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sr-092209-13d~~ c;cror City Council Report Santa Nlonica~ City Council Meeting: September 22, 2009 Agenda Item: ~ ~rl/ To: Mayor and City Council From: Joan L. Akins, Director, Community Maintenance Department Subject: Establish an Urban Forest Task Force and make appointments Recommended Action Staff recommends that the City Council establish and appoint a seven member Urban Forest Task Force. Executive Summary The formation of an -Urban Forest Task Force is a key component of the long-range urban forest master plan. The Task Force will advise staff through the completion of a long-range urban forest master plan on such matters as the development of the master plan and other tree-related policies. The long-range urban forest master plan will include an updated tree inventory, tree maintenance requirements, an assessment of the environmental benefits of the forest and an estimate of the life expectancy of individual trees. The purpose of the plan is to design along-range urban forest program that addresses tree removal and replacement policies throughout the City as trees reach the end of their life spans. Background On July 23, 2008, Council received a public request to consider the creation of an urban forest commission to better engage community members with urban forestry matters. As a result, Council directed staff to explore options for a public process and present these approaches to Council for its consideration. Staff conducted research on various approaches used by other cities, both locally and nationwide, on how to enhance community involvement with the urban forest. 1 On April 7, 2009, Council approved the establishment of an Urban Forest Task Force to advise staff on the development of a long-range urban forest master plan, review specific urban forest issues, and serve in an advisory capacity to City Council on the master plan. Discussion In May 2009, an announcement advertising the availability of Task Force applications on the City's web site was published in the Santa Monica Daily Press-and distributed among all the incorporated neighborhood organizations, City Commissions and Boards, as well as the City's tree notice distribution list. Due to a low response, the notice was extended twice and the application period lasted for two months. The notification advised the public that the Task Force would focus .on the development of the City's long-range urban forest master plan, review specific urban forest issues related to the master plan, serve in an advisory capacity to City Council on the plan and recommend to Council whether a permanent commission should be established following completion of the master plan. The Task Force will work with City staff and Artecho, the landscape architect contracted to prepare the long-range urban forest master plan. Together, they will gather community input and formulate recommendations based on the input received and will focus on the following functions: • Developing the long-range urban forest master plan • Conducting community meetings to learn resident and business opinions regarding the long-term management of the community forest • Incorporating the public's input into the long-range urban forest master plan • Making revisions to the street tree designation list • Advising staff throughout the plan's development to create standards for streetscape development projects • Making recommendations for strategic goals, objectives, implementation measures, and timelines for achievement of those goals and maintenance procedures 2 Applicants were asked in their applications to describe their experience in the green industry; (i.e. urban forestry, landscape design or contracting, nursery production, horticulture etc.), their experience with developing along-range master plan for a public agency, and their interpretation of the term "Right Tree for the Right Place." They were also asked to articulate their vision for the community forest and what they would change about it. The qualifications for the seven-member Task Force include that at least one member be either a certified arborist or a landscape architect, and one member have demonstrated experience in the green industry. r Twenty-three applications were received with a wide variety of backgrounds. Below is a list of the applicants with their descriptions of their employments. 1. Judy Abdo 2. David Buckholtz 3. Tom Cleys ~4 Angie Coyier 5. Nan Dowling 6. Deborah Ford 7. Susan Hartley 8. Lily Helbig 9. Daniel Jansenson 10. Peter Jensen 11.Susan McCarthy 12. Ramona Merryman 13. Grace Phillips 14. Linda Piera-Avila 15.Jerry Rubin 16. Herbert Silverstein 17. Sally Silverstein 18. Doris Sosin 19. Mary Hubbell Speech 20. Louise Steiner 21.Jodi Summers 22. Brian Varnum 23. Steven Wegner School Administrator IT Executive Asset Manager Landscape Architect Landscape Designer Homemaker Attorney Writer Architect Arborist/Landscape Architect Retired H ai rstyl ist/Cosmetolog ist Landscape Designer Physical Therapist. Peace Activist Retired Homemaker None Pathologist None Realtor Scientist Attorney Staff researched other cities that have undertaken a similar process for appointing ah Urban Forest Task Force or Commission and found the City of Los Angeles' criteria for appointing members to its Community Forest Advisory Committee to be effective. 3 Its evaluations included the assessment of the ability of potential members to work objectively and cooperatively with City staff, and to dedicate the necessary time for committee work. Candidates were required to report any conflicts of interest with the City and were evaluated on their experience in community organizing/involvement. Candidates were also evaluated on their technical experience in areas such as urban forest issue advocacy and their experience with urban forest management principals. The criteria were designed to find committee members who also understood best management practices for pruning cycles and the practice of urban forest canopy cover succession. The Council may select Task Force members based on the credentials and experience of the individual applicants, the suggested criteria established by staff and other factors that the Council may deem appropriate. Financial Impacts & Budget Actions There is no budget impact as the initial costs for the Task Force should be minimal and can be absorbed within the budget. Prepared by: Walt Warriner, Community Forest & Public Landscape Superintendent Approved: ~~_ JoanAkins, Director Commurnty Maintenance Department Forwarded to Council: P(~Lamont Ewell City Manager 4 Applications can be viewed at the City Clerk's Office.