CITY OF SAN CLEMENTE - File #: 26-329

Date	Action By	Action	Result	Action Details	Meeting Details	Video
No records to display.

Submitted By: Beaches, Parks and Recreation

Prepared By: Samantha Wylie, Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director;

Brian Fields, Acting Maintenance Manager

Subject:

title

CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE A SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION FOR EL ORIENTE CANYON TREE REMOVAL AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND FINDING THE PROJECT CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT

body

Summary:

The purpose of this report is to request a supplemental appropriation of $42,000 to fund the El Oriente Canyon Vegetation Management Project. The project will remove overgrown volunteer trees and dense vegetation that have naturally established within the canyon over many years and now present ongoing maintenance challenges and have the potential to impact adjacent private properties.

The project is proposed in two phases. Phase I will remove five large volunteer trees, which will then provide access for staff to fully evaluate the remaining vegetation within the canyon. Phase II will consist of the removal of additional volunteer trees and overgrown vegetation based upon site conditions identified following completion of the initial clearing.

Background:

El Oriente Canyon is a City-owned open space area containing numerous volunteer trees and dense understory vegetation that have naturally established over several decades without planned landscape design or active vegetation management. Unlike intentionally planted landscape trees, these volunteer trees have become overcrowded and overgrown, creating unhealthy growing conditions while limiting maintenance access throughout the canyon.

As the vegetation has matured, portions of the tree canopy have expanded toward adjacent residential properties, increasing the potential for tree-related damage during severe weather events. In addition, the dense vegetation has made routine inspection and maintenance increasingly difficult.

The proposed project is intended to proactively restore the canyon to a more manageable condition while preserving the healthier, structurally sound trees that contribute to the natural character of the area. By removing overcrowded volunteer trees and dense vegetation, the City will improve long-term forest health, restore maintenance access, and reduce potential hazards to neighboring properties.

Figure 1. El Oriente Canyon Vegetation Management Project Area

Staff solicited three competitive quotations from qualified tree maintenance contractors for Phase I of the project. Great Scott Tree Service, the City's on-call tree maintenance contractor, submitted the lowest responsive proposal for $25,585.

Because this work was not anticipated during preparation of the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Operating Budget, a supplemental appropriation is required.

Discussion:

This project is intended to restore the canyon through the phased removal of volunteer trees and overgrown vegetation that have naturally established over many years. The project will improve long-term maintenance access, enhance the health and structure of the remaining tree canopy, and minimize the potential for future impacts to adjacent residential properties.

Due to the density of vegetation and limited visibility within the canyon, staff recommends completing the project in two phases. Phase I consists of removing five large volunteer trees that have been identified as the highest priority for removal. Removal of these trees will provide the access necessary for staff to safely evaluate the remaining vegetation and determine the appropriate extent of additional work.

Upon completion of Phase I, staff will conduct a detailed site assessment and proceed with Phase II, which will include removal of additional volunteer trees and overgrown vegetation identified as appropriate for removal. This phased approach allows decisions regarding the remaining vegetation to be based on actual field conditions once the site has been opened, ensuring that only vegetation necessary for long-term management objectives is removed. Because existing vegetation currently obscures much of the site, the exact extent of this work cannot be determined until the initial clearing has been completed.

Figure 2. Two of five trees identified for removal in Phase I

Considerations Identified by Staff:

Staff recommends approval of the proposed supplemental appropriation to allow the project to be completed through a phased approach that provides both flexibility and fiscal efficiency. Completing the initial work will improve access throughout the canyon, allowing staff to accurately assess site conditions before determining the final extent of vegetation removal.

Appropriating the full project budget at this time will enable the project to proceed without interruption and eliminate the need to return to the City Council for additional funding as subsequent work is identified. This approach allows the City to complete the project in a timely and cost-effective manner while ensuring that future decisions are based on actual field conditions following the initial clearing.

Council Options:

• Approve the staff recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 26-131, which will authorize the supplemental appropriation of $42,000 and allow the El Oriente Canyon Vegetation Management Project to proceed as proposed.

• Approve the project with modifications by providing alternative direction regarding the project scope, budget, or implementation.

• Take no action.

Environmental Review/Analysis:

Phase I of the proposed project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land) because it consists of removal of five non-native volunteer eucalyptus trees, which are prone to disease and have become overcrowded and overgrown, creating unhealthy growing conditions while limiting maintenance access throughout the canyon. Additionally, portions of the tree canopy have expanded toward adjacent residential properties, increasing the potential for tree-related damage. Therefore, Phase 1 qualifies as minor alterations to land and vegetation that do not involve the removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees. After the completion of Phase I, staff will have access to the canyon to finalize the scope of and evaluate Phase II under CEQA.

Fiscal Impact:

The requested appropriation will provide sufficient funding to complete the phased vegetation management project, including additional work identified following the initial clearing of the site. Funding the project in its entirety at this time will avoid delays in completing the work and eliminate the need for a subsequent request for additional appropriations.

Approval of the recommendation will authorize a supplemental appropriation of $42,000 to Tree Maintenance Account No. 001-633-43470-000-00000. The project budget is summarized below:

• Phase I: Removal of Five Large Volunteer Trees $25,585

• Phase II: Additional Vegetation and Volunteer Tree Removal $16,415

Potential Action(s):

recommendation

If the City Council concurs with the contents of the staff report, the appropriate action would to adopt Resolution No. 26-131, which will:

1. Find the project categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15304 (Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land);

2. Approve a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $42,000 to Tree Maintenance Account No. 001-633-43470-000-00000; and

3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all documents and take such actions as are necessary to complete the El Oriente Canyon Vegetation Management Project.

end

Attachment:

1. Resolution No. 26-131

Notification:

None.

Legislation Details