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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-07-18; Fallen Tree Branch and Management of the Community Forest (Districts - All); Barberio, GaryTo the members of the: CITY COUNCIL Dat~ ;•7/2 8/.zi-cA'J{_ cc v CM _L ACM \/ DCM (3) L Council Memorandum July 18, 2022 To: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council From: Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Kyle Lancaster, Parks & Recreation Director Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager @ {cityof Carlsbad Memo ID #2022081 Re: Holiday Park Fallen Tree Branch Incident and the City's Comprehensive Management of the Community Forest (Districts -All) This memorandum provides information on the fallen tree branch incident at Holiday Park on July 14, 2022, and how the city comprehensively manages the approximately 29,000 inventoried trees in the community forest, including trees in city parks, the golf course, facilities landscapes, street medians and rights of way, trails planters, urban forest and nature preserves. Background On the morning of July 14, 2022, Carlsbad Police and Fire responded to a medical aid call at Holiday Park. Parks & Recreation staff also arrived onsite at this time. They found a tree branch, from a large Heritage Torrey Pine Tree within the park, had broken and fallen to the ground. A portion of the branch landed on the crossbar of a playground swing set. A woman in the park at the time the branch fell was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. Another woman and a child who were on the swing set in the park at that time were not injured. Discussion Fallen Branch of Tree at Holiday Park Parks & Recreation staff cordoned-off the area of the playground within the dripline of the tree to prevent public access. Staff contacted a consulting arborist (who is an International Society of Arboriculture [ISA} Board Certified Master Arborist and Registered Consulting Arborist) to request an assessment of the tree. After removing the fallen branch, staff cut the remaining portion of the branch at the tree's trunk, lowered it to the ground and removed it from the park. Staff also cut, lowered and removed a smaller branch that had been struck and damaged by the fallen branch. The area of the playground nearest the tree remained cordoned-off. On July 16, 2022, the consulting arborist provided the tree assessment report to the city. The area of the playground within the dripline of the tree currently remains cordoned-off while staff reviews the consultant arborists report and evaluates next steps. Community Services Branch Parks & Recreation Department 799 Pine Avenue, Suite 200 I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2826 t Council Memo-Holiday Park Fallen Tree Branch Incident and the Mgmt. of the Comm. Forest July 18, 2022 Page 2 Management of the Community Forest On Sept. 24, 2019, the Carlsbad City Council approved an update to the Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan, a document that describes how the city cares for its existing trees (and will add trees to its inventory to increase the overall forest canopy). The city has approximately 29,000 inventoried trees on city-owned or city-controlled properties including trees in parks, the golf course, facilities landscapes, street medians and rights of way, trails planters, urban forest and nature preserves. The city manages its community forest through select Parks & Recreation staff (including time devoted from a Parks Services Manager, a Parks Superintendent, a Parks/Trees Supervisor, a Tree Trimmer Lead Worker, two Tree Trimmers, a Parks Inspector, a Parks Planner, a Program Coordinator, and a Grounds Aide); professional services agreements with several contractors (e.g., West Coast Arborists, Rancho Environmental Services, Urban Corps, California Conservation Corps, Nissho of California, Plant-Tek); and an ISA Board Certified Master Arborist/Registered Consulting Arborist. The Parks & Recreation staff currently have four ISA Certified Arborists, including a Parks/Trees Supervisor, who is designated as the city arborist. Collectively, the contractors under professional services agreements with the city also have several ISA Certified Arborists. The Parks & Recreation Department has an ariel lift truck, a stake-bed truck, a full-sized utility truck, a mid-sized truck, two wood chippers, a stump grinder and multiple pieces of hand-held power equipment dedicated to tree care operations. Collectively, the contractors under professional services agreements with the city also have ariel lift trucks, stake-bed trucks, full- sized-utility trucks, mid-sized trucks, wood chippers, stump grinders, and multiple pieces of hand-held power equipment dedicated to tree care operations. The above staff, contractors, and associated vehicles and equipment are funded through the Parks & Recreation Department's Operating Budget (i.e., Parks Maintenance, Trails Maintenance, Street Tree District Maintenance and Medians District Maintenance). The ISA is recognized worldwide as a champion of professionalism in the tree care industry. The ISA Best Management Practices (BMPs) provide guidance to care for trees in various topics which mirror the ANSI A300 parts. The city utilizes