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RESOLUTION NO. 2015-249 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA APPROPRIATING $370,000 FROM GAS TAX FUNDS TO OP226 FOR SAFETY TREE TRIMMING, PRUNING, AND REMOVAL, AND AMENDING THE CONTRACT WITH WEST COAST ARBORISTS TO INCREASE THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT IN FISCAL YEAR 2015-16 FROM $150,000 TO $520,000 (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
Public Works is requesting an additional appropriation of $370,000 to OP226 from Gas Tax Funds to trim, prune, and remove trees in the City’s rights-of-way and parks where there is a 10-year backlog of over 5,000 trees which are in critical need of these services. Trimming the trees is necessary to ensure ongoing traffic safety along City streets; enhance the appearance and image of the City; improve the air quality and the environment for City residents; and clear right-of-way obstructions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Director has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a Class 4 Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines. Thus, no further environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
Currently, the City’s partial urban forest tree inventory stands at an estimated 35,000 trees. Based on an average 5-year trim cycle, the City should be trimming about 7,000 trees annually; whereas, it trims 1,200 trees per year at a cost of $150,000. The deficit for 2015 alone is 5,800 trees, with a funding shortage of approximately $700,000. Due to multi‐year budget constraints, it is estimated that the current backlog is 15,000 trees.
The City has experienced an increase in the number of tree failures and requests for tree service citywide. In response, the City Council increased funding for tree trimming by $100,000 for the removal of dead, dying, and declining trees and for emergency tree trimming and removal. The project is included in the Fiscal Year 2015-16 Capital Improvement Program (CIP OP226). Moreover, the weather forecast is calling for El Niño and robust rainfall this winter; this indicates the possibility of an upsurge in tree failures. The current Fiscal Year urban forestry funds will soon be exhausted, leaving a wide funding gap; the additional fund allocation would address right-of-way and park trees with the most critical need for asset management tree trimming at this time.
West Coast Arborists (WCA) is currently under contract with the City to perform tree trimming, pruning, and removal services in the amount not-to-exceed $150,000 per year. The contract was competitively bid in 2012 and will expire on October 31, 2016. West Coast Arborists has confirmed that it is available and willing to perform the additional tree trimming services under the existing contract terms. The preliminary timeline to have this work performed is from November 5 to December 31, 2015 in preparation for the El Niño storm activity. The additional trees to be trimmed are located in the following places: Bay Boulevard Park, Bonita Long Canyon Park, Chula Vista Community Park, Discovery Park, Explorer Park, Memorial Park, Friendship Park, Sunbow Park, D Street, E Street, F Street, G Street, I Street, J Street, K Street, L Street, East L Street, Naples Street, Palomar Street, and East Palomar Street.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings within 500 feet of the trees which are the subject of this action. Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City’s Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong & Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. This action supports the goal of a Healthy Community which includes maintaining the City’s trees in a safe condition. The tree trimming will help preserve and sustain the urban forest asset and prevent liability against the City.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The appropriation of $370,000 to CIP OP226 is from the available balance of the Gas Tax Fund. There is no impact to the General Fund from this action.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Appropriation for Tree Pruning. Resolution;
2. West Coast Arborists 2012-2016 Contract;
3. Second Amendment to Agreement with West Coast Arborists;
4. BADF- Gas Tax Tree Trimming Services;
5-22. Tree inventory data for Bay Boulevard Park, Bonita Long Canyon Park, Chula Vista Community Park, Discovery Park, Explorer Park, Memorial Park, Friendship Park, Sunbow Park, D Street, E Street, F Street, G Street, I Street, J Street, K Street, L Street, East L Street, Naples Street, Palomar Street, and East Palomar Street.
Staff Contact: Sam Oludunfe