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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem BAGENDA STAFF REPORT DATE: April 23, 2018 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council THRU: Jill R. Ingram, City Manager FROM: Steve Myrter, Director of Public Works SUBJECT: Management Policy for Gum Grove Nature Park SUMMARY OF REQUEST: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 6810 approving Council Policy 400 -18 a Management Policy providing the framework for preservation of Gum Grove Nature Park. BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS: Gum Grove Nature Park is a 10 acre nature park located at Crestview and Avalon Avenue. The area is heavily wooded with Eucalyptus trees often referred to as "gum" trees. Gum Grove Nature Park provides a habitat and refuge for many rare and endangered birds, reptiles, insects and small animals. On March 26, 2018, staff presented an update on the preservation and restoration of the nature park at the request of Mayor Varipapa. At the time, staff reported that the nature park had been assessed by a certified master arborist and representatives from California Joint Powers Insurance Agency. Both agreed that the first step in the rehab process is to adopt a management policy that will clarify the care and outline strategies on how the park is managed in the future. At the Council Meeting on March 26, 2018, the City Council directed staff to bring back a management policy for adoption that will address these needs. The management policy, as submitted, defines practices that staff will use in the park to ensure that the area can remain vibrant, sustainable and safe. The intent of the policy is to protect the natural park as it currently exists and to make certain that the resource is protected for future generations. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: This Council Policy is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (California Public Resources Code §§ 21000, et seq., "CEQA ") and CEQA regulations (14 California Code of Regulations §§ 15000, et seq.) because the amendment establishes rules and procedures to protection and enhancement Agenda Item B of the environment. The amendment therefore, does not have the potential to cause significant effects on the environment. Consequently, it is categorically exempt from further CEQA review under 14 Cal. Code Regs. §§ 15301, 15304, and 15308, actions in compliance with the requirements of CEQA. LEGAL ANALYSIS: No legal analysis is required for this item. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact for this item. RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 6810 approving Council Policy 400 -18 a Management Policy providing the framework for preservation of Gum Grove Nature Park. SUBMITTED BY: Steve ✓ ty4te% Steve Myrter, Director of Public Works Prepared by: Tim Kelsey, Recreation Manager ATTACHMENTS: A. Resolution No 6810 B. Council Policy 400 -18 Page 2 NOTED AND APPROVED: ik Jnaxam Jill R. Ingram, City Manager Attachment "A" RESOLUTION NUMBER 6810 A RESOLUTION OF THE SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING COUNCIL POLICY 400 -18 APPROVING GUM GROVE NATURE PARK MANAGEMENT POLICY WHEREAS, Gum Grove Nature Park offers a unique recreation opportunity to the Seal Beach community and its long term sustainability is a priority to the City of Seal Beach; and WHEREAS, Council Policy 400 -18 will provide the management framework for preserving, enhancing, and restoring a healthy and stable ecosystem throughout the nature park; and NOW THEREFORE THE SEAL BEACH CITY COUNCIL DOES HEREBY RESOLVE: Section 1. That the Seal Beach City Council hereby adopts Council Policy 400 -18 approving Gum Grove Nature Park Management Policy Section 2. That the City Council authorizes staff to begin the necessary tasks to accomplish the goals set in Council Policy 400 -18. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED by the Seal Beach City Council at a regular meeting held on the 23`d day of April , 2018 by the following vote: AYES: Council Members NOES: Council Members ABSENT: Council Members ABSTAIN: Council Mike Varipapa, Mayor ATTEST: Robin L. Roberts, City Clerk Resolution Number 6810 STATE OF CALIFORNIA } COUNTY OF ORANGE } SS CITY OF SEAL BEACH } I, Robin L. Roberts, City Clerk of the City of Seal Beacl the foregoing resolution is the original copy of Resolutior file in the office of the City Clerk, passed, approved, a Council at a regular meeting held on the 23rd day of Robin L. Roberts, City Clerk do hereby certify that Number 6810 on id adopted by the City April , 2018. Attachment "B" CITY OF SEAL BEACH COUNCIL POLICY & ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE SUBJECT: GUM GROVE NATURE PARK MANAGEMENT POLICY SECTION INDEX NO. ISSUE DATE COUNCIL CITY MANAGER APPROVAL APPROVAL 400 18 04/23/2018 6810 1. SCOPE This policy applies to the restoration, preservation, and maintenance work to be implemented on City property in, at, and around Gum Grove Nature Park. 2. PURPOSE AND INTENT The intent of this policy is to achieve a healthy and stable ecosystem in Gum Grove Nature Park, and to create strategies to increase the biodiversity of trees, conserve existing trees and native vegetation, improve the regeneration and recruitment of gum tree species, manage insect and disease pressure on blue and red gum eucalyptus, and improve structural diversity. The purpose of the plan is to provide a management framework for preserving, enhancing, and restoring trees and vegetation in the Park. The plan will address potential threats in the Park, map trails and paths of travel in the Park, and enhance the corresponding aesthetic and recreational experience for people who use the Park. The City of Seal Beach proposes to implement a management plan for Gum Grove Nature Park. The age of the grove, forest pathogens, illegal acts by individuals, and recent drought conditions have caused a considerable decline in the health of the grove and the amount of vegetation in the Park. This plan includes implementation of vegetation management activities to improve the conditions in the grove, including removing dead, unhealthy, structurally unsound trees and non - native understory vegetation. The policy will guide the City as it begins the process of installing signage for path of travel; planting new trees; native plant restoration; managing defensible space; and maintaining trails. 