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Desk Item.Item #12 - Vegetation Management PREPARED BY: Nicolle Burnham Director of Parks and Public Works _________________________________________________________________ Reviewed by: Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov TOWN OF LOS GATOS COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: 03/21/2023 ITEM NO:12 DESK ITEM DATE: March 21, 2023 TO: Mayor and Town Council FROM: Laurel Prevetti, Town Manager SUBJECT: Receive a Report on Roadside Fire Fuel Reduction (Vegetation Management) (CIP 812-0130) and Provide Direction on 2023 Work Plan REMARKS: This desk item is provided to respond to Council Member questions noted below and provide additional public comments. 1. What is the opinion of the Town Arborist regarding the risk of the Eucalyptus trees falling on Overlook, College, Hilow, and other locations? The Town Arborist is clear that no one can specifically predict which trees will fall or when. However, the recent drought did likely weaken root systems on many trees, and the non- native eucalyptus is among the species impacted. With respect to the trees on Overlook, the Arborist had recommended the removal of these trees some years ago, but resident opposition prevented the work from moving forward. 2. Are there other vulnerabilities that Council needs to consider? There are no known systemic vulnerabilities that staff is aware of with regard to species of tree. The winter 2023 storms have demonstrated that wind impacts all species of trees. Since the roadside work started in 2021, staff is observing rapid regrowth of vegetation in areas where past management work has been completed. PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Receive a Report on Roadside Fire Fuel Reduction (Vegetation Management) (CIP 812-0130) and Provide Direction on 2023 Work Plan DATE: March 21, 2023 REMARKS (continued): With regard to the overall Roadside Vegetation Management Program, the Council may want to consider how private roadways will be managed. The total list of 31 miles of priority roads includes some private roads, and other private roads (e.g., Highland Avenue) are not included at all. Staff is not spending Town funds to address these private roads; however, they do contribute to wildfire risk. 3. If the Council chooses to remove all of the Eucalyptus on Overlook, what is the total cost? What could be achieved in terms of Wildfire Roadside Mitigation with the remaining funds? Eighteen eucalyptus trees remain on Overlook Road. Removal and disposal of these trees and their stumps is estimated to cost $270,000 to $306,000 ($15,000 to $17,000 per tree). The actual cost will be determined based on competitive bidding and so may vary. Assuming the Town allocates $750,000 to the Roadside Vegetation Management Program for Fiscal Year 2023/24 and $300,000 of that is used for removal of eucalyptus on Overlook Road, the remaining $450,000 will be used on Priority 1 and 2 roadways where vegetation was not removed in 2021 or 2022. With approximately five miles of priority 1 and 2 public roadways remaining, staff believes that funding may be adequate to complete work on those roadways. 4. Can the annual $100,000 Tree Removal funding be diverted for the Eucalyptus removal? The allocation for Town-wide tree management has proven inadequate in the last five years. Each year, staff has returned to the Council to increase this allocation as shown below. This funding is used to respond to critical tree-related issues, both during storms and those that occur on a more routine basis. The funding is intended to be used for regular tree trimming and block pruning; however, in recent years block pruning and regular trimming efforts have been minimal as funds have been directed to addressing tree fall and storm damages. Fiscal Year