Transportation and Environment Committee
June 5, 2023
John Ristow
Director, DOT
Rick Scott
Deputy Director, DOT
Sara Davis
City Forester, DOT
John Tu
Division Manager, PBCE
d.2. Community Forest Management Plan and
Urban Forestry Annual Report
CFMP Contents
▪ 3rd party analysis of the City's tree programs
▪ Strategic Workplan
▪ Tree Policy & Best Management Practices Manual Update CFMP Adoption
▪ Adopted February 8, 2022, with council supplemental memos ▪ Supplemental memo called for audit on tree planting, development review, and mitigation fees (complete Jan 23)
▪ Formation of Community Forest Advisory Committee (CFAC) ▪ “Biggest step San José has taken for urban forestry" – CalFire Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP)
1 Findings
▪ Tree canopy cover declined from 15.3% to 13.2% from 2012-2020 ▪ Economically disadvantaged communities have fewer trees and increased vulnerability to environmental and health impacts
▪ City staffing and maintenance is underfunded and very low compared to equivalent cities
▪ Urban infill and development practices limit space for tree canopy growth ▪ Opportunities for City and Our City Forest to strengthen and expand its partnership
▪ Inventory for public space and street trees is needed 2 Canopy Cover by Council District - 2020
Figure 1 – Canopy by Council District Figure 2 – Canopy by Census Block with Equity Overlay 3 Workplan Roadmap: Protect, Preserve, Plant
Strategies Objectives
Streamline the
Governance Structure
Include trees in the beginning
of the design and planning
process
Evaluate tree responsibilities to
ensure sufficient org capacity
Provide an arborist review of all
Planning Division tree
responsibilities
Ensure Community
Forest Sustainability
Tree planting activities will
promote a sustainable urban
forest (biodiversity, fit,
dashboard)
Ensure trees are adapted to
climate change and support local
habitat and wildlife.
Increase tree canopy cover
across all census tracts and
neighborhoods - 20% by 2051
Support Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion
Diverse stakeholders
participate in guiding the
development of the
community forest program
Prioritize increasing canopy cover
in disadvantaged communities.
Fund the Community
Forest
Develop a plan to annually
provide funding to the
community forest program
Fund community forest
management activities at a level to
meet best management practices
as defined by the City.
Efficient and Effective
Tree Management
Maintain current information
on the community forest to
ensure management
decisions are based on the
best available data.
Ensure all City tree management
activities and design standards
reflect the most current
understanding of community
forest sustainability.
Community members and private
property owners will understand
their role in growing and
maintaining the community
forest.
Standardize and
Improve Planning and
Development
Protect and preserve mature
trees
City planning and development will
contribute to increasing tree
canopy cover.
2022-24 2024 +
4 Accomplishments – and Needs
Accomplishments FY 22-23
• DOT created a forestry division, hired 5 new FTE, and PRNS hired 1 new FTE • Planted 2,000 trees - 1,400 more than FY 2021-22
• Community Forest Advisory Council first quarterly meeting • PBCE implemented citywide design guideline that includes standards for preserving trees and planting new trees
• Parks tree inventory
Needs
• Increased arborist support of PBCE support for permit approvals • Funding for a complete public tree inventory
• Update core service metrics
• Public education and outreach strategy (for CFAC)
Arbor day planting event
5 Tree Planting, Development Conditions,
and In-Lieu Fees Audit Report
• Audit Recommended in February 2022 adoption of CFMP
• Presented to T & E in November 2022, full Council in January 2023 • 10 recommendations and Council Supplemental Memos contained in Attachment B Single family or
duplex residence:
1:1 replacement
Other properties:
City’s Standard
Replacement Ratio
When possible, trees
are replanted
onsite
Otherwise, applicants
Pay a fee
DOT uses the fee to
plant a new tree
A tree is requested to be
removed
If no space
If space
Source: Auditor analysis of tree removal and replacement process Private Property Tree Replacement Process
6 Tree Planting, Development Conditions,
and In-Lieu Fees Audit Report
$-
$300,000
$600,000
$900,000
$1,200,000
$1,500,000
18-19 19-20 20-21 21-22
Source: Audit analysis of FMS and AMANDA fee records.
Finding 3: DOT Has Not Been Spending In-Lieu Fees Timely • Unexpected amount collected
• COVID procurement and vendor impacts
• Staff and partner capacity challenges
Audit Recommendations:
• Identify planting locations or uses for
accumulated fees
• Create guidelines for how fees should
be spent
• Regularly review information on fee
collection
7 Tree Planting, Development Conditions,
and In-Lieu Fees Audit Report
Finding 3: DOT Has Not Been Spending In-Lieu Fees Timely Progress Report since January
• 1861 trees planted as of 5/23 (2000 expected)
• $660,000 paid/obligated since audit
• Fee collection to be modified in FY 23-24
• Fees directly to DOT as collected
• Pilot 50-50 distribution of funds
• 50% to district collected
• 50% w/Equity Lens
Still to Come:
• Increase non-profit and private partnerships
• Explore innovative uses such as concrete
demolition 60 trees planted along E. Trimble Rd. in CD 4 8 Tree Planting, Development Conditions,
and In-Lieu Fees Audit Report
Findings 1 & 2: Private Property Tree Removal Process Improvements Progress Report since Audit Recommendations
• PBCE has formalized internal live tree removal
process for staff and on-going training
• Update to our permitting system to track
replacement tree after entitlement (submittal of
proof, verification, and generation reports for
tracking)
• Incorporating DOT Arborist staff in the routing and
review of proposals that include live tree removals
Still to Come:
• Develop and incorporate a new tree replacement
policy and conduct outreach
• Updates to the fee schedule and funding 9
Next Steps – thru Jan 2023
• Finalize 2,000 planted trees by end of FY every
following year
• Update portion of tree inventory
• Seek additional funding from CalFire, OSA, Fed
Govt and others for outreach, planting,
maintenance, workforce development, inventory
• New maintenance contracts to bid
• Begin process to draft a tree replacement policy
• Work with CFAC on this and outreach strategies
• Ensure fee collection and distribution in
accordance with audit recommendations 10
Transportation and Environment Committee – Item d.2
June 5, 2023
John Ristow
DOT Director
Rick Scott
DOT Deputy Director
Sara Davis
DOT City Forester
John Tu
PBCE Division Manager
Community Forest Management Plan and Urban
Forestry Annual Report