DATE: NOVEMBER 12, 2024
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, P.E., L.S., PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
BY: VICTORIA GUTIERREZ, JUNIOR ENGINEER
VICTOR SANCHEZ, ASSISTANT ENGINEER
TITLE: URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN STREET TREE LIST
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
It is recommended that City Council approve a resolution adopting the Urban Forest Management Plan recommended street tree list.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Salinas was awarded a grant from the CalFire Community Forestry Program to develop an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), which serves as a long-term road map for future planning, planting, maintenance, and tree equity of the City’s urban forest. On September 10, 2024, pursuant to Resolution No. 23086, City Council adopted the UFMP. The UFMP identified an overrepresentation of certain tree species that are not prepared for Salinas’ future climate. The UFMP recommends the City to adopt an updated street tree list for use by all City departments to guide street tree planting. The recommended tree list will provide a diverse range of tree species of varying sizes, shapes, and flowering properties that will limit the potential for trees conflicting with infrastructure like sidewalks, overhead utility lines, and driveways. The recommended street tree list will also help increase tree canopy, increase tree resilience against pests, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
BACKGROUND:
In December 2020, the City of Salinas was awarded a grant from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) Community Forestry Program to develop an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), which serves as a long-term road map for future planning, planting, maintenance, and tree equity of the City’s urban forest. On September 10th, 2024, pursuant to Resolution No. 23086, City Council adopted the UFMP. The UFMP identified an overrepresentation of certain tree species that are not prepared for Salinas’ future climate. The UFMP recommends the City to adopt an updated street tree list for use by all City departments to guide street tree planting.
The recommended tree list was developed for the UFMP by the City’s consultant, Dudek, to guide the City of Salinas in making tree planting decisions towards a sustainable urban forest. The list includes several categories of information on the individual tree species, spacing needs, and water use that will assist the City in planting the right tree in the right place. This will help with limiting the potential for trees to conflict with infrastructure like sidewalks, overhead utility lines, and driveways.
Several factors were used in developing the tree list. First, was determining if the trees are suitable for future climate conditions in the City. This analysis was based on current research, staff knowledge of local species, and experience of the consultant team. The Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) rating also informed the water needs of the tree species selected. The street tree list includes as many low and very low water use species as possible to meet expected hotter and drier climate conditions. Second, the list was developed to provide a diverse range of tree species of varying sizes, shapes, and flowering properties to help with reaching diversity goals for inventory. This will allow City decision makers to have multiple options when developing tree planning projects for streets, parks, and other locations. The recommended tree list will also help increase tree canopy, increase tree resilience against pests, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES:
No, Government Code §84308/Levine Act does not apply to this item.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This action supports the Council’s Strategic Goal of Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability by providing a list of diverse trees that will assist in increasing canopy cover as well as decreasing susceptibility from invasive pests and climate changes.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Public Works Department coordinated with the Community Development Department, Fire Department, and Library and Community Services Department to support the development of the UFMP.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There are no direct funding impacts associated with adopting the recommended street tree list.
Fund
Appropriation
Appropriation
Name
Total Appropriation
Amount for recommendation
FY 24-25 Operating Budget Page
Last Budget Action (Date, Resolution)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Recommended Street Tree List
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