minimal staff hours, and ordering Tree City USA signs would cost approximately $150 each, totaling $1,200 for 8 signs located at each of the City’s entry points.
Background:
Tree City USA is a national recognition program administered by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters. The program was designed to raise awareness of the value of community trees, set foundational standards for communities of all sizes, and celebrate community improvement.
For incorporated cities, the Foundation requires four (4) standards be met to qualify for the recognition:
1. A tree board or department with legal responsibility for public tree-care;
2. A public tree-care ordinance;
3. At least $2 per capita in annual expenditures on community tree-care activities and;
4. Annual Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
The Municipal Code does not include any public tree-care language, and the City will therefore need to adopt an ordinance to be eligible to apply for Tree City USA recognition.
Discussion:
The Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) owns and maintains most parks, parkways, trails, slopes, landscaped common areas, and greenbelts within the City, including more than 20,000 trees. Since the City’s incorporation, the City and AVCA have partnered to monitor and foster tree planting and initial care; and tree maintenance, removal, and management on their respective properties. AVCA will remain an important partner in tree care throughout the City and together seek to obtain Tree City USA recognition.
The Tree City USA standards are proposed to be met as follows:
1. Designate Public Works as the Tree Department as all public tree maintenance contracts and activities are already under its purview.
2. The City will adopt a public tree-care ordinance.
3. Tree-care budget and reported expenditures will meet or exceed the required $2 per capita ($104,352).
4. Coordinate and partner with AVCA on upcoming Arbor Day observations, and the City Council will issue an annual Arbor Day proclamation.
The proposed ordinance is focused on public trees and does not include a private-tree permitting program. Public trees are defined as any located on public property. Public property means real property owned, leased, managed, or controlled by the City, 1695
including parks, landscaped areas, public facilities, and public rights-of-way. Private property projects will continue to assess trees and landscaping on a case-by-case basis during the permitting process.
The ordinance formalizes and enhances criteria that have been in practice and includes the following:
Legal authority and administration designated to the Public Works Director Tree protection during construction
Mitigation for tree removal
Planting specifications
Public tree management
Pest, hazard and nuisance abatement
Enforcement procedures
The ordinance does not impact current maintenance contracts scope or cost. Should any private or City capital improvement projects impact public trees, the costs would be accounted for through those projects.
If the ordinance is adopted, staff will submit the Tree City USA application by the December 31 deadline. If the Arbor Day Foundation approves the application, staff will order and install signs and may promote the recognition on social media.
Staff respectfully request that City Council approve the recommended actions including reading of the ordinance, execution of the MOU with AVCA, and submitting the Tree City USA application.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance
2. Ordinance Exhibit A
3. Memorandum of Understanding
4. Presentation
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ORDINANCE NO. 2026-XXX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO
VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING CHAPTER 11.14 TO TITLE 11
OF THE ALISO VIEJO MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE
PROTECTION, PLANTING, MAINTENANCE, AND REMOVAL OF
TREES ON PUBLIC PROPERTY; AND FINDING THE ACTION TO
BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES
WHEREAS, the City of Aliso Viejo (“City”) is a municipal corporation, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Cal. Const. Art. XI, Sec. 7 and under the City’s general police powers, the City is empowered to make and enforce within its limits all local, police, sanitary, and other ordinances and regulations not in conflict with general law and charged with responsibility for the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens ; and WHEREAS, trees located on streets, in parks, and on other public property comprise an important part of the City’s community forest and provide shade, stormwater management, air-quality, habitat, aesthetic, and other public benefits; and WHEREAS, reasonable standards for planting, pruning, protecting, maintaining, and removing public trees will reduce hazards, improve public safety, preserve public resources, and promote a healthy and resilient community forest; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish a clear administrative process for work affecting public trees, require appropriate replacement of street trees removed at the request of adjacent property owners, and authorize enforcement and restoration remedies; and
WHEREAS, given the foregoing, the City Council desires to adopt Chapter 11.14 to Title 11 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code to protect the health, safety and appearance of the City by protecting and growing the community forest; and WHEREAS, on _________, 2026, the City Council considered the staff report, recommendations by staff and the City Attorney, and public testimony regarding proposed Chapter 11.14 to Title 11 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code; and WHEREAS, any and all other legal prerequisites relating to the adoption of this Ordinance have occurred.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The recitals above are each incorporated by reference and adopted as findings by the City Council as if fully set forth herein. 1697
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SECTION 2. CEQA. The City Council finds that the proposed amendments to the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code are exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section 15061(b)(3) because it can be seen with certainty that adoption of regulations protecting and maintaining trees on public property will not have a significant effect on the environment. The routine maintenance of existing landscaping is also categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines section 15301(h), and new gardening or landscaping is categorically exempt under State CEQA Guidelines section 15304(b).
