As we reported earlier this week, the City Council denied the appeal of the Landmarks Commission’s denial of a landmark application filed by a residents’ group, Treesavers, for 50-plus ficus trees on Second and Fourth Streets that the City wants to remove.

Over 40 residents spoke on behalf of the trees. Though the Council denied the appeal, given the vehement community opposition to the proposed removal of the trees, it could have reconsidered its original approval the $8.2 million improvement” project, which included the excising of the trees.

Councilman Kevin McKeown. who has opposed the tree removal from the beginning, suggested it, but his colleagues remained silent.

The Council’s failure to be moved by the residents’ passionate defense of the trees was so depressing that the somber mid-year 2007-08 budget and five-year financial forecast, which followed, was, comparatively speaking, a laugh riot.

This is not to say we are not disturbed about the multiple effects of an “economic downturn.” It is to say that we are more concerned about City Hall’s increasingly autocratic posture.

Following the staff report, Council approved fiscal year 2007-08 budget changes, adopted a resolution establishing employee classification and salary rates for various positions, held a public hearing and approved a second amendment to the fiscal year 2007-08 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Partnership Act (HOME) program one-year action plans, received the five-year financial forecast. and heard public comments on fiscal year 2008-09 budget priorities. It also ordered staff to leave $5.8 million in available resources in reserve, and discussed budget priorities for the next fiscal year.

A group of Samohi students who work with Heal the Bay appeared in support of the proposed ban on plastic bags, and provided the evening’s best moments. The students were eloquent, smart, informative, and very funny. Funniest of all was Alec Richler who was clad in 200 used plastic bags, introduced himself as The Bag Monsier, and brought down the house.

Late in the evening, the proposed ban was continued to a future meeting.

When a new date is set, the students should be invited back.In the meantime, Richler may be found at the Heal the Bay Aquarium at the Santa Monica Pier, where he works part-time.