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Sarah Strommen inquired if Mr. Cook's appointment as Committee Chair was temporary and <br />should the next agenda of the Committee include appointment of permanent chair-and vice- <br />chair? <br /> <br />Mr. Cook responded that he was appointed by Mayor Gamec to chair this Committee through the <br />tree preservation and wetland protection issues. <br /> <br />Mr. McDilda stated that the first task should be to establish the ultimate scope or umbrella of the <br />Environmental Policy Task Force. Will the ordinances be directed a new development or new <br />and existing development? <br /> <br />Mr. Cook stated that his impression of the Council direction is that the scope for now is to <br />review and draft ordinances to improve the City's tree preservation and wetland protection <br />regulations. Following that, this Committee can make a recommendation to City Council to <br />establish the Environmental Policy Task Force as a regular on-going Commission to continue to <br />address environmental issues in the community. <br /> <br />4. Timelines <br /> <br />Mr. Cook stated that City Council will be looking for a draft tree preservation ordinance for <br />consideration by October. <br /> <br />Sylvia Frolik stated that when timelines are being considered, allow for any public hearings that <br />may be required prior to forward the ordinance to Council for consideration. <br /> <br />5. Current Development Practices <br /> <br />With respect to current baseline requirements, Mark Boos volunteered to provide the committee <br />with a copy of the boiler plate tree preservation language included in all residential development <br />agreements. It was generally agreed that the Committee has to be very careful not to over <br />regulate in the new ordinance as that will drive up the cost of land and homes, push development <br />away, and may even cause landowners to clear cut their properties prior to filing any <br />development plans. <br /> <br />6. Review Packet Materials and Discuss Assignments <br /> <br />The Committee was provided with copies of tree preservation ordinances from Shorewood, Prior <br />Lake, Eden Prairie, Bumsville, Blaine, Plymouth, Maple Grove and Eagan. Mr. Cook stated that <br />Blaine's ordinance has been tested in court; Eagan's ordinance is also well respected. Mr. Cook <br />suggested that all committee members review the materials to familiarize themselves with tree <br />preservation ordinances. <br /> <br />Michael Max noted that Ham Lake has a very good tree ordinance that all the members should <br />review. <br /> <br />Erika Sitz suggested that th~ committee work with the tree ordinance software at the next <br />meeting. <br /> <br /> <br />