11-16-2017 Agenda and Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Municipal records of tree -related permits and maintenance can provide data which show whether this goal is being realized. If tree management is truly centralized, these records should show that all activities that may affect community tree resources have been reviewed and approved by the municipal arborist or forester. Ground surveys, photogrammeq and photo points may also be used to document situations in which a lack of coordination has led to unintended or unauthorized tree damage or removal. 7. Promote efficient and cost-effective management of the urban forest. Financial resom•ces are in short supply in many local governments. Even though tree care involves less than 1 % of the total operating budget of most U.S. cities (Bernhardt and Swiecki 1993, Tschantz and Sacamano 19941, economic realities dictate that all municipal programs strive for efficiency and cost- effectiveness. To operate efficiently and enswe that resources are directed towed the most critical activities, a tree program must have a clear set of priorities and a long-range plan. Although short-term savings maybe achieved by deferring tree maintenance, long-term costs will be lowest when resources are spent on preventing problems rather than dealing with them after the fact. For example, a program of early and regular tree maintenance helps prevent later, more costly problems and prolongs tree longevity, investments in time and money at the time of installation on high quality plant materials and proper site preparation will pay off in terms of tree health and low maintenance costs. Problems arising from poor site designs, defective or diseased planting stock, and improper installation procedures are typically difficult and costly to correct. Similarly, a small investment in the proper pruning of young trees will head off many structural problems that would otherwise develop and require more expensive pruning or tree removal. ®rdinance provisions This goal is addressed in provisions that spell out the responsibilities of the tree program manager. These responsibilities should include short- and long-range planning for the tree program, setting maintenance priorities based on long-term benefits, and tracking maintenance costs. Many of these aspects would also be addressed in provisions related to the urban forest management plan. o Designate administrative responsibilities o Specify cooperation between departments and agencies o Develop a comprehensive management plan Recoils on costs and the types of operations performed are used to determine the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of the urban forest management program. An accounting of labor and materials expenses should be maintained, preferably broken down by the types of activities performed, such as tree planting, pruning, and removal. Time devoted to other aspects of the tree management program should also be tracked. Activities such as planning, ordinance enforcement, research, public outreach, and education, are all important to urban forest management. Overhead costs and time should also be tracked and scrutinized, because these costs can have a major influence on the cost efficiency of the entire program.