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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem DCouncil Letter In two days last fall eleven trees were removed in the "hill" area of Seal Beach. None were safety hazards and no sidewalk work has been done to this date. Those removals prompted a letter and supporting documents from the Seal Beach Tree Advisory Board to council members. That letter may have seemed a bit strident. However, keep in mind we have been working on this issue for the better part of five years. Conversations with interim city manager Don McIntyre resulted in a temporary moritorium on tree removals with all subsequent projected removals to come before the tree advisory board for review and approval. The moritorium was temporary until we, at Mr. McIntyre's suggestion came before the council requesting that this review and approval process become a part of the committee's job description. Subsequent to Mr. McIntyre's action, we as a committee inspected five proposed removals recommending removal in four cases due to advanced conditions of root growth and inappropriate tree specie for location (i.e. trees requiring 8' parkways planted in 4' parkways). The fifth tree was a 20'+ Fruitless Mulberry (Morus Alba) with no sidewalk displacement or other liability. The home owner wanted a larger tree according to his request for removal. This tree, approximately 10 years old, would have attained a height of 50' at maturity with a width slightly greater. We de- nied the request with the suggestion that with hardscape modification replacement with a 36" box tree of another type was possible. The tree was subsequently removed with city approval and replaced with a slow growing specie of less than 1" trunk diameter and approximately 58" tall. Our ordinance calls for replacement of trees the size of the Mulberry in question with four - 36" box trees. A tree was removed in violation of the city manager's moritorium and replaced in violation of our own ordinance. Why did this happen? Our guess is the "squeaky wheel" syndrome. If you're loud enough and insis- tent enough you will prevail. We are not blaming the city representative involved. It merely illustrates the fact that individuals can be lobbied to the point of capitulation. The result is we lost a tree worth $2,500 to $5,000 and replaced it with a $50 tree. One individual got his way and everyone else in the neighborhood lost. Agenda Item D We, as an advisory board, are requesting commission status with the authority to review and approve removals. Additionally, we seek review and approval of street tree plantings to guarantee inappropriate species, i.e. those requiring planting space significantly larger than available, or of a type not suitable due to culture considerations, are not utilized causing further damage and cost for hardscape and unnecessary removal at a later date. Our goal is maximum tree coverage within the confines of available space. This ethic will result in more tree coverage at reduced waste and attendant cost. The formation of a street tree commission with two members appoint- ed at large from each councilmanic district would result in lighter work- load for staff, removing them from the pressures of decisions they shouldn't have to make and result In faster resolution of problems. Ad- ditionally, we propose to inspect tree stock before it is purchased to be sure we are getting quality specimens that guarantee the best chance for planting success and dollar savings. Beyond the previously stated considerations, creative solutions to problem trees and hardscape will be actively pursued. Many forward thinking small cities in California have developed and are developing solu- tions that result in dollars saved and more tree cover. We can benefit from their experience. It is our goal to be effective and cost efficient in replanting the city of Seal Beach. We will be presenting a "power point" program illustrating the benefi- cial aspects of an urban forest and the methodology to effect these bene- fits for our city. Attachments: Resolution #4461 Resolution #4500 Photographs 20 ft. Mulberry tree replaced with 5 ft. Ginko tree RESOLUTION NUMBER 4(61 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH ESTABLISHING A CITYWIDE TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY RESOLVE: WHEREAS, in the late 1950's and early 1960's, numerous ficus trees were planted as parkway trees citywide, including along the historic Main Street corridor which leads to our Municipal Pier; and WHEREAS, after 30+ years of thriving, the ficus trees are now creating significant damage to public property necessitating their removal, and WHEREAS, it is the City of Seal Beach's utmost concern and desire to immediately replace any trees removed to maintain and improve the visual aesthetics that now exist on our City streets; and WHEREAS, the Seal Beach staff has met with the Department of Forestry representatives and formed a committee comprised of residents, local business people and local city officials in order to create a valid tree program which allows for appropriate tree replacement that respects the need for long-term planning; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City of Seal Beach to not only replace those trees that must be removed but to further enhance our community with tree replacement in those areas of the City that have previously lost trees over the years; and WHEREAS, the City of Seal Beach is willing to work with the State of California and any other agencies towards a tree planting project with species that are both aesthetically and climatically suitable for the City. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTE Rhe City Council oft ty of Seal Beach, at a meeting thereof, held on the Y� day of 1996, by the following V a: r AYES: l'"ti h"'w." (Y/�,�.rl.i/ ,l.L/,�4 11z ?� NOES: ABSENT: Mayor ATTEST: City Clerk RESOLUTION NUMBER T` 00 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH ESTABLISHING A CITY TREE ADVISORY BOARD FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENSURING OUR CITY'S URBAN FOREST THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH DOES HEREBY RESOLVE: WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Seal Beach is committed to ensuring that our community continue to realize the benefits provided by urban forestation; and WHEREAS, a City Tree Advisory Board is hereby established, comprised of citizens and others with an interest in tree preservation and/or e9tablished technical/professional expertise; and WHEREAS, the City Tree Advisory Board shall consist of members appointed by the City Council who have an interest, knowledge or expertise in the physical and aesthetic environment of the City, with the initial roster of members as shown on Attachment A; and WHEREAS, the Director of Public Works shall provide staff support to the City Tree Advisory Board, shall appoint a Tree Manager and shall call the meetings as deemed necessary; and WHEREAS, the City Tree Advisory Board shall provide assistance to the City Council in the development of the City's Street Tree Preservation and Improvement Plan. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTE he City Cquncil o he ity f eal each, at a meeting there f, held on the daKof 1996, by the followi ote: AYES: G NOES: !/ ABSENT: ATTEST ity Clerk �L M or STATE OF CALIFORNIA } COUNTY OF ORANGE } SS CITY OF SEAL BEACH } Resolution Number d0 I, Joanne M. Yeo, City Clerk of Seal Beach, California, do hereby i3t5ify that the foregoing resolution is the original copy of Resolution Number W—I'eQ. on file in the office of the City Clerk, passed, approved and adopted City Court the Ci y f i Seal Beach, at a regular meeting thereof held on the day ' City Clerk ATTACHMENT A TREE ADVISORY BOARD ,,.,. ROSTER F a 1. Ron Bennett 2. James Caviola 3. Jane McCloud 4. Wendy Mortis 5. Dr. David Rosenman 6. Jan Stillwell 7.,, .: Mano.Voce g; fl'mAr Kt/Le r JTY COUNCIL• ILSON: Mayor Gwen Forsythe Councilmember Marilyn Bruce Hastings STAFF: Keith Till, City Manager Steve Badum, Director of Public Works Bob Eagle, Landscape Supervisor Linda Romero, Dept. of Forestry Andrew Trotter, West Coast Arborists Abt Ak, AK =Q rl I -"Oqqq hbh,hb,-1,l