RES 2025054 - Laserfiche WebLink

1.2.3.2 Current Staffing Challenges The City currently implements its urban forestry programs, including enforcement of the tree preservation ordinance, through joint efforts by the Community Development and Public Works Departments. Most of the enforcement and response has been handled by the City's Landscape Architecture Division which has two staff people (a Landscape Architect and a Landscape Architect Assistant). In addition to the various tasks that the Landscape Architecture Division is responsible for, including managing Capital Improvement Projects, Maintenance of the City's Landscape and Lighting Maintenance Districts, plan review for both Planning and Building Departments and Landscape Inspections as well as master planning, the division also reviews and responds to all tree removal permit applications, pruning and removal violations as well as a number of other tree related services and programs the City provides including an annual Arbor Day Celebration and maintaining the City's Tree City USA status. In addition to the work done by the Landscape Architecture Division, the Parks Division is also heavily involved in tree care, maintenance, and response. The tasks associated with tree care fall on many individuals within the Parks Division and range from disaster response to proactive tree care. While many individuals touch trees in their everyday work, there is no dedicated team of tree care professionals within the City organization. This leaves all the work associated with trees URBAN FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES U to be performed by members whose primary responsibilities are not tree focused. This system means that tree care management and response is more often reactive instead of proactive. The City would benefit from a dedicated team of professionals to be responsible for the tree care program. Doing this would allow Pleasanton to more effectively meet its tree service standards and urban forestry goals. Recommendation: ■ Explore the capacity of current positions or create a new Urban Forestry Team that's overseen by a dedicated Urban Forest Manager (who is a certified arborist) to coordinate with all City departments on implementation of the UFMP and to oversee urban forestry programming, tree care and management, and community engagement efforts including finding and applying for grants, educating the public, and coordinating with non -profits. See Figure 1-3 Figure 1-3. Recommended Urban Forestry Team Lead Worker Groundworker CITY OF PLEASANTON URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN 1 101