The City Council further finds that no exception in State CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 applies. Any future activity requiring separate discretionary approval remains subject to any environmental review required by law. The City Council directs staff to file a notice of exemption following adoption of this Ordinance.
SECTION 3. Chapter 11.14 to Title 11 of the Aliso Viejo Municipal Code is adopted as set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference.
SECTION 4. Legislative Intent. The City Council’s actions are made upon review of the Staff Report, all oral and written comments, and all documentary evidence presented on the Ordinance.
SECTION 5. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and cause it, or a summary of it, to be published once within 15 days of adoption in a newspaper of general circulation printed and published within the City of Aliso Viejo, and shall post a certified copy of this Ordinance, including the vote for and against the same, in the Office of the City Clerk in accordance with California Government Code, section 36933.
SECTION 6. Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, such invalidity has no effect on the other provisions or applications of the Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this extent, the provisions of this ordinance are severable. The City Council declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance irrespective of the invalidity of any portion thereof.
SECTION 7. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective 30 days after its adoption.
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PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this ______ day of________, 2026.
Max Duncan
Mayor
ATTEST:
__
Maria Kendig
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________
Scott C. Smith
City Attorney
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO )
I, MARIA KENDIG, City Clerk of the City of Aliso Viejo, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that foregoing Ordinance No. 2026-___ was duly passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo at their regular meeting held on the ___ day of ____________, 2026, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
__
Maria Kendig
City Clerk
(SEAL)
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EXHIBIT A
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EXHIBIT A
Chapter 11.14
PUBLIC TREES
11.15.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to protect and expand the community forest by regulating the planting, maintenance, pruning, protection, and removal of trees on public property.
This chapter is intended to reduce hazards, improve public safety, promote the health and longevity of public trees, preserve the ecosystem services they provide, and enhance the appearance of City streets, parks, and other public places.
11.15.020 Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
“Adjacent property owner” means the owner of real property that abuts the portion of a public right-of-way in which a street tree is located.
“Caliper” means the diameter of a nursery tree trunk measured in accordance with the current edition of the American Standard for Nursery Stock, ANSI Z60.1, or a successor standard approved by the Director.
“City Arborist” means an arborist employed or retained by the City who holds a current certification from the International Society of Arboriculture, or another qualified person designated by the Director.
“Director” means the City’s Public Works Director or their designee. “Diameter at breast height (DBH)” means the diameter of a tree trunk measured at four and one-half feet above the adjacent natural grade. For a multi-trunk tree, DBH is the aggregate diameter of all trunks measured at that height. If a trunk branches below that height or cannot reasonably be measured there, the City Arborist shall determine DBH using accepted arboricultural practice.
“Hazardous tree” means a tree that the City Arborist determines presents an unreasonable risk of failure that could cause personal injury or property damage, taking into account the likelihood of failure, the likelihood of impact, and the consequences of failure.
“Invasive species” means a tree species determined by the City Arborist to be invasive based on an applicable federal, state, regional, or locally adopted list or on documented invasive characteristics in the City.
“Protected tree” means a public tree with a DBH of 12 inches or greater. 1702
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“Public property” means real property owned, leased, managed, or controlled by the City, including parks, landscaped areas, public facilities, and public rights-of-way. “Public tree” means a tree located on public property, including a street tree. “Significant pruning” means topping; removing more than 25 percent of a tree’s live crown during any 12-month period; removing a branch or root that materially affects the tree’s health, structural integrity, or natural form; or performing other pruning that the City Arborist determines could materially impair the tree’s health or safety. Routine pruning performed in accordance with applicable City standards and ANSI A300 is not significant pruning.