these BMPs (Appendix G of the Community Forest Management Plan) in its daily tree care work. Systematic maintenance is the key to long-term health and growth of trees in the community forest. The city has a scheduled tree management program of monitoring health, inspecting for hazards, pruning or removing to mitigate risk, planting new trees, and recycling green waste. The program provides additional benefits to the public by reducing the need for urgent or emergency maintenance calls, reducing tree mortality, and helping to reduce risk. The Parks & Recreation Department has employed a grid pruning schedule for over 16 years to proactively manage the city-maintained trees. This routine proactive pruning schedule provides Council Memo -Holiday Park Fallen Tree Branch Incident and the Mgmt. of the Comm. Forest July 18, 2022 Page 3 maintenance on trees every 4 to 4.5 years, with supplemental pruning every 2-2.25 years as needed for select tree species. Torrey Pine is not one of the select tree species that are subject to a supplemental pruning schedule. When performing proactive tree service, trees receive a pre-job inspection to look for hazards and any conditions that may call for maintenance other than that of the current work order for the tree. In such situations, tree crews notify inspection staff for a final determination of the work to be performed. Inspection staff convey data and direction to tree maintenance crews to ensure each task is completed on time and then recorded, thus ensuring smooth coordination in this proactive program. The Torrey Pine Tree in Holiday Park was last assessed by the city arborist on Oct. 20, 2020, and last pruned by West Coast Arborists on Dec. 15, 2020. The attached excerpts from the Community Forest Management Plan provide further detail how the city cares for its trees. Next steps Staff are currently reviewing the consultant's report, in consultation with the City Attorney's Office, and evaluating next steps, including reopening the area of the playground nearest the tree. Attachments: A. Excerpts from Carlsbad Community Forest Management Plan cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Celia Brewer, City Attorney Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Cindie McMahon, Senior Assistant City Attorney Allegra Frost, Deputy City Attorney Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer Zach Korach, Finance Director Kristina Ray, Communications & Engagement Director John Maashoff, Fleet & Facilities Manager Ed Garbo, Risk Manager Todd Reese, Parks Services Manager Ariel de la Paz, Parks Superintendent Morgan Rockdale, Parks/Trees Supervisor (City Arborist) Temujin Matsubara, Parks/Trees Supervisor Sarah Lemons, Senior Program Manager Nikki Matosian, Community Relations Manager ATTACHMENT A EXCERPTS FROM THE CARLSBAD COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION GOALS OF THE COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. With so many new factors to consider such as climate change, the movement of invasive pests, as well as changing laws and regulations, this updated CCFMP is an opportunity to refresh the goals and strategies that are needed to guide the city in managing the community forest trees now and in the future. The current community forest goals are listed in three steps on the right, along with the associated strategies to implement. · COMMUNITY FOREST BENEFITS AND MANAGEMENT. The practice of tree care has changed considerably over the years as technology has improved. Better tools are developed for field and office staff, and the public becomes aware of the benefits of having the right tree in the right place. Too often in the past what was thought to be an acceptable practice of tree care later was found to cause harm to trees, would diminish the benefits given to the community, or would alter the local environment for years. Much has been learned in the industry in the last sixteen years. By learning from past tree care mistakes communities have found that often the practice of "less is better" is the way of the future. Less chemicals applied, less watering in the cool periods of the year, and less live material pruned from trees can all have significant effects on trees, on the environment, and in the community. With sustainability becoming ever more important in our daily lives, as well as being a core value of the city's vision, it is critical that the CCFMP take into consideration sustainable practices to maximize tree benefits. To have a sustainable program that is effective over a long period of time, achievable management goals are necessary. Each chapter in the CCFMP update relates to the City of Carlsbad's Community Vision and Values, but also speaks to applicable community forest management goals. By meeting the management goals, the community can see the value of the forest program first hand. In the right growing situation, select trees in the community can outlive many residents, providing benefits that span generations. Numerous examples of well-placed trees in the community have grown to obtain heritage tree status and continue to thrive. A stroll through the urban forest areas such as Hosp Grove can make our mind wander and perhaps give us a sense of tranquility. Such communing with nature reminds all of us of the importance of trees. In addition to the well-known environmental, economic, and communal benefits that trees provide, we are only scratching the surface of the bark when it comes to the all the societal benefits. Having a well-conceived and unified CCFMP ensures that trees will continue to live on and inspire hope and creativity in residents for many generations to come. Community Services Branch Parks & Recreation Department 799 Pine Avenue, Suite 200 I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2826 t COMMUNITY FOREST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM -GOALS & STRATEGIES. 1. Promote citywide tree preservation and community education about the community forest and sustainability. A. Maintain the Tree City USA designation in perpetuity. 8. Encourage residents to participate in city tree planting events held on occasions such as Earth Day, Arbor Day and National Public Lands Day. Such events typically include collaboration with staff from the Communications and Environmental Management Divisions to further assist in promoting quality tree care in the community. C. Showcase specimen trees or heritage trees on the city's website and on social media throughout the year to generate interest in the diversity and significance of trees. 2. Expand the community forest in areas with lesser tree canopy density and maximize its benefits. A. Add an average of 500 trees per year to the city's tree inventory or affect an increase in Carlsbad's Total Tree Canopy by 5% (whichever occurs first) through the end of calendar year 2025, so as to further enhance the community forest. 8. Plant two inventoried trees for every one inventoried tree removed, to ensure the longevity of the community forest. Only one each of those planted trees shall count toward the addition of an average of 500 trees per year to the city's tree inventory. C. A concentrated effort will be made to install new trees in sparsely forested areas in Hosp Grove that lack shade canopy. 3. Manage an estimated 43,000 City of Carlsbadowned/ controlled trees using industry standards and best management practices. A. Continuously review the condition and recommended maintenance of the city's community forest and look for opportunities to improve health. 8. Utilize best management practices and industry standards when all work is performed on city trees. C. Continuously train staff on new technology and scientific discoveries to ensure the most up-to-date information is in the hands of tree care professionals. CHAPTER 4: COMMUNITY FOREST OPERATIONS OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE. The City of Carlsbad offers a diverse mix of residential, commercial, and tourism opportunities. A multi--departmental approach to protecting the resources in the community better ensures the balance of public interests is strengthened. One goal of city community forest management operations is to support a high quality of life, through the performance of services at optimal standards. This chapter outlines the arboricultural operations and procedures to help the City of Carlsbad meet these priorities. In addition, the CCFMP update also takes into consideration the specific tree related provisions set forth in the Carlsbad Village and Barrio Master Plan {CVBMP). ANSI STANDARDS To ensure all community forest operations are consistent in approach, standards must be in place for all city staff and contractors to follow. In the tree care industry, the national standard is the American National Standard Institute {ANSI}, specifically the A300 and associated sections developed by the Tree Care Industry Association, {TC/A). These standards (Appendix F} are periodically reviewed and revised to provide the industry the best information available. The city keeps the current ANSI standards available for reference. Those standards are to continue to be followed when pruning any city inventoried trees. /SA BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. The International Society of Arboriculture {!SA) is recognized worldwide as a champion of professionalism in the tree care industry. By certifying tree workers and arborists across the globe, municipalities, contractors, and agencies are assured that the tree care professionals that maintain and report on trees are properly trained and adhere to ethical standards. The /SA Best Management Practices {BMPs} provide guidance to care for trees in various topics which mirror the ANSI A300 parts. The city utilizes these BMPs (Appendix G) in its daily tree care work. PROACTIVE TREE MANAGEMENT. Systematic maintenance is the key to long-term health and growth of trees in the community forest. Having a scheduled tree management program of monitoring health, inspecting for hazards, pruning or removing to mitigate risk, planting new trees, and recycling green waste is essential to enhancing the natural and urban environment in the City of Carlsbad. Such a program increases the monetary value of the forest over time. The program provides additional benefits to the public by reducing the need for urgent or emergency maintenance calls, reducing tree mortality, and helping to reduce liability risk. In a systematic program, pre-designed districts, grids, zones, or facilities are typically identified