11-16-2017 Agenda and Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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information may already be on hand in cities with tree inventories that track tree maintenance. Costs of hazardous tree removals, tree -related sidewalk repairs, and maintenance should be tallied by the types of tree species and planting situations where they are incurred. In the absence of good historical records, ground surveys can be conducted to determine what types of tree/site combinations are associated with current maintenance and damage problems. Once these relationships are established, they can be used as a basis to evaluate current tree selection, siting, and maintenance practices. The evaluation should be repeated periodically to account for changes that result as new species, planting methods, and hardscape designs are adopted, and as trees planted at different times mature. 6. Centralize tree management under a person with the necessary expertise. Due to the wide variety of situations that can impact trees in the urban environment, tree -related issues may arise in a number of different municipal departments. In many jurisdictions, street trees are the responsibility of public works, while park trees are cared for by the parks department (Bernhardt and Swiecki 1989). In addition, projects approved by the planning department and work performed by the public works department often impact current or future tree resources. Utility companies, tree service firms, and private citizens are also involved in tree maintenance and removal, and some of these activities may be regulated by various municipal departments. Effective implementation of tree ordinances is likely to be hampered when responsibilities are split between different departments without overall coordination. Unless all activities that affect trees are coordinated, departments may unintentionally undermine each other's efforts to conserve tree resources. For example, the planning department may require that certain trees be protected and maintained during development. Without coordination, the same trees might be seriously damaged by trenching for underground utility work approved through public works. To facilitate the coordinated management of urban forest resources, it is destrable to have a single person responsible for all tree -related issues. To be effective, this position should serve as a cleazinghouse for information on activities that may affect trees. The position should also have authority to approve, deny, or condition any activities in accordance with the jurisdiction's management plan, policies, and ordinances. Clearly, the person in this position should have the technical background appropriate for this complex job. Many jurisdictions do have a community arborist or forester, but flits position often lacks sufficient authority to effectively manage the urban forest. Although small communities may lack the funds for afull-time tree specialist, many of the administrative functions of the community forester maybe filled by a tree board or commission. The necessary technical input may be obtained from public or private sector tree specialists. Alternatively, several smaller communities might band together to arrange for a shared "circuit riding" urban forester. ®rdinance provisions Ordinance provisions that establish the responsibilities, authority, and qualifications of the municipal tree program manager relate duectiy to this goal. Other related provisions direct how coordination between municipal departments is to be established for operations that may affect trees. o Designate administrative responsibilities o Establish a tee board or commission o Specify cooperation between departments and agencies o Develop a comprehensive management plan