ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: C11
Prepared by: Cassidy McCarthy, CAP Program Administrator Meeting Date: March 25, 2025 Approved by:
Imelda Huerta, Assistant City Manager
John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Consent Calendar
SUBJECT: TREE CITY USA APPLICATION
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt City Council Resolution No. 2025- , authorizing the application to be a Tree City USA.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Climate and Environmental Responsibility; and A Cleaner, More Beautiful Vista.
PRIOR ACTION: None.
PRIOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION ACTION: On January 22, 2025, the Environmental Commission voted to recommend that the City Council direct staff to apply to be a Tree City USA (Vote: 5-0, Cobian absent, one vacant seat).
On June 20, 2024, the Environmental Commission approved their workplan which included Increasing Vista’s Tree Canopy and becoming a Tree City USA (Vote: 6-0, Cobian absent).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: The Tree City USA program was founded in 1976 to celebrate towns and cities committed to growing their urban canopy. Led by the Arbor Day Foundation, with partners at USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters, it provides the foundational framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their tree cover.
To be a Tree City USA and receive recognition within the program, a community must meet four core standards for its public trees each year (Exhibit 2). These standards were established to ensure that every qualifying community would have a viable tree management program and that no community would be excluded because of size.
Standard 1 requires a city to form a Tree Board or Department, which would be legally responsible for the care of all trees on city owned property. By delegating tree care decisions to a professional arborist or city department, city leaders determine who will oversee necessary tree work and the public will know who is accountable for decisions that impact community trees. This requirement is met through the Parks and Landscape Management division (Park Maintenance) within Public Works who oversees the City’s tree maintenance program. Any changes to tree maintenance and care are reviewed by the Environmental Commission and recommended to Council for final approval.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
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MEETING DATE: March 25, 2025 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: TREE CITY USA APPLICATION
Standard 2 is to have a public tree care ordinance that assigns authority over public trees. Qualifying ordinances provide clear guidance for planting, maintaining, and/or removing trees from streets, parks, and other public spaces. The City’s tree ordinance is attached as Exhibit 3 and meets this requirement
Standard 3 requires a city to document at least $2 per capita toward the planting, care and removal of city trees and the planning efforts that go toward those actions. The City exceeds this requirement by spending over $423,000 in its street tree maintenance contract that services all 16,778 public trees within city limits. This alone equates to about $5.60 per capita.
Standard 4 requires a city to host an Arbor Day observance and proclamation to demonstrate the support for community tree programming. The observance can range from a simple social media post to an all- day or all week celebration such as a community tree planting or tree giveaway. Traditionally in the United States, National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. The City can utilize the relaunch of the Tree Giveaway program in 2025 for the Arbor Day observance and can do the same for years to come if funding is available for the program.
The City of Vista takes pride in their urban forest and dedicates staff time, city funds, and city programming to support tree planting, maintenance and care. Becoming a Tree City USA and retaining that title creates a legacy for the community and gives Vista recognition for the efforts it is already making.
Locally, the Cities of Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Coronado, Santee, La Mesa, San Diego, Lemon Grove, and El Cajon are all part of the Tree City USA program. The program is free of charge and a city can be a Tree City USA as long as they reapply annually and retain good standing in the four required standards outlined in Exhibit 4.
The 2025 Tree City application period opens in September, and all standard requirements must be met before applying. Upon Council approval, staff will submit the application during the noted timeframe.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact.
EXHIBITS:
1. City Council Resolution 2025- , authorizing the application to be a Tree City USA
2. Tree City Program Standards Summary
3. V ista Municipal Code 19.24
4. Tree City Application Checklist
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00029213 7
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CHARTERED CITY OF
VISTA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE APPLICATION TO BE A TREE
CITY USA
The City Council of the City of Vista does resolve as follows:
1. Findings. The City Council hereby finds and declares the following:
A. The City of Vista places great emphasis on the environmental, natural, and social benefits of urban greening and increasing the City’s tree canopy through Council Goals, sustainability programming, Climate Action Plan measures, and urban forestry management contracts.
B. The Tree City USA program hosted by the Arbor Day Foundation is a free program for local governments to cultivate civic pride and commit to a community that is healthier, happier and more livable.
C. The City of Vista meets the four requirements to be eligible to be a Tree City USA partner by having the Parks and Landscape Management division of Public Works, including tree care and maintenance in the Vista Municipal Code (VMC 19.24), spending over $2 per capita on tree maintenance, and hosting a tree giveaway program each year to celebrate Arbor Day.
D. At its January 22, 2025 meeting, the City of Vista’s Environmental Commission voted to recommend to the City Council that it direct staff to apply to be a Tree City USA partner in order for the City of Vista to receive recognition for its efforts.
2. Action.
A. The City Manager is authorized to direct staff to submit an application to be a Tree City USA partner for this year and all subsequent years where the City is eligible to apply.
3. Adoption. PASSED AND ADOPTED at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Vista held on March 25, 2025, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
WALTER CHUNG, CITY ATTORNEY
By:
APPROVED
Walter C. Chung
20250317141215
JOHN B. FRANKLIN, MAYOR
ATTEST:
KATHY VALDEZ, CITY CLERK
By:
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EXHIBIT 1
Cooler temperatures. Cleaner air. Healthier residents.
The benefits trees bring to urban environments are endless — and by meeting the four Tree City USA standards, your community can experience them firsthand.
PROGRAM SUMMARY
The Tree City USA program was founded in 1976 to celebrate towns and cities committed to growing their urban canopy. Led by the Arbor Day Foundation, with partners at USDA Forest Service and National Association of State Foresters, it provides the foundational framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their tree cover.
Program applications are completely free. Many cities renew their Tree City USA status every year, making them eligible for a Growth Award and other urban forestry opportunities.
Tree City USA
®
Creating greener communities nationwide
THE FOUNDATION OF URBAN FORESTRY PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
The Tree City USA program has
helped more than 3,600 communities
across the country build out their
urban forests. Recognition forms
the base layer for five different areas
of growth, including expansion of
personnel, financial investment,
defined policies and plans, and
engagement with residents.
BUILDING
THE TEAM
MEASURING TREES
& FORESTS
PLANNING
THE WORK
PERFORMING
THE WORK
THE COMMUNITY
FRAMEWORK
BUDGETS
STAFF
TRAINING
TREE CANOPY
TREE INVENTORY
URBAN FORESTS
POLICIES
PLANS
PLANTING TREES
MAINTAINING
TREES
TREE RISK
MANAGEMENT
RECYCLING &
REUSE
COLLABORATION
VOLUNTEERS
OUTREACH
AWARENESS
GROWTH AWARD QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES
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EXHIBIT 2
90485101
STANDARDS FOR RECOGNITION
T o receive recognition, a community must meet four core standards for its public trees:
✓
Standard 1:
Form A Tree Board Or Department
Delegating responsibility for city- or town-owned trees is the first official step to becoming a Tree City. By forming a tree board or department, cities can create a more organized and effective urban forestry plan.
✓
Standard 2:
Establish A Tree Care Ordinance
A public tree care ordinance assigns clear authority over public trees and provides clear guidance for planting,
maintaining, and/or removing trees from streets, parks, and other public spaces.
✓
Standard 3:
Maintain A Community Forestry Program With
An Annual Budg
et Of At Least $2 Per Capita
Your community most likely already spends at least
$2 per capita on the planting, care, and removal of trees. This is intended to demonstrate an ongoing investment into your public trees.
✓
Standard 4:
Proclaim and Observe Arbor Day
Celebrating Arbor Day and passing an official holiday
proclamation helps create pride for your city’s entire urban forestry program.
BENEFITS OF RECOGNITION
By becoming a Tree City, your community will:
•
Receiv
e flags, signs, and other materials to proudly
display your award
•
Educ
ate residents about the value of trees and
green space
•
Gain natio
nal recognition for your commitment to
environmental stewardship
•
Cr
eate a cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful
urban landscape
GETTING STARTED
Interested in joining, but not quite sure where to begin? It’s as simple as following these five steps!
1. Make the c
ase to friends and leaders in your community
2. Co
ntact your state’s urban and community forestry coordinator
3. W
ork together to fulfill the four Tree City USA standards
4. Celebr
ate Arbor Day
5. S
ubmit your free application!
Learn and apply today at arborday.org/treecityusa
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Vista Municipal Code
Chapter 19. 24
Street Trees, Shrubs and Plants
Sections:
19. 24. 010 Short Title
19. 24. 020 Definitions
19. 24. 030 Prohibitions Respecting Street Trees
19. 24. 040 Ownership of Street Trees, Duties of Owner
19. 24. 050 Director of Public Works - Authority; Powers and Duties
19. 24. 060 Master Street Tree Plan; Contents; Where Filed
19. 24. 070 Protection of Street Trees During Construction Activity
19. 24. 080 Permit for Removal or Planting of Street Tree by Owner
19. 24. 090 Street and Tree Inspections
19. 24. 100 Street Tree Trimming Program; Removal of Hazardous Trees
19. 24. 110 Authority for Replacing or Planting Additional Street Trees
19. 24. 120 Authority for City to Trim or Remove Trees, Hedges, Shrubs and Other Plants on Private Property
19. 24. 130 Liability for Injury or Damage Resulting from Trees
19. 24. 140 Public Nuisances Respecting Street Trees
19. 24. 150 Abatement by Property Owner
19. 24. 160 Owner' s Failure to Abate; Abatement by City
19. 24. 170 Abatement of Nuisance within a Public Street or Right- of- Way
19. 24. 180 All Remedies Cumulative
Section 19. 24. 010 Short Title
This chapter shall be known and cited as the " Street Tree Ordinance of the City of Vista." Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 020 Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, words, phrases and their derivations shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
Director of Public Works" shall mean the Director of Public Works of the City or his or her authorized agents, assistants or deputies.
Hedge" shall mean any group of shrubs planted in a line or in groups such that the branches of one shrub intermingle with the branches of any other shrub in the line or group.
Official street trees" are those trees approved as part of the Master Street Tree Plan of the City to be planted within a street.
Owner" shall mean the owner of a fee simple title of the property on which a street tree is planted.
Parkway strip" shall mean that portion of a public street between the curb and the sidewalk or the sidewalk and the property line or that portion of the public right- of-way which is not designed or used for vehicular or pedestrian travel.
Street" shall include every way maintained by a public agency and set apart for public travel or use in the City, including the curb, gutter, planting strip, sidewalk area, easements and rig hts-of- way.
Street tree" includes any tree or shrub of a height greater than six feet above the adjacent ground level, by whomever owned or planted, growing within a street or public place, as defined in this section.
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EXHIBIT 3
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Unofficial street trees" are all street trees which are not on the current Master Street Tree Plan.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 030 Prohibitions Respecting Street Trees A. Removal or Planting of Street Trees. No person, other than the Director of Public Works or an authorized employee or agent of the City, shall remove or plant any street tree within the City without first having obtained a no-fee permit for such removal or planting pursuant to Section 19. 24. 080.
B. Damage, Destruction or Injury.
1. No person shall willfully or intentionally damage, destroy or injure* any street tree of the City. Pruning a street tree, when undertaken to maintain its normal shape and growth pattern, to remove dead or diseased limbs or branches, or to remove roots, limbs or branches that present an immediate hazard or threat of damage or injury, shall not constitute a violation of this prohibition or Chapter 12. 04 of this Code. * Note: For state laws respecting injury to street trees, see Civil Code Section 3346; Code of Civil Procedure Sections 733, 734; Penal Code Sections 600, 622; and Streets & Highways Code Section 730. 5.
2. No person shall:
a. Cause or suffer any brine water, oil, liquid, dye or other substance harmful or deleterious to vegetation to lie, leak, pour, flow or drip upon or into the soil under any street tree, nor upon any sidewalk, road or pavement at a point from which such substances may, by lying upon or by flowing, dripping or seeping into such soil, injure or damage a street tree.
b. Place, or cause to be placed, or maintain any stone, cement or other impervious substance within the drip line of any street tree such that it will impede the seepage of irrigation or natural water or air to the roots of any street tree, except upon prior written approval from the Director of Public Works.
C. Build any fire or place any internal combustion engine or electric motor in such a manner that the heat, vapors or fumes therefrom will cause damage or injure any street tree.
d. Suffer any leakage from any natural gas pipe that will cause damage to any street tree.
e. Place, apply, affix or attach any wire, rope, sign, paint or other substance, material, structure, thing or device of any kind to any street tree, or to a tree guard or stake intended for the protection of a street tree.
C. Interference with Director of Public Works. No person shall interfere with the Director of Public Works or any person acting under his or her authority, while engaged in planting, mulching, pruning, trimming, spraying, treating, removing or otherwise treating any street tree, or in removing any stone, cement or other substance from or about the trunk of a street tree.
D. Planting Street Trees in Violation of Street Tree Plan. Upon adoption of the Master Street Tree Plan by the City Council, no person shall plant any tree or shrub in within a public right-of- way of the City in violation of, or contrary to, the approved Master Street Tree Plan.
E. Disturbing, Damaging, or Removing Street Landscaping. No person shall disturb, damage, or remove any plant or other materials within any City street landscaping, unless authorized by the Director of Public Works. This prohibition shall include, without being limited to, picking or removing of flowers, seeds, leaves; digging in or damaging turf or flower
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beds; or defacing, removing, breaking, or damaging any non- plant materials, including gravel, stone, rock, or equipment used in the landscaping.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 040 Ownership of Street Trees, Duties of Owner A. Rebuttable Presumption of Ownership. There exists a rebuttable presumption that the owner of a street tree is the owner of the fee title of the land on which the tree is growing. The owner of a street tree is presumed to be the fee owner of the adjacent parcel abutting that public right- of- way or street easement. A tree growing on the boundary between two or more abutting parcels is presumed to be owned in common by the owners of each parcel defined by the boundary.
B. Owner' s Duty to Maintain Street Trees. The owner of a street tree is charged with the duty to properly maintain the street tree, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Specifically, the duties of the owner shall include the following:
1. Prevent the street tree or its limbs, branches or roots, from creating or causing any hazard or dangerous condition to the public, person, or property of another.
2. Notify the Director of Public Works, or an authorized employee, of the occurrence of any damage to a street tree growing within the right-of- way or parkway, or the existence of any dangerous condition with respect to such tree.
3. Water any street tree growing within the right- of-way or parkway strip.
Without limiting or affecting the owner' s obligation, the City may from time to time water such trees at the discretion of the Director of Public Works.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 050 Director of Public Works- Authority; Powers and Duties A. The Director of Public Works is charged with the enforcement of this chapter and the performance of municipal functions as herein established.
B. The Director of Public Works shall have the authority to plant, trim, spray, preserve and remove street trees and shrubs and grassy areas to insure safety or preserve the symmetry and beauty of streets and public places.
C. The Director of Public Works shall have the authority to supervise all work done under a permit issued in accordance with the terms of this chapter.
D. The Director of Public Works shall have the authority to affix reasonable conditions to the granting of a permit hereunder and to require that applications for permits contain such information as he or she shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination of whether a permit should be issued.
E. The Director of Public Works shall issue any permit provided for in this chapter when he or she finds that the desired action or treatment is necessary and that the proposed method and workmanship are satisfactory.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 060 Master Street Tree Plan; Contents; Where Filed The Director of Public Works shall develop a Master Street Tree Plan of the City. The plan shall include the following: a map or plat of all City streets, a description of the varieties and species of trees that are permitted to be planted within a City street right- of-way of each City street, a description of the varieties and species of trees that are prohibited from being planted within a City street right- of-way, minimum specifications, conditions or requirements for planting street trees ( e. g., separation requirements, distances from pavement, root barrier requirements,
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etc.). Upon completion, the plan shall be submitted to the City Council for approval. From time to time, the Master Street Tree Plan may be changed, modified, altered or amended by the City Council. A copy of the Master Street Tree Plan shall be kept on file in the Office of the City Clerk.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 070 Protection of Street Trees During Construction Activity Any person undertaking any demolition, construction, grading, or similar activity in proximity to any street tree, whether within the public right- of-way or adjacent to it, shall install and maintain adequate protective guards or devices, and take other protective measures, to prevent accidental injury or damage to the street tree within the vicinity of the work being performed. All such persons shall obey and conform to the orders and directions given by the Director of Public Works, or an authorized representative, as to the protective guards or devices to be installed and the protective measures to be taken.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 080 Permit for Removal or Planting of Street Tree by Owner A. Permit Required. The owner of property abutting any public street or right- of-way may remove or plant a street tree within the street or right- of-way upon obtaining a no-fee permit for such removal or planting from the Director of Public Works.
B. Permit Application. Application for such permit shall be made on a form approved by the Director of Public Works. The removal permit application shall specify the street tree proposed to be removed, the condition of the tree, and the reasons for such removal.
The planting permit application shall specify such information about the tree proposed to be planted as the Director of Public Works shall require. Upon review of the permit application, the Director of Public Works may approve, conditionally approve, or deny the permit. The Director of Public Works may condition the approval for removal of a street tree on replacement by one or more street trees, in conformance with the Master Street Tree Plan. The Director of Public Works may impose such other reasonable conditions as he or she may deem to be in the public interest. A permit for removal or planting of a street tree shall not be valid after 180 days from the date of issuance.
C. Review of Decision by City Manager. The decision of the Director of Public Works shall be subject to review and reconsideration by the City Manager, upon written request of the property owner, delivered to the City Manager within ten days of the date of decision by the Director of Public Works. In the event of such review, the decision of the City Manager shall be final.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 090 Street and Tree Inspections
The Director of Public Works is charged with the duty and responsibility periodically to inspect the streets and public ways of the City to determine whether there exists an immediate or proximate hazard or dangerous condition of, or whether the public access is inconvenienced or impeded by, any street tree or street landscaping, or any tree, shrub, hedge, or other plant growing on property adjacent to any street or public right- of- way. In performing this duty, the Director of Public Works, or a person authorized to perform such duty, may enter upon any private property during normal or reasonable times and in a reasonable manner.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
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Section 19. 24. 100 Street Tree Trimming Program; Removal of Hazardous Trees The Director of Public Works shall undertake an annual program for pruning and trimming limbs and branches of street trees that are dead, diseased, presenting a hazard to persons or property, or that impede or interfere with the public convenience and unencumbered use of the streets and public ways of the City. The Director may also cause any street tree to be removed, if it is found to be dead or diseased or to constitute a hazard to the public or to any person or property. The scope and extent of the annual program shall be subject to the availability and appropriation of funds for the purpose by the City Council. The City Council may authorize general revenues for the purpose, or it may levy annual assessments on property within the City under authority of existing City- wide assessment districts. The appropriation of revenues from such assessments shall be utilized for the purpose of undertaking activities of general benefit, in addition to benefitting property, within the City. The undertaking of this annual program by the City shall not be deemed to have assumed any duty, or to have relieved any property owner from any of the duties imposed by law or under Section 19.24.040 above.
With respect to the removal of any street trees pursuant to this section, the decision of the Director of Public Works made in accordance with this section shall be final.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 110 Authority for Replacing or Planting Additional Street Trees As part of the annual street tree trimming program described in Section 19.24.090 above, the Director of Public Works is authorized to replace any street tree removed by the City with one or more trees of appropriate species and size, consistent with the approved Master Street Tree Plan. With the written consent of the owner of property abutting any street or public way, or upon the written request of such owner, the Director of Public Works may plant additional street trees within the public right-of-way, consistent with the approved Master Street Tree Plan, and subject to the availability of appropriations made by the City Council for the purpose. With
respect to the replacement or addition of any street trees, the decision of the Director of Public Works made in accordance with this section shall be final.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 120 Authority for City to Trim or Remove Trees, Hedges, Shrubs and Other Plants on Private Property
Pursuant to the authority granted under the California Tree Planting Act of 1931, commencing with Section 22000 of the California Streets and Highways Code, the Director of Public Works is authorized to undertake the following activities.
