City Council Meeting: May 22, 2008
Agenda Item: 8-C
To: Mayor and City Council
From:
Subject: Funding Appropriation for Removal and
Replacement of Declining Carob Trees
Recommended
Action
Staff recommends that the City Council appropriate of $395,000 for the removal and replacement of approximately 299 declining carob trees and the specialized pruning of an additional 330 carob trees.
Executive
Summary
As part of the FY 07/08 Community Forest Renewal
program, staff conducted a study of mature carob trees throughout the
City. The objective was to determine
their health, viability and any risk that could be associated with their
declining condition. The study focused
on mature and over-mature carob trees that showed signs of decline and/or a
risk potential that could present a liability implication for the City. Study results indicate that out of the 299
trees that require removal, 97 of those trees pose a significant risk of
failure. Several additional trees
require removal and specialized pruning in order to eliminate the risk exposure
associated with these trees. An appropriation
of $395,000 is needed to remove, prune and replace these carob trees. A community meeting was held on May 7, 2008
where a panel of urban forestry experts provided additional information on
carobs and answered an array of questions from residents. It was agreed that staff would re-assess the
202 trees identified for removal and determine whether a phased removal plan
for these trees was feasible. Staff will
return to Council once the reassessment is completed to report their findings
and provide recommendations for a removal plan.
The public outreach and community education component of this project
will continue with presentations to community organizations in May and
June. Residents and merchants within a
300 foot radius of the project areas will be notified of public meetings and community
members will be invited to help select the species of replacement trees for the
affected areas.
Background
The City’s
Prudent urban forest management requires an assessment of a species’ health and structural condition. That analysis began in 2005 with an evaluation of 517 eucalyptus trees. As a result of that study by an independent consulting arborist, 77 trees were identified as having a risk of failure and requiring immediate removal to prevent future injuries and/or property damage. In 2007, a study of 300 Canary Island Date Palms in Palisades Park was undertaken with 44 dead and dying palms identified for removal and subsequent replacement.
Given that the City's
Discussion
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a common tree
found on
Close to 200 of the surveyed trees had fruiting bodies of decay fungi
present along the trunk and branches. An
example is shown in the photo at right.
This fungus finds its way into trees through wounds and digests the
tree’s internal structure, reducing the strength of the wood and the stability
of the tree. The presence of fruiting bodies of the fungus on the exterior of
the tree indicates that internal decay is extensive.
The potential of each
tree to fail was assessed using a standard risk rating system that is commonly
used in the arboriculture industry.
Three components were rated on a scale from 1 to 4 with 4 being the
highest. They are: 1) the likelihood
that a failure would take place; 2) the size of the part of the tree most
likely to fail and 3) the target below the tree. The three components were added together to
form a composite risk rating that ranges from 3 to 12. Of the 630 trees that were studied, 98 trees
had risk ratings of 10 and above (1 tree with a rating of 12 has already been
removed). This is a clear indication
that the carob trees have reached the end of their useful life and need to be
removed. The study also indicates that
267 trees have a remaining life span of 5 years while 63% of them (168 trees)
have an expected remaining life-span of less than 2 years.
The photo at right
shows a weak carob with poor viability and an off-balanced canopy. The potential risk of its failure will
increase as time passes and the trees like the one in the photo continue to
decline.
Among the surveyed trees, 267 showed defects in structure, poor branch
attachments, canopy dieback, old wounds which have developed into cavities and
fungal fruiting bodies of decay fungi.
The photo below shows a tree leaning over the sidewalk with a huge wound
running along the length of its trunk.
Another 40% (279 trees) of the surveyed trees were determined to be in
fair condition, yet have the same types of defects that were found in the trees
in poor condition. This means that in
order to correct that situation these trees will require specific pruning
treatments to eliminate the structural defects which in turn eliminates the
potential risk associated with those trees.
The photo at below left shows a healthy appearing tree, but the photo
on the right reveals that there are old wounds that have developed into decay
pockets which have rendered the tree unstable.
This tree has a risk rating of 11.
The neighborhoods with the largest quantity of removals with the estimated loss of overall canopy coverage are listed as follows:
1.
