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A roll call vote was taken as follows: Yeas —Bullock, Kepple, Litten, Neff, O'Malley, Rader, Shachner Nays —None Motion passed. Ordinance 22-2020 was deferred. 11. Communication from President O'Malley, Councilmember Kepple, and Councilmember Shachner regarding trees. (pg. 027) President O'Malley made a motion, seconded by Vice President Litten to refer the communication to the Public Works & Sustainability Committee. Discussion: Mayor George expressed that she has a lot of concerns with the way it is written, citing liability the city could face. She noted that the legislation could also cause delays in removing tree safety hazards. She added that there are 4 professional arborists on city staff and the legislation could also cause a potential violation of their labor contract. Councilmember Rader stated that there is plenty of middle ground on the issue and that the committee process should allow formulation of solutions. Councilmember Kepple agreed that there is a lot of room for discussion and clarified that there is language in ordinance that gives the safety director and emergency personnel authority to cut if a tree is a safety issue. Councilmember Shachner posed a question for Councilmember Kepple asking whether the ordinance's focus is on the informative and notification process of a material change to the tree canopy. Councilmember Kepple noted that Mr. Shachner' s summarization is correct and that the main goal is to present the arborists' opinions so that the public can better understand them. Director Ducu stated that the city already has a process in place to notes and educate property owners. He also noted the city took 32 trees down in spring and cited a collective 75 years of experience among the current city arborists. Councilmember Shachner questioned whether the city's notification process is from a codified ordinance or an internal process. Director Ducu responded that it results from an internal process and much of it is done in person. Councilmember Shachner stated that coding the process shows a commitment to the practice no matter what administration is in charge. He added that nobody is arguing there is no process. He cited experience where councilmembers hear from the public and are accused of not being aware of tree removals, which behooves Council to be more involved in the process. Mayor George stated that coding the processes of day-to-day city worker job functions may create bureaucratic red tape and add to the city's liability insurance premiums. On the motion: A roll call vote was taken as follows: Yeas—Bullock, Kepple, Litten, Neff, O'Malley, Rader, Shachner Nays —None