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CC - Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Submission of an Application to the National Arbor Day Foundation to Consider Designating Culver City a Tree City USA Community
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Meeting Date: March 20, 2017
Contact Person/Dept: Helen Chin/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5618
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/14/17);
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director/City Engineer (03/09/17)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to the National Arbor Day Foundation to consider designating Culver City a Tree City USA community.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Tree City USA is a national recognition program sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters. Since the program started in 1976, more than 3,400 communities across the United States boast recognition as Tree Cities. Currently there are 157 communities in California that enjoy this designation, including some neighboring cities like Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and South Pasadena.
There are several benefits to this recognition.
1) It highlights and brings focus to the City’s Urban Forest Master Plan. The Plan reflects the City’s commitment to nurturing a resilient urban forest, outlines a clear vision about the current and future plans for the City’s trees, and provides guidance on long-term and day-to-day maintenance of community trees.
2) It establishes trees as a cornerstone of the City’s commitment to the environment and to environmental sustainability. It brings focus to trees in the City’s ecosystem. Trees improve air quality, provide shade, traps heat, and reduces the urban heat island effect.
3) It creates opportunities for education about the value of trees and green space. The recognition provides an opportunity to learn about how the City manages its urban forest and a chance to discuss the impact of community trees on public health and property value.
4) It promotes community pride about Culver City and the City’s dedication to creating healthy livable environments.
The application has four requirements and the City currently meets all criteria for eligibility.
1) Tree board or department.
- The Public Work’s Maintenance Operations Division currently oversees tree maintenance. The Maintenance Operations Division Manager, Eric Mirzaian, is a certified arborist and works directly with a staff of arborists from Westcoast Arborists to plant, maintain, and care for Culver City’s urban forest.
a) A tree care ordinance.
- The City has adopted an Urban Forest Master Plan and Culver City Municipal Code provisions that assign responsibility to the Maintenance Operations Division to protect trees and to provide guidance for planting, maintaining, and removing trees at City facilities, parkways, parks, and traffic medians.
b) A community forestry program with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita.
- The City currently spends about $19 per capita on the community forestry program. This amount is built into the Public Works budget annually.
c) An Arbor Day proclamation and celebration.
- Culver City observes Arbor Day on (03/XX/17) and celebrated this observation with a tree planting ceremony.
The recognition includes two road signs, a 4’ x 6’ flag, and a wall plaque.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact, aside from staff time, associated with applying for the Tree City USA recognition.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed resolution.
MOTION
That the City Council:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of an application to the National Arbor Day Foundation to consider designating Culver City a Tree City USA community.