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the Tree Preservation Ordinance. He said his concerns were that reduced enforcement would be unable to withstand increasing pressure from development interests, and that citizen enforcement of the ordinance was biased against individuals. He submitted copies of a written version of his testimony. Terry Harding, 973 Madison Street, stated that she was a member of the Eugene Tree Foundation which provided education about the value of trees, and advocated for the care and preservation of them. She submitted a letter containing her testimony. She believed the proposed revisions of the Tree Preservation Ordinance jeopardized the valuable community resource of trees. She said trees enhance the quality of life of area residents. Tom Lillard, 33830 Row River Road, Cottage Grove, stated that he was a tree consultant with Arbor Excellence. He discussed the qualifications of certified arborists, foresters, and landscape architects to make decisions required by the proposed changes to the Tree Preservation Ordinance. He recommended that an approved group of specialists be given responsibility for such decisions. Matthew Rivers, 1515 Crest Drive, stated that he was a certified arborist and that he agreed with the recommendation of Mr. Lillard. Frank Drysdale, 912 Van Buren Street, submitted copies of his testimony. He said that he believed the proposed changes to the Tree Preservation Ordinance negated its intent. He said he was concerned that the changes traded off enforcement of policy because of insufficient financial resources; that the changes forced the use of courts, rather than orderly administrative procedures; that the changes moved language pertaining to trees on undeveloped parcels to sections pertaining to street trees; and that the changes reduced public comment and notification. James Gent, 2090 Floral Hill Drive, stated that he supported continuing funding for the Urban Forester program. He recounted personal experiences in working with the program. He said he agreed that certified arborists would benefit from special training to be qualified for the proposed responsibilities. He said he believed a longer period of time needed to be provided for the posting of trees to be felled. Ron Funke, 1958 Fircrest Drive, said he agreed with much of the testimony already given. He said he appreciated the need to streamline government, but that he did not believe it necessarily made it more effective. Mary Ann Holser, 2620 Cresta de Ruta, described her experience with destruction of trees as a resident of southern California. She said she believed Certified Arborists would have a conflict of interest if the proposed amendment of the Tree Preservation Ordinance were adopted. He said she believed trees were the soul of Eugene. Barbara Keller, 2570 Onyx Street, stated that she had written the Tree Preservation Ordinance as a member of the City Council in response to clear-cutting of trees by urban developers. She said it was the least that could be accomplished and that she believed it should be expanded, not reduced in effectiveness. She said she believed the ordinance had worked in that it had protected streams and the climate, but had not prevented development. She said she believed Minutes--Eugene City Council April 6, 1998 Page 4 7:30 p.m.