1 To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
Date: December 11, 2025
Supplemental Memo Regarding Item 5-L on the 12/16/25 Council Agenda: Recommendation to Approve the Immediate Removal of 65 Trees of Various Species between 1-38” in Diameter and Planting of 101 New Trees for Construction of Clement Avenue / Tilden Way Improvements Project
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
This memo is being provided to supplement the staff report for Item 5 -L published for the December 16, 2025, City Council meeting.
The title of the agenda item has been revised to indicate the size of new trees to be planted, with changes shown in red:
Recommendation to Approve the Immediate Removal of 65 Trees of Various Species between 1-38” in Diameter and Planting of 101 New Trees in 24” boxes for Construction of Clement Avenue / Tilden Way Improvements Project
At the Historical Advisory Board meeting on Thursday December 4, 2025, a resolution was adopted issuing a Certificate of Approval for the removal of three (3) Coast Live Oak Trees. The Clement Avenue / Tilden Way Improvements Project will include planting of eight (8) new Coast Live Oak Trees in 24” boxes, as required in the Alameda Municipal Code Section 13-21.7.
At the Planning Board meeting on Monday December 8, 2025, staff presented the project for public discussion and Planning Board review for the recommendation to approve the removal of 65 trees and planting of 101 new trees. Ater the presentation, the following questions and comments were made by Planning Board members.
- Board member Hom asked for clarification on Exhibit 2 and Supplemental Exhibit in the staff report. Staff responded by explaining the Supplemental Exhibit was issued to only show trees to be replanted for the project and are part of the same plan set shown on Exhibit 2.
- Board member Hom asked for clarification on how many Coast Live Oaks will be planted for the project. Staff responded by explaining eight Coast Live Oaks will be planted. - Board member Hom asked if the Street Tree Master Plan was referenced for the planting plan. Staff responded by explaining the replacement tree list for the project was prepared by a licensed Landscape Architect and reviewed by a city staff. - Board member Hom asked how the new trees planted will be irrigated. Staff responded by explaining new tree will be irrigated with both bubblers and drip system. After reviewing the project plans, the new trees will be irrigated with a bubbler system. - Board member Ruiz asked how many bioretention areas will be in the project area. Staff responded by explaining the project will have multiple bioretention locations included in the project to treat stormwater runoff from newly constructed and reconstructed areas. - Board member Saheba asked for clarification if the number of removed trees will include trees that are relocated. Staff responded by explaining the number of trees to be relocated were not part of the removal list.
2 - Board member Saheba asked if the project will include improvements on Pearl Street.
Staff responded by explaining the project will include safety and crossing improvements at the intersection of Pearl and Fernside as part of the roundabout construction. - Board member Tsou asked if tree removal is covered under the 2023 CEQA determination made for the project or if an EIR is required for tree removal. Staff responded by stating the removal will fall under an EIR. After reviewing the City’s General Plan, tree removal is an activity covered under the General Plan EIR.
- Board member Hom commented about the need for a nesting survey to be performed.
After review of the General Plan EIR, a nesting bird survey is required prior to the removal of large trees during the bird nesting season (February 1 through August 31) and will be conducted.
No public comments were received at the December 8, 2025, Planning Board meeting. And no public comments or correspondence were submitted to Public Works regarding the removal of trees for the Clement Avenue / Tilden Way Improvements Project.
Planning Board approved staff’s recommendation to City Council for the removal of 65 trees and planting of 101 new trees for the Clement Avenue / Tilden Way Improvements Project.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By:
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer
Brendin Christolear, Supervising Civil Engineer
Ali Hatefi, Senior Engineer