“Street tree” means a public tree located within a public street right-of-way. “Tree protection zone” means the area within protective fencing established by the City Arborist or an approved tree-protection plan and, when no specific area has been established, the area extending to the dripline of the tree.
11.15.030 Administration and authority.
A. The Director is responsible for administering this chapter and may designate City staff, the City Arborist, contractors, or consultants to oversee or perform tree planting, inspection, maintenance, pruning, protection, treatment, and removal.
B. The Director may adopt administrative procedures, permit forms, standard conditions, technical specifications, approved tree lists, and arboricultural standards consistent with this chapter.
C. The Director may inspect public trees and work affecting public trees at reasonable times and may require an applicant or responsible person to provide an arborist report, tree-protection plan, site plan, or other information reasonably necessary to administer this chapter.
11.15.040 Written approval required.
A. Except as provided in subsection D, no person shall remove, significantly prune, cut, injure, poison, destroy, relocate, or materially disturb the roots of a public tree without prior written approval from the Director or City Arborist. Written approval may be issued as a public-tree permit, an encroachment permit, an approved construction plan, a City work order, or another written authorization that identifies the approved work.
B. An application shall identify the tree and location, describe the proposed work and the reason for it, and include any plans, reports, photographs, fees, or other materials required by the Director.
C. The Director or City Arborist may approve, conditionally approve, or deny an application after considering tree health and structure; public safety; conflicts with utilities, access, visibility, or public improvements; species suitability; feasible alternatives; effects 1703
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on the community forest; and compliance with this chapter. Approval may include conditions governing the method and timing of work, contractor qualifications, tree protection, replacement planting, irrigation, monitoring, and establishment of care.
D. Prior written approval is not required for:
1. Emergency work that is reasonably necessary to address an imminent threat to life or property. The person performing emergency work shall notify the Director as soon as practicable, shall limit the work to what is reasonably necessary to address the emergency, and shall provide documentation upon request.
2. Work performed by or under the direction of the City in accordance with an approved City work order, maintenance program, contract, or plan.
3. Routine maintenance performed by a public utility within the scope of its legal authority and in accordance with applicable safety requirements; provided, however, that the utility shall coordinate with the Director in advance when practicable and shall comply with applicable City permits and standards.
E. Written approval under this section does not authorize entry onto private property or relieve any person from obtaining any other permit or authorization required by law.
11.15.050 Tree protection during construction.
A. Before construction, grading, excavation, demolition, staging, or similar activity begins on a site containing or adjacent to a public tree that may be affected by the work, the responsible person shall install and maintain protective fencing around the tree protection zone. Fencing shall remain in place until the Director authorizes its removal.
B. No person shall store materials or equipment; park, operate, or wash vehicles or equipment; place fill or debris; trench, excavate, compact soil, or alter grade; discharge substances; or attach signs, ropes, cables, or other objects within a tree protection zone, except as expressly authorized in writing by the Director or City Arborist.
C. The Director may require additional protection measures, including, but not limited to, trunk wrapping, root protection, irrigation, monitoring by a certified arborist, alternative construction methods, or adjustment of the tree protection zone.
D. All tree-protection measures required by this section shall be shown on applicable construction plans and are conditions of the related City permit or approval.
11.15.060 Mitigation for removal of street trees.
A. When the City authorizes removal of a street tree at the request of an adjacent property owner, the adjacent property owner shall provide two replacement trees for each street tree removed. Each replacement tree shall have a minimum caliper of two inches at the time of planting.
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B. Replacement trees shall be planted at the removal site when the Director determines that location is suitable. If on-site replacement is infeasible or inconsistent with City standards, the replacement trees shall be planted at another location on public property approved by the Director.
C. Replacement trees shall be planted within 90 calendar days after removal unless the Director approves a later date in writing.
