Urban forester says city requested $515,000 for tree program; HR classification and a new position remain unresolved

Brian Adams, the city’s urban forester, told the Environmental Matters Committee on May 14 that the urban-forest program has requested $515,000 from the Watershed Restoration Fund for the coming fiscal year and identified $120,000 of that request to fund a new position.

Adams said the department previously requested $515,000 but received $435,000; that lower allocation was manageable last year in part because hiring did not proceed through HR and the money was not spent. "Last year we requested 515,000. Um, we received 435," Adams said, describing why staffing and classification are now the focus.

Why it matters: the Watershed Restoration Fund was structured to provide stable funding for tree-planting, maintenance and staffing to meet the city’s revised tree canopy goal (the city moved its target date to 2050). Committee members emphasized that the dedicated fund should cover program staffing and noted the need to create a formal job classification and career ladder so the urban forester’s proposed supervisee can be hired and the forester’s grade can be revisited.

Personnel and HR issues: staff and council discussed that the proposed new hire would report to the urban forester and that HR classification rules — particularly whether supervision is required for a grade increase — have prevented prior regrading. The chair and acting city manager confirmed the matter will require an administrative amendment or HR action to create the necessary position and classification before the hire can proceed.

Next steps: the committee recorded the budget request and the councilmember said she had inserted an amendment to create a ladder structure in the budget; staff noted the request is cost-neutral to the general fund because costs come from the Watershed Restoration Fund. Committee members indicated they would seek confirmation from HR and return the item for any formal budget amendment if required.