ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 29 of the CODE of the CITY OF PEORIA Pertaining to TREES AND SHRUBS.
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BACKGROUND: This item was deferred from the March 14, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting. At the request of Councilman Grayeb, through Peoria Urban Forestry Board Member Joseph Keck, a revision has been made to the language to Section 29-52 of the proposed Ordinance. This is the only change to the Item.
As the Forestry Plan and Program has transformed over the past few years, the Peoria Urban Forestry Advisory Board (PUFAB) and city Staff have found it necessary to update the Ordinance governing the Board and tree regulations. The PUFAB and Public Works staff collaborated with i-Team Project Manager Peter Kobak to generate the attached Ordinance amending the Code, which the PUFAB recommends for City Council adoption.
As an overview of the changes, the wording in various sections of the ordinance was revised to meet the evolving needs of our growing community, including a revitalized and expanding Street Tree Program to support current and anticipated policies that address Complete Streets, walkable neighborhoods, stormwater management, and resiliency planning.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: An increase from $25 to $75 in the fine for mutilation of public trees.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Healthy trees add to the livability of the city. "Trees have been shown to offset carbon emissions. People walking or driving down a street lined with trees are willing to pay up to 12 percent more for goods and services, and the presence of trees encourages patrons to spend a longer time shopping. - National Arbor Day Foundation. "Among minor crimes, there is less graffiti, vandalism and littering in outdoor spaces with trees as a part of the natural landscape than in comparable plant-less spaces." - University of Washington.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The Code g...
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