Providence City Council on Oct. 15 reviewed an estimate from a contractor (identified in the agenda as "John the Tree Climber") to clear vegetation on First East between Second and Third South and initially considered approving a $20,300 estimate to remove trees and brush.

Resident Gifford Baugh urged the council to wait and finalize design decisions because clearing the entire slope could create erosion and drainage problems and affect private property. Public works staff and council members discussed earlier engineering work showing a 60% design that includes a retaining wall and noted springs and drainage features on the slope.

Council members debated timing, cost and risk. Staff explained the contractor would cut trees to near ground level and treat roots; staff also said removing roots without immediate follow-on retaining work could create instability. Several councilors urged a phased approach that preserves large sycamore trees while clearing brush where necessary to obtain geotechnical samples.

The final motion approved a narrowed scope: clear brush and do trimming from Brown's property northward (the map in the estimate), trim trees in front of the Brown property, and perform a geotechnical study where required; the council instructed staff to negotiate a reduced scope and price with the contractor and to preserve the larger sycamore trees during this limited clearing.

Councilors and residents emphasized the need to follow the clearing with timely design and budgeting for retaining walls or drainage improvements, and asked staff to return with geotechnical findings and financial options before any wholesale removal of roots or major fill work.

Ending: Council approved the modified, smaller scope of work to allow geotechnical testing and minimal clearing; staff will negotiate scope and cost with the contractor and report back with study results and recommended next steps.