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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNB 1 A TREE GROWS T. 03-15-93DATE: March 8, 1993 TO: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: A TREE GROWS IN TUSTIN NEW BUSINE33 N0. 1 3-15 !/� tT Y O Inter -Com As recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission and Community Services Department staff, approve "A Tree Grows in Tustin" as a Tustin Community Foundation program. FISCAL IMPACT• An initial expense of about $350 is necessary for composing and printing of the certificate and purchase of the plaque for City Hall. At the recent workshop, the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission discussed a tree planting program. On February 18, 1993 the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that the Council approve a new program called "A Tree Grows in Tustin." The proposed program would allow people to pay the expenses for trees in City parks, on City grounds or on streetscapes. Trees could be planted to honor a birthday or anniversary, in remembrance of a loved one's death, or to commemorate a special event such as a wedding or opening of a business. Donors would receive a certificate (draft attached) saying in whose name a donation was made. A plaque would be placed at City Hall which lists all honored through the program. Such a plaque might read, "A tree grows in Tustin to honor .," followed by a listing of honorees. DISCUSSION• Trees would be planted according to approved planting plans and tree palates. Examples of situations and locations where the City might need trees include: ♦ Planting a replacement on a street or in a park where trees have to be removed. ♦ Planting a tree as part of a public grounds, park or streetscape renovation or construction project. This is not an "adopt -a -tree" program. The donation is only to plant a tree and it does not cover maintenance costs. City personnel or contractors would be responsible for planting and maintaining the trees. There would not be a plaque or other type of marker on or near any specific tree showing that it was planted as part of the program. Donors would not necessarily know the location or specific type of tree. However, donors would know tree minimum size, 24 inch box, and the list of acceptable species. The thank you letter accompanying the certificate could indicate the general vicinity where the tree was planted. The Tustin Community Foundation would accept donations for the tree program. This responsibility is consistent with the City Council's desire that the Foundation help with community beautification projects. Also, people may feel more comfortable donating money to a nonprofit foundation than to the City. Donations to the Foundation will be tax deductible. Based on the Commission's discussion of the program, staff has already received calls from people interested in participating in the program. The fee for the program would be $125 per tree. This fee would cover the City's costs to plant one tree and for the certificate and inclusion on the plaque. The Tustin Tree Program will provide Tustin residents with an opportunity to express their civic pride while making Tustin a more attractive place to live. Staff recommends that the program officially begin on Arbor Day, Friday, April 30, 1993. andy es Recr tion Supervisor Attachments M:raaevaoa.c )-n - `?0� Susan M. Jones Recreation Superintendent A TREE OF REMEMBRANCE