Actual Spending – Tree Allocation 2022/23 (YTD) $200,000 2021/22 $216,408 2020/21 $240,401 2019/20 $240,063 2018/19 $244,878 PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Receive a Report on Roadside Fire Fuel Reduction (Vegetation Management) (CIP 812-0130) and Provide Direction on 2023 Work Plan DATE: March 21, 2023 REMARKS (continued): Attachment 4 contains public comment received between 11:01 a.m., Monday, March 20, 2023 and 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 21, 2023. ATTACHMENTS: Previously received with the Staff Report: 1. Roadway Vegetation Management Plan Priority Road List 2. Arborist Report for Overlook Road Eucalyptus Trees 3. Public Comments Received with this Desk Item: 4. Public Comment This Page Intentionally Left Blank From:Rob Stump To:Maria Ristow; Mary Badame; Rob Rennie; Matthew Hudes; Rob Moore Cc:Laurel Prevetti; Nicolle Burnham; Clerk Subject:Re: Strategic Priorities - Wildfire Preparedness and Prevention Date:Monday, March 20, 2023 6:32:59 PM Attachments:Item 12-Roadside Fuel Reduction Program 230321.pdf [EXTERNAL SENDER] Dear Town Council Members, Attached is some background information on Roadside Fuel Reduction that I would like to provide as you consider/discuss Item 12 on your agenda tomorrow evening. As usual, I want to make myself available to the Town to provide legwork and leadership on wildfire initiatives if and when you would like to call on me. Thank you, Rob Stump ATTACHMENT 4 Los Gatos Town Council Agenda Item 12 – March 21, 2023 March 20, 2023 Town Council Members: First, thanks for your continued focus on wildfire preparation and prevention. It is an item that requires ongoing focus, planning and funding. Speaking of funding, I have created a table that provides a view of funding for roadside fuel reduction that has been committed or needs to be committed through FYs 24/25 and 25/26 (Public Works can confirm or correct my numbers as appropriate). When roadside fuel reduction was being planned and programmed in 2019, it was projected to be a six-year project (first pass). The cost per year was projected to be $500,000. Over the life of the project, the Town was projected to spend $3 million. Here is the overall status of funding past, present and future: FY Funding Source $ Amount Town $s Notes 2020/2021 Town of LG $500,000 $500,000 Year 1 of 6 completed 2021/2022 Town of LG $500,000 $500,000 Year 2 of 6 completed 2022/2023 USDA $750,000 $0 Year 3 of 6 to be completed 2023/2024 Town of LG $750,000 $750,000 Town match for USDA grant (BBB) FEMA/Town of LG $36,750 $8,750 Development Work, no fuel reduction. Town match secures total Phase I funding of $36,750. 2024/25, 2025/26 FEMA/Town of LG $1,926,419 $482,042 Town match of $482,042, secures total Phase II funding of $1,926,419. Totals $4,463,169 $2,240,792 Town will have contributed an average of $375,000 over a six-year period If the funding for FYs 23/24 ($750,000) and 24/25 ($482,042) is approved, the Town will have exceeded the original projected funding of $3,000,000 for a first pass through the 31 miles of roadway. This “additional” funding can be put to good use. Here are some thoughts: 1. Tree Removal – Public Safety Threat: the current case in point would be the Eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road. Under the circumstances, I think it would be appropriate for the Town to use some funds purposed for roadside fuel reduction for removal of the Overlook Road trees. Since the funding level this year is $750,000, we may be able to accomplish some or all of the Overlook Eucalyptus removal and still achieve 5 miles of roadside fuel reduction. Public Works will be able to determine if both can be accomplished. Otherwise, $250,000 should be applied to Overlook tree removal in 2023. With that level of funding, a majority of the trees can be removed