TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file presentation by Public Works regarding the Urban Forest Master Plan. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Recent press has highlighted the fact that a healthy urban forest can go a long way to mitigate poor air quality and enhance the appearance of the urban environment. Unfortunately, due to budget and staffing limitations, many portions of the urban forest managed by the City are in need of revitalization. In particular, additional street trees need to be planted and existing street trees need to be replaced as they become unsuitable for their environment or die due to disease or age. Similar conditions though to a lesser extent - exist for trees in our open spaces and parks.
In order to understand the scope of our needs and to provide a road map for addressing these needs, City staff is initiating the process of developing a master plan for the City's urban forest. The first phase of this process will be the establishment of goals and policies related to the tree environment in our City. The next phase will involve a detailed assessment of our current tree assets and the development of a multi-year plan to both enhance and manage these assets. Both phases will include participation by the City's Tree Advisory Committee, community groups and elected officials from both the City and the Port of Long Beach.
Staff has entered into a contract with the Landscape Architectural firm Melendrez and Associates to assist the City with the first phase of the Urban Forest Master Plan process. The contract is in the amount of $58,000 and is being jointly funded by the Community Development Department, the Public Works Department and the Port of Long Beach. The scope of work includes reviewing existing City tree policies and procedures, meeting with City staff, conducting workshops with the City's Tree Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission and Port staff, drafting goals and policies, presenting these drafts for comment to the City's Tree C...
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