D. The replacement obligation in this section does not apply when the City Arborist determines in writing that the removed tree is:
1. Dead;
2. Diseased or infested and removal is reasonably necessary to protect other trees or public safety;
3. Hazardous; or
4. An invasive species.
E. The replacement obligation in this section does not apply to removal of a street tree by a public utility acting within the scope of its legal authority. This exemption does not waive any permit, notice, coordination, or restoration requirement otherwise applicable to the utility.
F. Replacement required by this section is separate from, and does not limit, restoration or restitution imposed for an unlawful removal or damage under Section 11.15.110.
11.15.070 Planting specifications.
A. Tree quality. Each tree planted on public property shall be healthy, well-formed, typical of its species and variety, and free from significant defects, pests, and disease. Nursery stock shall comply with the current edition of ANSI Z60.1 unless the Director approves an equivalent standard.
B. Tree size. At the time of planting, each canopy tree shall have a minimum trunk diameter of two inches measured four and one-half feet above grade and a minimum height of eight feet. A replacement tree required by Section 11.15.060 shall also have a minimum caliper of two inches.
C. Planting location. Trees shall be located so that, at maturity, they will not unreasonably interfere with utilities, public improvements, pedestrian or vehicle access, or required sight distance. Unless the Director approves an alternative location in writing based on sitespecific conditions and applicable utility requirements, no tree may be planted within 10 feet of a utility line or within the visibility triangle of a street intersection. 1705
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D. Planting practice. Trees shall be planted in accordance with sound nursery and arboricultural practices. The root flare shall be visible at and set level with the finished soil surface. The root ball shall rest on firm, undisturbed soil or on a bed of suitable topsoil at least six inches deep where required to provide suitable growing conditions. All containers, wire, rope, burlap, and other materials shall be removed or treated as directed by the City Arborist to prevent interference with root growth. Mulch shall be applied to a minimum depth of three inches around the base of each newly planted tree.
11.15.080 Management and maintenance of public trees.
A. The City shall be responsible for routine maintenance of public trees, including, but not limited to inspection, pruning, watering, removal of deadwood, pest and disease management, and removal when reasonably necessary to promote tree health or public safety.
B. City maintenance shall be performed in accordance with accepted arboricultural practices and applicable City standards. Nothing in this section requires the City to preserve a particular public tree or to perform maintenance on demand.
C. No adjacent property owner or other person acquires ownership of or a compensable interest in a public tree by planting, watering, maintaining, or otherwise caring for the tree.
No person may undertake such work except as authorized by the City.
11.15.090 Pests, disease, hazardous trees, and nuisance abatement.
A. A public tree found by the City to be infested with a communicable pest or disease, or to be dead or dying because of such a pest or disease, shall be treated or removed as soon as practicable when reasonably necessary to prevent spread to other trees or to protect public safety.
B. A public tree determined by the City to be hazardous because of pests or disease is declared a public nuisance and may be treated, pruned, removed, or otherwise abated at the direction of the Director.
C. When delay creates an imminent threat to life or property or materially increases the risk that a communicable pest or disease will spread, the Director may order or perform immediate abatement without prior notice. Otherwise, nuisance abatement shall be conducted in accordance with applicable provisions of Chapter 1.06.
11.15.100 Appeals.
A person aggrieved by a written decision of the Director or City Arborist under this chapter may appeal the decision in accordance with Chapter 1.10. Unless required by law or ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, an appeal does not stay action reasonably determined by the Director to be necessary to address an imminent threat to life or property or prevent the spread of a communicable pest or disease.
11.15.110 Enforcement, penalties, and restoration.
A. The City Manager or their designee is responsible for enforcing this chapter. 1706
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B. It is unlawful for any person to violate this chapter, fail to comply with a condition of an approval issued under this chapter, or cause or permit another person to do so. Without limiting the foregoing, it is unlawful to remove, significantly prune, damage, or destroy a protected tree without the written approval required by Section 11.15.040.
C. A violation may be enforced by administrative citation under Chapter 1.06. A civil or administrative fine not exceeding $500 may be assessed for each violation. Each public tree unlawfully removed, significantly pruned, damaged, or destroyed constitutes a separate violation. Each day that a continuing violation, including failure to maintain required tree-protection measures or install required replacement trees, remains uncorrected after the correction date stated in a notice or citation constitutes a separate violation.
