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Home My WebLink AboutApplication - Tree City USA Designation CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT REQUEST: AUTHORIZE THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO APPLY FOR THE TREE CITY USA DESIGNATION SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works DATE: October 14, 2010 CONTENTS: Application Recommendation By Minute Motion: 1. Authorize staff to submit an application to the state forester for the City to be considered for The Tree City USA designation; and 2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the application. Backqround The Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities. On June 23, 2005, staff was directed by the City Council to evaluate the program and its requirements. Staff proceeded with the evaluation and determined that one of the requirements was to perform a tree inventory. On June 14, 2007, the City Council and Housing Board Authority approved a contract with Davey Resource Group to perform an inventory of all trees located in city medians, landscape and lighting assessment districts, parkways, parks and athletic facilities, and Housing Authority properties. Subsequent to the tree inventory, Davey Resource Group prepared a Street Tree Resource Tool for Urban Forest Managers (STRATUM) report that examines the results of the public tree inventory with benefit-cost modeling data to produce quantified information on the resource's structure, function, value, and management implications. Staff Report Authorize the Submittal of a Tree City USA Application October 14, 2010 Page 2 of 2 The City also has in place the other ordinances and programs required for the Tree City USA designation. They are the City's Tree Maintenance Ordinance, Parking Lot Ordinance and the associated Parking Lot Tree Resolution, Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance, the specific landscape requirements within the Zoning Ordinance are in place; and the City-sponsored Arbor Day celebration. Staff is now in a position to submit a Tree City USA application with the goal of obtaining the Tree City USA designation. The many benefits of being a Tree City include creating a framework for action, education, a positive public image, and citizen pride. Fiscal Analvsis The City currently has in place the programs to maintain its urban forest. Therefore, no additional fiscal impact is associated with this action. repare Depart nt d: � H. penc r Kni h , Landscape Manager Mark Green od, P.E., Director of blic Works ApprovaL CITY COUNCILACTfON ,�: � % ,� �,..�-. AP1'ROVFD � I)I;NI�,I) �``'--=?z... '��.:�c.� ��....-�--�.—�_..._...: 12�;CEI V ED O"1'!i E R Joh�i 1�1. ohlmuth, City Manager MEI:TtNG DATE ._._.�-/y-�C-/C� �-�� AYES:�'��r�s��,��rtr �sbn�� rovner�� )�e�� , �;il��_ �/ NOES: N%�n� A13SF,NT: �r�� ABSTA[N: " VF,RIF(F,D BY Original on File with City Clcr 's Office TREE CIT'Y USA Application Mqil completed appiiceLion with requested altachmente to your etote foreeter no laisr ihan December 31. Thc TREE CITY U5A awurd is ia recognition of work completed by the commuoity during t6c cnlcndar year. Please pmvide information for the year en (3ome stetes require informetion in addition Lo the requested on this applicatd on.Check with qour sl,ate foreatera.t � Mayor ofthecom.muaityof City of Palm Desert (Titie-Mayor or other city o1Tic�a1) I herewith raake application for this community to be officially recognized and desi,gnated as s�ee City USA for 2 010�having achieved the atandards aet forth by The National Arbor Day Foundation as noted below (yeart Standard 1:A Tree Board or Department List date of eeteb(ishmont of board,board membera,and mcxting dates for thc peat year,or name of city department and manager. Landscape Services Division of the Public Works Department H. Spencer Knight, Landscape Manager Standard 2:A Community ZYee Ordinance DaEeordinanceeatablished_ OCtober 16, 20O1 Attnch ordinance. 3tandard 3:A Communit Fore 3' �'Y�Bn'��tb an Anaual Budget of at Least�2 Per Capita 'Ibtat community forcx�try expenditures.............................................