City of Mountain View  
Minutes - Final  
Parks and Recreation Commission and Urban Forestry Board  
Wednesday, April 9, 2025  
7:00 PM  
Community Center Maple Room and Video  
Conference, 201 South Rengstorff Ave, Mountain  
View, CA 94040  
This meeting was conducted with a virtual component.  
1.  
CALL TO ORDER  
Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.  
2.  
ROLL CALL  
5 -  
Present  
Commissioner Ronit Bryant, Commissioner Steve Filios, Commissioner Sandy Sommer, Vice  
Chair Joe Mitchner, and Chair Jonathan Davis  
3.  
MINUTES APPROVAL  
3.1  
Minutes Approval  
M/S Mitchner/Bryant to approve the March 12, 2025 minutes.  
Yes:  
5 -  
Commissioner Bryant, Commissioner Filios, Commissioner Sommer, Vice Chair Mitchner, and  
Chair Davis  
4.  
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC  
Speaking virtually regarding the minutes and tree removals:  
-Bruce England  
5.  
NEW BUSINESS  
5.1  
Heritage Tree Removal Application Appeal-1851 Appletree Lane  
Urban Forest Manager Russell Hansen presented a report and answered the Commission's questions.  
Speaking from the floor:  
-David Chaw  
-Patrice Horvath  
M/S Bryant/Sommer - To approve staff's recommendation to adopt a Resolution of the Urban Forestry Board  
of the City of Mountain View to Deny the Appeal, Uphold Staff’s Decision, and Deny the Removal of Two (2)  
Heritage Trees at 1851 Appletree Lane, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the  
memorandum).  
Yes:  
5 -  
Commissioner Bryant, Commissioner Filios, Commissioner Sommer, Vice Chair Mitchner, and  
Chair Davis  
Heritage Tree Removal Application Appeal-745 Lola Lane  
5.2  
Urban Forest Manager Russell Hansen presented a report and answered the Commission's questions.  
Speaking virtually:  
-Daniel and Li Wang  
-Elaine  
-Wanda Cheung  
-Bruce England  
M/S Sommer/Mitchner - To approve staff's recommendation to adopt a Resolution of the Urban Forestry  
Board of the City of Mountain View to Deny the Appeal, Uphold Staff’s Decision, and Deny the Removal of  
One Heritage Tree at 745 Lola Lane, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the  
memorandum).  
Yes:  
5 -  
Commissioner Bryant, Commissioner Filios, Commissioner Sommer, Vice Chair Mitchner, and  
Chair Davis  
Heritage Tree Removal Application Appeal-573 Carla Court  
5.3  
Urban Forest Manager Russell Hansen presented a report and answered the Commission's questions.  
Speaking from the floor:  
-Wanda Cheung  
-Resident  
-Bill Lambert  
M/S Bryant/Davis - To approve staff's recommendation to adopt a Resolution of the Urban Forestry Board of  
the City of Mountain View to Deny the Appeal, Uphold Staff’s Decision, and Deny the Removal of Two  
Heritage Trees at 573 Carla Court, to be read in title only, further reading waived (Attachment 1 to the  
memorandum).  
Yes:  
No:  
2 - Commissioner Bryant, and Chair Davis  
3 - Commissioner Filios, Commissioner Sommer, and Vice Chair Mitchner  
M/S Filios/Sommer – To grant the appeal per section 32.35 section a3, this situation is one where the nature  
and qualities of the tree as a heritage tree, including its maturity, its aesthetic qualities such as its canopy,  
its shape and structure, its majestic stature and its visual impact on the neighborhood are not met.  
Commissioner Sommer made a friendly amendment to recommend replacement of the tree with a large  
caliper specimen as determined by the Director in consultation with the City Arborist.  
Commissioner Filios accepted the friendly amendment.  
Chair Davis made the following friendly amendment to grant the appeal per section 32.35, section a3  
because removal of the two trees at 573 Carla Ct. is warranted due to the negative aesthetic qualities, shape  
and structure of both trees. The Commission recommends replacement of the trees with larger caliper  
specimens as determined by the Director in consultation with the City Arborist.  
Commissioner Filios accepted the friendly amendment.  
Yes:  
No:  
3 - Commissioner Filios, Commissioner Sommer, and Vice Chair Mitchner  
2 - Commissioner Bryant, and Chair Davis  
5.4  
Mountain View Whisman School District Outdoor Learning Project  
Carducci Associates Senior Project Manager George Loew and Associate Project and Community  
Development Manager Karly Behnckle provided a presentation, answered the Commission's questions, and  
received the Commission's feedback.  
Speaking virtually:  
-Bruce England  
-Mary Dateo  
6.  
7.  
COMMISSION/STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS, UPDATES, REQUESTS, AND COMMITTEE  
REPORTS  
Assistant Community Services Director Kristine Crosby provided updates regarding:  
-Recreation events  
-Rengstorff Park Aquatics Center grand opening and updated operational hours  
-Magical Bridge performances  
ADJOURNMENT  
Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 11:06 p.m.