and scheduled for routine maintenance. This scheduled maintenance reduces the number of service request calls and enhances public safety. By proactively maintaining trees, the forest health is improved, and problems can be corrected before reaching an urgent level. The Parks & Recreation Department has employed a grid pruning schedule for nearly fourteen years to proactively manage the city maintained trees. This routine proactive pruning schedule provides maintenance on trees every 4 to 4.5 years, with supplemental pruning every 2-2.25 years as needed for select tree species. When performing proactive tree service, trees receive a pre-job inspection to look for hazards and any conditions that may call for maintenance other than that of the current work order for the tree. In such situations, tree crews notify inspection staff for a final determination of the work to be performed. Inspection staff convey data and direction to tree maintenance crews to ensure each task is completed on time and then recorded, thus ensuring smooth coordination in this proactive program. While proactive programs lessen the need for reactive tree management, situations periodically arise that require quick response and action. The city employs tree staff who are generally tasked to respond to requests for expedient service and are secondarily utilized for selective pruning zones. 19 Funding for all pruning is charged to the respective maintenance budgets. If required, additional funding is allocated to address extraordinary circumstances, such as weather events or other factors. The process of assigning tree maintenance tasks is the responsibility of the Parks & Recreation Department. Once a request for service is received from any of a variety of sources a service request is drafted. The tree maintenance supervisor reviews the request and delegates to inspection staff, or to tree maintenance crew, depending on the tree(s) and the extent of request. Such work may be assigned to the tree staff, or the tree contractor, for service as needed. Upon completion of the work, the service history is entered in the city database. RISK MANAGEMENT. The safety of the public is of paramount importance to the City of Carlsbad. To manage risk in trees, the city relies upon the expertise of certified arborists who are qualified in tree risk assessment. The /SA is the organization that qualifies arborists to assess risk and give mitigation options. The city may use staff arborists with the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) or obtain a report from a contractor with the qualification to provide this service. The /SA basic tree risk assessment form, either in the original or a modified form, is the standard inspection checklist to be used by those performing risk assessment on city trees. By utilizing the data in the inventory related to tree condition, recommended maintenance, and work history, the city can develop on-going and routine inspection lists of trees requiring further evaluation. Once the risk mitigation option has been chosen, the work is performed in a timely manner and the service history is entered in the database. CHAPTER 5: URBAN FOREST AREAS A PATHWAY TO TREES. The open space and natural areas of the City of Carlsbad are a treasure to the community and are highly prized by the residents that enjoy them. Given that public value, as well as the direction within the City of Carlsbad Sustainability Guiding Principles and information provided in the original CCFMP, this update of the CCFMP affirms the importance of both the natural and human-made environment. The city will pursue efforts in protecting, preserving, and restoring these environments. This document outlines, in this and other chapters, ways in which elements of the community forest management strategies interface with each other. For instance, risk management efforts do not stop at street trees, but rather extend to the greater natural and human-made environment for the benefit of the whole community. Therefore, this update includes specific actions necessary to uphold the basic environmental principles, and also enhance the public's experience and safety in the process. The city-owned urban forests (i.e., Hosp Grove, Woodbine Banks, Batiquitos Lane and Village HJ have not been fully inventoried-which is a common practice for such natural environments. If all the Eucalyptus and other trees in the urban forest areas were accounted for in the inventory, the species frequency and demographics of the greater community forest would change. The accounting for all of these trees could increase the total trees in the inventory by up to twenty percent and would likely reflect a decrease in species diversity, as the urban forests are nearly single genra. Tracking service history for specific trees near property boundaries and high usage zones of urban forest areas is of paramount importance, especially from the risk management perspective. Therefore, data collection efforts in the urban forests has been focused on these interface areas -i.e., property boundaries and high usage zones, as reflected in the maps that follow. Of concern to the region's urban forest areas are tree species known to be hosts to destructive invasive and/or quarantined insects and fungi such