DAPHNE, Ala. — The City Council at its Monday business meeting discussed the creation of a tree board that would regulate how trees are maintained within the city. Whitney Wingbermuehle presented the case.

Wingbermuehle recently conducted a survey, mailed to 10,000 residents, that asked if they would support a tree committee and how exactly they would want the committee to function. Of the 500 returned surveys, residents said they would want the board to: update existing ordinances; improve the city’s overall health by planting more trees; inventory city trees; provide education; and protect and grow trees during construction.

“I believe a tree board is necessary in maintaining an urban forest,” she said. “As a citizen of Daphne, I’ve noticed there’s more parking lots than trees.”

Residents said they would commit $6,000 annually to support the committee, according to Wingbermuehle. Individual responses varied from $100 commitments to signed personal checks, which she said she returned.

She noted that Fairhope has a tree board and that Daphne could follow in its neighbor’s footsteps.

“I believe it would need to go to the Planning Commission because that’s our body that governs that,” Councilwoman Cathy Barnette said.

Councilman Greg Burnam said that he’s not 100 percent clear on what the board’s function would be. He cited the existence of a previous tree committee that he termed ineffective, which was ultimately dissolved.

“It would assist the Planning Commission,” in particular, with regulating landscaping in new construction developments, Wingbermuehle said.

“This would be a perfect committee to help improve the health and aesthetics of the city,” she said.

Owner of the Eastern Shore Motel, Kevin Spriggs, spoke out against the proposed board, contending that its institution would violate residents’ property rights.

He added that the city’s restrictions on high-rise developments have led to thousands of acres of urban sprawl.

In other news, Councilman Ron Scott asked Barnette, who sits on the Planning Commission, about a new sign announcing Publix coming to the Magnolia Place Shopping Center.

“I’ve had a lot of people at my church asking me,” Scott said. “We’ve got a new sign on Highway 98 that says, ‘Publix coming soon.’ So, is Publix coming soon?”

Barnette affirmed Scott and said that a site plan for the development has been approved. Publix will renovate the building once occupied by Omni Health and Fitness.

“They’re going to put a pharmacy where Blockbuster (Video) is,” she said. “They’re going to reshape Blockbuster. They’re going to upgrade the fronts of the other buildings.”

She added that landscaping improvements to the parking lot will also be made.

In other business the council:

Kelly Hughes, representing SEEDS, voiced concerns over possible public confusion arising from two similar events scheduled for the same time period.

SEEDS’ annually hosts its Mamma Mia Festival two weeks after Uncorked’s proposed date.

“Mamma Mia … is only two weeks after that,” Hughes said. She added that she hopes the council takes note of the precedent the motion sets, which would allow private businesses to use city grounds, even if a portion of the proceeds go to charity or education funding.

In other business, the council: