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 5, 2024
ITEM NO: 6.7
SUBJECT: Approve Resolution No. 2024-12 Proclaiming Arbor Week during March 7-14, 2024, in the City of Patterson.
RECOMMENDATION
Motion to Approve Resolution No. 2024-12 proclaiming Arbor Week during March 7-14, 2024, 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 is 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 helps 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 various elementary schools. Food, activity stations, prizes, free giveaways, and educational tree plantings are held.
This year, the Public Works Department partnered up with the Recreation Department and the Patterson Joint Unified School District to organize this year’s Arbor Day event. The event was hosted at Grayson Elementary School this year on March 4, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
The elementary school (K-6) students were to learn about the importance of trees and planted six new trees at their school. The Urban Forestry team helped with the tree planting role and taught them about the importance of keeping the community’s trees healthy and maintained. They also displayed city equipment used by the Urban Forestry (i.e., chipper, boom truck, etc.) team so they can learn how trees are maintained.
In addition to the above event, Grayson Elementary school students participated in a Poster Contest as a class where each classroom was able to design a poster themed around Arbor Day and trees, see attached. The contest ran from February 22 - 29, 2024. The winning class received recognition and a pizza party. The winning poster would also be displayed during the Arbor Week period on the City’s website and social media.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this event will be obtained from our Urban Forestry budget. Budget will cover the purchase of trees, prizes, water, and education & outreach materials needed for the event.