as Eucalyptus Long horned Beetles, Polyphagous and Kuroshio Shot Hole Borer, South American Palm Weevil, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Goldspotted Oak Borer, Pine Pitch Canker, and others. With the knowledge of the inventory and by utilizing the best practices, staff can effectively manage the urban forest. Though insects and environmental challenges have increased in the past few decades, the management strategies implemented by the first CFMP have helped to improve the health of the urban forest areas, and Hosp Grove in particular. Hosp Grove is a 74-acre property divided by Monroe Street which consists primarily of Eucalyptus tree species, especially the Sugar Gum {Eucalyptus cladocalyx) and Red Gum {Eucalyptus camaldulensis). These and other non-native trees within the grove suffered in the past but have rebounded from proactive management techniques and the preservation of beneficial insects that prey upon pests of these trees. Another facet that has improved since the original CFMP has been the wildlife habitat. The trees within the grove provide shelter and perches for numerous species of birds and animals. By preserving these trees, the grove continues to be a resource for wildlife and the public. Ongoing monitoring of trees in high public occupancy areas and continuing tree maintenance practices such as thinning heavy branches and removing of diseased trees, will further improve the health of the grove and provide shaded recreation areas that the public will enjoy for many years forward. Consideration should be given to tree density and spacing to allow for proper maintenance, promote more vigor in the trees with the best health, and to allow for timely fire response in the event of an emergency. With funding to maintain the valuable urban forest interface areas such as Hosp Grove, the trees will remain an integral part of the community for generations. Biotic, abiotic, and environmental impacts, and effects such as drought, and climate change, wildfires, are difficult to predict. But the city has a duty to be proactive in its management of urban forest areas. Within the city-owned urban forests (i.e., Hosp Grove, Woodbine Banks, Batiquitos Lane and Village H), the following practical strategies will be continuously in effect. A PATHWAY TO TREES-DEPARTMENT PROTOCOL. a. The Parks & Recreation Department monitors urban forest areas on a quarterly basis for tree health and vitality and utilizes plant health care best management practices to improve forest health. ) b. The Fire Department consults with the Parks & Recreation Department to manage response vehicle access and maintain fire buffer zones along property lines to prevent the spread of fire to or from urban forest areas. c. The Parks & Recreation Department staff annually reviews the trees within urban forest areas to identify candidates for removal and recycling. d. The Parks & Recreation Department recognizes the urban forests as being nearly single genera (monoculture) and thus susceptible to pests and disease due to that lack of diversity. Staff monitors these forests accordingly to take targeted action as required to prevent spread within these areas and to other public or private trees. e. The Parks & Recreation Department identifies and removes non-native invasive species within the urban forest areas as listed and prescribed by the Invasive Species Council of California to prevent the spread to native or other man-made environments. f. Planting of new ornamental native and non-native trees within urban forest areas is kept to a minimum. g. Planting of native trees to fill voids is encouraged as these urban forests are suitable for such species. CHAPTER 6: HERITTAGE TREE PROGRAM HERITAGE TREES AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE IN THE COMMUNITY. Arborists, botanists, and collectors of plants have looked the world over for examples of fine specimens for naturally and culturally significant standout trees. In their search they've discovered the largest tree, the tallest tree, the oldest tree, and many other categories by which to classify trees worthy of attention. The City of Carlsbad embarked on just such a mission within the community, and in 2002 received a Heritage Tree Report-Phase I of the Historic Village District, prepared for the Historic Preservation Commission. Following that submission, in 2011 the city received a Heritage Tree Report -Phase II, also prepared for the Historic Preservation Commission. The latter identified trees in a wider geographical area, near the original zone of the Olde Carlsbad Village as well as several further outlying areas -still within the city limits. Both reports were brought current in 2019, to be included with the CCFMP update. These two reports together found over 137 candidates for Heritage Tree status. All recommendations as stated in the two documents for the preservation and ongoing maintenance of these candidates are applicable, and are considered mandatory for all city- owned heritage trees. The significance of these heritage trees, and the public good they serve, are worth an additional cost to maintain and preserve them for the benefit of the community. ) In the larger picture, these trees are important facets of the City of Carlsbad's history, arts, and