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017 <br />August 21, 2020 <br />Mayor George and Lakewood City Council <br />Lakewood City Hall <br />12650 Detroit Ave. <br />Lakewood, Ohio 44107 <br />Dear Mayor George and City Council Members, <br />One of the signature features of the City of Lakewood has been our majestic tree <br />canopy. Late last year, City Council created the Tree Advisory and Education Board <br />to study the current thinning of our tree canopy,, to propose solutions and to take <br />action directly and recommend action to Council and the Mayor to preserve and grow <br />the benefits of a tree canopy. Council understood then and should keep in mind now <br />that the preservation and expansion of our tree canopy can reduce storm water runoff, <br />improve the air quality and provide shade and comfort for residents of our city. Our <br />trees have been doing that for over 100 years and we can do even better as we go <br />forward. The Tree Advisory and Education Board began meeting at the beginning of <br />2020, and subsequent to a briefing by the former head of Forestry, have met monthly <br />(via Go To Meeting) with Sam Bonvisutto, head of Streets and Forestry. <br />Our efforts are focused initially on identifying and encouraging identifying fifty (or <br />more) property owners to participate in the Private Property Planting Program for <br />trees -planted in front lawns. Our efforts are focused on properties where the tree <br />lawns are too narrow to accommodate shade trees. The board is also working on <br />education and outreach programs to encourage private tree planting and <br />maintenance. <br />These efforts have only scratched the surface of what it is possible for Lakewood to <br />do to increase the number of new trees planted that will preserve the beauty and <br />health benefits of our community for years to come. <br />We recognize that the unprecedented and unexpected coronavirus pandemic, has put <br />a significant strain on the city's resources and will make the budgeting process in the <br />coming year even more challenging. The pandemic has also forced Lakewood <br />residents to spend much more time in their homes, walking our extensive network of <br />