and others can be scaled-down to a safer height until they can be removed at a later date. 2. Weed Abatement: weed abatement goes hand-in-hand with roadside fuel reduction. As you have heard me suggest, we need to consider two weed abatement passes on the same 31 miles of roadway. A rough cost estimate for this work is between $300,000-$450,000/year (abatement costs ranging from $5,000 to $7,500/mile). Los Gatos Town Council Agenda Item 12 – March 21, 2023 3. Accelerated removal of non-native trees e.g., Eucalyptus: consider removing all Eucalyptus trees on Town owned rights-of-way in the VHFHSZ. This can be done with existing roadside fuel reduction funding. We should also pursue grants that offer a public/private cost sharing for removal of Eucalyptus (and other flammable trees) to assist and/or incent private property owners to remove these trees. 4. Repeat the Trim Cycle: if there are funds remaining, we should revisit the roadways completed in FYs 20/21 and 21/22. Living on Foster Road, one of the first to be addressed, I can tell you the roadside foliage is growing rapidly. In a second pass, the Town may also decide to remove trees left in place as a cost saving measure. The Council should take this action in FY23/24: 1. 23/24: approve $750,000 for Roadside Fuel Reduction. This funding will ensure we meet the matching requirements from the USDA grant = $750,000. 2. Overlook Road Eucalyptus Removal: authorize Parks and Public Works to use up to $250,000 from the roadside fuel reduction funding to remove and radically reduce the height of any remaining trees. From a longer-term perspective, the Council should note that it needs to approve $482,042 for FY 24/25 for Roadside Fuel Reduction to meet the required FEMA grant match. The funding approved by the Council will trigger FEMAs commitment of an additional $1,444,377 to our roadside fuel reduction efforts. Once again, thank you for your efforts in making Los Gatos more wildfire resilient! Best regards, Rob Stump From: Mary O'Connell Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 10:11 AM To: Council <Council@losgatosca.gov>; Manager@LosGatosCA.gav Subject: Overlook Eucalyptus Trees replacement petition [EXTERNAL SENDER] https://agra-production.s3.amazonaws.com/data_exports/reports/54211/overlook-road-eucalyptus- tree-removal.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz- Credential=ASIAUPZJ2B3HDAU5KVWH%2F20230321%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz- Date=20230321T170639Z&X-Amz-Expires=15&X-Amz-Security- Token=IQoJb3JpZ2luX2VjEMb%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FwEaCXVzLWVhc3QtMSJHMEUCIF bfXyH%2FaSbRWStXyWLB3NCoLSqDHmrSQcz8267%2BZJzsAiEApI4CKkZ5aRy7Klr3NFd1411GWwMbl%2B hcpzfDXYRjoyMquwUIj%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2F%2FARAAGgwzMDg3ODg0NjUzNTgiDCC WBHjjGUa8EZ0yhCqPBfyiDbmRk%2B8LDmIklh70%2FDnMrxs7hHKemVqI23p633qJLXTm571c9IzZ8VUiTo GEA7bdSZw34aw2vfIpJdMOb8kkDlA1eNaZ4wLMY3x0JQboabK04PYI6t1sitn3Kjqu%2FxCUVaMRySyA%2F ZSti3wn7rLCQ%2FVUXM5JPXBrtC%2FhHK5uEqDWqQpbaTXM%2BxMl0zPBuQui%2F4kuFFsZEzrBjwJ2Yd6 ljqG2BUIU2PK2zP3xXdcnoAa4hgE3TPXaZ4UAK%2Ffr2LOpscs3Nrsb5jXXMvIb6xFu8mSF5TtDZ6cmSJM%2B qW78HWdgvwJBrzBInXaPtdqg6Ja%2BedsAT9HH9fu%2FXHve1APy%2B90Pl87WoppS286WfTKNkmP%2Ft 8UGfnkdPc55ExI3EK9jLVXbKEp2Hz0qCICnJiHTiDohuXwReHy0dlUg%2BC3oeQ6clXw6wuE9oKWjLF4A%2B dGYjUwWKXoCbddnZnA9hREBvxh3ZXZQFDGcdLNqSlkcQZc0QPyvfTVYcTcYEw7ae3FufxHoEFNCMaCr4px E1iET5F%2BnSahUez8RaZEViwGX6gObVfYw21kb5zQsa%2BhPNIq3w5dgzvhvi2cwBX9lgvLhBmJQKKCRF9q 5IC89%2F%2BDbMpvL1bTsfhZUcfLIoG3hX3fj4cXX%2Fr4TQJbrqPPrlJG3i5eYM3gaoQCktz700jBK2aj4T4hL 4ldNtXvt9rECgVyqmzBfKodyuNZYUzoumTzMl9fFqm8u5HxOXLrSwk2qGV8WfTfkm8%2FPvUEH4Bv7%2FA A1Rt%2BfqWfETz2EY2WCTvdokJY%2Fx2WENZj8XTMZHgiKRmBs84pXEDctFOw2fPK22MWUkFdsy3w8Ek %2FfVeg68p1BvXl2MQ9O%2BD1Kr3wWfgUwjurmoAY6sQGAhz4QYi52gFhTMHhfWz9GjNr6rWzhUfZbJOi %2B0Tb0WwfYwHMAFofVrBCziwyLgZ%2FfK9KRzpu%2FsYgIntBi7cNw%2FhBhwRi8ggFM13BcU0%2FjcUlt 5eLJ61EkWmkRm8haAhXL48LluogjHetnRZNJ55lLAA75aIlRdLyf8yq27%2BwQCv5kg2Tss%2BzLLWtUQa3JG 1TbST29CS0xn2m2lnHgh1Hzpi1XLiZLf0rVGy8RIGoNgxQ%3D&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz- Signature=257134c9083c24eb9f6a217f62d274bf2d90757acf203ebe185b44c8a67b5a72 Kind regards, Mary O Connell Overlook Road Eucalyptus Tree Removal To: Los Gatos Town Council The 18 eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road are a threat to life. They are a real concern to residents who live, walk and drive under these trees, particularly during winter storms and fire season . This petition is a call for action to The Los Gatos town council. These trees need to be removed immediately and replaced with more native and appropriate trees. Help us convince Los Gatos Town Council by signing our petition. Why is this important? On January 11, the day after the catastrophic failure of two of these trees, Mr. Geddes a local independent arborist, inspected all of the eucalyptus trees, both fallen and standing. He inspected them again at the end of January before the destruction of the two stumps. Mr. Geddes’s report speaks for itself. The trees present a “present threat to life, limb and property and infrastructure” and need to be removed. He found evidence of white root rot and was surprised by how little root mass remained to support the fallen trees. He considers it “highly likely” that the 18 remaining trees have suffered similar root zone compromise. The Town’s strategy of occasional pruning could not and cannot “prevent advance of root pathogens and decay.” In addition, the Residents have consulted with the Santa Clara County Fire Department, Fire Prevention Division. The Fire Prevention Division manages the brush abatement and defensible space program and sends reminders to homeowners each January to clear vegetation, and levies financial charges against homeowners for violations and non-compliance. The Fire Department is aware of the Town’s eucalyptus trees on Overlook Road, and says that they have no way to protect the Residents if these trees ignite. Again, these trees are flammable and explode in fireballs. The Fire Department would have no other choice but to retreat. Indeed, the Santa Clara County Firesafe Council highlights such fireballs as the primary reason to recently remove eucalyptus trees in Redwood Estates: “Eucalyptus trees are notorious for being extremely flammable and spreading firebrands. When the oils in the trees heat up, the plant releases flammable gas, which ignites into a fireball. This accelerates the eucalyptus fire hazards in a region and discourages firefighting efforts.” See https://sccfiresafe.org/projects/redwood-estates- hazardous-tree-removal Essentially, individual, as well as Town and community, wildfire preparedness efforts are meaningless in the Glen Ridge neighborhood as long as these trees are standing. The Town has previously been advised to remove eucalyptus trees. For example, in 2020 the Town commissioned a wildfire preparedness report and recommendations from SWCA Environmental Consultants. The report is entitled, Town of Los Gatos Roadway Vegetation Management Plan. On page 4, the recommended treatments include “Removing all non-fire- resistant vegetation located within 10 feet of roadways [including] combustible vegetation such as eucalyptus trees... .” Overlook Road is highlighted in this report as an area to be addressed. See https://www.losgatosca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/25236/Los-Gatos-Roadside-Vegetation- Management-Plan. Despite this report, despite the Town’s stated focus on wildfire preparedness, and despite the recent scare from the lightning complex fires of August 2020, to date, the Town has not taken the recommended actions regarding