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Minutes 2000-10-02MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL HELD October 2, 2000 The adjourned regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 5:38 p.m. by Mayor Piercy in the Board Room, West Wing of City Hall, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California. PRESENT: Council Members Keenan, McCoy (arrived at 5:43 p.m.), Sondhi, Mayor Pro Tem McGill, Mayor Piercy ABSENT: None Also present were staff members Ron McDonald, Bill Raymond, Jeff Sinn and Gonzo Vasquez. The Director of Public Works/City Engineer presented a Workshop discussing the City's street tree removal and replacement program, and sidewalk repair program. Staff prepared a revised policy that will be easier for residents to follow and for Public Works staff to administer. The revised policy will help maintain the City's trees, which provide an aesthetic quality to the City. Criteria would have a two-tier approach with Category 1 being health and safety removals, which is similar to current policy. Trees would be removed, at no cost, if dying, dead or diseased, a safety hazard, damaging vital infrastructure, or risk of injury or liability to the public. Trees could also be removed, at no cost, if the tree is not on the approved list, has caused damage or likelihood of future damage exists, and the resident agrees to pay for a 24" box replacement tree. Category 2 would be accelerated removal of parkway trees, which would allow a tree to be removed within 90 days if the property owner agrees to certain conditions. These conditions are: Property owner would pay for removal of the tree, would pay for repair of the sidewalk, pay for a replacement tree, and, if the resident did not want to plant a replacement tree, would pay the City the cost of a replacement tree to be planted elsewhere (public right-of-way or park). It is recommended that five trees be added to the approved tree list: Star pine, Australian willow, Maiden hair, Tipu and Mimosa (silk tree). To have a tree planted, residents would contact the City and would then be provided with a list of approved trees suitable for the parkway and consistent with other trees on the street. One tree would be planted on each parkway at no cost, however, if additional trees are requested, the property owner would pay that cost. Sidewalks damaged by trees would be placed on a list to repair as quickly as possible. Grinding or ramping of the sidewalk would be done if the displacement is ~ inch or more. To provide consistent repair, sidewalk replacement would be done on a district- by-district basis by a contractor. Property owners would also be offered the opportunity to pay for the repair costs to accelerate the process. A discussion took place regarding public and private property damage. Council Member McCoy asked about accelerated removal for individuals on a fixed income who could not afford removal costs. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2000 The Director of Finance and Administrative Services stated property owners with limited income could apply for an interest-free home improvement loan or Council could consider establishing a grant program using the same funds. After discussion regarding the Accelerated Removal of Parkway Trees section, the Director of Finance and Administrative Services suggested adding an additional item to the policy entitled "Other Circumstances" that would allow the City Council to approve these requests. Richard Schoenholtz, Cypress, stated he thought both the Queen Palm and Bottle trees are very messy and should not be on the City's approved tree list. He also thinks the criteria for choosing a tree should be based on appearance, root pattern and droppings or mess that a tree makes. Robert Mumey, Cypress, stated he had two trees put in front of his home by the City. He suggested that the City Council decide what streets need trees and decide what type will be planted. Nancy Walker, Cypress, stated she feels the residents share a concern about the trees, but there needs to be a balance between removal and the community need to have trees. Gerald Briggs, Cypress, stated he has been trying for 10 years to get the sidewalk in front of his home replaced. Would like to know what he needs to do to get on the repair list. Staff was directed to contact Mr. Briggs. Margaret Vance, Cypress, stated she feels that City trees should be a priority and should only be removed if dead or unsafe. Janet Spurgeon, Cypress, asked that the sidewalks not be ramped or ground down where there are two levels of sidewalk. She thinks the sidewalk should be completely replaced. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern McGill and seconded by Council Member Keenan, to continue the item to a workshop at a later date. As a substitute motion, it was moved by Council Member McCoy and seconded by Mayor Piercy, to adopt the Parkway Tree and Replacement Policy with Category 1 remaining as is and Category 2 issues coming to Council. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: 4 NOES: 1 ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: McCoy, Sondhi, McGill, and Piercy COUNCILMEMBERS: Keenan COUNCILMEMBERS: None Mayor Pro Tem McGill asked that the items not discussed during this workshop (the approved tree list and the sidewalk repair and replacement policy) be brought back at another workshop for further discussion. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2000 ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 7:35 p.m. to Monday, October 9, 2000, at 5:00 p.m., for a Workshop Session on Community Festival Parking, in the Board Room, West Wing of City Hall, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, California. MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS ¢~l'Y CLERI( OF YH~_..~ITY OF ~'PRESS 3