$ 7 2 7, 0 0 0 Commnnity population................................................... �i �(L9 . . ................. , Atttich annual vvaic plan a�tliair�g the work rnmed aut durm8 t2�c pest ycar Attach 6meakdown�ca¢nmumty fo�jr pcp�. Standard 4:An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamatioa Dute observanoe was held _.Ap r i 1 2 4 , 2 010 Attach _ -- - _ program of activities end/or aewe oaverage. Attach Arbor Day proclamation. Mayor 5i�naturc ��e Date Please type or print the following. Mayor or equivalent: City Fore�Contac� Name: Cindy Finerty N�;_H. bencer Kniaht Title: Mayor �yt�e. Landscape Manacter ��: 73-510 Fred Waring Drive �d�: �3-510 Fred Warinct Drive City,Statc,Zip: Palm Desert, CA 92260 City,State,Zip: ��-m Desert. CA 92260 Phonel�: 760-346-0611 Phone#: 760-776-6450 Email: cfinertyC�citvofpalmdesert .org Em��: skniQhtc�citvofpalmdesert orq NOTE�Application will not be proceased without attachments. CCl'NSCa�OR (1b Be Completsd By The Stste Forester) I � �CoromuniLy a The abave named oommunity hae made formal application to this o�ice.I a�Pleaeed to adviae you that we reviewed the applicstion and have onnclud�that,based on the information contained herein,eaid oommunity ia eligible to be recognized and designated as a Tres City USA,for the caEendar year,having in my opinion met the four at,andarde of schievement ia urban forestry. Bigned State�ter �� Pereon in 9tate Forester's Offioe wlw ehould receive revogn{tian materials Nsme: UPS Addrese: ��e' City,State,Zip: `�°�'� PH#: Email: City of Paim Desert Tree City USA Application The management of the urban forest in the City of Palm Desert is integrated into the functions of the Landscape Services Division of the Public Works Department and the Community Development (Planning) Department. For the past 25 years, the City Council has realized the significant benefits that the urban forest provides and has enacted ordinances, hired staff, and appropriated funding to support the development and maintenance of the City's forest. The City has in place a Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, Parking Lot Ordinance and the associated Parking Lot Tree Resolution, Tree Maintenance Ordinance, Property Maintenance Ordinance, and has integrated specific landscape requirements within the Zoning Ordinance. These ordinances provide a frame work for sound urban forestry planning and development. The Landscape Services Division of the Public Works Department ("Division") currently has nine full time employees: Landscape Manager, Landscape Specialist, Project Administrator, Senior Landscape Inspector, four Landscape Inspectors, and an Irrigation Technician. The Landscape Manager is a Certified Arborist with a Municipal Specialist Certification; and the Landscape Specialist, Senior Landscape Inspector, and one Landscape Inspector are all Certified Arborists. The Division is responsible for municipal parks, building landscapes, median landscaping in roadways, and open spaces. Technical expertise is also provided to the City-owned golf course (Desert Willow Golf Resort), the City's Redevelopment Agency, and to staff that oversees the City's extensive trail system located on City and other agency property. This year the Division's budget is approximately $4.7 million. The Division's responsibilities involve the integration and implementation of sound urban forestry principles in the planning and development of new properties and the maintenance of existing properties. The Division works with engineering staff on capital improvement projects as well as private sector developments. During the development phase of new and renovated projects, the Division works closely with the Community Development Department, Planning Commission, Architectural Review Committee, and Landscape Beautification Committee to integrate sound urban forestry principles through the plan review and approval process. From a design perspective, the City Council has established a policy of creativity and diversity. Considering the limited number of tree species that are desert natives or adaptable to a desert environment, the tree pallet is very diverse. In addition, the City has produced the Desert Flora publication series. The series provides information and education to the public and includes design, plant pallet, and maintenance guides. An Arbor Day Committee was formed in 2007. This ad hoc committee was created for the purpose of stressing the importance of trees and their role in the community and environment. It includes members of the City's Parks and Recreation Commission, landscape industry educators, Desert Horticulture Society, and staff members. The annual Arbor Day celebration held in April provides educational material concerning the importance of trees along with demonstrations on proper tree selection, planting, and 1 care. The City also holds tree planting ceremonies in April at various City parks and schools. Existing City ordinances and the employment of a staff professionally trained in the policies and procedures of sound urban forestry insure the development of a sustainable and productive urban forest and serves as an urban forestry management plan. 2