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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-13-2000 Special City Council MinutesMINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE 130 S. MAIN STREET LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 2000 CALL TO ORDER The Special City Council Meeting was called to order by Mayor Brinley at 3:04 p.m. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: KELLEY, PAPE, BRINLEY ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: METZE, SCHIFFNER Also present were: City Manager Watenpaugh, City Attorney Leibold, Assistant City Manager Best, Community Services Director Sapp, Public Works Manager Payne, and City Clerk Kasad. DISCUSSION ITEM Appointment of Mayor's Committee on Palm Tree Preservation. (F:59.1)(X:44.2) City Manager Watenpaugh noted the announcement of the appointment of this Committee at the last City Council Meeting; and explained that the persons appointed would be meeting with Staff and Edison Company representatives to identify the trees in jeopardy of trimming. He further noted that the City received a list of 155 trees which will be addressed at the first meeting of the Committee. He read the proposed mission statement for the Committee as follows: To identify and evaluate viable options for preservation of palm trees in power and site line corridors that are in danger of being heavily trimmed or removed. He advised that notification of the first meeting would be by mail and telephone, as soon as the agenda has been set; and noted that part of the first meeting would occur in the field. He further advised that staff would be meeting with the Railroad Canyon project contractor to discuss removal of the relocation of trees from the contract. He suggested that the Committee would have an opportunity to find viable options for relocation of appropriate trees. He noted the absence of Councilman Metze and indicated that he had a letter for presentation to the City Council. Chris Hyland, 15191 Wavecrest Drive, questioned how many of the committee live in the area where trees are proposed for removal and where PAGE TWO - SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 13, 2000 the list of possible Committee members came from. Mayor Brinley indicated that the list was provided by Mr. Grace at the Town Hall Meeting. City Attorney Leibold clarified that the list was not exclusive and did not represent all possible Committee members. Mrs. Hyland inquired how many people would be on the Committee. Mr. Watenpaugh indicated that there would be five members. Lee Bowen thanked the City Council for their consideration in stopping the removal of trees. He noted that he has lived in his home since 1993 and the palm trees have been there for over 70 years. He suggested that the trees are thick enough to allow for the removal of every other tree. He indicated that he was not opposed to landscaping Railroad Canyon Road either. He noted an incident in the area of Gunnerson/Highway 74, wherein trees were trimmed. He suggested common sense and logic in this situation. City Manager Watenpaugh clarified that the trimming was mandated by the State. City Attorney Leibold stressed that based on the State mandate, the City was notified of 155 trees that would be heavily trimmed; and the City response was to try to preserve them. She noted that the City adopted a relocation procedure to move them to other areas of the City and save the trees. She advised that Railroad Canyon was to be the first location, but noted that the proposed relocations met with a lot of opposition. She stressed that the City has no control over Edison, but Edison has tried to assist and were willing to work with the City. She indicated that the trees have now been deleted from the project on Railroad Canyon and the fate of the trees lies with Edison. Mr. Bowen noted the placement of poles for street lights about 10 years ago and advised that they were installed over the top of the palm trees. He suggested pulling the poles and taking the lines away. Mayor Brinley suggested that the Council proceed with appointing the Committee. Mayor Pro Tem Pape appointed long time resident on Lakeshore Drive, Fred Dominguez, to serve on the Palm Tree Preservation Committee. Councilwoman Kelley appointed a friend, retired school teacher, and many year resident of Hunt Street, John Gonzalez to serve on the Committee. Mayor Brinley advised that Councilman Metze had appointed, by memorandum, George Rivera. Mayor Brinley read a letter from Councilman Schiffner appointing Tim Fleming to the Committee. PAGE THREE - SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 13, 2000 Mayor Brinley noted that her appointment would serve as the Committee Chairman and appointed Ron LaPere, suggesting that he would bring good balance to the Committee. She noted that staff would be meeting with Mr. LaPere to schedule the first meeting. City Manager Watenpaugh noted that Bob Lopez, representing the Edison Company was present and would be meeting with staff and the Committee. Mayor Brinley noted the availability of a press release regarding this meeting. ADJOURNMENT MOVED BY PAPE, SECONDED BY KELLEY AND CARRIED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THOSE PRESENT TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 3:25 P.M. ATTEST: VICKI KASAD, CMC, CITY CLERK CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE