Appendix I
Sample Municipal Tree Ordinance
TREE PRESERVATION OF CITY-OWNED TREES AND PARKWAY LANDSCAPING Sections:
X.X.010 Purpose.
X.X.020 Generally.
X.X.030 Authority.
X.X.040 Definitions.
X.X.050 Public Works Director.
X.X.060 Committee oversight.
X.X.070 Urban Forestry Management Plan.
X.X.080 City tree inventory.
X.X.090 Species, cultivars, and varieties.
X.X.100 Maintenance and preservation.
X.X.110 Pruning and maintenance of city trees.
X.X.120 Landscaping required.
X.X.130 Nonconforming parkway uses.
X.X.140 Removal of city trees.
X.X.150 Protection of city trees.
X.X.160 Maintenance and shrubs and ground cover.
X.X.170 Approval required.
X.X.180 Trees on Private Property.
X.X.190 Sight Distances.
X.X.200 Nuisance abatement.
X.X.210 Violations and penalties.
X.X.220 Public utilities.
X.X.230 Severability.
Section No. Purpose.
A. Willits’s urban forest provides a number of social and environmental benefits, both tangible and intangible. A healthy urban forest can improve local air quality and human health, as trees absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants and replenish oxygen. The biological diversity of wildlife and plant communities is enhanced by the favorable conditions created by trees. Extensive tree canopies reduce the urban heat island effect, thereby (1) reducing the amount of heat absorbed and the need for air conditioning, thus reducing energy use and the emission of greenhouse gases, and (2) making streets and sidewalks more pleasant places to walk and extending the life of street paving. Also, a healthy urban forest can decrease wind speed, reduce the negative effects of solar glare, reduce stormwater runoff, stabilize soils, and assist in improving water quality.
B. Other benefits of urban forests to city residents include: increased traffic safety through the use of street trees; economic development through an improved
aesthetic image of the city; increased property values and additional revenue generated by businesses, visitors and new residents attracted to the urban forest image of the city; and improved overall quality of life.
Therefore, the purpose of this ordinance is also to:
C. Preserve and grow the city’s canopy cover by protecting city trees and expanding the protection of city trees on public property.
D. Safeguard the city’s urban forest by providing for the regulation of the protection, planting, maintenance, and removal of trees in the city.
E. Protect the visual and aesthetic character of the city.
F. Improve and enhance property values by conserving and adding to the distinctive and unique aesthetic character of the many areas of the city.
G. Improve the quality of life for residents, visitors and wildlife.
H. Maintain and enhance the general health, safety and welfare of the city and its residents by assisting in counteracting air pollution and in minimizing soil erosion and other related environmental damage.
I. Protect and maintain healthy trees in the land use planning processes as set forth in this Ordinance.
J. Establish procedures and practices for fulfilling the purposes of this city tree protection ordinance.
K. Supplement the city’s policies and administrative procedures.
Section No. Generally.
A. No landscaping, maintenance of landscaping, or construction may be done by any person within any parkway of the city, or cause or permit the same to be done, except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Section No. Authority.
A. The Public Works Director or designee, shall have the authority and jurisdiction to regulate the management, maintenance, planting, care, and removal of certain trees within the public right-of-way or on public property to ensure safety, protect the environment, or to preserve or enhance the aesthetics of such public sites.
Section No. Definitions.
A. “Approved tree species master list” means a listing of trees as approved by the city council that are deemed appropriate for planting on a city-wide basis, or in limited areas as determined by the Public Works Director. This listing shall consider, as appropriate, ultimate tree canopy and root growth; compatibility with nearby buildings, sidewalks, and streets; shade canopy provided; and fire resistance. It shall also include a listing of invasive or otherwise undesirable trees that the city has determined shall not be planted within the city by public or private parties as part of a development plan. The approved tree species master list shall be maintained by the Public Works Director and shall be made available to the public.
B. “ANSI Z133” is the professional arboriculture best management practices developed under the American National Standards Institute and written by the Accredited Standards Committee for safety in tree trimming operations.
C. “ANSI A300” is the professional arboriculture best management practices developed under the Tree Care Industry Association and written by the Accredited Standards Committee for overall tree health management and maintenance.
D. “City” shall mean the City of Willits.
E. “City tree” means a tree within the city’s public rights-of-way, parks, or other public places and is maintained by the city.
F. “Dripline area” means the area from the trunk of a tree to the outermost edge of the tree canopy.
G. “Emergency removal” means that a tree must be immediately removed due to an imminent threat to persons or property due to structural defect, insect or disease, or imminent failure, as determined by a qualified arborist.
H. “Excessive pruning” means removing more branches, stems, and roots than necessary to accomplish the desired objective. Typical maintenance requires that no more than twenty-five (25) percent of a tree’s total number of major branches or canopy volume be removed in a single year. Any maintenance that requires pruning in excess of the twenty-five (25) percent threshold described can injure a tree and is prohibited unless approved by the Public Works Director.
I. “Ground cover” means grass, turf, or perennial plants that normally grow in a flat, horizontal manner so as to conceal, or with the purpose of concealing, the ground surface, that do not normally exceed eight inches in height, and that will tolerate light pedestrian traffic.
J. “Hazard” or “hazardous” means a tree, or part of a tree, that has been assessed for risk and found to be very likely to fail and cause severe consequences by causing injury, damage, or disruption.
K. “Injury” means any damage to a tree resulting from any activity, including but not limited to excessive pruning, cutting, topping, trenching, excavating, altering the grade, paving or compaction within the tree protection zone, including deliberate damage such as vandalism.
L. “International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)” is a tree care industry (private and public) membership association and credentialing program for the professional practice of arboriculture.
M. “Landscaping” means the use of architectural and horticultural materials to provide control of erosion, dust, weeds and accumulation of litter in a manner complementary to the purpose of adding natural environmental quality to a premises.
Landscaping also includes trees, shrubs, ground covers and other planting materials providing shade, visual screening, aesthetic enhancement, soil conservation, and
reduction of fire hazards, reduction of harborages of rodents, reduction of vermin and reduction of disease-bearing creatures.
N. “Landscaping maintenance” includes sufficient irrigation, fertilization, pruning, trimming and training to keep plants in a healthy, vigorous condition. Removal of dead materials, weeds and accumulated litter, rubble or other foreign substances is required. Maintenance also includes re-seeding, replacement of dead plants and planting where necessary to restore a landscaped area to the level of "coverage" required of a new installation.
O. “Maintain” or “maintenance” means pruning, spraying, fertilizing, watering, treating for disease or injury, or other similar acts which promote the growth, health, safety, beauty, and the life of trees.
P. “Maintenance plan” means a plan of maintenance adopted by the city council for Maintenance of city trees that incorporates ISA standards, ANZI A300, and ANSI Z133 best management practices.
Q. “Park” means and includes any park owned, operated, or maintained by the city.
R. “Parkway” means that part of the public street right-of-way between the curb, or edge of paved roadway where there is no curb, and the property line separating the street right-of-way from abutting private property. Parkways are generally used for public sidewalks, public utility poles, fire hydrants, street signs and other public facilities.
The remaining parkway area is generally “landscaped.”
S. “Pruning” means the selective removal of plant parts to meet specific Maintenance goals and objectives.
T. “Public nuisance” shall have the same meaning as defined in Section
18.44.160.
U. “Public places” means and includes all grounds, other than streets or parks, owned by, leased to, or otherwise under the control of the city.
V. “Public Works Director” means, for purposes of this tree preservation ordinance, the person in the public works department, or their designee, who shall serve as the city’s tree resource and shall advise the city manager and all departments on urban forestry matters.
W. “Risk” is the combination of the likelihood of an event and the severity of the potential consequences.
X. “Shrub” means any woody perennial plant commonly achieving a height of less than ten feet in height at maturity and usually having multiple stems.
Y. “Street tree” means and includes any woody perennial plant typically having a single trunk commonly achieving ten feet in height or greater at maturity and capable of being pruned to develop a branch-free trunk at least nine feet in height and that is located within city rights-of-way.
Z. “Topping” means the leader and branch stub cutting of a tree to a lower height. “Topping” also means the reduction of tree size using internodal cuts without regard to tree health or structural integrity.
AA. “Tree protection and preservation plan” means a plan that outlines measures to protect and preserve trees on a project. This plan shall include requirements for preconstruction; treatments during demolition and/or construction; establishment of a tree protection zone; tree monitoring and inspection schedule.
BB. “Tree protection zone” means the area around a tree typically from five feet beyond the drip line to the trunk, as determined by the Public Works Director. No soil disturbance or other activity is permitted within the tree protection zone unless otherwise approved by the Public Works Director.
CC. “Urban forest” means the trees and shrubs that comprise the tree canopy in the city’s rights-of-way, streets, parks, and under the circumstances specified in this ordinance, private property.
DD. “Urban forest management plan” means a plan that summarizes the ordinances, policies and procedures as approved by the city that provide direction and goals regarding the planting, maintenance, health care, protection of trees, and longterm health of the urban forest.
EE. “Urban forest management program” means the ordinances, plans, policies and procedures as approved by the city that provide direction and goals regarding the planting, maintenance, care, and protection of trees.
Section No. Public Works Director.
A. The Public Works Director, in consultation with qualified tree specialist(s), as necessary, shall serve as the city’s tree resource and shall advise the city manager and all departments on urban forestry matters. The Public Works Director, may plant, remove, or regulate and control the planting or removal of all city trees planted within the rights-of-way of any city street. The Public Works Director may formulate and publish an approved tree species master list and maintenance plan subject to Urban Forestry Advisory Committee approval. The Public Works Director shall also serve as staff liaison to the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee.
B. The Public Works Director shall make inspections of all parkway landscaping. If any such inspection reveals that landscaping is not properly installed or maintained, the Public Works Director shall cause written notice to be issued to the property owner responsible for such work. The notice must include a description of the required improvements and must set a reasonable time for compliance. Appeals may be taken from such written notice by filing a written appeal with the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee. After considering the evidence, the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee shall decide the property owner's appeal and issue its order on the appeal. The property owner may appeal the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee’s decision to the city council, whose decision on the matter shall be final.
C. If any work required by an “order to comply” is not satisfactorily completed within the time specified therein, the city, or a subcontractor, may complete the necessary
work. The city may charge the cost of such work to the property owner. Such a charge, if not timely paid in full by the property owner, in addition to other penalties, may be made a lien against that property in accordance with the city’s abatement procedure.
Section No. Urban Forestry Advisory Committee oversight.
A. The Urban Forestry Advisory Committee shall review and provide comments on city plans and policies related to urban forestry, including updates to the various aspects of the city’s urban forest management plan and, shall among other things:
1. Review and provide comments on the approved tree species master list before consideration by the city council.
2. Review and provide comments to the Public Works Director on proposed city tree removals except in the case of emergency removals.
3. Review and provide comments to the Public Works Director on proposed changes to the city’s urban forest management plan and urban forest management program.
Section No. Urban forest management plan.
A. The urban forest management plan provides the city with an evaluation of the urban forest and its management, detailing recommendations for setting and achieving goals, and informs the city’s residents of these evaluations and goals. The urban forest management plan provides a “road map” for managing the city’s urban forest.
As an ever-changing ecosystem, the city’s urban forest requires appropriate management actions to optimize the benefits derived from it while meeting various city safety and economic goals. Specifically, the urban forest management plan evaluates the current condition of the city’s urban forest, discusses its benefits, explores and addresses public needs and concerns, establishes urban forest goals and objectives, and outlines a set of actions to manage the urban forest and meet those goals.
Section No.City tree inventory.
A. The city is to maintain a baseline tree inventory of all trees located within the city’s rights-of-way by updating tree information as needed. The inventory is to include all street trees, stumps, and vacant sites located in street rights-of-way, medians, and city facilities. The tree inventory will include global positioning system mapping of each individual tree or vacant space. All collected data to be analyzed for species diversity, overall health, age distribution, maintenance requirements, and environmental benefits.
Tree data to be used in the conjunction with urban forestry goals established in the urban forest management plan.
Section No. Species, cultivars, and varieties.
A. All trees to be planted in city rights-of-way, parks, or other public spaces shall conform to approved tree palettes identified in adopted city and community master plans, general plans, specific plans, and any maintenance plans, and as reflected in the approved tree species master list contained in the urban forest management plan.
Exceptions may be granted subject to recommendation by the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee and the review and approval of the Public Works Director. The initial approved tree species master list shall be reviewed and approved by the city council. Minor
revisions may be made by the Public Works Director following review by the parks, recreation, and senior citizens’ advisory board.
Section No. Maintenance and preservation.
A. All city trees shall be maintained in accordance with the city’s urban forest management plan, which may be reviewed periodically by the parks, recreation, and senior citizens’ advisory board. The city shall consider the long-term sustainability of the tree canopy in various areas of the city and proactively maintain or remove trees in a manner that promotes the long-term sustainability and enhancement of the city’s urban forest. The city will use the most current ISA standards and ANSI A300 best management practices to protect, where practicable, existing trees from the impacts of development and maintenance projects.
Section No. Pruning and maintenance of city trees; landscaping maintenance.
A. Trees located within public street parkways will be pruned by city forces, or city subcontractors, and not by private property owners. Public utility companies may prune such trees without written permission from the city, if the existence of the tree creates a significant possibility that the continuation of safe, efficient, and reliable service to the customers being served may be impaired. Pruning of city trees must conform to the pruning practices specified in ISA standards, ANZI A300, and ANSI Z133 best management practices. Topping of any city tree shall be prohibited as it is not an acceptable pruning practice, unless authorized by the Public Works Director in writing after consultation with a city-qualified arborist.
B. All woody and leaf materials resulting from the pruning operation must be properly disposed at the appropriate green waste facility.
C. Any person who wishes to plant, cut down, trim, prune, remove, or in any way interfere with the natural growth of any city tree planted within any parkway, city street rights-of-way, or on other city property, must submit a tree maintenance application to the Public Works Director before starting such work. The director is authorized to require all, or any part of, approved work to be performed by or under the supervision of city employees or subcontractors. The Public Works Director must provide advice and consultation to aid in the elimination of any hazard, undesirable landscape effect, or disease infestation where such action is beneficial to the overall street or block in which the city tree is located. The Public Works Director may require an arborist report to be reviewed and approved by a city-qualified arborist prior to the issuance of a tree maintenance permit and commencement of work. An encroachment permit must also be obtained to include proof of insurance. If the desired action by the applicant is refused, the applicant may request a hearing before the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee for further review.
D. Public utility companies may not remove a city tree without first obtaining written permission to do so from the Public Works Director.
E. Maintenance of shrubs and ground cover, as well as watering and fertilizing city trees, does require written permission from the Public Works Director.
Section No. Landscaping required.
A. Whenever sidewalks are required in conjunction with the issuance of any building permit, parkway landscaping may also be installed. The adjoining property owner may request landscaping be installed and completed by the property owner. Any landscaping installed by the property owner shall be the requirement of the property owner to maintain.
Section No. Nonconforming parkway uses.
A. Parkways that are not landscaped shall be leveled to the grade of adjoining sidewalks, or adjoining curbs where there are no sidewalks, and shall thereafter be maintained free of weeds and accumulation of litter. Such work shall be the responsibility of the adjoining property owner.
Section No. Removal of city trees.
A. No person shall remove any city tree without submitting an application to the Public Works Director and receiving approval and a permit for such removal from the Public Works Director.
B. The Public Works Director is authorized to require all, or any part of, approved work to be performed by or under the supervision of city employees or subcontractors. The Public Works Director must provide advice and consultation to aid in the elimination of any hazard, undesirable landscape effect, or disease infestation where such action is beneficial to the overall street or block in which the city tree is located. The Public Works Director may require an arborist report to be reviewed and approved by a city-qualified arborist prior to the issuance of a tree maintenance permit and commencement of work. An encroachment permit must also be obtained to include proof of insurance. If the desired action by the applicant is refused, the applicant may request a hearing before the Urban Forestry Advisory Committee for C. Any city tree removed shall have its stump removed to a depth at least sixteen (16) inches below the adjacent ground level, or as determined by the Public Works Director. If appropriate as determined by the Public Works Director a minimum of one replacement tree shall be planted that meets existing city standards related to tree species, planting, location, irrigation and other applicable city standards. City recognizes that existing city trees may not exist in a suitable location to support in-kind replacement.
Alternative location(s) may be identified.
Section No. Protection of city trees.
A. Every effort should be made to protect city trees during construction. If construction activity, or the movement of equipment will take place within the dripline area of any city tree, a fenced tree protection zone shall be established by the Public Works Director except that the fenced area shall not include private property. No person shall store any equipment, store any solid or liquid waste materials, or any other liquids which may be injurious to a tree, nor excavate any ditches, tunnels, trenches or drive within the tree protection zone. Should a construction project on private property involve digging, excavating or trenching within the tree protection zone, a tree protection and preservation plan must be prepared by the property owner and approved by the Public Works Director.
B. Tree protection and preservation plans shall use the most current ISA standards and ANSI A300 best management practices to protect existing trees from the impacts of development and maintenance projects.
C. No person shall place, or cause to be placed, any stone, cement, or other substance that would impede the free entrance of water or air to the roots of any tree planted along any street, or on other city-owned property. However, any substance described in this Section may be installed if a radius of at least eighteen inches, measured from the trunk of the tree outward, exists all around the trunk of such tree.
D. No person shall deface, mutilate or attach or place any rope, wire, sign, poster, handbill or other thing to or on any city tree growing along any city street or public place, or to cause any wire charged with electricity to come in contact with such tree.
Similarly, no person shall allow any brine, oil, liquid, dye, salt, or other substances injurious or harmful to plant life to lie, leak, flow, drip into or onto, or to come into contact with, the city tree or the soil around the base of such tree.
E. Nothing in this chapter is intended to prevent a private property owner from being able to develop their property.
Section No. Maintenance of shrubs and ground cover.
A. No person shall plant, or cause to be planted, any tree, shrub, or plant or ground cover in the parkway, except as provided in this chapter. Planting, cutting, mowing, watering, fertilizing, and all other maintenance of grass, turf, or other ground cover in the parkway must be performed by the adjacent property owner, subject to the restrictions in this chapter.
Section No. Approval required.
A. Unless performed pursuant to a city maintenance plan, or as part of an approved development, any work performed in the city’s rights-of-way, parks, or other public areas shall require an application and permit to the Public Works Director before committing any of the following acts:
1. Removing, cutting, pruning, breaking, injuring, defacing, or in any other way interfering with any tree, or any part thereof, either above or below the ground.
2. Planting any tree or shrub not identified on the approved tree species master tree or council-adopted maintenance plan.
3. Spraying, or otherwise applying, any chemical on any tree or shrub.
4. Securing any rope, wire, sign, or other device on or about such tree or shrub.
5. Removing or injuring any guard or device intended to assist in the growth and health of a tree or shrub.
6. Closing or obstructing the base or branch of a tree or shrub that may limit the ability of the tree or shrub to grow or absorb water or nutrients.
B. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude a property owner from maintaining the parkway in front of the property owner’s property as may be required by law.
Section No. Trees on Private Property.
A. Trees on private property shall be maintained in a manner than is consistent with City standards.
1. Landscaping shall not encroach into the city rights-of-way including sidewalks.
2. Branches from trees on private property shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet above the sidewalk or city rights-of-way outside the travel lanes and a minimum of fourteen (14) feet above city street travel lanes.
3. Any pruning, maintenance, lawn care, and other activities resulting in plant material and loose leaves may not be blown from private property into the street.
The property owner must property dispose of associated green waste on one’s own property or at the appropriate green waste facility.
Section No. Sight Distances.
A. City-owned trees, trees on private property, and all landscaping shall not block public signage, interfere with adequate sight distance for vehicular safety, interfere with pedestrian pathways, or interfere with any vehicular travel lands.
Section No. Nuisance abatement.
A. The Public Works Director may declare any tree or shrub a public nuisance, and provide notice of such nuisance, as set forth in Section 18.44.160.
B. Any tree or shrub located on a city parkway neither planted with an approved permit, nor conforming to the approved tree species master list (at the time of the planting) may also be considered a nuisance if, for example, the species of tree is declared by the Public Works Director to be invasive, or if the species of tree poses a risk to the health and safety of residents. The public works department, or subcontractor of the city, is authorized to abate, or cause to abate, any tree or shrub described in this Section by trimming, pruning, cutting or removing such tree or shrub in its entirety. The public works department, or subcontractor of the city, is also authorized to trim, prune, cut, or remove that portion of a tree or shrub described in this Section as may be necessary to eliminate any interference, obstruction, or dangerous condition caused by such tree or shrub.
Section No. Violations and penalties.
A. Any person that maintains or removes a City tree without permission will be subject to code enforcement procedures, including fines. Violations of this chapter shall be punishable as prescribed in Section no.XX. Nothing in this section, or Section no.XX, shall limit the city’s ability to seek restitution for damage to city trees, or shrubs in accordance with valuation methodologies as outlined by the Tree Care Industry Association, the International Society of Arboriculture, the American National Standards Institute, or as outlined in the city’s urban forest management plan, or additional penalties as established by law in the State of California.
Section No. Public utilities.
A. No species of trees or large shrubs shall be planted under overhead lines or over underground utilities if its growth might interfere with the installation or maintenance of any public utilities.
Section No. Severability.
A. If any one portion or section of this ordinance shall be determined to be invalid, the remaining portions or sections shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 2.
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days from the date of its passage, and before the expiration of fifteen (15) days after its passage, it or a summary of it, shall be published once, with the names of the members of the City Council voting for and against the same in the Star News, a newspaper of general circulation published in the County of _________, California.
SECTION 3.
The city council declares that the judicial invalidity of any subsection or portion of this chapter shall not affect the validity of any other remaining section or portion; that the city council would have adopted each of those remaining portions, notwithstanding any later declared invalidity. If any provision determined invalid under the preceding sentence can either be judicially severed or interpreted in a way that could harmonize it with the remaining provisions, then it may be severed or interpreted and applied so as to give full purpose, meaning, and effect to the remaining provisions of this chapter.
SECTION 4.
The proposed action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) under Sections 15307-15308 because the ordinance is designed to protect the City’s natural resources and environment. This ordinance contains enforcement procedures that allow the City to maintain and enhance City-owned trees and provides a regulatory process to achieve these environmental goals.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of __________, State of California, this [insert date of second reading], by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Tree Maintenance Responsibility
Street Trees
City of Willits Property Owner
Trees in a parkway strip
(area between the curb and sidewalk).
Trees in the CalTrans right of way.
City of Willits Property Owner
The City will be responsible to respond if an emergency situation arises in which a privately managed tree has
whole tree or limb failure that encroaches into the public right of way and requires immediate action.
The City may elect to recover the costs associated
with the emergency tree situation from the private
property owner who is responsible for management
of the tree.
City of Willits
Park trees
Trees in all parks.
Emergency Situation
Trees in a yard and also in the public right of way.
Trees on private property that are causing road,
sidewalk, or curb damage or obstructions.
Trees on private property with limbs that encroach
into the public right of way, including the sidewalk,
or over-hanging into the street.
Damage to sidewalks or home foundations from
any tree(s).
Situación de Emergencia
Ciudad de Willits Dueño de la Propiedad
La Ciudad será responsable de responder si una situación de emergencia surge en la cual un árbol administrado en privado tiene una ruptura completa de árbol o de rama que invade el derecho de vía público y requiere de atención inmediata.
La Ciudad puede elegir recuperar los costos asociados con la situación de emergencia con el árbol de un dueño de
propiedad privada quien es responsable por la
administración del árbol.
Los árboles en propiedad privada con ramas que
invaden el derecho de vía público, incluyendo la
acera o incluso colgando sobre la calle.
Daño a las aceras o cimientos de los hogares de
cualquier árbol. Árboles en todos los parques.
Ciudad de Willits
Árboles de Parque
Árboles en la franja de la avenida
(área entre el bordillo y la acera).
Ciudad de Willits Dueño de la Propiedad
Árboles de la Calle
Responsabilidad de Mantenimiento de Árboles
Árboles en el derecho de vía de CalTrans
Los árboles en el patio y también en el derecho
de vía público.
Los árboles en propiedad privada que están
ocasionando obstrucciones o daños a la
carretera, acera o bordillo.
1 Urban Forest Management Plan
Willits, CA
PRESENTED BY ABBY BEISSINGER & RYAN ALLEN
SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
2 The City of Willits urban forest will
serve as a Gateway to the
Redwoods and be a healthy,
equitable, and sustainably funded
resource that provides ecological,
social, and economic benefits to
all Willits residents.
Vision Statement Vision Statement
3 Developing the UFMP
Stakeholder
Input
City Staff,
Elected
Officials
Tree
Inventory
Maintenance
Practices
Standards
and Details
Internal
Operations
Planning
Documents
Policies and
Ordinances
4 Guiding Principles
SUFFICIENT RESOURCES
FOR THE URBAN
FOREST
The City will provide the
financial and human resources to sustainably
manage the urban
forest.
A SUSTAINABLE AND
RESILIENT URBAN
FOREST
The urban forest will be
prepared for changing
environmental
conditions brought on
by climate change.
EXPAND THE URBAN
FOREST
Canopy cover will be
increased above current
levels for all residents
and stakeholders.
PROTECT AND
PRESERVE THE URBAN
FOREST
City policies and
ordinances will
contribute to large,
healthy trees on both
private and public
property.
5 Key Findings
AGING TREE INVENTORY
One-third of the City’s
trees are reaching the
end of their life.
Trees must be replaced
as they mature to ensure
environmental benefits
continue.
BUDGET LIMITATIONS
Funding levels only allow
for reactive tree
maintenance, which is
more costly in the long
term.
Consider allocating
funding to enable trees
to be proactively
managed.
STAFFING
CONSTRAINTS
Competing priorities
make it difficult for
current staff to complete
adequate tree
maintenance.
Willits has 2.5 fewer FTEs
involved with the urban
forest when compared
to Cities of similar size.
REC GROVE PARK
PLANNING
Over 25% of the City’s
tree inventory is in Rec
Grove Park, with varying
health conditions and a
site history of tree
failures.
Completing a tree risk
assessment of all Rec
Grove trees will help tree
managers prioritize
maintenance actions.
6 Key Findings
CANOPY COVER IS LOW
Canopy cover in the
urban areas of the City is
relatively low.
The City may need to
encourage residents to
plant trees on private
property to meet
Citywide canopy cover
goals.
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT &
OUTREACH
Residents place a high
value on the City’s trees
but may not understand
their part in the urban
forest.
A community outreach
strategy is needed.
TREE MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES
The City should consider
defining a strategy to
prune trees that require
urgent maintenance.
Following this, a 5 to 7
year pruning cycle could
be established for City
trees.
PLANNING & POLICIES
The City code lacks a
policy that stipulates the
responsible party for
tree management,
maintenance, and
damage caused to public
and private property.
Consider adopting an
ordinance that clearly
defines responsibility.
7 Strategic Plan Goals
URBAN FOREST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
SUSTAINABILITY
FUND THE URBAN FOREST
Achieving the vision statement
will take place over the next 30
to 40-years and require a
commitment from the City to
achieve its goals.
Each goal contains strategies
that establish sectors to focus
Each strategy contains
objectives that prioritize
actions needed to meet goals
PLANNING AND TREE MANAGEMENT
DEVELOPMENT
8 Updates
Clarifications to species diversity
Clarifications to prioritized areas for
arborist review of trees
Tree Maintenance Responsibility
graphic in English and Spanish
Municipal Tree Ordinance was
drafted, which could be considered
for future adoption.
UFMP and Technical Assessment were
reproduced in a full graphics layout.
9 Next Steps
The UFMP provides a
framework for how the
City can improve its
urban forest program.
Build consensus on the
highest priority issues to
tackle that will deliver
the most impact.
Develop additional
resources to support
implementation of UFMP
recommendations.
Ensure accountability for
the UFMP by establishing
timelines to accomplish
individual tasks.
Adopt
UFMP
Prioritize
Objectives
Implement
Recommendations
10 THANK YOU
FOR YOUR TIME
RESOLUTION 2022-xx
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WILLITS APPROVING
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND ADOPTING THE URBAN FORESTRY
MANAGEMENT PLAN.