3. POLICY It is the policy of the City of Seal Beach to create a short term and long term, comprehensive plan for a sustainable urban forest on public property in Gum Grove Park. This plan will include management, preservation, restoration, and 1 of 1 (400 -18) implementation, and will enhance the level of health and sustainability to the entire ecosystem of the Park. The City Manager and staff are authorized to implement the following activities on public property in, at and around Gum Grove Nature Park: A. Management Management activities include: 1) removing dead, dying, unhealthy and structurally unsound trees in the designated walking path, 2) controlling weeds that would compete with desired native vegetation, 3) preventing sprouts from diseased or decayed stumps (these sprouts would also contain decay), and 4) planting new trees along with diversifying the species of gum trees. Approximately four acres will be replanted to diversify the gum species of eucalyptus throughout the grove, with planting of coast live oaks at the entrances of the Park. Over time, as sprouts die and are replaced, decay continues to develop. For this reason, future tree generations are going to be susceptible to issues like breakage and blow -down and the presence of decay in old stumps, future regeneration must rely on planting rather than sprouting. Manage insect and disease pressure: The blue gum eucalyptus in the grove has been attacked by pests such as the long- horned borer (Phoracantha spp.), snout beetle (Gonipterus scutellatus), and tortoise beetle (Trachymela sloanei). Under normal conditions, these insects are not a significant problem for blue gum. However, under conditions of monoculture and extended drought, they will attach to stressed trees in large numbers. The goals and objectives of the Management Activities shall include: • Clearly define path of travel with signage • Preserve and protect the safety of Gum Grove Park users and adjacent residential properties • Improve and enhance the current health and stability of the ecosystem • Maintain and ensure public access to the Park This policy was developed based upon several elements: The first element was defining policy /plan success in four areas: 1) Reserve and ecosystem health, 2) visual and natural aesthetics, 3) public safety, and 4) public access. From the City's perspective, a successful policy /plan will provide short-term and long -term management strategies and actions that would improve safety, reduce hazards, promote a sustainable ecosystem, include a replanting strategy, and employ a management policy. B. Objective • The development of a city policy to govern the installation, removal, and maintenance of trees in Gum Grove Nature Park. • Preservation of existing trees in the grove. • Identification of possible hazards, established risk - reduction program. (400 -18) Restore the ecosystem of the grove with California natives, along with diversifying the type of gum tree species in the grove. Managing defensible spaces. C. Maintenance Restrictions • No trees or vegetation shall be planted or removed in the grove unless approved by the Director of Public Works or designee. • All work to be performed in Gum Grove shall have prior authorization by the Public Works Director or designee. • Only the designated trail of the Nature Park shall be maintained. All other areas in the grove shall remain in its natural state unless there is an eminent hazard that is confirmed by the Public Works Director or designee. • Use of herbicides in the grove is prohibited, and any unnecessary tree work during bird - nesting season (March to August) should be avoided and in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. • Monitor pests and disease on a quarterly system and keep record of changes of health, pests, and any other conditions in the grove. Removals All potential dead, dying, or tree hazards must be assessed for possible nesting within guidelines of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act before being approved for removal. All removals of dead trees, branches, or any part of the tree shall be chipped on site and not to be removed from grove. Planting All trees planted in the grove shall be in different sizes, ages, and species of eucalyptus to diversify the grove by adding strength to the current stability of the ecosystem. Any trees planted in the grove must first be approved by the Public Works Director or designee. All trees will be planted within the proper time of month to assure success of survival of the trees and to the ISA (International Society of Arboriculture) standards. D. Signage in Designated Path of Travel At each entrance signage will clearly show path of travel. Signs shall be designed by Public Works Director or designee. Each sign will show map of Nature Park and map of approved designated path of travel on the trail. (400 -18)