Issue Paper No. 1 -Tree Planting City of Tigard
Department Name: Community Development
Board Name: Tree Board
Issue Paper No. 1
Funding—Urban Forestry Master Plan
Activity—Tree Planting
ISSUE: Should tree planting on city properties and within rights of way continue to be funded? If
so, should the program remain as-is or modified? Should the tree planting program be expanded to
include more planting on non-city or private properties?
BACKGROUND
Each year plans are developed and trees are planted as part of the city's Capital Improvement Plan
(CIP). These trees are typically planted on city property or within public rights of way. These areas
include city parks and open spaces, stream corridors, and public streets and highways. As part of the
city's annual Arbor Day activities,it funds the planting of trees on school properties. In addition the
CIP includes the annual Free $treetj[til Program that delivers and plants street trees for Tigard
residents.
There are no large scale programs in place for tree planting on private property. Recent review of
existing tree canopy and tree code regulations has heightened the awareness of a lack of trees within
industrial and commercial areas of the city. Funding of tree planting on private property may be one
means of increasing the number of trees within these areas.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Historical Fiscal Impact
Planting of trees on public property is a team effort between staff in Community Development and
Public Works. In the past, most of these projects were funded from the Tree Replacement Fund,
now known as the Urban Forestry Fund. However, funding now comes from a variety of sources,
including the Urban Forestry Fund and a portion of both Stormwater and Sanitary Sewer Fees. As
part of the Healthy Streams Program, sewer funds are utilized for restoration of stream corridors
and stream buffer mitigation.
All trees planted in the city regardless of whether they are on public or private property, are funded
as part of the CIP program. That's because each tree planted provides a public benefit including
improved air and water quality.
Future Fiscal Impact
The Sanitary Sewer Fund includes a portion of both fees collected at the time of eenneetio an for
monthly sewer charges; a majority of these fees/charges are passed on to Clean Water Services. As
this is a fairly renewable sustainable funding source, tree planting related to healthy streams and
water quality can continue into the future at its current level. is that true?
In contrast the Urban Forestry Fund is monies collected from developers in lieu of preserving
existing trees and planting mitigation trees. Over the last few years the fund has grown due to
collection of mitigation fees from developments built over the last several years. Due to the
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slowdown in the economy, decline in development within the Tigard area, and proposed revisions to
the development code regulations regarding tree removal, it is not likely that tree planting programs
funded by the Urban Forestry Fund will be sustainable if development continues to be the only
revenue source.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Tree planting has a positive impact on the community. These trees improve the aesthetics of the
city, provide shade, improve air and water quality, lessen impacts on the stormwater system, provide
wildlife habitat. Many of these trees are planted in visible areas which means there is a greater
impact on the community, and the trees can be enjoyed by many people. Because public properties
and rights of way are typically under the control of the city and its partners, these areas can be easily
planted and maintained in comparison to private property. L7l.__..,__e due to the l ek of
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the city continue to plant trees on public property
but also expand funding to include additional private property planting t21. Due to the limitations on
collection of new monies into the Urban Forestry Fund, staff recommends that a program be
developed to place parameters on which projects can be funded and expectations of the property
owner to ensure a positive outcome.�[tsl If development continues at current levels, another funding
source should be considered in the future.
TREE BOARD COMMENTS
This area will summari.Ze the Board's discussion and comments on the staff recommendation.
TREE BOARD RECOMMENDATION
This area will idenfifi the Tree Board's final recommendation to City Council as one of the three:
• Recommend(carry forward the staff recommendation)
• Recommend as modified(minor changes to the staff recommendation)
• Not recommend(major changes to or disapproval of the staff recommendation)
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