these trees – removal, pruning, nothing. Their existence contradicts all wildfire preparedness efforts in the Glen Ridge neighborhood. It appears the Town is maintaining a known hazardous and dangerous condition on its property that endangers Town residents. Signed by 171 people: Name Postcode Mary O Connell 95030 Anita Goddard 95030 Linda Rodriguez 95030 Jovian Hayden 95030 David Goddard 95030 Kim Celestre 95030 Jennie Magid 95030-5812 Gerard Hayden 95030 Chelsea Bedard 95030 Daniel Moffat 95030 Linda Nanez 95032 Lucy Zhan 95030 Jeremy Wang 95030 David Chesarek 95030 Aileen Braga 95032 Shigeru Iwamoto 95030 Dianna McKay 95030 Sunil Rajasekar 95030 Jeff Littfin 95030 Marcus Goddard 95030 Liz Olson 95032 David Krueger 95030 Bobbi Vandegrift 95030 David Britz 95030 Joanna Whitley 95030 Linda Poncetta 95030 Deborah Johnson 95032 Carolyn Harnish 95030 Charlene Bernhardt 95030 Mary Ellen Kaschub 95030 Kate Krueger 95030 Name Postcode Lizanne Rixen 95032 Merrily Doore 95030 Marcia Farnady 95030 Julio Casal Martin 95032 Betsy Contro 95030 D Farnady 95030 margo simmons 95030 Marika Beyaert 95030 Kurt Stauss 95030 Kristin Codding 95032 Valerie Kilduff Siri 95030 Bryce Braga 95032 Chris Mullen 95032 Ryan O'Malley 95032 Dan Berris 95030 Brett Schwarz 95032 Stefanie Johnston 95030 Alisha Schoen 95030 Long Chow 95070 Anjali Pioso 95030 Stefan Pioso 95030 Ken Crafford 95030 Lauren Shelly 95030 Anne Kiernan 95030 Tara Speed 95128 Christina Mendez 95030 Thomas Goddard 95030 Denise Le 95032 Frank Galaszewski 95008 Drew Sullivan 95030 Jean Hardwicke 95030 judy Wallace 95030 Name Postcode Monique Miller 95003-3019 Susan Pinkel 95030 Florence Sullivan 95030 John Vossoughi 95030 Olga Montserrat 95032 Cathi Galaszewski 95008 John Stannard 95030 Maria Ramirez Gemassmer 95030 Debra Milner 95030 Andrew Conn 95030 Lisa Breen 95033 Caroline Dempsey 95032 Michael Schmidt 95030 Chuck Sullivan 95030 Lauren Rudsten 95122 Lidia Delgado 95030 Bob Simmons 95030 Susan Stepovich 95030 Greg Stepovich 95030 Marc Los Huertos 91711 Dean Yonenaga 95030 Samantha S 95939 Jimmy Abrahamsson 95030 Susan Gellatly 95030 Stephen Gellatly 95030 Lauren Kutting 95030 Elizabeth N.95032 Kit O’Malley 95032 Brittain Melehan 95032 Susan Tavana 95930 Name Postcode Abbie Steinbacher 95032 Ashley Vandeg 95030 Alex Vandegrift 95030 Vicki Vandegrift 81302 Leticia Madeiros 95032 Jade Petersma 95030 Doug Petersma 95030 Mitzi Anderson 95030 Lauren Fulcher 95032 Sharon Herald 95030 Nastaran Nazarian 95030 Scott Carter 95030 leslie holms 95030 Maureen Cappon Javey 95030 John Bernhardt 95030 David Stonesifer 95030 Dan Griffith 95030 Sharon Adams 95032 Elaine Cardinale 95030 Chad Kutting 95030 Ilona Merli 95030 Mark Petersma 95030 Louise Murphy 95030 Andrea Swan 95032 Anna Harbison 95030 CHLOE CALLAHAN 95030 Angelina Mullen 95032 James Cunningham 95032 Kelly Haserot 95032 Judy Etherington 95030 Name Postcode Abby Goddard 95030 Dana Burns 95030 George Malek 95030 Derek Bell 95030 James Adams 95032 Guy Ramon 95030 Michal Ramon 95030 Laura Mayer 95030 Tony Pock 95030 Danny Sabour 95030 Natalja Turok 95030 Marico Sayoc 95030 Dale Greenley 95030 Jacquelyn Rider 95030 Thomas Greenley 95030 Joan Laird 95030 Julie San Juan 95030 Eric Raff 95030 Ed SanJuan 95030 Eric Einarsson 95030 Douglas Laird 95030 Yang Cao 95030 Keith White 95030 Kate Paisley 95030 Patricia Carter 95030 Christine Stein 95030 Melinda Lloyd 95030 Alan Messer Monika Baraniuk 95030 Robin Sedgwick 95032 Ellie Gholami 95030 Evelyn Edwards 95030 GP Grewal 95032 Name Postcode Praveena Johnson 95030 Godwin Johnson 95030 Pratheepa Rajasingh 94547 Madhan Devadoss 94547 Donna Passage 95032 Sonja Shevelyov 95030 Bob Braham 95030 Lisa S 95032 John Stauss 95030 Terrie Christiansen 95030 Lynn Stanghellini 95030 Joann Wu 95030 Denise Leffers 95030 Laura Murphy- Wilkens 95030 Tracy Qiu 95030 Karen Pock 95030