MEMO TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor John Marchione
SUBJECT:
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Draft Redmond’s Tree Canopy Strategic Plan 2018
I. RECOMMENDED ACTION
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Brief the City Council on the Draft Tree Canopy Strategic Plan which includes a review of goals, timelines, implementation plan and costs.
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II. DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
Rachel Van Winkle Interim Director Parks and Recreation 425-556-2334
Erika Vandenbrande Planning Director 425-556-2457
Martin Pastucha Public Works Director 425-556-2200
Carolyn Hope Park Planning & Cultural Arts Manager 425-556-2313
Jeff Aken Senior Park Planner 425-556-2328
III. DESCRIPTION/BACKGROUND
The Tree Canopy Strategic Plan is one of the Environmental Investment Strategies that the City has prioritized this biennium.
The project was initiated in the 2017 Parks, Arts, Recreation, Culture and Conservation (PARCC) Plan Update to address the community’s goals of improving the visual quality of a growing city and the overall quality of life in Redmond. Increasing tree canopy will also provide environmental benefits including water, air, and habitat improvements.
Extensive community outreach was conducted in 2017 and 2018, including community events such as So Bazaar and Redmond Lights, two polls and an online open house. Nearly 500 poll responses were tallied and input from over 300 community members was captured.
An inter-departmental team consisting of staff from Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Planning & Community Development, and Communications conducted community outreach, analyzed data, developed strategies and an implementation plan. This work is captured in the Draft Tree Canopy Strategic Plan which includes:
o Six-year and 30-year implementation plans are proposed along with a matrix of strategies.
o Current tree canopy numbers were updated based on 2017 aerial photographs, which is 38.1 percent citywide (including all parks properties east of the city). This indicates a decrease of 0.3 percent or 32 acres since 2015.
IV. PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS HELD
Since the inception of this project, staff has briefed the City Council on the purpose, public engagement (process and outcomes), data analysis, goal setting, and strategies including:
• June 2017 on the process being undertaken to create the plan
• October 2017 on outreach, goals, and strategies
• March of 2018 on the second round of community outreach and a proposed goal, timeline, and strategies
In addition, the City Council’s Parks and Human Services Committee was briefed on the project status three times in the past year and the Parks, Planning, and Public Works Committee was briefed once.
Staff briefed and sought input on the plan from the Parks and Trails Commission six times.
V. IMPACT
A. Service/Delivery:
This plan will serve as an implementation guide to increase and maintain Redmond’s tree canopy. The plan provides strategies on tracking, maintaining, and planting trees across the city and highlights continued partnership with the community, organizations, and neighboring cities.
B. Fiscal Note:
This plan does not have a fiscal impact. However, the plan proposes strategies and implementation measures that will be reflected in future budget offers under the Clean & Green priority.
VI. ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
The City Council can provide feedback to staff on the plan for modification.
VII. TIME CONSTRAINTS
Staff plans to incorporate any proposed changes to the plan with a goal to adopt the plan by the end of 2018 and begin implementation in 2019.
VIII. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Draft Redmond’s Tree Canopy Strategic Plan 2018