Laserfiche WebLink
<br />~-/ <br /> <br />Memorandum <br />October 19, 2005 <br /> <br />From: <br /> <br />City Council Members r <br /> <br />Mayor Jeff Ira & ViC~ ~ Pierce ~~¡:t/~ <br /> <br />Conceptual Proposal for a Community Task Force on Tree <br />Preservation, Street Trees and Sidewalk Repair <br /> <br />To: <br /> <br />Subject: <br /> <br />Colleagues: <br />For the purpose of reYiewing the City's policies, procedures and practices associated <br />with the living infrastructure of both city-owned and privately-owned trees, and the often <br />conflicting repair/replacement of sidewalks, curbs and gutters, we offer this conceptual <br />outline for your consideration. We believe that the idea of establishing a community <br />task force to help us explore the effectiveness of our current practices and identify <br />alternatives and new approaches is timely, and needed. We have confidence in our <br />community's many caring and resourceful people and our staff is ready to provide the <br />resources to support meaningful public participation. We look forward to your thoughts <br />and a good discussion at our meeting of October 24, 2005. We urge you to support the <br />formation of a task force as outlined conceptually below. <br /> <br />The Big Questions: (for the task force to address) <br />1) What is a healthy and sustainable urban forest? <br />2) What are the guiding principles that the community will support? <br />3) What are the best plans and management tools for Redwood City? <br /> <br />Purpose: <br />1) Thoroughly review and make recommendations on the effectiveness of street <br />tree preservation measures put into effect by the City Council in 1998. <br />2) Examine the inherent conflicts between sidewalk repair and replacement, tree <br />preservation, public safety/risk management, and aesthetics, and make <br />recommendations on program modifications. <br />3) Consider current tree planting objectives and recommend appropriate policies <br />and rules changes to achieve short-term goals and long-term objectives. <br />4) Recommend desirable street tree species and choices that property owner <br />should have, while creating enough diversity to sustain the urban forest in the <br />long-term <br />5) Explore and recommend new sidewalk repair materials and techniques. <br />6) Review and recommend any possible changes to existing city ordinance for <br />regulation and protection of private property trees. Consider property rights <br />vs. community obligations and alternative models from other cities. <br />Recommend enforcement tools and an equitable appeals process. <br /> <br />1 of 3 <br />