04/18/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

e are several different types of tree inventories, the cost of which is dependent on the level of inventory desired. The process of selecting the most suitable type of tree inventory is underway; the commission does not yet have a cost estimate. In response to a question from Mr. Miller about potential citizen concerns with mandating planting strips, Mr. Alijian said that a master plan would take into consideration unique qualities of a given site to help determine what types of vegetation are best suited for a given area. The commission plans to use the master plan simply as a guide to effective tree planting. Ms. Schue asked for staff suggestions on actions the council could take to promote the commission's effort. Mr. Smith estimated that a comprehensive master plan, with a tree inventory as a necessary piece of this, would cost between $50,000-$100,000. If the City was to offer financial assistance toward this effort, the money would have to be taken from the existing budget. In light of the demonstrated needs and costs of undertaking a comprehensive tree master plan, Mr. Boles suggested that the City pursue external monetary funding. He added that if the City plans to set and enforce tree development standards, it should first ensure that it is capable of enforcing these standards. Mr. Green expressed his support for the Tree Commission's effort and pointed to public education as the most vital aspect of a viable master plan. He also voiced concerns with the associated cost of undertaking a plan of this magnitude. e Ms. Bascom asked about the possibility of using urban transition moneys for assisting with the master plan. Mr. Gleason said that assistance with planting street trees is not proposed as part of the existing urban transition agreement. The City does not currently treat trees as infrastructure assets and does not have an existing tree inventory maintenance program. If street trees were to be considered as infrastructure assets in order to use road fund moneys for assistance with master planning efforts, the current gas tax allocation would need to be reconfigured. II. ITEMS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, MAYOR, AND CITY MANAGER A. Voter Information Advertisements Mr. Holmer requested information from staff on the reasons why the recent Register-Guard ballot measure information advertisements were not all the same size. He voiced concern that such differences might be construed as a deviation from staff impartiality on these issues. He also requested information on the cost of each advertisement. Barbara Bellamy, City Manager's Office, indicated that size differences of these information publications was due to different deadline constraints. Information on advertisement cost will be forthcoming. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council April 18, 1990 Page 3