City of Culver City, California
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: 4/6/2010 Item Number: _A-1
PRCS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM: (1) Rescind the Recommendation Approved in
Agenda Item Number A-2 for the Meeting Date of December 1, 2009 to Plant the
Camphor Tree in Place of the Victorian Box Tree along the 4100 and 4200 Blocks of
Baldwin Avenue; and, (2) Consider Recommending the Bottle Tree as the
Replacement Tree Species in the Area.
Contact Person/Dept.: Eric Mirzaian/PW Phone Number: (310) 253-6410
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: _______________
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas – Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Department (04/01/2010); (Letter) Residents/Property Owners along the 4100
and 4200 blocks of Baldwin Avenue (03/19/2010).
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson
(03/30/2010); Pam Robinson (03/24/2010)
City Attorney Approval: N/A
Chief Financial Officer Approval: N/A City Manager Approval: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
(1) Rescind the recommendation approved in Agenda Item number A-2 for the
meeting date of December 1, 2009 to plant the Camphor Tree in place of the
Victorian Box Tree along the 4100 and 4200 Blocks of Baldwin Avenue; and, (2)
Consider recommending the Bottle Tree as the replacement tree species in the area.
BACKGROUND:
In June 2009, the Public Works Department evaluated the Victorian Box
(Pittosporum Undulatum) and Queensland Pittosporum (Pittosporum Rhombifolium)
trees along the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Baldwin Avenue. Of the thirty-eight (38)
trees that were analyzed, thirteen (13) were identified to be in an advanced state of
decline and were subsequently removed to protect public health and safety. Public
Works Department staff determined that the factors that led to the Victorian Box
trees’ failure to thrive also made them unsuitable as a replacement trees. However,
the Culver City Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) indicates that the Victorian Box is
the recommended tree species for this area. Therefore, staff initiated the
appropriate process to request permission to plant a substitute tree species in the
area.
At the December 2, 2009 Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
meeting, Public Works staff recommended the Camphor Tree as a substitute tree
species in place of the Victorian Box (as approved by the STMP) along the 4100 and City of Culver City, California
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission
Agenda Item Report
4200 blocks of Baldwin Avenue. Staff’s recommended substitution was approved by
the Commission (Attachment A) and the Commission’s recommendation was then
presented to the City Council for approval at the January 25, 2010 meeting. At that
meeting, several residents expressed concerns regarding the performance of the
Camphor Tree. As a result, the City Council directed staff to seek input from
residents of Baldwin Avenue as to the type of tree that they would like to have
planted in place of those that had previously been removed by the Public Works
Department (Attachment B).
DISCUSSION:
On February 10, 2010, a survey was mailed out to residents and property owners of
the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Baldwin Avenue. The residents/property owners were
given the opportunity to select one of three types of trees to replace the trees that
were removed: the Camphor Tree, the Bottle Tree and the Jacaranda Tree. The
survey packet (Attachment C) included a picture and a characteristic description of
each tree species. Participants were provided two weeks to respond to the survey.
Of the 129 surveys mailed, 47 surveys were returned; resulting in a 36% response
rate. The results were as follows:
Bottle Tree………18
Jacaranda Tree….16
Camphor Tree……13
Based on the survey results, staff is proposing to replace the trees that were
removed with the Bottle Tree instead of the Camphor Tree as previously
recommended.
The Public Works Department is recommending that a more diverse tree selection is
desirable in this area since the Victorian Box has been problematic. All three tree
types recommended on the survey have done quite well on neighboring streets,
including Elenda Street, Jasmine Street, La Salle Avenue, Le Bourget Avenue,
Lincoln Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Park Avenue. Thus, the Bottle Tree will be a
very suitable tree based on the infrastructure and local climate and soil conditions of
this area.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The cost to plant Bottle Trees in this area will be paid from the Public Works
Department tree maintenance budget (Account Number 10161600). The trees will
be planted by the Public Works Tree Maintenance crew as part of their regular work
program. The Public Works Department will plant the number of trees this current
fiscal year’s budget will allow and complete the planting of the remaining trees in
fiscal year 2010-11.
City of Culver City, California
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission
Agenda Item Report
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Excerpt of the Approved Minutes of the December 1, 2009 Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission Meeting
B. Excerpt of the Approved Minutes of the January 25, 2010 City Council Meeting
C. Survey Packet Sent to Residents/Property Owners of the 4100 and 4200 Blocks
of Baldwin Avenue.