A. Removal of Trees. The Director of Public Works, and any assistants or agents, is authorized and empowered to enter upon any property within the City for the purpose of removing any tree or any part of any tree which appears to be dead, is liable to fall, is dangerous or is an obstruction to public travel, whether or not the tree is on any private property and overhangs or projects into any street or is in any street, park, parkway or other public grounds of the City.
B. Notice for Removal of Tree, Emergency Exception. Except in the case of manifest public danger and immediate necessity, no tree shall be wholly cut down or removed unless ten days' notice in writing is given to the owner, tenant, or occupant, or agent of the owner, tenant, or occupant of the land upon which the tree is situated. If the owner, tenant, or occupant, or an agent thereof, cannot be found or located, such notice may be given by
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registered mail, first class postage pre- paid, to the last known owner of record of the property, as such owner is shown on the most recent assessment roll of the County Assessor.
C. Owner' s Objection to Removal; Determination by City Manager. If, within seven days after notice has been given under Subdivision B above, the owner, tenant, occupant, or agent files with the Director of Public Works a written objection to the removal, the Director shall not cut down or remove the tree and shall instead set the matter for a hearing before the City Manager. The objecting party shall then be given a further written notice of the time, date and place of the hearing at least ten days in advance of such hearing. At the hearing, the Director of Public Works shall present to the City Manager the reasons for removing the tree. The objecting party shall have a reasonable opportunity to address the City Manager and to respond to all information presented to the City Manager, following which the City Manager shall determine whether or not the tree shall be removed. The decision of the City Manager shall be final.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 130 Liability for Injury or Damage Resulting From Trees Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed, construed or interpreted to have imposed liability upon the City, or upon any of its officers and employees, for property damage or injury arising from the performance or failure to perform any authority, duty or responsibility assigned herein. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed or interpreted to the effect that the City has assumed any duty or liability that is imposed by law or this chapter upon an owner of property.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed or interpreted to have relieved a property owner from any duty or liability that is otherwise attributable to the owner.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 140 Public Nuisances with Respect to Street Trees The following are declared to be public nuisances:
A. Any dead, diseased, infested, or dying tree on public or private property so near to any street as to constitute a danger to street trees or to the public using any public street, sidewalk, or right- of- way.
B. Any tree, or a part thereof including any roots, limbs or branches, that is unsafe and constitutes a hazard to the life, health or safety of the public, or any property, or which constitutes a source of infection for disease or insects that may endanger the health or life of other trees.
C. Any tree growing on any property that is of a type or species apt to destroy, impair or otherwise interfere with any street improvements, sidewalks, curbs, approved street trees or other official street trees, gutters, sewers, other public improvements, including utility mains, pipes or lines or their appurtenances, the risk of which cannot be effectively and economically mitigated without the removal of the tree.
D. Vines or climbing plants growing into or over street trees, public hydrants, poles, or electroliers.
E. Any tree that is infested, infected or in danger of becoming infested or infected with objectionable insects, scales, fungus or growth injurious to crops, ornamental vegetation, or trees.
