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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />JANUARY 21, 2020 <br />TITLE <br />APPROVE A MEMORANDUM OF <br />UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CALIFORNIA <br />URBAN FORESTS COUNCIL AND WEST <br />COAST ARBORISTS, INC., FOR STREET <br />TREE PLANTING SERVICES <br />{STRATEGIC PLAN NOS. 6, 1 B & 1 F} <br />/s/Kristine Ridge <br />CITY MANAGER <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 11' Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2ntl Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />,K•�►nl►tr».ic•� <br />FILE NUMBER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Urban <br />Forests Council and West Coast Arborists, Inc., to plant trees, from February 2020 through March <br />2022, subject to non -substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The State of California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection awarded an Urban Tree <br />Replacement Program Grant to the California Urban Forest Council (CUFC) with their partner being <br />West Coast Arborists, Inc. (WCA). The grant provides funding for the removal of one tree and <br />stump to be performed by West Coast Arborists for every two trees the City agrees to plant, <br />equaling a 2-to-1 planting to removal ratio. By removing trees that have reached their natural <br />lifespan, have been infected with pests, and/or stricken with health issues due to the record <br />drought, the program will improve the urban forest streetscape and reduce the risk of property <br />damage and safety concerns to the community. <br />Over the three-year term of the Memorandum of Understanding, the City of Santa Ana will provide <br />to West Coast Arborists a list of 150 trees that have reached their life expectancy, have health <br />issues, are dead, and/or pose a potential safety risk. West Coast Arborists will perform the tree <br />removals at no cost to the City. In exchange, the City will plant 300 trees during that three-year <br />period. Funds for the tree planting will be budgeted at $50,000 annually for Fiscal Years 2020-21 <br />and 2021-22, for a total City obligation of $100,000. <br />A component of the grant is to complete community engagement by having an educational <br />campaign focusing on "Why Are We Removing Trees." The campaign will provide public materials <br />on benefits of trees, how urban forests are being threatened, why and under what criteria trees are <br />removed, and what the public can do to advocate for a vibrant and healthy urban forest. The grant <br />partners will utilize a variety of outreach methods, such as City newsletters, City and community <br />group social media, neighborhood meetings, and participation in the City's annual Arbor Day Event. <br />25H-1 <br />