City Council Agenda Report
TO: Mayor McCord and Members of the City Council
FROM: Ken Irwin, City Manager
BY: Mike Willett, Public Works Director
MEETING DATE: March 15, 2022
ITEM NO: 5.9
SUBJECT: Approve Resolution No. 2022-09 Proclaiming Arbor Week during March 7-14, 2022 in the City of Patterson.
RECOMMENDATION
Motion to Approve Resolution No. 2022-09 Proclaiming Arbor Week during March 7-14, 2022 in the City of Patterson.
BACKGROUND
The City of Patterson and many other communities in California are working together to promote and support the importance of California Arbor Week. The City of Patterson understands the importance of trees and its goal to preserve as many trees as possible to obtain the benefits they supply such as reduced energy costs, increased property values, aesthetics, and clean air. The City of Patterson also obtained its Tree City USA status in 2016 through the Arbor Day Foundation with the assistance of the Cal-Fire Grant funds secured by the City. This is a nationwide movement that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their urban forest. This is achieved by meeting four (4) core standards of sound Urban Forestry Management; maintaining a tree department; having a community tree ordinance; and spending at least $2 per capita on Urban Forestry and celebrating Arbor Day.
Currently, the City has an Urban Forestry Division and Parks Division whose primary responsibility is to maintain and preserve over 13,066 street and park trees. However, it is important that the City expands its efforts to the community through education and public outreach.
ANALYSIS
Every year during March 7-14, Californians celebrate Arbor Week by planting and maintaining trees within their communities. California Arbor Week helps unite the community and help educate on the value trees provide to building successful, healthy cities, and neighborhoods.
Every year, the City holds various events for the students of all elementary schools. Food, activity stations, prizes, free giveaways, and educational tree plantings are held. However, for the last couple of years due to COVID-19 pandemic, the city has refrained from holding any events. Instead, the City will distribute educational materials to students so they can learn about the importance of trees.
We are hoping to continue to keep students engaged in these activities whenever possible.
Previous celebrations have involved groups such as the Girl and Boy Scouts of America, the Youth Action Commission, CAL FIRE, the Patterson Joint Unified School District and their after-school programs, City Council, and the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Commission.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this event will be obtained from various budgets approved for public outreach and education, which include Parks (100-710), Garbage (600-790), and Urban Forestry (100-781).