CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA PACKET

Page 4 of 5 engagement. Funding for urban forest management is currently approximately $1.2 million annually comprised of General Fund money dedicated for tree work as well as urban forestry funds, which are comprised of private development impact fees. The funding covers pruning, removals, management activities, storm cleanup, downed tree cleanup, planting, and establishment care for the City’s 23,000-plus trees. The need for funding is expected to increase every year, with an expectation that maintenance costs could be $3.2 million by the end of the 25-year management period. To address these projected costs, the UFMP identifies ways to improve efficiency and ease the financial burden to the City. For instance, the cost of watering street trees during the three-year establishment period could be reduced, watering could be done by the adjacent property owner, or the City could focus on areas that have an irrigation source. The tree giveaway program is likely the greatest and most economically efficient way to achieve the City’s canopy goals while limiting costs, giving the community a sense of pride and ownership in their urban forest, and providing a more equitable distribution of trees. The projected cost of management, along with the need for community engagement and support, is why the plan recommends creating a dedicated staff team that focuses on the urban forest and why working with residents, developers, the school district, and other property owners to maintain the health of the urban forest is so critical; both from a financial perspective and an overall urban forest health perspective. The technical assessment section also analyzes the urban forest's environmental impact, such as carbon sequestration, average pollutant capture, avoided runoff, avoided emissions, and structural and functional values. Dollar amounts are estimated for these benefits, which are useful for education, long-term planning, and securing tree program funding. The UFMP found that a healthy urban forest is one of the first lines of defense against storms and climate change impacts. Urban forests greatly reduce the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect and help absorb the sun’s heat. Studies have found that adjacent pavement and buildings could be 50 to 90 degrees hotter than the surrounding air temperature. Part 3 – Appendices The appendices provide direction regarding specific situations or considerations of the urban forest, such as best management practice standards, wildfire planning, and answers to frequently asked questions. These appendices are useful for property owners and city staff alike. They also include a list of trees recommended for the City of Pleasanton, recommendations for potential funding sources, solutions for infrastructure and sidewalk conflicts, and other documentation relevant to, or obtained during, the public outreach process. UFMP Next Steps Upon the adoption of the UFMP, the various action items will be prioritized and integrated into the work by the Parks and Landscape Architecture Divisions within the Public Works Department. EQUITY AND SUSTAINABILITY The creation of the Urban Forest Master Plan was specified under the Climate Action Plan 2.0 action items. This will help facilitate an increase in tree canopy and native habitat to reduce and store carbon emissions, reduce the impacts of climate change, and create a healthier Page 105 of 264