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RES 2001-51 ESTABLISHMENT OF URBAN FORESTRY COMMISSIONRESOLUTION 2001-51 A RESOLUTION of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington, relating to establishing a citizen's advisory commission and the development of community forestry management plan. WHEREAS, the city council has determined that it is in the best interest of the citizens of the city to manage and protect our natural resources including forestry resources; and WHEREAS, the urban forestry committee, a citizen's committee appointed by the mayor, recommends comprehensive management of our community forestry resources; and WHEREAS, the urban forestry committee recommends that the city council establish a Community Forestry Commission; now therefore; THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington approves the establishment of a community forestry management plan to be developed by the City and a citizen's committee, as described in Attachment 1 to this resolution. Section 2. Commission establishment and authod1y. A community forestry commission is established for the following purposes: A. Develop and implement a comprehensive community forestry management plan that recommends policies and regulations to preserve urban forests in the City; B. Serve as an advisory board to the mayor and city council on urban forestry issues; C. Provide a public forum for discussion of issues and ideas related to urban forestry; D. Coordinate its work with other city programs, local agencies and community groups with an interest in forest resource management; E. Recommend to the city council sources of revenue to support urban forestry activities and to support the management and enhancement of the city forestry resources; and F. Report annually to the city council on the state of the city's forest resources. Section 3. Commission membership and terms The community forestry commission shall consist of seven members, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council who shall serve without compensation. The mayor shall also appoint annually, one member of the community forestry commission to serve as chairperson for a one-year term. Members of the community forestry commission shall serve for a period of three years and shall be residents of the city. The initial members shall be appointed for staggered terms as follows: two members shall serve one-year terms; two members shall serve two-year term; and three members shall serve three-year terms. PASSED by the City Council this 26th day of September 2001. APPROVED by the Mayor this 26th day of September 2001. r -A <' DwOlt Sutton, Mayor ATTEST/AUTHHEONTICATE: �. CT• w Susan P. Kasper, City Clerk FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: September 19, 2001 PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: September 26, 2001 RESOLUTION NUMBER: 2001-51 Proposal for a Community •ty Fore y str Management Plan As recommended b the Urban Forestry Committee Urban Forestry Committee Vision Statement: weretrees, We commit to sustain and create a community of the island forests, and natural systems are essential p environment where we live, work, play and learn. " September 26, 2001 Attachment 1 Bainbridge Island Community Forestry Management Plan As recommended as the Urban Forestry Committee Proposal: Establish a Community Forestry Commission for the City of Bainbridge Island. Initiate a Community Forestry Management Plan for the City of Bainbridge Island, including forest resource assessment, strategic planning and community outreach. Purpose: Integrate urban forestry with overall City planning efforts. Begin development of a comprehensive community forestry management plan for Bainbridge Island utilizing a natural resource systems management sustainability model by first conducting a forest resource assessment and developing a community involvement program. Community Forestry Management Plan Description: The urban forestry assessment shall incorporates the following three elements: 1) Identify the Vegetation Resource; 2) Establish Community Outreach Framework; and 3) Implement a Resource Management Plan. The first step in developing the plan will be to assess the state of the forest resources. This assessment will require compiling existing natural resource system inventories completed for community volunteers in a new resource inventory. A consultant previous projects and directing will work with the Urban Forestry Commission to develop criteria for the inventory, which will include determining the health condition, canopy cover, age distribution, species mix and identifying native vegetation, in addition to making management recommendations. The assessment will also include a review of the City's existing codes and policies that address the management of the Island's forest resources. The Urban Forestry Commission, with assistance from the consultant, will begin strategic planning for development of the community forestry plan, including development of a community education and volunteer recruitment program. The Urban Forestry Commission will coordinate with public agencies, large private landholders, neighborhood groups and the business community to build general awareness of trees and forests as a community resource, in addition to building support for development of the comprehensive community forestry plan. The completed assessment and strategic plan will create the foundation for a future City-wide community forestry plan which will include assessment and protection tools for existing trees, recommendation of species and site selection of trees, standards for tree care, education on citizen vegetation. The