CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
March 5, 2024 {{section.number}}b
RECEIVE REPORT ON THE CITY OF CORONADO’S URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM RECOMMENDATION:
Receive report of the City of Coronado’s Urban Forestry program.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Coronado maintains a diverse urban forest which includes 149 species of 9,083 public trees. These trees are located in the twenty-one City parks, on street parkways, and the Municipal Golf Course. The history of urban forestry in Coronado dates back well over 100 years and is extremely rich in achievements. One of the most significant achievements is the City being approved and recognized as a "Tree City USA" every year since 1984. The designation, which is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, requires that you meet four criteria:
1. Maintain a tree board or department
2. Have a community tree ordinance
3. Spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
4. Celebrate Arbor Day
In order to manage the urban forest, a Street Tree Master Plan (Plan) was prepared. The Plan’s goal is to maintain, improve, renew, and protect the urban forest in the public right-of-way, as well as to share information with the public, to enhance appreciation of trees, promote proper tree care, and to encourage participation in the development of Coronado’s treasured urban forest.
The Plan was first approved by City Council in 2004 with subsequent updates and approvals by City Council in 2011, 2016 and most recently December of 2022.
Overall, the City seeks to preserve a clean and safe environment that inspires public confidence, creates an aesthetically pleasing and beautiful landscape throughout the City, promoting a high quality of life for the City’s residents and general public.
ANALYSIS:
The Urban Forest program is dynamic in which weather, private improvements within the parkway, new development, and disease have a direct influence on our City trees. Managed by the Parks, Beach, and Urban Forestry Supervisor and overseen by the Parks Lead Worker, the many requests by residents and diverse urban forest generate a workload of approximately seventy percent for both positions.
The City employs a Tree Trimmer (Certified Arborist) and Maintenance Worker but relies on West Coast Arborists to complete a majority of the work. The City currently allocates $450,000 annually towards the maintenance of trees, which includes yearly palm pruning, sector trimming, emergency response, health assessments, treatments, tree removals, plantings, and large tree trimming.
During the City Council meeting of August 15, 2023, specifically item 10.c the request to remove trees adjacent to the Lawn Bowling Green Turf Replacement project, several questions and comments were raised in regard to the urban forestry program. This presentation seeks to provide a broad overview of the program including maintenance history, strategy, dynamics affecting the urban forestry, community outreach goals, and staff suggestions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
ALTERNATIVE:
The City Council may request additional information or future consideration of actions related to the Urban Forestry Program.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT:
Not Applicable.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
No notice required.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Submitted By: Public Services and Engineering Department / Art Valdivia