D. In addition to any fine or other remedy, a responsible person may be required to restore the site and replace each unlawfully removed or damaged tree with a tree of equal size and a species approved by the Director, when feasible. If equal-size replacement is infeasible, the responsible person may be required to install replacement trees in the number, sizes, species, and locations determined by the Director or pay the City’s reasonable replacement value, including, but not limited to, appraisal, removal, purchase, installation, irrigation, inspection, and administrative costs. 1707
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TREE CITY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
1. Parties and Date.
This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is made and entered into as of the _____ day of __________, 2026 (“Effective Date”) by and between the CITY OF ALISO VIEJO, a California municipal corporation (“CITY”) and the ALISO VIEJO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, a California public benefit corporation (“AVCA” or “Association”).
AVCA and CITY are sometimes referred to herein singularly as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
2. Recitals.
2.1 AVCA serves as the master homeowners association for all neighborhoods in the City of Aliso Viejo and was established to protect, preserve and maintain twenty-one parks and many miles of slopes along the major roads within the City.
2.2 AVCA was incorporated in 1982 in an unincorporated area of Orange County, at a time when it was practically and financially infeasible for the County to operate and maintain local community facilities such parks, trails, open space, public thoroughfares, greenbelts, and streetscapes, including trees. The resulting community structure was one under which those quasi-municipal functions were assumed by AVCA and funded through fees paid by AVCA residents.
2.4 CITY incorporated in 2001, assuming responsibility for one park and limited street improvements and landscaping.
2.5 AVCA owns and maintains the vast majority of parks, parkways, trails, slopes, landscaped common areas, and greenbelts within the City, including more than 20,000 trees.
2.6 Since the City’s incorporation, the Parties have partnered to monitor and foster tree planting and initial care; tree maintenance, removal, and management; utility line clearance; and volunteer opportunities on their respective parks and greenbelts (“Community Tree Care”).
2.7 Representatives of the AVCA Board of Directors and the City Council meet regularly to discuss their joint efforts, including Community Tree Care.
2.8 The Parties’ current, collective annual budgets for Community Tree Care is approximately $600,000.
2.9 CITY is in the process of submitting an application to the Arbor Day Foundation to be recognized as a Tree City USA, as a manifestation of the Parties’ shared intent to protect and preserve the community’s trees located in public places. 1708
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2.10 CITY and AVCA desire to enter into this MOU to memorialize their continued mutual intent and commitment to their public-private partnership to preserve and perpetuate Aliso Viejo’s urban forest, which is a notable element of the community’s exceptional quality of life.
3. Agreement.
3.1 Term of Agreement
This Agreement shall commence upon the Effective Date and shall continue through December 31, 2031. This Agreement shall automatically renew for one additional year each January 1st beginning in 2032 unless either Party provides written notice of termination pursuant to Section 3.2.
3.2 Termination of Agreement
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1, above, either Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement with sixty (60) days’ written notice to the other Party.
3.3 Tree City USA
The Parties acknowledge that their historical expenditures for Community Tree Care have satisfied the Tree City USA investment standard. The Parties intend to continue making expenditures that satisfy that standard in the future. The annual amount of such expenditures may fluctuate from year to year and will remain subject to each Party's independent budgeting, governance, and operational needs.
3.4 Shared Commitment
The Parties hereby commit to their shared Community Tree Care goals as follows:
3.4.1 CITY shall govern its Community Tree Care activities in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinance for public trees, as defined therein.
3.4.2 AVCA acknowledges the principles reflected in the Ordinance and will consider such principles when managing trees on property owned or maintained by AVCA, while retaining sole discretion regarding maintenance practices, budgeting, prioritization, and implementation.
3.4.3 CITY will require owners proposing removal of street trees on CITY property to conform to the provisions of Aliso Viejo Municipal Code Section
11.15.060 by providing two replacement trees for each street tree removed, with a minimum caliper of two inches at the time of planting.
