himself as the logger of the area for Mr. Braatz. He was in favor of controlled cutting in the City, but called attention to the fact that the trees removed were at the peak of their merchantable value and would start deteriorat- ing if not removed. He suggested any tree removal should be followed by replanting - 37 1/31/74 - 1