F. Any plant or shrub that is growing in a manner inconsistent with the requirements and limitations of Section 18. 56.060 of the Development Code.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
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Section 19. 24. 150 Abatement by Property Owner
The owner of property on which a nuisance defined under Section 19.24. 140 is found to exist, upon receiving a notice to abate such nuisance from the Director of Public Works, shall pursue reasonable measures with due diligence to abate the nuisance. Prior to abating any nuisance requiring the removal of any street tree, the owner shall first apply for and obtain a permit from the Director of Public Works in accordance with Section 19. 24. 080.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 160 Owner' s Failure to Abate; Abatement by City A. Owner' s Failure to Abate Within a Reasonable Time. If, after receiving a notice to abate a nuisance defined in Section 19. 24. 140, an owner has not abated such nuisance within the time specified for such abatement by the Director of Public Works, the Director of Public Works shall prepare and issue a Notice of Hearing pursuant to Section 8.36.080 of this Code. Thereafter, the proceedings for determination by the City Council of a public nuisance by the City Council and abatement thereof found in Chapter 8.36, commencing with Section
8. 36. 090 shall be conducted.
B. Upon the conclusion of the proceedings set forth in Chapter 8.36, if the City Council determines that a public nuisance exists, the Director of Public Works shall proceed with the abatement in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8. 36.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 170 Abatement of Nuisance within a Public Street or Right- of-Way Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 19. 24. 150 and 19. 24. 160, if a nuisance defined in Section 19.24. 140 is found to exist within a public street or right- of-way, the Director of Public Works is authorized to proceed with the abatement of such nuisance. The authority to abate under this section is subject to the discretion of the Director of Public Works, in consideration of the amount of funds appropriated and available for such purposes by the City Council. This section shall not be construed or interpreted as relieving the owner of the property abutting such public street or right- of-way on which the nuisance is found from the duty to abate such nuisance, pursuant to Section 19. 24. 150.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
Section 19. 24. 180 All Remedies Cumulative
The remedies prescribed in this chapter are cumulative and in addition to all other remedies available under this code or authorized by law.
Ord. No. 2008- 2, Enacted, 1/ 8/ 08)
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Tree City USA
®
Application Checklist
• This checklist will help you organize everything you need for your applic
ation before you apply online
• You c
an save your application and come back
• Applic
ation deadline varies by state; check arborday.org/treecity for the official deadline in your state.
• If your co
mmunity is having difficulty meeting a specific standard, reach out to your state coordinator to learn more.
STANDARD 1:
A Tree Board or Department
Do you have an entity responsible for your
community’s trees?
n Y es n No
Do you hav
e a Tree Board?*
Check out https://treeboardu.org/
n Yes n No
Inform
ation Required for Application
n Information on Tree Board/Department Meetings
n Names/Emails for Tree Board Members of Staff
STANDARD 2:
A Tree Care Ordinance
Does your city have a tree ordinance that:
• Establishes a tree boar
d, forestry department, or both,
that assigns one of these entities responsibility over
public trees?
— AND —
• Pr
ovides clear guidance about the planting, removal,
and/or maintenance of public trees?
n Y es n No
Inform
ation Required for Application
n Date Tree Ordinance was Adopted
n Upload current ordinance
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
Information Required for Application
Contact Information for:
n Mayor
n City Forestry Contact
*Having a Tree Board is optional if your community has a city department responsible for public trees. 03/25/2025
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EXHIBIT 4
STANDARD 3:
A Community Forestry Program
With an Annual Budget of at Least
$2 Per Capita
Does your community spend $2 or more per capita?
n Y es n No
Inf
ormation Required for Application
Expenditures on:
n T ree Planting and Initial Care, Tree Maintenance,
T
ree Removal, Management, Utility Line Clearance,
V
olunteer Time (in hours), Hours Other (please
explain),
and Total Community Forestry Expenditures
n A nnual Work Plan*
n S upporting Budget Documents*
Number of:
n T otal Trees Planted, Trees Pruned, and Trees Removed STANDARD 4:
An Arbor Day Observance and
Proclamation
Did your community celebrate Arbor Day this year?
n Y es n No
Does y
our community have a signed Arbor Day
Proclamation this year?
n Y es n No
Inf
ormation Required for Application
n Date of O bservation
n Evidence of Ar bor Day Event activities, photos,
and/or ne
ws coverage
n S igned Arbor Day Proclamation
Verification Information
n Ma yor or Equivalent’s Signature
90485201
*If required by your state coordinator.
03/25/2025
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