future plan will be coordinated with safety and recommendations on recycling tions, such as the Critical Areas Ordinance and on - other existing resource management regula as the Wildlife Corridor Network, NatureMapping (Gap going resource education programs such Analysis) and Watershed Watch. This plan will also include implementation strategies for education, stewardship and proposed regulations. City of Bainbridge Island — 2002 Community Forestry September 26, 2001 Background The City of Bainbridge Island is located east of the main Kitsap peninsula, separated generally by Agate Passage to the north; the main body of Puget Sound to the east; Rich Passage Inlet to the south; and Port Orchard Bay to the west. The Island is characterized by an irregular coastline of approximately 45 miles with numerous bays and inlets. The topography is generally that of low rolling hills with several ridges oriented mostly north to south at 250 to 300 feet elevation, vegetated with a mix of deciduous and evergreen forests. The Island features numerous streams and creeks in addition to Gazzam Lake, a year-round freshwater lake. There are over 170 documented wetlands, though more exist that are unmapped. The City's Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 1994. The Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement calls for retaining and protecting our natural amenities, ensuring that development is sensitive to the natural environment and recognizing that the Island's environmental resources are finite and must be maintained at a sustainable level. Although the Island geography and heritage play major roles in the makeup of the Island community, it is the forested nature of the island that most citizens agree is of great importance. Recently, as part of the City's five-year review of the Comprehensive Plan, the City contracted with Pacific Rim Resources to conduct a community values survey. When asked which characteristic contributes most to the Island's character, "forested land" ranked highest of all characteristics presented. During the fall of 2000, in an effort to improve the protection and retention of trees and strengthen policies relating to tree protection and management, the Mayor appointed a citizen's committee to address these issues. Eight volunteers formed the Urban Forestry Committee with the purpose of integrating forest protection measures with overall planning efforts. The committee is recommending that the City of Bainbridge Island develop a comprehensive forest management plan for the Island. A Natural Systems Network Even though Bainbridge Island is a city with much of its natural systems still functioning, the pressures of development and loss of forest areas have impacted these systems. In 1995, the Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Team, using primarily 1991 aerial photographs, estimated that 73% of the island was "tree -covered". This figure included many lightly developed areas where forest habitat had been significantly altered. According to a 1996 aerial photography estimate conducted for the Bainbridge Island Wildlife Corridor Network Study, the remaining forested areas of Bainbridge Island are now nearly at the 50% point. Much of the remaining forested areas are in public reserves (Fort Ward State Park, Gazzam Lake, Grand Forest and Manzanita Park). City of Bainbridge Island — 2002 Community Forestry September 26, 2001 The City is protecting its natural systems in the following ways: Identifying and protecting critical areas through the Critical Areas Ordinance (streams, wetlands, steep slopes and geological hazard areas); • Requiring that shoreline vegetation be retained through the Shoreline Management Program; • Clustering residential development, protecting forested ridgelines and designating forested open space areas through the subdivision of land under the Flexible Lot Design Subdivision Code; • Protecting and managing public forested areas as parkland; • Requiring street trees with all new development in the urban core area of Winslow; • Requiring the protection of significant trees when developing new commercial developments; and • Identifying important forested habitat links between large habitat areas in public parks and encouraging volunteer land stewardship through the Wildlife Corridor Network. Practicing stewardship of existing natural systems is necessary in order to maintain Bainbridge Island's natural treasures and to contribute to the larger community of Washington State by safeguarding a rich, sustainable ecosystem. For Bainbridge Island, sustaining valued forestland means more than retaining trees. It means retaining, protecting and nurturing the natural systems that will ensure sustainability for the future of everyone, including those who live beyond our shores. Community Benefits Goals achieved: The City of Bainbridge Island has taken an integrated approach to implementing the environmentally focused goals and policies of its Comprehensive Plan. Bainbridge Island would further these goals by integrating urban forestry management into the overall planning efforts, working toward sustainability of our Island's natural systems. The preservation of forested areas is included in the first of five overriding principles that guide the tion of forests is identified as an important component Comprehensive Plan. In addition, the reten in the Greenways section of the Comprehensive Plan. Participation: The City has eight citizens currently volunteering their time on the Urban Forestry Committee, providing advise and guidance on the development of a community forestry plan and other urban forestry issues. Public relations: The assessment will promote citizen and government interaction and neighborhood and landowner cooperation by involving them in the assessment process. The results of this effort will provide data for the City to begin a long-term resource management model of sustainability through adoption of a Community Forest Plan. Education: The program will establish an education component with the intent to assist citizens in understanding the importance of community forest resources and also encourage volunteer participation in management efforts for managing and protecting private natural resources. City of Bainbridge Island— 2002 Community Forestry September 26, 2001 Continuation of related projects: The community forestry plan will build on the Wildlife Corridor Network by determining the health of our native forests on public lands and by providing improvements in terms of ecosystem management. Regulation: The assessment will feed into on-going policy development processes and result in revisions to tree retention and protection ordinances. Activities: 1) Assessment of the state of the forest resources The assessment will include the identification of Island's forest resources by incorporating previous forest inventory information into the findings; evaluating forest resource conditions in specific areas; and analyzing existing City policies relating to forest resources as follows: • Compile existing information on the Island's forest ecosystems. Assess specific areas focusing on forests on public lands and urban areas of the Island. Develop specific criteria to include the following: Identification of tree species (native and non-native); Diameter and size of trees; Relative age and general canopy coverage; Health condition of trees; and Management recommendations for publicly owned trees. The following locations will be assessed: Public property and public parks; Winslow core area; Neighborhood Service Centers; and Fort Ward Area. • Evaluate and assess the effectiveness of existing codes and policies related to Island forest resources. Identify gaps in forest resource management policies. 2) Strategic planning and community outreach The consultant will assist the Urban Forestry Commission with a strategic plan for developing the community forestry plan, including development of a community education and volunteer recruitment program. The Urban Forestry Commission will meet on a regular basis and coordinate with public agencies, large private landholders, neighborhood groups, and the business community to build awareness of trees and forests as a community resource, in addition to building support for development of the comprehensive community forestry plan. A community kickoff meeting will be scheduled to recruit volunteers and begin the education and awareness process for developing a self-sustaining urban forestry program. Facilities & Equipment Needs: The City of Bainbridge Island will provide a computer for compilation of assessment data and report writing, as well as a temporary workspace. Computer software and field equipment for the assessment inventory will be needed. 4 City of Bainbridge Island — 2002 Community Forestry September 26, 2001 Participants: Assessing the state of the forest resources, strategic planning and community outreach will primarily involve a consultant, the Urban Forestry Commission, City staff, the Park District and interested community groups and citizens. The assessment will be organized by the consultant. The Urban Forestry Commission and City staff will work with the consultant to develop a strategic plan and community outreach program. Tasks will include the involvement of the following: Bainbridge Island Parks District Bainbridge Island School District & NatureMapping Bainbridge Island Historical Society Watershed Watch (Stream Teams) Wildlife Corridor Network volunteer coordinator Administration: The Urban Forestry Commission will oversee the tasks through the consultant, staff and community volunteers. Timetable: Assessment January 2002 A consultant will be hired February 2002 Assessment criteria developed and begin fieldwork July 2002 Assessment fieldwork completed September 2002 Draft Assessment report completed January - September 2002 Other components of the assessment will be on-going Strategic Planning & Community Outreach: February 2002 Urban Forestry Commission and consultant begin strategic planning for community forestry plan - including development of a community education and volunteer recruitment program June 2002 Completion of education program and volunteer recruitment program July 2002 Kick off public meeting presenting draft assessment and implementation of education and volunteer recruitment program November 2002 Draft strategic plan for integrating urban forestry into City planning efforts Product: Assessment report and action plan. 5 City of Bainbridge Island — 2002 Community Forestry September 26, 2001 BUDGET WORKSHEET City of Bainbridge Island Urban Forestry Commission Bainbridge Island Community Forestry Plan ITEM City Share In -Kind Total Component: Assessment Personnel: $7,650 $7,650 Consultant -90 hrs @ $85 Staff— 20 hrs @ $511 $511 $25.55 hr. Volunteers — 320 hrs 4,000 $4,000 $12.5 Eq ui ment Field data logger $600 $600 Computer $1,500 $1,500 Supplies Computer $500 $500 Software — For data compilation Component: Strategic Planning & Community Outreach Personnel: Consultant -70 hrs @ $5,950 $5,950 $85 Staff — 100 hrs @ $2,555 $2,555 $25.55 hr Volunteers — 100 hrs 1,500 $1,500 $12.5 Urban Forestry $4,800 $4,800 Commission 8 volunteers @ 4 hrs. a month P, 12.50 hr. Supplies: $675 $675 Advertising -$75 Mailings - $300 Printing - $300 TOTAL $19,941 $10,300 $30,241