WHEREAS, it is well established that public trees are a critical thread in the community social fabric; play a critical role in the health and wellness of a community, and provide numerous socio-economic and environmental benefits; and WHEREAS, the long-term viability of the public trees is threatened due to an aging tree population, climate change and a lack of adequate maintenance; and WHEREAS, City staff, assisted by the community, has prepared an Urban Forestry Management Plan to guide long term urban forest management efforts well into the future; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has received and considered public testimony to the Urban Forest Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, the project has been processed through the City Environmental Review Process and it has been determined that the adoption of a urban forestry management policy document is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment, and it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the proposed Urban Forestry Management Plan may have a significant effect on the environment, since the proposed amendment does not create changes in the physical environment, does not result in any changes to the General Plan or Implementing Zoning Ordinance land use policies, and any development that occurs in the future subject to such standards will undergo an independent analysis pursuant to the requirements of CEQA.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Willits City Council finds that the Urban Forestry Management Plan is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Willits City Council adopts the Urban Forestry Management Plan for the City of Willits attached as Attachment A.
The above and foregoing Resolution was introduced by Councilmember _______ and seconded by Councilmember __________ adopted at a regular meeting of the Willits City Council held on the 9th day of November 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
_____________________________
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
____________________________ City Council of the City of Willits
DELORES PEDERSEN
City Clerk
Item No. 9b
Meeting Date: November 9, 2022
AGENDA SUMMARY REPORT
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
From: Karen Stevenson, Human Resources Manager
Agenda Title: APPROVE A RECLASSIFICATION OF THE EXISTING WATER PLANT
OPERATOR/METER READER POSITION WITH THE TITLE OF WATER BILLING METER READER
AND APPROVE A BUDGET REVISION TO INCLUDE THE RECLASSIFIED POSITION AND JOB TITLE, EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 10, 2022.
Type: Presentation Consent Regular Agenda Public Hearing Urgent Time: 10 Minutes Summary of Request: To amend the budget to include the proposed Water Billing Meter Reader. The fundamental reason for the existence of this reclassification is due to new, additional and/or different duties requiring a different level of knowledge, skill and ability, customer interaction and experience.
This position performs a variety of duties in support of the Water Meter Reading Program. The duties are as follows: (1) Reads residential and commercial water meters; (2) Ensures quality customer service to consumers and account holders; and (3) Performs water meter maintenance if needed. Incumbents receive specific work instructions from Utility Billing but work independently when out on the assigned routes.
The Salary Class & Designation for a Water Billing Meter Reader is 58D; Salary Range: $43,524.63 – $52,904.46; FLSA Status: Non-Exempt. The employee who is currently in this position will be grandfathered in at their current wage class and designation of 61C. Should this employee vacate this position, the wage class and designation will revert to 58D.
Recommended Action: Approve the reclassification of the Water Plant Operator/Meter Reader position to the Water Billing Meter Reader position and the supporting budget revision.
Alternative(s): None recommended.
Fiscal Impact: None currently. In the event the current employee performing these tasks vacates the position, the wage class will decrease from 61C to 58D.
Personnel Impact: No increase to staffing levels.
Reviewed by: City Manager City Attorney Assistant City Manager City Clerk Finance Director Human Resources Risk Manager
Council Action: Approved Denied Other: ________________________________________ Records: Agreement Resolution #_________ Ordinance #_________ Other _________
CITY OF WILLITS CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SCHEDULE Effective November 10, 2022
SALARY SCHEDULE CLASSIFICATION BARGAINING UNIT Step 1 Step 5
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM
Contract Executive Team At-Will
Contract Executive Team At-Will
Contract Executive Team At-Will $ 134,109.04 $ 167,636.43 Executive Team Unrepresented $ 129,882.61 $ 144,704.03
Executive Team Unrepresented $ 123,920.42 $ 150,625.93
Executive Team Unrepresented $ 118,492.92 $ 148,115.89
