August 30, 2022 Item #6 - 22-839
Action on Written
Petition Regarding
Street Tree Canopy
Advocacy
1852
Public Hearing
THE MISSION CIT Item #6 - 22-839
August 30, 2022
1 Background
• 3 written petitions submitted requesting a future
discussion on Santa Clara tree canopy advocacy
-Tree advocacy: protect existing tree canopy
-2020 Risk Mitigation Report
-Tree advocacy proposal
• Council approved motion to discuss at a future
meeting in accordance with Council Policy 030
2 POST MEETING MATERIAL
1 DPW Tree Program
• 12,000 street trees in front of residential properties • 3,000 trees in medians and various City properties
• Responsibilities include:
- Inspections
- Trimming
- Planting
- Removal when necessary
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DPW Events and Awards
• Annual Arbor Day/Earth Day Event
• 2022 Tree City USA Award (35th consecutive year)
• 2022 Tree City USA Growth Award (for 22nd time)
CELEBRATING
EARTH DAY Growth Award
and
ARBOR
DAY
TREE CITY USA
Arbor Day Foundation TREE CITY USA
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2 Efforts to Enhance Tree Program
• Implemented grid pruning to assure all trees are trimmed at least once every 7-8 years
• Participant in the Santa Clara Valley Urban Forestry
Alliance to support collaborative urban forestry
• Planted over 425 trees in FY 2021/22
• Revised City's Tree Ordinance in November 2021 through a multi-department effort
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Revised Tree Ordinance
• Preserves private trees by creating a protected tree specie category based on specie and size
• Requires planting of new street trees following removal, if the location is suitable
• Establishes tree replacement ratios for removal of private trees
• Requires tree protection plans during construction of development projects
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2020 Risk Mitigation Assessment
City of
Santa Clara
Tha Contero What's Possible
Emergency Tree Calls in 2020
• DPW responded to ~50 emergency tree calls involving
Modesto Ash trees
- Substantially higher numbers than normal
- Damaged cars, homes and property in many instances
• Modesto Ash trees commonly planted in 1950's & 196o's - Discontinued as a street tree option
- Issues with soil conditions, irrigation and limited room for root growth
- Many are reaching their end of life
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Modesto Ash
Damage to Homes
10 10
Damage to Property
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Damage to Property
12 Tree Risk Assessment
• Evaluate potential risk of all Modesto Ash trees
• Plan-It Geo hired through competitive process based on previous experience, project understanding and cost
- Visited approximately 1,200 Modesto Ash trees
- Performed a ground level risk assessment in accordance with International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) principles - Provided inspection risk ratings and recommendations
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Results
• 3% of trees considered in "good" condition
• 82% of trees exhibited some measure of crown dieback
• 92% of trees were noted as having poor structure
• 96% of trees exhibited some level of cavity decay
• 14% of trees were identified for removal due to risk of failure
• 20% of trees were identified for further evaluation from up in the canopy
• 63% of trees required pruning
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7 Trees Identified for Removal
15฿
15 Trees Identified for Removal
16 Implementation of Risk Mitigation
Measures
• 2/23/21 - Council approved:
- Amendments to tree service agreements to increase
spending authority
- Budget Amendment to allocate additional funds to pay for Modesto Ash tree work identified as highest priority
• New Capital Improvement Project created through the FY 2021/22 & 2022/23 operating budget process to continue
implementing risk mitigation measures identified
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Additional Developments After Risk
Mitigation Assessment
City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
18 18
Defects in Canopy Encountered
• Significant defects in canopy of some trees designated for trimming
- Trimming stopped and the DPW Arborist contacted to
provide further evaluation
- Some trees saved by removing isolated branches, deadwood, and/or reducing the canopy
- Some trees deemed unsafe by the DPW Arborist and
removed following consultation with the homeowners
• Potential of more Modesto Ash trees to be removed in
19 next 2 years
19 Trees Saved After Defects Identified by
Contractor While Trimming
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10 Outreach to the Public
• DPW sent letters to homeowners prior to scheduled (non- emergency) removals
• Trees posted 7-days in advance of removal
• Community notifications on Modesto Ash tree removals
via City Hall News and Sustainability Newsletter
• Tree planting services promoted
- City website
- Letters mailed to property owners
- Articles in Sustainability Newsletter and Inside Santa Clara 21 21
Questions
City of
Santa Clara
The Center of What's Possible
22 22
11 Action on Written
Petition Regarding
A CLARA CA Street Tree Canopy
Advocacy
CITY OF
1852 Public Hearing
THE MISSION CIN Item #6 - 22-839
August 30, 2022
23 12
8.30.22 item#le
11/16/2022
City of Santa Clara
Tree Advocates
Presented by
City of Santa Clara Residents:
Craig Larsen
Terri Peters
Charlotte McLachlan
August 30, 2022
Why are we here?
-91-NSA29
POST MEETING MATERIAL
1 11/16/2022
The Modesto Ash
Risk Mitigation
Report
Quite noticeable that numerous Modesto A
es were removed by the City in 2019-20:
• Mitigation report vs liability
• Canopies on single streets were greatly reduced
• Communication with property owners was poor
on timing of removals
• Overly aggressive tree trimming (lion tailing)
2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022
unavailable Planted = 122 Planted=427
Removals = 297 Removed = 295
3 Benefits of Trees
Clean Air Saves Energy
Absorb Stormwater
Traffic
Calming Builds
Better
Business
Physical &
Mental
Health
Mitigate Heat Support Wildlife
Public Safety
Mitigate Climate Change Community Cohesion
4 2
11/16/2022
Recommendations to the City of Santa Clara
Protect existing trees
: Large canopy trees can take up to 30 years to reach full maturity Tain water ano significanta early neig therhood rent and ete a septure pater al who live there.
Promote so van ring renoil ( pes that and not tad as die measures) Continue to Plant new trees
• Increase community outreach to plant trees on public and private properties with no City tree Maintain the Tre city sa desig tarough exemplary tre care and environmenta • Program Manager on continity uracie the Department of Public Works Environmental 5 Recommendations to the City of Santa Clara
-continued
• Maintain the tree budget at a minimum level of million • Improve communication with property owners on potential or upcoming tree removal and the implications to the property after removal. Points to include: homeowner can get a 2nd opinion, selection of replacement tree, notification time
potty the prey one when the tract i rente the in no.
the surrounding are
Respect landowners in balance with Santa Clara Municipal Code 12.35.050 (e) 6 3