Title
Update on City of Olympia Urban Forestry Team
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Briefing only; no action requested
Report
Issue:
At its meeting on April 23, 2016, the Land Use and Environment Committee discussed an Urban Forestry Strategy Report completed by consultant Elizabeth Walker of Terra Firma. This briefing will provide an update on progress implementing initial recommendations of that report, and overall status of urban forestry program.
Staff Contact:
Shelly Bentley - Urban Forestry Program Manager, CPD, 360.753.8301
Presenter(s):
Leonard Bauer, Community, Planning and Development Deputy Director.
Shelly Bentley, Urban Forestry Program Manager.
Dave Hanna, Parks Department Associate Director.
Mark Russell, Public Works Transportation Director.
Gary Frank, Parks Department Operations and Planning Supervisor.
Background and Analysis:
The Urban Forest Strategy Report included a summary of the program's current status, budget and challenges. Strategies and timelines were also outlined to show clear priorities and additional resources needed to move the program from a reactive to proactive management mode over time. The initial recommendation of the Report - the establishment of a cross-departmental Urban Forestry Team - has been completed with no new funds needed, and has increased communication and coordination among various departments that are managing Olympia's urban forest.
Current Program Status and Budget Timeline Strategies - Attachments 1 and 2 were presented to the Committee at its April 23 meeting, and are included here to provide a summary of current program status, with the addition of the formalized cross-department Urban Forestry Team.
The City currently has a Public Works Water Resources habitat stewardship plan and program, and the Park, Arts and Recreation Department (OPARD) has developed an asset maintenance management program. Both of these efforts manage trees on city-owned ...
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