ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: Public Works Item No: D1
Prepared by: Chris Arce, Director Meeting Date: January 28, 2025 Approved by: John Conley. City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: EUCALYPTUS TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Environmental Commission’s recommendations for establishing an Eucalyptus tree maintenance program.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Routine operational item not directly corresponding to a specific City Council Goal.
PRIOR ACTION: On November 14, 2023, City Council adopted resolution No. 2023-202, amending the Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2023/24 and 2024/25 and amending the Capital Project Budget for Fiscal Years 2022/23 and 2023/24.
PRIOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ACTION: On December 18, 2024, the Environmental Commission recommended Option 4, to trim 267 Eucalyptus trees in specific areas every two years (Vote: 4-0, Tapia and Colón absent).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: An assessment of the Citywide tree maintenance program reveals a critical need for enhanced services focusing on the Eucalyptus trees within the City's street tree inventory.
Out of a total of 16,778 trees across the City, 1,047 Eucalyptus trees have been cataloged. Specifically, 267 of these are situated in areas identified as having high Eucalyptus density within the public right-of- way adjacent to residential properties. These high-density zones include Vale View Drive, Ocean View Drive, Eucalyptus Avenue, and Alta Vista Drive. The significant size and location of these Eucalyptus trees necessitate prioritized maintenance due to their potential implications for public safety.
In collaboration with our tree maintenance contractor, West Coast Arborist (WCA), City staff have formulated several potential service options to address the need for increased maintenance frequency of the identified Eucalyptus trees. We are proposing the implementation of a comprehensive inspection and trimming program for these designated trees. The proposed service options are as follows:
O
ption #1
• Trim and inspect 1,047 Eucalyptus trees in the COV yearly. Annual expense of $324,000.
Option #2
• Trim and inspect 1,047 Eucalyptus trees in the COV every 2 years. Biennial expense of $162,000.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
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MEETING DATE: JANUARY 28, 2025 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: EUCALYPTUS TREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
Option #3
• Trim and inspect 267 Eucalyptus trees on Alta Vista, Eucalyptus, Vale View and Ocean V
iew every year. Annual expense of $115,000.
Option #4
• Trim and inspect 267 Eucalyptus trees on Alta Vista, Eucalyptus, Vale View and Ocean V
iew every 2 years. Biennial expense of $58,000 (recommended by WCA and E
nvironmental Commission).
On December 18, 2024, staff presented the options to the Environmental Commission (Commission). The Commission recommended Option 4 as outlined above. Staff recommend the Environmental Commission’s recommendations for establishing a eucalyptus tree maintenance program.
F
ISCAL IMPACT: The cost of the recommended Eucalyptus Tree Maintenance Program is $58,000 biennially. Sufficient funding of $58,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Operating Budget in Parkways and Medians Special Department Expense account (no. 00101530.531500.YE23) to account for the forthcoming two-year cycle. Funding for subsequent years will be included in the annual budget preparation, beginning in FY2026-27.
EXHIBITS:
1. Eucalyptus Tree Maps
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Right-of-Way Eucalyptus Trees
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EXHIBIT 1
Vale View Drive Eucalyptus Trees
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Eucalyptus Avenue, Ocean View Drive & Alta Vista Drive Eucalyptus Trees
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