9081-19 - Memorialize Tree Care Practices

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Referred to Public Works 7/15/19; Substitute version recommended for adoption by PW 7/22/19. Please substitute for original. RESOLUTION NO. 9081-19 BY: Anderson, Bullock, George, Litten,,O'Leary, O'BAalley,:4a,,ler A RESOLUTION to endorse the principles for tree care and the urban forestry management goals recommended by the 2013 -2014 Lakewood Tree Task Force and City Forestry Manager. WHEREAS, healthy, mature, and safe trees are beneficial to properly values, air quality, storm water management, energy use reduction, and the beautification of the City of Lakewood; and WHEREAS, attaining success in the City's urban forestry goals will require, by definition, long- term planning and consistent policies over many decades; and WHEREAS, the attainment of a lasting mature tree canopy requires prudence, foresight, and many decades of investment which, once lost, cannot be regained for decades; and WHEREAS, a healthy and robust urban forest canopy can serve as a "green trademark" for the community, helping to attract and retain residents and to distinguish the City of Lakewood as a leader in sustainability in the region; and WHEREAS, the City of Lakewood's name implicitly incorporates a healthy urban forest as part of the very identity of our community; and WHEREAS, the following principles of tree care were recommended by the 2013 -2014 Tree Task Force and /or the City Forestry Manager: Work towards a goal of increasing the City's tree canopy from 2 8. 5 to 33.5 percent. (TTF Recommendation # 1, amended by Forestry) 2. Work toward a goal of no net tree loss in any year and planting 500 trees across the community on private, school, and City properties annually, including a net gain of 200 on City-owned land until tree lawns are at 95% capacity. (TTF Recommendations #2 -3) 3. Maintain a flexible approach toward sidewalk defects caused by tree roots. (TTF Recommendation 44) 4. Ensure that every appropriate tree lawn receives a tree and that larger tree lawns receive more than one if possible or practical. (TTF Recommendation #5)