Title
Downtown Tree Pruning and Urban Forest Strategic Plan
Recommended Action
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the status of the downtown street tree pruning initiative and the development of an Urban Forest Strategic Plan; and receive report from a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Sub-Committee on improving the Urban Forestry Program.
Report
Issue: Staff will provide an update on the downtown street tree pruning initiative and the development of an Urban Forest Strategic Plan. Members of a Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Sub-Committee on Urban Forestry will also deliver their report on improving the Urban Forestry Program.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8046
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development
Michelle Bentley, Assistant Planner, Urban Forestry Program, Community Planning and Development
Robert Dengel, Chair, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) Sub-Committee on Urban Forestry
Thad Curtz, Member, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) Sub-Committee on Urban Forestry
Background and Analysis:
Downtown Tree Pruning
In addition to directing CPD to develop a Strategic Plan for the Urban Forestry Program, as part of budget discussions City Council also approved additional funding to prune downtown street trees for enhanced safety. In March, the Parks, Arts and Recreation Department (Parks) hired an ISA-Certified arborist on a temporary, emergency basis to complete the work this spring. He is being assisted by one other Parks employee as a ground support person.
Parks and CPD are collaborating to identify the trees downtown that need to be pruned. Once completed, the work being done will result in better downtown lighting conditions, safer pedestrian conditions, and improved overall tree health and longevity.
Urban Forest Strategic Plan
The Urban Forestry Prog...
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