City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:  November 16, 2004

Item No.:

 18

Recommendation:  That the Council approve Resolution Number 10427-111604 authorizing the Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry to apply for and accept a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 2005 Urban Forestry Grant. 

Background:  Each year, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Forestry applies for supplemental funds in areas that foster good community forestry and financial assistance for the City. This year’s DNR Urban Forestry Grant request is made up of the following two components:

1. Carrollville Subdivision Reforestation

Carrollville is one of Oak Creek’s oldest subdivisions located East of County 32 and West of S. 5^th Avenue.  It consists mainly of rental properties laid out in the traditional city block style.  Carrollville has not been made a priority planting area up to this time.  A number of poorly selected trees (white poplar, cottonwood, boxelder, silver maple, Siberian elm) have established or been planted in the tree lawns by residences.  In 2003/2004, 6 large removals were made and an additional five trees will be monitored until removal.

At this time, a new development is being constructed to the north of the Carrollville area in place of a grassy park/play area.

Tough trees have been selected for this reforestation project (see map for tree placement):  Freeman maple for the tree lawns 5’ or larger, Japanese tree lilac and, ‘Adirondak,’ upright crab for small tree lawns under powerlines.

Trees would be planted by City forestry staff and residents will be asked to water trees through the establishment period.  Carrollville owners have agreed to participate in a community celebration, likely associated with Arbor Day.

2. Inventory/Urban Forestry Management Plan

The City of Oak Creek will be conducting a complete street and park tree inventory in the summer of 2005.  Data will aid forestry in urban forest analysis and management.  Information will be used to design an updated Forest Management Plan.  A Garmin palm pilot/GPS unit will be utilized for locating trees and recording data on maintenance needs, species composition, condition, insect and disease management, etc.

Purchase and set up of equipment would be handed by the City of Oak Creek IT Department.  Inventory and Urban Forestry Management Plan will be written/done by City forestry staff.

Fiscal Impact  Initial City costs for this work would be approximately $14,660 with a 50 percent reimbursement ($7,330) if City receives the full amount of the grant.  Monies needed are requested in the 2005 Urban Forestry CIP account.

Prepared by: Rebecca Lane City Forester	Submitted by: Respectfully submitted, Barbara S. Blumenfield, Ph.D. City Administrator
Approved by: Doug Schachtner Director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry	Fiscal Review by Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk