HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - October 1, 2008 K-04AGENDA ITEM
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
1M
AGENDA TITLE: Approve Removal of 22 Modesto Ash Trees at Various Locations During
Fiscal Years 2008109 and 2009110
MEETING DATE: October 1,2008
PREPARED BY: Public Works Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve removal of 22 Modesto Ash trees at various locations
during fiscal years 2008/09 and 2009110.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Trees are a benefitto the urban environment. Healthytrees reduce
air and noise pollution, provide energy-saving shade and cooling,
furnish habitat for wildlife, and provide an important aesthetic value
to the landscape. As a result, the City removes trees only when it is
in the interest of the public's safety or expense.
In 2002, the City hired a company to inventory and evaluate Lodi's urban forest. One of the company's
recommendationswas to eliminate Modesto Ash trees from our inventory. These trees are prone to
1) mistletoe; 2) a condition known as "included" bark, which leads to major limb splits: and 3) excessive
pruning requirements that results in disfigured trees.
The City rates trees on a "good," "fair," "poor," and "critical" scale to indicate their condition. Removal is
recommendedfor those trees receiving a critical or poor rating. All 78 trees receiving a critical rating in
2002 have been removed. There were 96 Modesto Ash trees that received a poor rating and are
recommended for removal. After removal, new trees are planted to take their place.
Staff recommends a proactive, systematic approach to removing these poorly -rated trees. Where
possible, in -fill planting is being conducted in anticipation of these mature trees' removal. Pictures of the
trees recommended for removal are attached. The following Modesto Ash tree(s) are recommended for
removal during winter 2008109:
524 Falls Avenue 626 Lincoln Avenue (2) 313 Forrest Avenue
810 Grant Avenue 900 Grant Avenue 715 North California Street
1000 South Central Avenue 405 Eden Street 401 Eureka Avenue
The tree locations recommended for removal during 2009110 fiscal year are:
1115 South Church Street 1305 South Church Street (2) 716 South Church Street
230 West Elm Street 224 North Garfield Street 321 East Pine Street
23 South Washington Street 29 South Washington Street (3) 18 South California Street
APPROVED: /
BI�K�g, City Manager
KAW PICOUNCI L1081ModestoAshTreeRemova1s.doc 09/23/2008
Approve Removal of 22 Modesto Ash Trees at Various Locations During Fiscal Years 2008/09 and
2009/10
October 1, 2008
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT: Removing these trees reduces potential for future maintenance expenses
and emergency tree surgery, as well as reduces the City's liability for
property damage caused by falling limbs.
FUNDING AVAILABLE: $15,000 per year is appropriated for tree removal in the FY 08/09 and
FY 09/10 budgets in the Tree and Landscape Maintenance (3215036)
operating fund,
Kir ans udget Manager
,�/,a ja...4- Z -
F. Wally Sa elin
Public Work's Director
FW SlGMBIdsg/bss
Attachment
cc: Curt Juran, Assistant Streets 8 Drainage Manager
Ray Fye. Tree Operations Supervisor
UwRCOU N CI LIQ81ModestoAshTreeRemova1s.doc 09/23/2008