MOTION:
That the Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission:
1. Rescind the recommendation approved in Agenda Item number A-2 for the
meeting date of December 1, 2009 to plant the Camphor Tree in place of the
Victorian Box Tree along the 4100 and 4200 Blocks of Baldwin Avenue;
AND
2. (Staff Recommendation based on Resident/Property Owner input) Recommend
the Bottle Tree as the replacement tree species along the 4100 and 4200 blocks
of Baldwin Avenue;
OR
3. Provide staff with alternate recommendations.
MEETING DATE: April 6, 2010
AGENDA ITEM: (1) Rescind the Recommendation Approved in Agenda
Item Number A-2 for the Meeting Date of December 1,
2009 to Plant the Camphor Tree in Place of the Victorian
Box Tree along the 4100 and 4200 Blocks of Baldwin
Avenue; and, (2) Consider Recommending the Bottle
Tree as the Replacement Tree Species in the Area.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
A. Excerpt of the Approved Minutes of the December 1, 1
2009 Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission Meeting
B. Excerpt of the Approved Minutes of the January 25, 2010 2-3
City Council Meeting
C. Survey Packet Sent to Residents/Property Owners of the 4-6
4100 and 4200 Blocks of Baldwin AvenueATTACHMENT A
EXCERPT OF THE APPROVED MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
PARKS, RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
CITY OF CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
December 1, 2009
7:00 P.M.
The meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission was called to order at 7:02 P.M.
Present: Chair Vicki Daly Redholtz
Vice Chair Rick Hudson
Commissioner Marianne Kim
Commissioner Laura Stuart
Commissioner Mary Ann Greene
o0o
*************************ExcERpT EEGINs*************************
Item A-2
Approve the Substitution of the Camphor Tree in Lieu of the Tree
Recommended in the City's Street Tree blaster Plan, the Victorian
Box, along the 4100 and 4200 blocks of Baldwin Avenue
Eric Mirzaian, Senior Management Analyst, Public Works, provided
a summary of the material of record and clarified that staff was
seeking a Commission recommendation.
Commissioners and staff discussed: resident feedback on the
matter; drought resistant trees; why the Street Tree Master Plan
comes before the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission rather than the Planning Commission; policies for
tree removal and resident plantings in the parkways; trees and
infrastructure in the area near Elenda and Jasmine by the high
school; Hubbard Street; and concern with not having enough
information.
MOVED BY CHAIR DALY REDHOITZ, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HUDSON,
AND UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL
SUBSTITUTE THE CAMPHOR TREE IN LIEU OF THE TREE RECOMMENDED IN
THE CITY'S STREET TREE MASTER PLAN, THE VICTORIAN BOX, ALONG THE
4100 AND 4200 BLOCKS OF BALDWIN AVENUE.
o0o
*************************ExcERpT Ems*************************
Page 1 of 6ATTACHMENT B
EXCERPT OF THE APPROVED MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF CULVER CITY,
CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
January 25, 2010
6:01 p.m.
The meeting of the City Council was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
Present: Andrew Weissman, Mayor
Christopher Armenta, Vice Mayor
D. Scott Malsin, CounCilmember
Micheal O'Leary, Councilmember
Gary Silbiger, Councilmember
o0o
*************************ExcERpT BEGINS*************************
Item A-3
Consideration of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission's Recommendation to Substitute the Camphor Tree in
Lieu of the Victorian Box as Recommended in the City's Adopted
Street Tree Master Plan Along the 4100 and 4200 Blocks of
Baldwin Avenue.
Mayor Weissman invited public participation.
The following members of the audience addressed the City
Council:
Sandra Kallander reported that the current trees were dying;
wanted to see alternative trees considered; expressed concern
with proper tree size and root damage; and reported significant
issues with camphor trees planted in other cities.
Robert Zirgulis expressed concern with long-term consequences of
the proposed change and he asked that another tree be
considered.
Charles Herbertson, Public Works Director/City Engineer and Eric
Mirzaian, Senior Management Analyst, Public Works Department
responded to speaker comments. They clarified that the tree is
part of the Street Tree Master Plan and considered a desirable
street tree species in Southern California; an explanation of
the process for the recommendation; notification procedures;
Page 2 of 6positive feedback from residents anxious to have healthy trees;
and no reported speaker cards at the Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission meeting when this item was
considered.
