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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 5.A 08/01/20055.A CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA August 1� 2005 AGENDA BILL Agenda Title: Meeting Date: August 1, 2005 Petaluma Tree Advisory Committee Annual Report Meeting Time: 9 3:00 PM ❑ 7:00 PM Cateeory (check one): ❑ Consent Calendar ❑ Public Hearing ❑ New Business ❑ Unfinished Business ;9 Presentation Department: Dir to Contact Person: Phone Number: Parks & Recreation J' C d Anchordoguy 707-778-4321 Cost of Pronosal: $2,500 (egmated staff time and supplies spent Account Number: 7017 per year with Tree Advisory Committee) Amount Budgeted: $0 Name of Fund: General Fund Attachments to Agenda Packet Item: 2004 Annual Report from the Tree Advisory Committee Summary Statement: The year-end report serves to inform the Council of the Committee's efforts and accomplishments over the past year, and provides an opportunity to obtain council input on priorities herein identified or additional priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Since it's formation in 1992, the Tree Advisory Committee has provided the City Council yearly with a brief update of its accomplishments and future goals. Recommended Citv Council Action/Suggested Motion: No action is required. However, the Committee welcomes input, observation, etc., from the Council members. Reviewed by Admin.Svcs.Dir: Date: 164411,ca7 �t Todav's Date: Reviewed by Ci Attornev: ADDroved.bv Citv Manager: � < Date: Revision #and Date Revised: File Code:/ CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA AUGUST 1, 2005 AGENDA REPORT FOR Petaluma Tree Advisory Committee Annual Reuort EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The year-end report serves to inform the Council of the Committee's efforts and accomplishments over the past year, and provides an opportunity to obtain council input on priorities herein identified or additional priorities for the upcoming fiscal year (see attached). Since it's formation in 1992, it has been the practice of the Tree Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide the City Council with an annual report of its activities. 2. BACKGROUND: Under Municipal Code, Chapter 13.08, the TAC is charged with performing tree -related duties designated by the City Council. The Committee's duties include consultation with Parks, Public Works, and Planning staff in the development of, and amendments to, a comprehensive list of trees approved for planting within City right-of-way. Additionally, the TAC advises the City on matters referred by staff and other hearing bodies appointed by Council (i.e.: the Recreation, Music, and Parks commission). The TAC also organizes and participates in voluntary tree planting projects throughout the City. Lastly, the TAC frequently produces and distributes educational information concerning the value and proper care of our urban trees. 3. ALTERNATIVES: This report does not propose specific Council action or alternatives thereto. 4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS: The TAC does not have an assigned City budget, revenue source, or City staffing. Parks and Recreation staff provides assistance and expertise to the Committee. Parks and Recreation is funded through the General Fund. The Committee focuses on efforts (e.g. planting standards, education, and participation in private projects), which provide community benefit at little or no cost to the City. The overall volunteer time provided by the seven member Committee is estimated at 800 hours per year. City staff time is estimated at 50 hours per year. Estimated community volunteer time for actual implementation of special projects, like neighborhood street tree plantings, are unknown, but considered to be significant. 5. CONCLUSION: The practice of providing annual reports regarding the Tree Advisory Committee's efforts is an effective way of informing the Council of its accomplishments and future objectives. The annual report also provides an opportunity for the council and the community to recognize the Committee's efforts and offer input on past and future tasks. 6. OUTCOMES OR PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS THAT WILL IDENTIFY SUCCESS OR COMPLETION: N/A 7. RECOMMENDATION: No action is required. However, the Committee welcomes input, observation etc. from the council members. g: lb ms/2003 agenda bill Petaluma Tree Advisory Committee 2004 Annual Report Tree Citv USA Petaluma has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a recipient of the title of Tree City USA. The Tree City USA program is a nationally recognized community improvement project that is sponsored by the National Arbor Day Association, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, the United States Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities. This award is a considerable achievement for the City of Petaluma. It emphasizes a commitment to urban forest management, and paves the way for future grant opportunities The Petaluma Tree Advisory Committee is proud to have again received this recognition. Arbor Dav Arbor Day allows Petaluma to emphasize the importance of trees in our community. In preparation for Arbor Day, 2004, the Tree Advisory Committee held an Official City Tree for 2004 contest. We received three nominations for the naming of this tree, which the Committee chose as the Valley Oak (Quercus lobata). Due to weather scheduling, planting of this particular tree has been delayed until 2005, Examples of the Valley Oak can be found in Petaluma at 945 Sunnyslope, 342 Keller, and 342 Howard (Oak Hill park). Tree Health The Tree Advisory Committee compared a 1991 list by Bruce Hagen of the Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection entitled "Selected Trees for Urban Areas of Sonoma County" with Petaluma's Approved Street Tree List. This led to a discussion and a report on tree pollens and their emissions by tree cultivars. This led to further discussion about allergens and trees with high allergens on Petaluma's Street Tree list. This new information was added to a draft for updating of the City's Street Tree list. 3 Parks and Street Trees The Tree Advisory Committee ("TAC") reviewed and advised on tree designs and plans for the Poultry Street project. Also reviewed was the status of two palm trees at the old -Hanson house, which Cobblestone Homes is in charge of preserving and/or moving. Further discussion will be continued in 2005 regarding opportunities to replant these two trees. In June, the TAC reviewed and approved the street and landscape trees at 945 Petaluma Blvd., North. The TAC was also given a tour near and around Walnut and Wickersham Parks in order to evaluate some of the existing park and street trees. Grant Onnortunities In January, the TAC was advised by HC' that HC' Community Development grants, although allowed for the Anna Way plantings, were no longer available for tree planting projects. An inquiry into Proposition 40 (2002) funds was suggested. Public Outreach Public participation on the Tree Advisory Committee has been low. We have discussed the continual vacancies and possible ways to encourage more activity from the community. In February, the Anna Way tree planting project was approved and granted funding through HC' . Work for tree plantings was begun in May, and was completed in August. Discussion has also been raised about how to encourage more tree plantings on Petaluma's Eastside, as well as on bare Westside streets. Heritage and Landmark Trees A possible Heritage mulberry tree at the Kenilworth site was investigated. No mulberry tree was found at the site. A Heritage tree status application for the stand of oak trees on the Downey Savings and Loan ("DSL") site at 101/Rainier/North McDowell was forwarded to the company for their submittal. Action from DSL is still pending. Tree Ordinance A TAC subcommittee was formed to begin assessing ways to protect trees, with a focus on tree protection during construction. The subcommittee collected information from various other California jurisdictions, established procedures for evaluating this information, and set about drafting an ordinance. Looking Forward to 2005 • Our first priority will be to review and finish the draft tree protection ordinance, and then forward it to the Community Development Dept. for review. • We will also follow up on more Tree City USA activities to earn both our sixth year as a Tree City USA participant, as well as obtain enhanced Tree City USA status. • The TAC is also committed to creating a better rapport with other City committees and commissions. This includes being better informed of upcoming projects that include tree plantings and landscaping. As committees and commissions change, we want to continue to inform other City departments about the need for trees and the use of Petaluma's Heritage and Street trees. • We will continue to promote Arbor Day. • The Tree Advisory Committee is committed to continue educating our community about the importance of healthy and vibrant trees. Focus this coming year will include educating ourselves as well as the public about the need for proper maintenance of trees, and why trees are an important and valuable asset to Petaluma. • The TAC will continue to find opportunities to plant trees, and are striving to encourage public input and discussion regarding trees and their intrinsic value to the larger community. • The TAC is committed to finding more funding sources so we can encourage more Neighborhood and community tree plantings.