12th Street between Montana Ave. and
49 trees to be removed out of 146 trees for a 34% loss in canopy
2. 10th Street between Montana Ave. and San Vicente Blvd.
48 trees to be removed out of 131 trees for a 37% loss in canopy
3. Hill Street between between11th St. and 21st St.
36 trees to be removed out of 160 trees for a 23% loss in canopy
4. Ocean Park Blvd. between 11th St and 21st St.
30 trees to be removed out of 142 trees for a 25% loss in canopy.
5. Lincoln Blvd. between Montana Ave. and San Vicente Blvd.
29 trees to be removed out of 89 trees for a 33% loss in canopy
6. 16th Street between Montana Ave. and San Vicente Blvd.
20 trees to be removed out of 190 trees for an 11% loss in canopy
7. 29th Street between Ocean Park Blvd. and Pico Blvd.
18 trees to be removed out of 79 trees for a 23% loss in canopy
8. 17th Street between Ocean Park Blvd. and Pier Ave.
17 trees to be removed out of 58 trees for a 29% loss in canopy
9. Franklin Street between Nebraska Ave. and Colorado Ave.
11 trees to be removed out of 67 trees for an 18% loss in canopy
These neighborhoods represent a
total of 258 trees that need to be removed with the remaining 41 trees
identified for removal located in individual sites throughout the City.
All of the trees that are slated for removal will be replaced as part of
this project. Staff has also taken into
account an additional 50 trees that will need to be planted in the immediate
vicinity of the tree removals that might be already missing. This is because in some cases trees have
already been removed and have yet to be replaced, or in other cases where
residents will request a tree to be planted in an existing vacant tree well
that is in close proximity.
The report also identifies an additional 330 trees that require specific pruning procedures that will eliminate decayed limbs and correct leaning or off-balanced canopies which normally would not be addressed until their next scheduled pruning cycle. The individual trees have been identified in the consultant’s report and will be pruned ahead of their regular pruning cycle by in-house and contract crews.
Summary of Tree Conditions & Risk Ratings
The carob study clearly shows that the conditions of the
trees vary from poor to excellent, yet the vast majority of them are in fair to
poor condition. A summary of the
condition and viability of the 630 carobs that were studied is as follows:
|
Expected
remaining life span |
Dead or no vitality |
Poor |
Fair |
Good |
Excellent |
Total |
|
15
yrs |
|
0 |
0 |
52 |
14 |
68 |
|
5
– 15 yrs |
|
2 |
152 |
32 |
0 |
186 |
|
2
– 5 yrs |
|
97 |
95 |
0 |
0 |
192 |
|
Less than 2 yrs |
1 |
168 |
15 |
0 |
0 |
184 |
|
Total |
1 |
267 |
264 |
84 |
14 |
630 |
All of the trees with risk ratings of 8 and above are recommended
for removal, as well as an additional 13 trees that have a risk rating of 7 but
are in very poor condition. A summary of
the risk ratings of the 630 carobs that were studied and identified for removal
and specialized pruning treatments is as follows:
|
Risk
Rating |
Total |
Comments |
|
12 |
1 |
Tree has already been removed. |
|
11 |
21 |
All trees with this rating to be
removed. |
|
10 |
76 |
All trees with this rating to be
removed. |
|
9 |
83 |
All trees with this rating to be
re-assessed for a possible phased removal. |
|
8 |
106 |
All trees with this rating to be
re-assessed for a possible phased removal. |
|
7 |
140 |
13 of these trees are in very poor
condition and are slated for removal |
|
6 |
110 |
Scheduled for specialty pruning |
|
5
or less |
93 |
Scheduled for specialty pruning |
|
Total |
630 |
|
Environmental Analysis
Recently, Council requested that staff provide
information on the environmental trade offs when considering tree removals and
their replacements. Staff is in the
process of evaluating these costs and benefits.
Specifically in regards to the environmental services that mature trees
provide, staff is assessing what will be lost when they are removed, and then how
soon, how much, and when those services will be restored.