Discussion ensued between the City Council and staff regarding
camphor trees on surrounding streets; an observation that
different trees react differently in different areas; root
damage to sidewalks and sewers; expected lifespan of the tree;
examples of 50-year old camphor trees in the City or in other
California cities; clarification that the tree is listed in
approved publications as a desirable street tree for the long
term in Southern California; concern with notification
procedures; involving neighbors in the process of picking the
trees; a suggestion to hold the item for additional information;
whether the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
Was given a choice of tree; and a suggestion to include an image
of the tree in the report along with the scientific description.
Councilmember Silbiger proposed a motion to provide residents
with several trees to choose from based on the Street Tree
Master Plan and the particular environment on the street.
Following discussion, the City Council concurred to hold this
item over until staff returns with additional information.
o0o
*************************ExcERpT ENDs*************************
Page 3 of 6PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
9770 Culver Boulevard, Culver City, California 90232
(310) 253-5600
FAX (310) 253-5626
Charles a Herbertson, PE LS
Public Works Director and
City Engineer
February 10, 2010
Subject: Proposed tree replacement on Baldwin Ave
Dear Baldwin Avenue Property Owners:
In June 2009, the Culver City Public Works Department removed 13 Victorian Box and Queensland
Pittosporum trees that were identified to be in an advanced state of decline due to excessive defoliation and
canopy decline. In December 2009, The Public Works Department made a recommendation to the Parks,
Recreation & Community Services Commission (PRCSC) to plant Camphor Trees in lieu of the Victorian Box
as recommended by the City's adopted Street Tree Master Man. The Camphor Tree was recommended in lieu
of the Victorian Box due to the poor performance of the Victorian Box at this location. The PRCSC approved
Staffs recommendation by unanimous vote. This approved.recommendation was then taken to the City
Council on January 25, 2010 for their approval. At that meeting, several residents expressed concerns
regarding the Camphor tree. The City Council directed Staff to seek input from all the residents of Baldwin
Avenue.
Prior to returning to the PRCSC and City Council for final approval, City Staff would like to obtain your opinion
on possible tree plantings for Baldwin Avenue. Included in this letter is a survey providing residents with the
option of selecting one of three tree choices. The choices include the Camphor Tree, the Jacaranda Tree and
the Bottle Tree. All three of these species of trees are currently planted on surrounding streets in the area and
are performing quite well and have been determined to be suitable replacements to the Victorian Box. Please
indicate your selection on the survey. Additionally, a photograph of each proposed tree is enclosed, as well as,
brief characteristic descriptions of each tree (Source: Street Trees Recommended for Southern California -
Second Edition).
The survey is due no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, February 25, 2010. Please return the survey using the
self addressed and stamped postcard enclosed for your convenience. Surveys may also be personally
dropped off at the return address indicated on the postcard.
The residents of Baldwin Avenue will be notified of Staffs intention to take the matter to the PRCSC and City
Council; at which point the results of the survey will be announced and a final recommendation by City Staff will
be made.
We greatly appreciate your cooperation and participation in this survey. If you have further questions or need
clarification, feel free to contact me at (310) 253-6410.
Thank you,
Eric Mirzaian
Senior Management Analyst
CC: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director & City Engineer
Heustace Lewis, Maintenance Operations Manager
Steve Orozco, Street & Tree Maintenance Supervisor
Culver City Employees take pride in effectively providing the !wheat levels of service to enrich the quality of life for the community by building on our
tradition of more than seventy-five years of public service, by our present commitment, and by our dedication to meet the challenges of the future.
Page 4 of 6BALDWIN AVENUE
STREET TREE SURVEY
(Please Select One)
CAMPHOR TREE:: Suitable for parkways & utility lines; rapid
growth; no significant pest problems; shade tree;
maintains existing canopy.
JACARANDA TREE:: Suitable for parkways & utility lines;
moderate growth; spectacular flowering; no significant
pest problems; shade tree
BOTTLE TREE:: Suitable for parkways & utility lines; moderate
growth; drought tolerant; no significant pest problems;
maintains existing tree canopy
Surveys due no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday February 25, 2010
Page 5 of 6CAMPHOR TREE
JACARANDA TREE
(CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA)
(JACARANDA MIMOSIFOLIA)
Tree in photo located at Farragut & La Salle
Tree in photo located on Jackson Avenue
BOTTLE TREE
(BRACHYCHITON POPULNEUS)
Tree in photo located in Carlson Park
Page 6 of 6