HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4a. Continued Review of 2025-27 Tree Committee Goals
TREE COMMITTEE AGENDA REPORT
SUBJECT: CONTINUED REVIEW OF 2025-2027 TREE COMMITTEE GOAL SETTING
FROM: Walter Gault, City Arborist
Phone Number: (805) 783-7578
Email: wgault@slocity.org
1.0 RECOMMENDATION
Continued review of Tree Committee goals for the 2025-27 Financial Plan, which were
discussed at the previous meeting on October 28, 2024.
2.0 BACKGROUND
Every two years the City adopts a budget and financial plan. To prepare for the budget
process, all City departments and advisory bodies are asked to identify their goals and
major work programs for the next two years. The City Council then uses this information,
along with public comment and other input, to set community priorities and allocate
resources to accomplish the most important City goals. Advisory body members are
involved in the goal setting process to provide important input a s representatives of the
community, with special expertise and experience working locally within their specific area
of representation
2.1 Objective
This is a public process, and citizens are encouraged to contribute. The results of this
project will include a list of Tree Committee goals and implementation programs or
projects that will be forwarded to the City Council for consideration as part of the 2025 -
2027 financial planning and budget cycle.
3.0 DISCUSSION
Discuss Future Goals: 2025-2027
On October 28, 2024, staff provided a staff report and presentation to the Tree Committee
regarding the accomplishment of the Committee’s current goals and discussed potential
new goals, programs and/or projects. Below is an outline of the proposed goals and
programs discussed:
Update the Tree Regulations in the Municipal Code based on Ordinance review,
Advisory Body Case Study Report, and recent California State Laws.
o Consider requirements regarding completion of compensatory replanting
within a specific timeframe and appropriate enforcement.
Meeting Date: 12/2/2024
Item Number: 4a
Time Estimate: 20 Minutes
Page 9 of 13
Item 4a
o Consider a section on removals requested due to ADA compliance
concerns and outline the Tree Committee's options for approving or denying
such requests.
o Consider requirements for development projects to consult with the City
Arborist before finalizing their plans and requesting removal of trees.
Implement the Community Forest Plan.
o Request that staff provide a summary of the Community Forest Plan at the
next Tree Committee Meeting, December 2nd.
o Continue to invest in contract tree trimming services along public streets to
maintain the vitality of the City's urban forest.
Advocate for tree planting in public spaces.
o Invest in informational signage for trees that are located downtown, heritage
trees and other 'statement' trees in certain neighborhoods.
o Promote and enhance the Heritage Tree Program as a benefit to the city's
cultural vitality for both residents and visitors.
4.0 REVIEW
The Tree Committee should review and approve the proposed FY 2025-27 goals and
programs with the following criteria in mind:
Prioritize the goals and programs, based on the Tree Committee’s goals,
community needs and input, opportunities, or special or urgent conditions; and
Select the goals and programs that can reasonably be accomplished in the two -
year budget period and can reasonably be accomplished with limited financial and
staff resources.
5.0 NEXT STEPS
Staff will share the Tree Committee’s proposed FY 2025-2027 goals and work programs
in a report to the Finance Department, which will be submitted by December 13, 2024.
The Council will receive the final report with all the advisory body recommendations in
January 2025 before they begin the community goal-setting process.
Page 10 of 13