Executive Team Unrepresented $ 115,338.08 $ 144,172.60
Mid-Management Unrepresented $ 89,039.47 $ 111,299.37
Mid-Management Unrepresented $ 87,799.71 $ 106,721.07
Mid-Management Unrepresented $ 84,517.55 $ 105,646.71
Mid-Management Unrepresented $ 76,456.90 $ 95,571.19
Mid-Management Unrepresented $ 73,144.24 $ 91,430.30
Mid-Management Unrepresented $ 68,433.57 $ 90,978.42
73A Classified Unrepresented $ 62,825.97 $ 76,365.35
73A Classified Unrepresented $ 62,825.97 $ 76,365.35
61G Classified Unrepresented $ 47,262.83 $ 57,448.26
59C Classified Unrepresented $ 44,513.79 $ 54,106.79
59C Classified Unrepresented $ 44,513.79 $ 54,106.79
58D Classified Unrepresented $ 43,524.63 $ 52,904.46
16/Hr. Temporary N/A
Step 1 Step 7
City Manager
City Attorney
Chief of Police
Assistant City Manager
Finance Director/City Treasurer
Public Works Director
Community Development Director
MID-MANAGEMENT
Human Resources Manager
Associate Engineer
Building Official/Code Enforcement Officer
Project Manager II
Public Works Superintendent
City Clerk
ADMINISTRATIVE
City Planner
Community Development Specialist
Accountant
Office Assistant III
Administrative Assistant
Water Billing Meter Reader
Student Intern (High School)
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Police Sergeant w/Advanced POST 83C Public Safety WPOA (Sworn) $ 75,253.06 $ 100,846.70 Police Sergeant 81C Public Safety WPOA (Sworn) $ 71,587.39 $ 95,933.95 Police Officer III 74J Public Safety WPOA (Sworn) $ 61,167.47 $ 81,970.26 Police Officer II 72J Public Safety WPOA (Sworn) $ 58,187.93 $ 77,977.39 Police Officer, I (Entry Level) 70J Public Safety WPOA (Sworn) $ 55,353.52 $ 74,179.02 Police Recruit $30.00/Hr. Temporary NA
Administrative Services Coordinator 72D Public Safety WPOA (Non-Sworn) $ 57,322.70 $ 76,817.89 Dispatch Center Supervisor 69E Public Safety WPOA (Non-Sworn) $ 53,318.70 $ 71,452.16 Community Services Officer II 64H Public Safety WPOA (Non-Sworn) $ 47,414.77 $ 63,540.32 Dispatcher II 62J Public Safety WPOA (Non-Sworn) $ 45,330.94 $ 60,747.80 Dispatcher 60J Public Safety WPOA (Non-Sworn) $ 43,122.82 $ 57,788.70 Part-time Dispatcher $29.00/Hr. Public Safety NA
(Annual, unless otherwise noted)
$167,637
$150-$200 hour
CITY OF WILLITS CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SCHEDULE Effective November 10, 2022
SALARY SCHEDULE CLASSIFICATION BARGAINING UNIT Step 1 Step 5
PUBLIC WORKS, ENGINEERING, WATER, & WASTEWATER
Public Works Maintenance Foreman 69A Classified IBEW $ 56,854.38 $ 69,106.85 Construction Specialist 61C Classified IBEW $ 46,793.14 $ 56,877.35 Public Works Maintenance Worker II 58D Classified IBEW $ 43,524.63 $ 52,904.46 Public Works Maintenance Worker I 54J Classified IBEW $ 39,982.15 $ 48,598.56 Chief Water Operator (Lead Operator) 75A Classified IBEW $ 66,043.00 $ 80,275.68 Water Operator III 68G Classified IBEW $ 56,289.37 $ 68,420.08 Water Operator II 61C Classified IBEW $ 46,793.14 $ 56,877.35 Water Operator I 58D Classified IBEW $ 43,524.63 $ 52,904.46 Water Operator- In Training 52J Classified IBEW $ 38,034.57 $ 46,231.26 Chief Wastewater Operator (Lead Operator) 75A Classified IBEW $ 66,043.00 $ 80,275.68 Wastewater Operator III 68G Classified IBEW $ 56,289.37 $ 68,420.08 Wastewater Operator II 61C Classified IBEW $ 46,793.14 $ 56,877.35 Wastewater Operator I 58D Classified IBEW $ 43,524.63 $ 52,904.46 Wastewater Operator- In Training 52J Classified IBEW $ 38,034.57 $ 46,231.26
MUNICIPAL POOL
Pool Manager $20.00/Hr. Seasonal N/A
Assistant Pool Manager $18.00/Hr. Seasonal N/A
Pool Office Assistant $16.00/Hr. Seasonal N/A
Swim Instructor II $16.50/Hr. Seasonal N/A
Swim Instructor I $16.00/Hr. Seasonal N/A
Lifeguard II $16.50/Hr. Seasonal N/A
Lifeguard I $16.00/Hr. Seasonal N/A
Resolution No. 2022-__ Page 1 of 1 November ___, 2022
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WILLITS APPROVING A RECLASSIFIED POSITION AND CORRESPONDING SALARY RANGE.
WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a Master Classification and Compensation Schedule; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to update the Master Classification and Compensation Schedule to include the position of Water Billing Meter Reader; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to add the attached job classification and accompanying salary/wage range to meet the needs of the organization.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Willits City Council Does hereby authorize and approve the reclassification and salary/wage range as set forth on Attachment A, which is attached hereto.
The above and foregoing Resolution was introduced by Councilmember seconded by Councilmember , and passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Willits, held on the 9th day of November 2022, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST:
___________________________
_________________________________
SAPRINA RODRIGUEZ, Mayor
City Council of the City of Willits
DELORES PEDERSEN, City Clerk