Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
VANIAH DE ROJAS, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2024
SUBJECT: ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DISSOLVING THE URBAN FOREST
MANAGEMENT PLAN WORKGROUP
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider adopting a Resolution dissolving the Urban Forest Management Plan Workgroup due to completion of the Urban Forest Management Plan and the associated duties of the Workgroup.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council will:
Adopt Resolution No. 24-8275, Dissolving the Urban Forest Management Plan Workgroup.
BACKGROUND
The Downey City Council approved the preparation of an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) in November 2018. One of the first tasks necessary in the development and preparation of the UFMP was the formation of a workgroup. This is part of the public outreach component of the UFMP and was required by the CAL Fire grant, through which the UFMP efforts were funded. The Workgroup consisted of 9 members, 5 of which were qualified electors of the City as appointed by the City Council. The City Manager appointed four members from the following City departments: 2 members from Public Works, 1 member from Community Development, and 1 member from Parks and Recreation.
The responsibilities of the Workgroup were as follows:
1. Create a vision statement for the Downey Urban Forest 2. Complete a City gap score analysis 3. Finalize questions for the public survey 4. Develop a Master Street Tree Species List 5. Develop short, medium, and long-term goals
6. Identify City department and staff that will be responsible for implementation of various components of the UFMP 7. Develop priority needs to be addressed through public education
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION DISSOLVING THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
WORKGROUP
NOVEMBER 12, 2024
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8. Develop a strategy for public education 9. Review draft and final UFMP document
ANALYSIS
The UFMP Workgroup met once a month from April 2019 through October 2019 and:
created a vision statement for the City's urban forest; completed a gap score analysis; conducted 576 surveys of Downey residents and stakeholders; developed a strategic plan of guiding principles and goals; developed an implementation strategy to achieve short- term, mid-term, and long-term goals and benefits; prepared a recommended list of street tree species; and prioritized needs and strategies for public education.
On October 15, 2019, the Workgroup met and approved the UFMP and recommended adoption by the City Council. However, City staff subsequently received and incorporated comments on the UFMP from CAL-FIRE. One of the major comments from CAL-FIRE was to develop a Street Tree Master Plan (STMP) as part of the UFMP document. On October 15, 2020, the City Council approved the development of the STMP, which provides guidelines for a more consistent and uniform tree canopy in the City, helps mitigate the spread of tree-related diseases or infestations, improve efficiencies for tree selection and planting, and establishes tree trimming cycles based on tree species rather than rotating grids. After the completion of the STMP, in March 2021, the City Council adopted a Resolution adopting the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan.
With the adoption of the UFMP in March 2021, the UFMP workgroup duties have concluded, and, thus, the W orkgroup has not met. As such, it is recommended that the Workgroup be dissolved. Attached is a Resolution for City Council consideration and adoption for the dissolution of the UFMP workgroup.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Efficiency and Adaptability
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Resolution No. 24-8275
RESOLUTION NO. 24-8275
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
DISSOLVING THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
WORKGROUP
WHEREAS, the City of Downey strives to maintain an efficient and effective local government structure; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to streamline its committee and advisory body structure and eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens where appropriate; and
WHEREAS, the Urban Forest Management Plan Workgroup was created by Resolution in 2019 and has concluded the duties for which it was created and therefore is no longer needed.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Urban Forest Management Plan Workgroup is hereby dissolved.
SECTION 2. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon adoption.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 12th day of November, 2024.
_______________________________
MARIO TRUJILLO, Mayor
ATTEST:
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
JOHN M. FUNK
City Attorney
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution was adopted by the City Council of the City of Downey at a Regular meeting held on the 12th day of November, 2024, by the following vote, to wit:
RESOLUTION NO. 24-8275
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AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Members:
ABSENT: Council Members:
ABSTAIN: Council Members:
MARIA ALICIA DUARTE, CMC
City Clerk