This
environmental analysis is being conducted by utilizing the City’s electronic
street tree inventory information and calculating benefits through the use of
new technology developed through the U.S. Forest Service’s Community & Urban
Forestry Program. That program is called
STRATUM (Street Tree Resource Tool for
Urban Forest Managers) and utilizes current tree inventory data to quantify
the current dollar value of annual environmental and aesthetic benefits, energy
conservation, air quality improvement, CO2 reduction, storm water control, and
impacts on property values. The analysis
will then project the environmental benefits of the replacement trees at the
time of replacement, 5 years from replacement and 15 years from
replacement. Removal of the carob trees
will need to precede this evaluation, however, to address the risk of potential
tree failure.
CEQA
Compliance
This project is exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section
15301. This Category Class 1 CEQA exemption
includes the maintenance or minor alteration of existing public or private
structures, facilities, mechanical equipment or topographical features which
involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use.
The non-exclusive list of examples of existing uses that fall
within this exemption include “the maintenance of existing landscaping.” This project, involving the removal and
replacement of approximately 299 existing carob trees and the specialized pruning
of an additional 330 trees, constitutes routine and prudent maintenance of the
City’s existing landscape. The removal
and replacement of trees in poor health or subject to tree failure is necessary
to protect pedestrians and the public at large. Given the nature of this
project, the removal and replacement of existing trees and the pruning of other
existing trees, this project involves no expansion in existing use.
This project is also exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section
15304 since it consists of minor public alteration in the condition of land
which does not involve healthy, mature, and scenic trees. Instead, this project involves the removal
and replacement of trees in poor health or subject to tree failure and the
pruning of other existing trees.
This project is also exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section
15061(b)(3) since the removal of trees that are in poor health or subject to
tree failure and their replacement with healthy trees has no possibility of a
significant effect on the environment.
Contractor Selection
In FY 00/01 the City solicited competitive bids for tree care
services (bid number 2835) those bids
were opened on May 11, 2001.
Subsequently City Council approved the bid award to West Coast
Arborists, Inc. (WCA) on July 10, 2001 (Item
1D on the Agenda). The bid was
awarded for a one year period with nine additional one year renewal
options.
The City is currently in the 7th year of the
agreement with 3 additional one year renewal options at the same price terms
and conditions. This work will be added
to WCA’s work load at the same price terms and
conditions as the original bid.
Public Outreach
Public outreach is an important component of this project to
educate the community on the importance of removing trees that are in a state
of decline or pose a high level of risk to the public. Staff held a community meeting on May 7, 2008
where a panel comprised of urban forestry experts from across the State
presented information about carob trees and responded to questions from
community members. Staff will be making
presentations to each of the incorporated neighborhood organizations through
the months of May and June 2008. In
addition, staff will meet with representatives from various tree advocacy
groups and individual residents. The
information presented to the public will include the following key points:
· Complete description of the City’s forest, including the age of various trees.
· Urban forestry principles and standards that guide the City’s program.
· Need to diversify Santa Monica’s forest.
· Growth habit of the carob.
· Process of decay and its impact on tree stability.
· Risk assessment protocol.
· Rotational management strategy.
· Proposed replacement strategy and the designation of Tree Selection Committees.
Additional public outreach strategies include posting the
consultant’s report and a fact sheet on this project on the City’s website, and
conducting a press conference in the field that will physically identify
defects in the trees.
Implementation of Removals
& Specialty Pruning Treatments
The first phase of the program
is to initiate the removal of 97 trees in poorest overall condition and those
with risk ratings of 10 and above.
Removals will begin in July immediately following the public outreach
process with the posting of the trees for the standard two week public
comment. Trees that are considered to be
too high of a risk to wait for the two week comment period will be removed as
soon as possible. These 97 trees are
shown in the attached map in red and are at the following locations:
|
10th
St. = 10 trees |
15th
St. = 3 trees |
Euclid Av. = 2
trees |
Lincoln Bl. =
12 trees |
|
11th
St.= 1 tree |
16th
St. = 9 trees |
|
Palisades Pk.
= 1 tree |
|
12th
St.= 10 trees |
17th
St. = 1 tree |
Hill St. = 12
trees |
Ocean Park Bl. = 15 trees |
|
14th
St.= 1 tree |
29th
St. = 8 trees |
Idaho Av. = 3
trees |
Pier Av. = 4
trees |
Staff estimates 20 – 25 working days to complete the removal
of these trees.
