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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1993 0120 CC REG ITEM 08C�TEMe•e. MOORPARK 799 Moorpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864 MOORPARK, CAUFO 'ZN!A City Council Maofng AGENDA REPORT of 199-3 ACTION: TO: The Honorable City Council Ly FROM: Christine Adams, Director of Community Servic.,.� DATE: January 12, 1993 (CC Meeting of January 20, 1993) SUBJECT: Consider Application to Tree City USA The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the U.S. Forestry Service and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes towns and cities across America that meet the standards of the TREE CITY USA program. The TREE CITY USA program is designed to recognize those communities that effectively manage their public tree resources, and to encourage the implementation of community tree management based upon four TREE CITY USA standards. These four standards provide structure for a community forestry program, require that program to demonstrate success based on the judgment of the state forester's office, and provide for an awareness and appreciation of trees among residents of the community. The TREE CITY USA recognition can contribute to civic pride as well as put the City of Moorpark in touch with other communities and resources which can help us improve our tree management program. The four standards are: • A Tree Board or Department. The Director of Community Services is designated to oversee, via the Parks Maintenance staff, the development and administration of a comprehensive community tree management program for the care of trees on public property. PAUL W. LAWRASON JR. JOHN E. WOZNIAK SCOTT MONTGOMERY BERNARDO M. PEREZ ROY E. TALLEY JR. Mayor Mayor Pro Tem Councilmember Councilmember Councilmember Printed On Recycled Paper The Honorable City Council January 12, 1993 Page 2 • A Community Tree Ordinance. The community tree ordinance needs to designate the tree board and give them responsibility for writing and implementing the annual community forestry work plan. The ordinance should determine public tree care policies for planting, maintenance, and removals. Ideally, the city tree ordinance will make provisions for establishing and updating a list of recommended street tree species to be planted with spacing and location requirements. City ordinances #89, 101, and 102, address most of these concerns. • A Community Forestry Program with an Annual Budget of at least $2.00 per capita. Many communities begin their program by taking an inventory of the trees growing on public property. The species, location, and condition of each tree are noted (i.e. healthy, needs pruning, should be removed, etc.) and the inventory data is summarized in a written report for presentation and approval by the City Council. The report should be an objective analysis of the present state of the urban forest with recommendations for future management. The essential, on -going activity for the care of trees along streets, in parks, and in other public places is the community forestry program. The annual work plan should address planting, watering, and fertilizing, dead and hazardous tree removal, safety and fine pruning, and insect and disease control. To be named as a TREE CITY USA, a city must annually spend at least $2 per capita for its annual community forestry program. The City of Moorpark can consider all funds now spent for tree care - park department's tree expenditures, dead tree removal costs, assessment district funds, and the Boething lease agreement for donated trees - as part of this annual cost. • An Arbor Day Observation and Proclamation. An Arbor Day observance can be simple and brief or an all -day or all -week observance. A proclamation issued by the Mayor and the City Council must accompany the observance and declare the observance of Arbor Day in Moorpark. In conjunction with Moorpark Beautiful, staff is working on an Arbor Day program whereby a number of apricot trees will be planted on April 24, (Arbor Day) at Arroyo Vista Community Park as a historical grove. Another ten apricot trees will be planted in conjunction with the city's 10 Year Anniversary Celebration. A proclamation will be forthcoming to the City Council in early April, 1993. The Honorable City Council January 12, 1993 Page 3 With approval of the City Council, staff will take the necessary steps to complete these standards for designation as a TREE CITY USA. Direct staff to take necessary steps to complete standards for designation as a TREE CITY USA.