SEC. 1206. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

   (a)   In an effort to establish and maintain a healthy and sustainable urban forest and ensure public health and safety, the Council shall develop and adopt tree care best management practices for public and private trees. The practices for tree maintenance shall focus on the protection of trees from premature death and irreversible damage caused by improper or inadequate tree maintenance.

   (b)   The Council shall develop the best management practices in consultation with affected City agencies and with input from interested members of the public. The Council's evaluation of such practices shall incorporate an analysis of the projected costs for implementation of the practices. The best management practices shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

      (1)   Species selection;

      (2)   Planting practices;

      (3)   Young tree care;

      (4)   Tree pruning and maintenance; and

      (5)   Tree removal.

   (c)   The Council, with the assistance of the Board of Supervisors, shall urge and encourage City, State, and federal agencies, as well as private property owners and tree care companies working in San Francisco, to adhere to the Council's management practices and tree care standards.

(Added by Ord. 171-03, File No. 030422, App. 7/3/2003)

(Derivation Former Administrative Code Section 5.236)

SEC. 1207. FUNDING ASSESSMENT.

   (a)   The Board of Supervisors shall make efforts to provide adequate funding for the Department of the Environment's support of the Council.

   (b)   In the event funding is not allocated by the City and County of San Francisco for staffing the Council, the Council shall pursue funds for any shortfall in the necessary staffing and support activities and additional funds for any other project it deems necessary to implement this legislation.

   (c)   To ensure that adequate resources are available for tree management and that public funding is used wisely, the Council shall:

      (1)   Review urban forest program budget priorities and make recommendations about urban forest funding requirements to the Mayor, Board of Supervisors, and affected city departments and commissions;

      (2)   Investigate and pursue funding options for various urban forest activities;

      (3)   Assist agencies and organizations in securing funding for urban forest programs;

      (4)   Apply for and accept grants for public agency or privately sponsored urban forest programs pursuant to the procedures in the Administrative Code; and

      (5)   Determine whether there are opportunities to improve efficiency and eliminate possible redundancies among managing agencies through city-wide, coordination of tree operations.

(Added by Ord. 171-03, File No. 030422, App. 7/3/2003)

(Derivation Former Administrative Code Section 5.237)

SEC. 1208. STAFFING SUPPORT AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

   (a)   A coordinator from the Department of the Environment shall staff the Council. The coordinator's responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

      (1)   Fundraising;

      (2)   Developing and drafting guidelines for adoption;

      (3)   Preparing staff and annual reports;

      (4)   Coordinating with other agencies; and

      (5)   Develop an annual city-wide tree management budget for local governmental agencies.

   (b)   The coordinator is essential in order to implement the intent of this legislation.

(Added by Ord. 171-03, File No. 030422, App. 7/3/2003)

(Derivation Former Administrative Code Section 5.238)

SEC. 1209. REPORTING RESPONSIBILITY.

   (a)   The Council shall report to the Board of Supervisors and Mayor by September 1st of each year regarding the state of the urban forest. The report shall contain a review the quality of urban forest stewardship and an assessment of how well public agencies and other urban forest managers are implementing the Urban Forest Plan. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

      (1)   Condition of the urban forest, species composition, and other tree stand characteristics;

      (2)   Summary of urban forest activities, such as total number of trees, number of trees removed, and number of trees planted on private lands and under the jurisdictions of public agencies and non-profit organizations.

      (3)   Analysis of the adherence to the Urban Forest Plan;

      (4)   Analysis of the adherence to the best management practices;

      (5)   The Council's public education and outreach projects;

      (6)   Notable achievements in urban forest;

      (7)   The status of funding for urban forest programs; and

      (8)   Proposals for tree care guidelines or changes to adopted tree care programs or plans.

   (b)   City agencies and any non-profit organizations that accept city funding shall report to the Council regarding the trees they manage, the extent to which their management plans correspond to the Urban Forest Plan, and implementation of the best management practices. The Council shall receive the report no later than June 30 of each year. Other public entities also are urged to submit reports to the Council regarding the trees they manage.

   (c)   City agencies that do not adhere to the policies, guidelines, or standards outlined in the Urban Forest Plan or best management practices shall explain their reasoning at a public hearing before the Council.

   (d)   Within ninety (90) days of the Council's establishment, the Council shall adopt procedures to address the public hearing process specified in Subsection (c) above.

(Added by Ord. 171-03, File No. 030422, App. 7/3/2003)

(Derivation Former Administrative Code Section 5.239)