Town of Yountville
Staff Report
6550 Yount Street
Yountville, CA 94599
Agenda Item #: {{section.number}}A
Yountville Town Council Staff Report
DATE: March 5, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: John Ferons, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: John Ferons, Public Works Director
RECOMMENDATION
Town Arborist Report Regarding Post-Storm Inspection of Town Redwood Tree Row along Hopper Creek, Parallel with Heather Street, AND the Town Jefferson Street Redwood Tree near the intersection of Jefferson Street and Adams Street.
DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
In the Town of Yountville, there are basically two categories of trees, private trees located on private property and Town trees growing on Town-owned property. For the purposes of this staff informational report, the Town Arborist is reporting about specific Town trees for which the Town is responsible as they are located on Town property or within Town right of way.
As the Town Council and the Town residents are aware, the El Nino weather pattern of February of 2024 brought storms of epic proportions to the Napa Valley. In addition to above average rainfall, the storms also included significant wind events. It is the effects of the wind events on the Town trees that is the purpose of the Town Arborist review.
More specifically as a result of the storms, the row of Town Redwood Trees along Hopper Creek parallel to Heather Street from the end of Oak Leaf Court to Oak Circle, suffered several failures of various degree. As a result Town staff enlisted the Town Arborist to perform an inspection on the row of trees and make any recommendations based on the findings.
Additionally, the Town received input from at least four separate parties voicing concern about the Town Jefferson Street Tree located in the public right of way at the southeast corner of the intersection of Jefferson Street with Adams Street. While the tree did not appear to suffer damage, it did drop some branches into the street and adjacent front yard. In response to the concerns received from the residents, the Town enlisted the Town Arborist to perform an inspection on the Jefferson Street Redwood Tree also.
Please find attached to this Staff Report the two Arborist Reports, one for each the Row of Redwoods and the Jefferson Street Redwood. The Town Arborist will be attendance at the Town Council Meeting and provide further details about each.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Not Applicable
FISCAL IMPACT
Is there a Fiscal Impact? No
Is it Currently Budgeted? N/A
Where is it Budgeted? N/A
Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? Discretionary
Is there a Staff Resource Impact? Nominal
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Is item Identified in Strategic Plan? Yes
If yes, Identify Strategic Goal and Objective. Quality of Life: The Town enhances the livability of Yountville by providing well-maintained public facilities, parks, and trails, and quality programs and events.
Briefly Explain Relationship to Strategic Plan Goal and Objective. The urban forest is a valuable asset to the quality of life in the Town of Yountville, be it public or private trees. The Town strives to maintain the livability of the urban forest by enlisting the expertise of an arborist and providing the resources to implement the recommendations of the arborist.