cultural resources Community Value. They offer special opportunities for people interested in science and history to learn more about trees outside of the typical arboretum or classroom setting. Likewise, when instructors of art classes, school lessons, or recreational activities incorporate these trees into the programs, additional members of the public gain knowledge of the botanical gems within their midst. By partnering with local clubs or schools, educators 36 can weave heritage trees into their instruction and make it fun in the process to learn about trees and the environment. Scavenger hunts for these historic trees in the neighborhoods around them can inspire children to consider arboriculture in the future. Some children may grow up to be climbers that care for the trees in the region, while others may choose a path of growing trees or designing new sustainable landscapes that can one day have more heritage trees. The City of Carlsbad's Community Value to enhance the small-town feel is only strengthened by a program that identifies, maintains, and celebrates heritage trees. Unlike fine artwork, trees do not remain in a static state and are constantly exposed to the elements and biological factors. It is important to preserve heritage trees, but even though the best plant health care practices available may be applied to keep heritage trees in good condition, trees do age and naturally senesce and succumb to factors beyond the control of arboriculture professionals. When a heritage tree reaches the point of needing to be removed out of safety or practicality concerns, the tree may have an extended use and be further memorialized through the Community Green Waste, Wood and Tree Recycling Program, (refer to Chapter 8}. By capturing this valuable wood product, the tree may continue to serve a purpose beyond the typically associated public benefits. It may become art in the form of carving, or tables that others may admire. While tree care may not at first seem like an art, a well-maintained tree can be a work of art in the minds of many residents, especially when they've been shown examples of proper tree maintenance, when maintained to ANSI standards, and by /SA Best Management Practices, heritage trees can be considered art in the landscape. A goal of the city's Heritage Tree Reports is to encourage tree owners to preserve these unique trees for the good of the public, and to nominate other trees with notable historic interest or notable species/size ... MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY. The following are recommendations to provide for the health, safety and longevity of Carlsbad's Heritage Trees. These recommendations should be adopted by the City Council as mandatory for all city owned Heritage Trees, and are advisory only recommendations for any privately-owned and non-city owned public Heritage Trees. 1. The city arborist shall provide copies of this report (Management Recommendations) to each city employee in charge of managing a Heritage Tree and provide a copy of the entire report to every property owner of a Heritage Tree located on private or other public property. In locations when it is unclear if a tree is publicly or privately owned and who is responsible for its care, this should be clarified by the city arborist. 2. Have all public Heritage Trees inspected at least annually by a qualified arborist who shall provide a written report with recommendations for any required treatment or maintenance, including pruning. The reports are to be kept in a permanent file for each tree for future reference along with a record of any work performed on the tree and the result of that work. 3. Remove any signs or wires that have been attached to any publicly owned Heritage Tree, if this can be done without damaging the tree any further. 4. Adopt a city policy, or regulation, prohibiting the "topping" of any public tree. 5. Adopt a city policy, or regulation, that the current published American National Standards and Best Management Practices for Tree Pruning will be followed when pruning any publicly owned trees. 6. Require that all pruning work on publicly owned Heritage Trees shall be performed by a certified arborist or by certified tree workers under the full-time supervision of a certified arborist. 7. Pruning should be timed so as not to interfere with nesting birds. 8. Root damage to publicly owned Heritage Trees should be minimized. Any 91 proposed construction work (public or private) within 50' of the trunk, shall be reviewed by a qualified arborist during the planning stage of the work. The arborist shall specify a Tree Protection Zone and a Tree Protection and Preservation Plan that is site and tree specific. No activity or soil disturbance in the Tree Protection Zone will be permitted unless specifically approved in writing by the city arborist. 