HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-09 Ordinance 5308Ordinance No. 5308
ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING THE
BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2015 IN THE GENERAL FUND, INCREASING THE
BUDGET FOR THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BY $160A90 TO SUPPORT
CONTRACTUAL STREET TREE PRUNING, OFFSET BY A CORRESPONDING
REDUCTION TO THE BUDGET STABILIZATION RESERVE.
The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION 1. The Council of the City of Palo Alto finds and determines as follows:
A. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of Article Ill of the Charter of the City of
Palo Alto, the Council on June 16, 2014 did adopt a budget for Fiscal Year 2015; and
B. The Department of Public Works Urban Forestry Section is responsible for
maintaining the health of 35,378 City-owned trees, with tree pruning being the most important
maintenance task for keeping the tree inventory healthy; and
C. The purpose of tree pruning is to improve tree structure, enhance vigor, and
maintain safe conditions for all motorists and pedestrians as they move through the street
corridor; and
D. It has been determined that a five to seven year pruning cycle is optimal for
maintaining tree condition and value. Tree pruning services in the City of Palo Alto are
performed by both City staff as well as contractors. The City is currently in the second year of a
three year contract for tree pruning services with West Coast Arborists totaling $1,050,000; and
E. In Fiscal Year 2014, the City fell short of its goal by pruning only 4,296 trees, 758
below the target of 5,054. In the first six months of Fiscal Year 2015, the City fell short of the
goal by 250 trees. This pace is expected to continue in the second half of the year; and
F. Factors contributing to the reduction in trees being pruned include the drought,
capital improvement projects that have required the attention of staff and the contractor, and
increased staff time associated with development related activities; and
G. Increased funding is being requested to eliminate the backlog of tree pruning
that accumulated in Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015.
SECTION 2. The contractual services allocation for the Public Works Department Street
Trees Division is hereby increased by the sum of One Hundred Sixty Thousand, Four Hundred
and Ninety Dollars ($160A90) in the General Fund. This increase is offset by a reduction to the
Budget Stabilization Reserve by a corresponding amount.
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5335/mb Revised September 20, 2013
SECTION 3. As provided in Section 2.04.330 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code, this
ordinance shall become effective upon adoption.
SECTION 4. The Council of the City of Palo Alto hereby finds that this is not a project
under the California Environmental Quality Act and, therefore, no environmental impact
assessment is necessary.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED: March 9, 2015
AYES: BERMAN, BURT, DUBOIS, FILSETH, SCHARFF, SCHMID, WOLBACH
NOES:
ABSENT: HOLMAN, KNISS
ABSTENTIONS:
NOT PARTICIPATING:
ATIEST:
G~r
~ CityCierk
~ APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Mayor
APPROVED:
Senior Assistant City Attorney
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5335/mb Revised September 20, 2013