12-19-11 CRC RPT 07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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úÕÜËÉØËëØÇÔØÆðØÐÎËÜÏÙÈÐ TO: CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE DATE: DEC 19, 2011 FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE ITEM NO: 7 WARD: ALL SUBJECT: PROPOSED CHANGES TO SECTION 809 PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION ISSUE: The issue for the Charter Review Committee’s consideration is proposed changes to section 809 of the City Charter regarding maintenance of parkways, shrubs, and trees within street right-of-way. RECOMMENDATIONS: That the Charter Review Committee approve that the proposed changes be included in the Charter Review Committee recommendations to City Council to be placed before the voters of the City of Riverside. BACKGROUND: The management of parkways, shrubs, and trees within street right-of-way is the responsibility of the City’s Public Works Department and no longer the responsibility of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. Therefore, it is recommended that section 809 of the City Charter be updated to reflect the current assignment of responsibilities regarding management of parkways, shrubs, and trees within street right-of-way. On December 12, 2010, the Park and Recreation Commission discussed the proposed changes to section 809 of the City Charter. During the discussion, Commission member Kallinger expressed concern that there has been a long history of having citizen oversight over trees maintenance issues within the City of Riverside and that the proposed changes would result in a loss of citizen oversight for trees within street right-of-way. The Park and Recreation Commission discussed other avenues by which citizens’ concerns regarding trees within street right-of-way may be effectively and appropriately addressed. For example, in 2004 the City implemented a 311 Call Center by which any complaint or concern that a citizen may have, can be called in and dealt with immediately. The 311 system is able to track any issue to completion and reports can be provided to the City Council regarding the number and nature of complaints received should the City Council determine that there is a need to do so. In addition, the City has hired a full-time Urban Forester who is a qualified arborist responsible for developing and managing a comprehensive urban forestry program, providing expertise in arboriculture, maintaining an inventory of trees within the City, and tracking tree removal and planting.