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Bullock responded that the motivation behind creating a commission was for public education <br /> purposes. Rader noted that a task force works within a limited scope of time and that the <br /> committee should make sure it is assigning appropriate authority and deliverables as to not waste <br /> the time of citizen volunteers. <br /> David Sangree of the former tree task force stated that there is a need for the commission, which <br /> formerly met under Keep Lakewood Beautiful (KLB). He said the proposed tree commission's <br /> goal can be expanding the city's tree canopy percentage coverage along with public education of <br /> homeowners. Councilman Anderson added a deliverable that the commission could provide and <br /> be responsible for is door to door outreach. Mr. Sangree stated that the city could be divided into <br /> sections and each member could door knock each one and cover the whole city in several years. <br /> He argued that the former tree task force did not have enough authority being under Keep <br /> Lakewood Beautiful. Mayor Summers questioned how the group defines authority. Sangree <br /> stated he is looking for the authority to encourage people to get trees. Marianne Quasebarth of <br /> the former tree task force spoke of her experience working as a KLB board member and head of <br /> the former tree task force, adding her belief that tree commission needs some authority so that <br /> the principles and programs implemented in recent years under Mayor Summers and Mr. Perry <br /> can continue beyond a change in administration or Council. She stated that the commission <br /> needs to have oversight authority for the 19 recommendations made by the former tree task force <br /> and that the commission could meet for quarterly reports with Mr. Perry. She expressed a need <br /> for a tree commission to be involved in the planning and development process. She spoke about <br /> rumors she heard regarding trees and tree lawns on Lake Ave. being removed for a bike path. <br /> Mayor Summers responded saying that the City is not getting rid of the tree lawns described on <br /> the north side of Lake Ave. Mr. Perry responded that the Planning Department already <br /> incorporates him in any aspect of tree decisions as part of the development process and that he <br /> would be shocked if the Lake Ave. tree lawns were ever to be altered. <br /> John Palmer of the former tree task force stated that establishing a tree commission might give it <br /> authority by its own creation. Council President O'Leary stated that he tends to support the <br /> creation of a permanent group to help tree canopy development and would support it being <br /> separate from Keep Lakewood Beautiful, but struggles with the concept of authority and has <br /> trouble identifying barriers to the group accomplishing its goals now. He indicated he would balk <br /> at the group having the authority to alter the Urban Forestry department's budget annually, as <br /> that is Council's job. He added that when the mayor speaks of authority, he is referring to <br /> making a decision that is binding and has legal authority. He finished by stating that Council <br /> could probably do a better job of soliciting feedback from experts when it comes to trees while <br /> considering legislation concerning rezoning and redevelopment. <br /> Councilman Rader stated that tree canopy development is a significant enough topic on its own <br /> to warrant creating a group and that it seems that there are enough passionate people to meet <br /> monthly on the topic. He related the creation of the group to his experience serving on the <br /> Lakewood Animal Safety & Welfare Advisory Board(LASWAB). Mayor Summers stated that <br />