City Council Agenda Report
December 17, 2024
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: Jesus M. Gomez, City Manager
BY: Glen W.C. Kau, P.E., Director of Public Services/City Engineer Gabriela Garcia, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT FOR URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE Background:
The Public Services Department is responsible for managing an urban forest within the City that contains approximately 22,000 trees. The City currently has an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) that was adopted in 2014; however, it is in need of a comprehensive update to address current challenges and align with long-term urban forestry goals. This update will enable the City to better manage its urban forest resources, ensuring maximum benefits to the community through proactive and sustainable practices.
A Tree Master Plan (TMP) consists of:
•an inventory of all City trees within center medians and parkways •a plan to be used as a reference/guide that recommends removal of diseased/declining heath trees; also, for replacing a tree.
•selected replacement trees from several identified/recommended species for replacement that are compatible for a particular location.
An Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) provides at minimum:
•a guide tree care professionals to proactively/effectively manage and provide for maximum, long-term benefits to the community.
•provides recommendations from analysis of detailed inventories and includes additional components such as budget, implementation schedule(s), policy and procedure manual(s), standards/specifications, public education, monitoring plans and existing ordinance(s)
•develops annual work plans and budgets that can be developed based on the long-term UFMP.
City Council December 17, 2024
Urban Forest Management Plan and Resolution No. 24-66 – Budget Amendment/Bidding Exemption
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The updated UFMP is essential to:
1. Inventory and Assess Existing Resources
2. Guidance for Tree Management
3. Strategic Planning and Implementation
4. Community and Environmental Benefits
Staff contacted West Coast Arborists (WCA), the City’s current contractor and a firm with extensive experience in tree trimming, maintenance, and urban forest management. WCA’s Arbor Access database and expertise make them the most qualified entity to develop the UFMP and Tree Management Plan (TMP).
An updated UFMP & TMP will provide/acquire the following services:
•Digitized inventory of all City-owned trees & assessment database locations as directed by City staff.
•GIS based ArcView/ArcInfo compatible database file in a Windows-based format. •Develop tools to assist City in meeting identified tree goals. •Training for City staff .
•City will acquire ALL electronic data developed or created resulting from this project. •Final project report and all documentation.
WCA submitted two options for the City’s consideration:
Option 1 – $56,796
Arborist services. Update 15,473 ArborAccess tree sites where trees are present, not including stumps or vacant planting sites. Update the existing urban forest management plan to current ASI A300 standards and ISA Best Management practices.
Option 2 – $76,545
Arborist services. Update 22,065 ArborAccess tree sites where trees are present, as well as stumps and vacant planting sites. Update the existing urban forest management plan to current ASI A300 standards and ISA Best Management practices.
Staff recommends Option 2 ($76,545) as this option includes for all the city’s tree inventory to be reviewed in the TMP and UFMP. The Plan would tentatively be completed by June 2025.
This project is not currently funded; therefore, a budget resolution has been prepared and included.
Per the City of Norwalk Municipal Code, § 3.16.070. Bidding - Exemptions; the Purchasing Authority, with approval of the City Council by resolution, determines that the best interests of the City would be served by purchasing or selling the supplies, materials and equipment, or nonprofessional services without observing the procedure required by Section 3.20.010 or
3.20.020.
City Council December 17, 2024
Urban Forest Management Plan and Resolution No. 24-66 – Budget Amendment/Bidding Exemption
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Staff seeks a bidding exemption with WCA since they currently provide tree maintenance services on a city-wide basis. They also identified and developed the city’s tree inventory and maintain/update it in their Arbor Access program.
Fiscal Impact:
Currently, there are no funds included in the Fiscal Year 2024/25 adopted budget for the Urban Forest Management Plan and Tree Inventory Update. A budget amendment from General Fund in the amount of $76,545 is needed to complete the project.
Citizens Advised:
N/A
Strategic Plan 2023 Implementation:
The recommended action will further the City’s Strategic Plan Goal 4: Support Sustainabilty and Climate Resilience Throughout the Community; Objective 1 – Protect and Conserve Natural Resources.
Recommended Action:
Staff recommends City Council:
a. adopt Resolution No. 24-67, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NORWALK AUTHORIZING AN EXEMPTION TO BIDDING PROCESS AND AN AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 ADOPTED BUDGET TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR AN UPDATE TO THE URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN; and b. authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with West Coast Arborists for an Urban Forest Management Plan and Tree Inventory Update – Proposal Option 2 in the amount of $76,545, and any amendments provided there is funding in the budget, and it is within the City Manager’s signing authority, on behalf of the City, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 24-67
2. WCA Proposal