Title
Urban Forest Strategic Plan
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive a briefing on the development of an Urban Forest Strategic Plan.
Report
Issue:
Staff will provide an update on the development of an Urban Forest Strategic Plan.
Staff Contact:
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8046
Michelle Bentley, Urban Forestry Program, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8301
Presenter(s):
Stacey Ray, Associate Planner, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
Community Forestry Assistance Grant
The Urban Forestry Program has experienced significant funding and staff reductions over the last four years, that have resulted in a decline in services and management activities. Staff resources from Community Planning and Development, Public Works and Parks, Arts and Recreation are all involved in managing our urban forest and have all been impacted by these reductions. These issues were raised during 2014 budget discussions, and as a result, Council directed CP&D staff to develop options for how to structure, fund, and manage or improve the Urban Forestry Program.
To help accomplish this, the City has been awarded a $10,000 Community Forestry Assistance Grant to develop an Urban Forest Strategic Plan. On June 10, 2014, Council approved entering into an Interagency Agreement with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WADNR) to formally accept the grant funds provided by the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program.
The project has been slowed by the lack of response to the initial Request for Proposal. This lack of response forced staff to send time searching for qualified firms to respond to the RFP.
Urban Forest Strategic Plan
An Urban Forest Strategic Plan will provide direction on how to build a sustainable urban forestry program by ...
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