City Council Agenda Report
TO: Mayor Clauzel and Members of the City Council
FROM: Ken Irwin, City Manager
BY: Mike Willett, Public Works Director
MEETING DATE: March 14, 2023
ITEM NO: 6.2
SUBJECT: Approve Resolution No. 2023-05 Proclaiming Arbor Week during March 7-14, 2023 in the City of Patterson.
RECOMMENDATION
Motion To Approve Resolution No. 2023-05 Proclaiming Arbor Week during March 7-14, 2023 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 who attend the after school programs at the various elementary schools. Food, activity stations, prizes, free giveaways, and educational tree plantings are held.
This year, the City will be hosting Arbor Week at Creekside Middle School. The event will be held on March 8, 2023 from 1:30 pm to 3:00 p.m. The middle school students will get to learn about the importance of trees and will help plant a few trees at their school. The Urban Forestry team will also be able to teach them about their role in keeping the community’s trees healthy and maintained. They will bring some equipment so they can learn what they do.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this event will be obtained from various budgets approved for public outreach and education, which include Water (610-790), Sewer (605-790), Stormwater Program (606), Parks (100-710), Garbage (600-790), and Urban Forestry (100-781).