3.4.4 The Parties intend to continue meeting periodically to discuss coordination of community tree care, Arbor Day activities, and Tree City USA 1709
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participation. Nothing herein requires either Party to undertake any specific expenditure, maintenance activity, regulatory action, or program.
3.5 Consent of Parties
Whenever consent or approval of either Party is required, that Party shall not unreasonably withhold such consent or approval.
3.6 Notices
Any notice provided for herein shall be sent by, and deemed given when deposited in the United States mail, registered and postage prepaid, to the Parties at the following addresses, or to such other address as a Party may designate by notice to:
CITY: City of Aliso Viejo
12 Journey, Suite 100
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Attention: City Manager
AVCA: Aliso Viejo Community Association
130 Vantis Dr., Suite 110
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Attention: General Manager
3.7 Entire Agreement
This Agreement contains all of the covenants, terms, provisions and agreements between CITY and AVCA relating in any manner to Tree City USA participation. No prior agreement or understanding of the Parties with respect to the matters referred to herein shall be valid or of any force or effect, and no covenant, term, provision or agreement of this Agreement can be altered or amended except in writing, signed by both Parties hereto.
[***SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE***]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the Effective Date.
“CITY”
CITY OF ALISO VIEJO,
a California municipal corporation
By: __________________________________
Max Duncan
Mayor
ATTEST:
By:______________________________
Maria Kendig
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
By:______________________________
Scott C. Smith
City Attorney
“AVCA”
ALISO VIEJO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION,
a California public benefit corporation
By: __________________________________
By: __________________________________
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WHITNEY CURRY, APC
By:______________________________
Anne Rawlinson
Legal Counsel to AVCA
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Public Tree-Care Ordinance
City Council
October 21, 2026
Aliso Viejo Community Association Partnership
Tree City USA
Shaun Pelletier, Public Works Director & City Engineer
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Staff Recommendation
That the City Council adopt a Public Tree-Care
Ordinance and partner with AVCA to apply for
Tree City USA recognition
2 1713
Tree City USA
• National recognition program administered by the Arbor Day Foundation
• Program only for incorporated communities, homeowner
associations are not eligible on their own
• Four Standards
1. Tree Board or Department with Legal Responsibility for Tree Care
2. Public Tree-Care Ordinance
3. Minimum Community Tree-Care Expenditures of $2 per capita
4. Annual Arbor Day Proclamation and Observance
3 1714
Partnership
• Aliso Viejo Community Association (AVCA) owns and maintains most parks, parkways, trails, slopes, landscaped common areas, and greenbelts within the City, including more than 20,000 trees
• City and AVCA have historically partnered to monitor and foster tree planting, tree maintenance, and tree management on their respective properties
• City Council and AVCA Board have discussed jointly obtaining Tree City USA recognition for the benefit of the entire community
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Standard One – Tree Department
• Designate Public Works as the Tree Department
• Public Works currently manage all public tree maintenance contracts and activities
5 1716
Standard Two - Ordinance
• Adoption of Public Tree-Care Ordinance
• Public trees are defined as any located on public property • Public property means real property owned, leased, managed, or controlled by the City, including parks, landscaped areas, public facilities, and public rights-of-way
• Private property projects will continue to assess trees and landscaping on a case-by-case basis during the permitting process
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Standard Two (cont.)
• Legal authority and administration designated to the Public Works Director
• Tree protection during construction
• Mitigation for tree removal
• Planting specifications
• Public tree management
• Pest, hazard and nuisance abatement
• Enforcement procedures
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Standard Three - Expenditures
• Community tree-care annual budget and reported
expenditures will meet or exceed the required $2 per capita ($104,352)
• No changes to existing contracts or budgets are required 8 1719
Standard Four – Arbor Day
• Coordinate and partner with AVCA on upcoming Arbor Day Observations
• City Council to issue an annual Arbor Day proclamation 9 1720
Next Steps
• Submit application
• Order and install signs when approved
• Promote recognition on social media
10 1721
Staff Recommendation
That the City Council adopt a Public Tree-Care
Ordinance and partner with AVCA to apply for
Tree City USA recognition
11 1722