Laserfiche WebLink
CITY OF PLEASANTON URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN | 101 <br />URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES <br />1.2.3.2 Current Staffing Challenges <br />The City currently implements its urban forestry programs, <br />including enforcement of the tree preservation ordinance, <br />through joint efforts by the Community Development <br />and Public Works Departments. Most of the enforcement <br />and response has been handled by the City’s Landscape <br />Architecture Division which has two staff people (a <br />Landscape Architect and a Landscape Architect Assistant). <br />In addition to the various tasks that the Landscape <br />Architecture Division is responsible for, including managing <br />Capital Improvement Projects, Maintenance of the City’s <br />Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts, plan review <br />for both Planning and Building Departments and Landscape <br />Inspections as well as master planning, the division also <br />reviews and responds to all tree applications, pruning and <br />removal violations as well as a number of other tree related <br />services and programs the City provides including an annual <br />Arbor Day Celebration and maintaining the City’s Tree City <br />USA status . <br />In addition to the work done by the Landscape Architecture <br />Division, the Parks Division is also heavily involved in tree <br />care, maintenance, and response. The tasks associated with <br />tree care fall on many individuals within the Parks Division <br />and range from disaster response to proactive tree care. <br />While many individuals touch trees in their everyday work, <br />there is no dedicated team of tree care professionals within <br />the City organization. This leaves all the work associated <br />with trees to be performed by members whose primary <br />responsibilities are not tree focused. This system means <br />that tree care management and response is often reactive <br />instead of proactive. The City requires a dedicated team of <br />professionals to be responsible for the tree care program. <br />Doing this would allow Pleasanton to more effectively meet <br />its tree service standards and urban forestry goals. <br />Recommendation: <br /> ƒExplore the capacity of current positions or create a new <br />Urban Forestry Team that’s overseen by a dedicated Urban <br />Forest Manager (who is a certified arborist) to coordinate <br />with all City departments on implementation of the UFMP <br />and to oversee urban forestry programming, tree care <br />and management, and community engagement efforts <br />including finding and applying for grants, educating the <br />public, and coordinating with non-profits.