TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file presentation by Department of Public Works regarding the Urban Forest Master Plan, Goals and Policies Document. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Recent press has highlighted the fact that a healthy urban forest can serve to mitigate poor air quality and enhance the appearance of the urban environment. Faced with budget and staffing constraints, many portions of the City's urban forest are in need of revitalization. In particular, additional street trees would be beneficial and some existing street trees should be replaced as they become unsuitable for their environment or die due to disease or age. Similar conditions exist for trees in the City's open spaces and parks.
In order to better understand the scope of our needs and to provide a roadmap for addressing these needs, City staff entered into a contract with Melendrez and Associates and embarked on a phased master plan for the City's urban forest. The first phase of this process is the establishment of goals and policies related to the tree environment in our City. Funded jointly by the Community Development Department, the Public Works Department and the Port of Long Beach, the scope of work included:
· 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 Committee, Parks and
Recreation Commission and Port staff
· Creating a document for Council approval
A copy of the Urban Forest Master Plan, Goals and Policies document is attached. A presentation outlining the process that led to this document as well as an explanation of the recommended goals and policies will be presented to Council for their review and consideration.
The next phase of the Urban Forest Master Plan effort will involve a detailed assessment of the City's current tree assets and the development of a multi-year plan to both enhance and manage these assets. The City has applied for grant funding to perform the detailed inventory and assessment and will be bringing this grant application to City Council as a separate item.
SUSTAINABILITY
The preparation of an Urban Forest Master Plan is essential to the long-term preservation of the City's tree assets. These trees provide many environmental benefits to the City including air quality enhancements, heat reduction via their canopies, nesting opportunities for a wide range of avian assets, and the creation of a valuable sense of neighborhood to the community. Adoption of the Goals and Policies Document will provide needed direction to both maintain and enhance these environmental benefits and emphasize the City's commitment to this element of environmental sustainability in the City.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is not time critical.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael P. Conway
Director of Public Works
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |