Title
Urban Forest Management Plan Update (B)
Explanation
The purpose of this item is to give an interim report on the progress of the Urban Forest Management Plan and to provide information on the next steps of the plan to the General Policy Committee.
On June 6, 2019, the City Commission approved a request to add the Urban Forest Management Plan Update as a referral to the General Policy Committee.
On March 22, 2018, the General Policy Committee heard a presentation on Gainesville’s Urban Forest Ecological Assessment and next steps for the Urban Forest Management Plan. During this presentation, the General Policy Committee asked about the timeline of the management plan and were told that an update would be provided in 6 to 12 months.
Since the approval of the Urban Forest Management Plan contract in December 2018, the first steps of the management plan have been completed, including the public survey, establishment of the Public Committee, and development of a vision statement and goals for the management plan. The next steps include focus groups and formation of the Internal Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC). The ITAC will develop the key elements and objectives of the management plan based on the vision and goals developed by the Public Committee.
On December 8, 2016, the General Policy Committee heard a presentation on recommendations by the Tree Ordinance Stakeholder Committee regarding proposed changes on uses of the tree mitigation fund. One of the recommendations was to fund the Urban Forest Ecological Analysis and Urban Forest Management Plan. The General Policy Committee approved funding from Wild Spaces/Public Spaces for the assessment and plan.
On October 12, 2017, the General Policy Committee heard a presentation by University of Florida researchers regarding the Urban Forest Ecological Assessment and next steps for the City of Gainesville’s Urban Forest Management Plan. The General Policy Committee approved staff to work on contracting for the Urban Forest Management Plan.
Fiscal Note
None.
Recommendation
The General Policy Committee hear an update regarding the Urban Forest Management Plan.