HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2016-106 Tree City USA ApplicationA RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO. R-2016-106
authorizing City staff to prepare and submit a "Tree City USA"
application to the Arbor Day Foundation, Washington State
Department of Natural Resources Urban & Community Forestry,
and USDA Forest Service, and development of a tree care
ordinance and board.
WHEREAS, the "Tree City USA" designation is a national program that began in
1976 and is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S Forest
Service and National Associate of State Foresters, and
WHEREAS, the "Tree City USA" designation is a nationwide movement that
provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public
trees, and
WHEREAS, the Yakima City Council referred the topic of becoming a "Tree City
USA" to the City's Neighborhood & Community Building Committee, and
WHEREAS, at its June 16, 2016 meeting, the City's Neighborhood & Community
Building Committee considered the topic and requested that staff schedule a presentation
by the Arbor Day Foundation and Yakima Arboretum regarding the process and benefits of
becoming a "Tree City USA" city; and
WHEREAS, at the July 21, 2016, Neighborhood & Community Building Committee
meeting, Ben Thompson of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban
& Community Forestry Division provided the requested presentation, and indicated that
becoming a "Tree City USA" will provide the following benefits to the City of Yakima:
1. Cleaner air due to trees absorbing pollutants that trigger asthma and other
health problems;
2. Absorption of additional carbon dioxide and increased oxygen;
3. Additional shade and cooler urban landscapes;
4. Decreased Stormwater runoff;
5. Increased property values;
6. Decreased energy consumption,
7. Facilitation of mental restoration;
8. Reduced depression, anger, anxiety, fatigue, and stress,
9. Improved concentration, and
10 Encourage outdoor activity for all ages, and
WHEREAS, Mr Thompson's presentation identified that the four criteria that must
be met for a city to be designated a "Tree City USA" are
1. The city must establish a tree board or department which must include a
governmental official who is responsible for tree care within the community;
2. The city must establish a tree care ordinance establishing procedures for
care of existing public trees, and planting of new trees within the community;
3 The city must establish that it spends at least $2.00 per capita on tree
plantings, maintenance and upkeep, and
4 The city must make a public proclamation declaring the third Saturday in
April as "Arbor Day", and observe the day annually with a public celebration;
and
WHEREAS, at the same July 21, 2016, Neighborhood & Community Building
Committee meeting, Jheri Ketcham of the Yakima Arboretum spoke on the topic,
commending that the Arboretum has a volunteer tree board made up of arborists and
individuals who are knowledgeable about trees which could serve as the city's tree board
to meet one of the necessary criteria; and
WHEREAS, it was also stated that the City of Yakima presently met several of the
criteria for being designated a "Tree City USA" city; and
WHEREAS, Neighborhood & Community Building Committee member Avina
Gutierrez motioned to have the Neighborhood Building Committee make a recommendation
of approval to the full city council, and have staff pursue the designation of "Tree City USA",
the motion was seconded by committee member Holly Cousens, and the committee
unanimously agreed to send this matter to the full council, and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that the identified designation is
in the best interest of the residents of the City of Yakima, and will promote proper care and
establishment of additional trees throughout the city, and that staff should be authorized to
move forward to obtain the "Tree City USA" designation; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
That the Yakima City Council hereby authorizes city staff to prepare and submit a "Tree
City USA" application to the Arbor Day Foundation, Washington State Department of
Natural Resources Urban & Community Forestry, and USDA Forest Service, develop a
tree care ordinance for council review and approval, and establish a tree board for the City
of Yakima; now, therefore,
ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 6th day of September, 2016.
ATTEST
Kath Coffe
`J Sonya r Tee, City Clerk
utsi
ITEM TITLE:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDASTATEMENT
Item No. 9.
For Meeting of: September 6, 2016
Resolution authorizing City staff to submit a "Tree City USA"
application to the Arbor Day Foundation, Washington State
Department of Natural Resources Urban & Community Forestry,
and USDA Forest Service for development of a tree care ordinance
and board
SUBMITTED BY: Joan Davenport, AICP, Community Development Director
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The "Tree City USA" designation is a nationwide movement administered by the Arbor Day
Foundation, Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban & Community Forestry,
and USDA Foresters that provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and
expand public canopy and enhance the health of publicly managed trees. During a council
meeting earlier this year, the Yakima City Council referred this item to the Neighborhood &
Community Building Committee to determine if the "Tree City USA" designation would be of
benefit to the City of Yakima.
On June 16, 2016, the Neighborhood & Community Building Committee heard a presentation
from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Division regarding
the benefits of becoming a "Tree City USA" followed by supporting comments from the Yakima
Arboretum. The committee, finding benefit to the designation, voted unanimously to recommend
to the council that staff be authorized to move forward to obtain the "Tree City USA" designation,
which would require establishment of a tree care ordinance and board for the City of Yakima.
ITEM BUDGETED:
NA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Neighborhood and Community Building
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL:
City Manager
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt resolution.
BOARD/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
The Neighborhood & Community Building Committee unanimously approved a motion for full
Council consideration.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date
0 Resolution _ Tree City USA 8/26/2016
Type
Resolution
Distributed at the. ,
Meeting(
Tree City USA Expenses by Public Works Divisions Annually
Streets/Traffic Operations
• Labor $ 57,000
• Equipment $ 35,000
• Dump fees $ 6,000
• Contract services $ 34,000
Parks & Recreation
• City Arborist (25% of time) $ 15,000
• 2 Park Maintenance Staff (10% of time) $ 10,000
• Contract services $ 125,000
• Volunteer hours $ 2,609 10
Water/Irrigation
• Contract services $ 28,800
• Labor $ 6,000
Wastewater Treatment/Collections
• Collection System Cleaning(30% of time) $ 186,900
• Supplies $ 700
TOTAL EXPENDITURES. $ 507,009 10
City of Yakima Population 93,257
Amount spent per capita = $ 5 44