At the May 7th community meeting, staff committed to
re-assessing the 202 trees that have risk ratings of 8 and 9 and are identified
for removal. The Community Forester will
re-examine these trees and meet with interested residents to determine whether
a phased removal over an extended period of time is feasible. Staff will report back to Council with
findings once their reassessment is completed and will provide recommendations
for a possible phased removal plan.
However, with the ultimate goal being public safety, phasing the
removals of some trees may not be warranted.
The specialty pruning work can begin immediately and will be
conducted concurrently with the removals by a separate contract crew. The pruning work will consist of removing
decayed limbs, correcting leaning and off-balanced canopies and standard
pruning requirements. This work will be
closely monitored by staff and be done in accordance with the recommendations
of the carob study. Staff estimates the
work to be completed in approximately 40 – 45 working days.
Selection and Replacement Process for Street Trees
While some streets already have a
replacement species designated by the Community Forest Management Plan (CFMP)
with an appropriate tree, other streets will need a new replacement species
designated. The conditions that trigger
the process for selecting a new tree species are when a replacement species has
not yet identified in the CFMP.
Policy 1.4 mandates that City implement a
process for community involvement in the decision making process for when
designating or selecting a new species of tree for a three block area or
more. Since the community has a
significant interest and involvement in the community forest, public input is
greatly desired when selecting street trees.
The processes for community involvement will take into account the
varying conditions and situations in the individual neighborhoods.
The following seven member committee will
make the determination after public input:
·
the
Director of Community Maintenance or designee,
·
the
Community Forester,
·
a staff
member from the Planning and Community Development Department,
·
a staff
member from the Environmental and Public Works Management Department,
·
a
representative from the Recreation and Parks Commission’s Community Forest
Sub-Committee,
·
a
designated member from the public to be named by the Recreation and Parks
Commission.
·
a local
Arborist from the community.
Residents and merchants within a 300 foot
radius of the project areas will be notified of public meetings to provide
input on the recommended tree species and opportunities for public comment on
recommended options will occur at those public meetings.
Notices for the meetings will be published
in the local newspaper, sent to property owners, merchants and residents in the
project area as well as other interested members of the community. Staff estimates that the tree selection
process will take 2 – 3 months to process and complete and anticipates planting
to begin in the fall season. Once all
the species have been designated and the trees have been tagged in the
nurseries the planting process should be completed in approximately 30 working
days.
Alternatives
If Council chooses not to approve this request for funding, the tree
removals and specialty pruning work that must occur will be paid for out of the
current tree trimming budget. This will
result in a reduction in the number of trees trimmed next year by 40% which
translates to 2,200 fewer trees trimmed in FY 08/09. Given that the trimming program is currently
behind in standards by over 6,000 trees the potential risk associated with that
deficit increases. Council may choose to
only authorize funding to remove and prune the carob trees and not to replace
any tree that were removed.
Without an additional budget appropriation for replacement trees, new
trees would not be planted until funding could be identified for replacement
trees in the future. This would result
in an increase in tree vacancies and loss of future environmental benefits.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
An appropriation of $395,000 is required in
account 01576.555010 for the following items:
Estimated cost for the removals: $230,000
Estimated cost for specialized pruning: $50,000
Estimated cost of tree replacements: $115,000
Total estimated project cost: $395,000
Staff is requesting the entire appropriation
in FY 08/09 as all of the 299 removals will occur within that fiscal year. Since there will be a minimal net gain in the
number of trees there will not be a significant increase in maintenance costs
to the City.
Attachment
1 – HortScience Carob
Tree Assessment and Summary of Qualifications
Attachment
2 – Map of carob tree locations with risk ratings
Attachment
3 – Santa Monica Waste Recovery & Transfer
Station Site Map
Prepared by:
Walt
Warriner; Community Forest & Public Landscape Superintendent
|
Approved: |
|
Forwarded to Council: |
|
|
|
|
|
Name Elaine
M. Polachek, Director,
Community Maintenance |
|
P. City Manager |