9. In the vicinity of publicly-owned Heritage Trees appropriate alternative means of underground construction, such as the use of tools like an "Air-Knife" or "Air-Spade", horizontal boring or tunneling, should be utilized to protect and prevent damage to the root system of the tree. 10. Hardscape conflicts should be remedied without damaging the root system of a publicly owned Heritage Tree. Some methods that may be utilized include: the use of sand laid unit pavers like brick or flexible paving such as rubber sidewalk sections; grinding raised pavement sections; ramping or bridging over roots. Removing pavement and replacing it with decomposed granite or organic mulch; rerouting the hardscape to accommodate the current and future trunk expansion and root growth is an option. This would also provide additional exposed soil surface that would be beneficial to the tree's health. 11. Turf, under the drip line of the tree, should be removed and replaced with a 3"-4" deep layer of organic mulch such as ground or chipped tree prunings. The mulch should be kept at least 1' away from the trunk of the tree. The mulch should be inspected at least twice a year and additional mulch added to maintain the 3"-4" depth. For small trees, or trees with a narrow upright growth habit install the mulch to a distance of 5' from the trunk. 12. Compaction under the canopies of trees can be partially corrected by several methods. The least damaging and cost effective method is to install organic mulch as specified above for turf removal over the compacted area or where surface roots are exposed. Other methods may be recommended for specific conditions. 13. Require a report from a qualified arborist for any public Heritage Tree recommended for removal because it presents a "hazardous" condition. The arborist shall use the current published Tree Risk Assessment methodology. The city arborist has the discretionary right to approve, request a second opinion in writing, or recommend actions that may reduce the condition to an acceptable level of risk. If this type of risk reduction cannot be done and it is the city's arborist's recommendation to remove the tree it will remain the City Council's option to approve or deny the removal or require additional measures. 14. For any publicly owned heritage tree removed, a suitable replacement tree shall be planted. CHAPTER 7: EMERGENCY OPERATIONS EMERGENCY OPERATIONS. Through their professionalism, first responders often make the difference between life and death in extremely challenging conditions when answering the public need in times of emergencies. Their care and attention to detail sets a high standard for others to follow. It is critical that first responders and other staff be prepared and well-trained for any given situation. A coordinated effort is necessary from multiple departments to ensure that staff is prepared to handle the emergency at hand. This includes emergencies which staff respond to on a less frequent basis, such as tree failures. While trees provide numerous benefits to the city if they fail trees can affect emergency operations, both in requiring response themselves and in impeding travel to people in need. It is critical for emergency operations personnel to be able to respond with little or no delay from outside influences such as trees blocking access for vehicles. The city acknowledges the critical nature of such operations and supports tree care to reduce the number of tree related incidents, which protects the safety of others. The goal of the city's tree emergency protocol is to provide rapid response to the public need. It follows similar procedures and lines of communication as other depart,y,ents. Whether a request for service comes in from a call to a dispatch line or from other city staff, the communication process is located to the right: 1. The Parks Division on-duty person is notified and takes detailed notes of the situation. In the case of a dispatch call, the appropriate specialized department responds. If the Fire Department or other specialized department arrives first and requires assistance from another department, they are to call dispatch to request Park & Recreation or Public Works staff assistance. 2. The on-duty person notifies the tree maintenance supervisor, who would notify other applicable city departments of the situation to keep the public safe. If needed, the Parks & Recreation staff would call additional staff to work that are not already on-call. 3. After assessing the site, the on-duty person addresses the tree or calls for the first available Parks & Recreation on-call tree/landscape maintenance contractor or crew. 4. The on-call contractor or crew responds to the situation, and if additional assistance is needed, the on-duty person calls for additional specialized response. If the situation involves utilities requiring contractors of those companies, the on-duty person calls the utility emergency response number to request immediate assistance. When complete and safe, the on-call contractor or crew notifies the on-duty person to close the request and report the situation back to normal. 5. The on-duty person calls the tree maintenance supervisor to report the completed request. Debris associated with the emergency may be taken to a holding facility such as a park or a maintenance yard to await further processing and recycling instructions. In the case of potential litigation situations, the debris shall be taken to a secure location under the direction of the tree maintenance supervisor. If the situation qualifies as a severe national disaster, the city will contact federal authorities for funding via the Federal Emergency Management Act, {FEMA}.