NOTICE OF SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Special Meeting and Closed Session
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
4:30 pm
Council Chambers
East side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Orders of Council
A. Receive report and provide policy direction regarding a City-wide fire prevention plan.
Meeting Date: July 15, 2008
Prepared by: George E. Rawson
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
THROUGH: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: GEORGE E. RAWSON, PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
DATE: July 9, 2008
SUBJECT: RECEIVE REPORT AND PROVIDE POLICY DIRECTION REGARDING FIRE PREVENTION PLAN
Public Property fire safety - In regards to public properties and parklands, city forester Mike Branson has been working with the fire department to ensure vegetation clearance efforts are completed. A contract crew is finishing the Mission Trails Nature Park project which included the mowing of dead grasses and the removal of undesirable vegetation. The sections completed include: the areas west of Flanders Mansion driveway, the upper section of Serra trail, the upper and lower Doolittle trail, the Willow trail, the Mountain View entrance, the Martin Meadow which was done by city staff, and other pedestrian trails.
The crew will also address the Pescadero Canyon area, specifically Second Ave. between Casanova & Camino Real Streets, by removing some genista. Dead grass and other vegetation will be cut on both sides of the roadway (target of 10’). The Public Safety Director and Assistant Fire Chief Dave Brown also met with CAL-FIRE administrators who confirmed they are coordinating a vegetation abatement process on the Pebble Beach side of Pescadero Canyon.
Public streets will be cleared of low limbs or other obstructions. Additional pruning will be done on the Willow trees from Rio Rd. to the city well.
View of “Cleared” Serra Trail, Mission Trail Nature Preserve
View of Vegetation Overgrowth Clogging Channel in Mission Trail Nature Preserve 
View of Non-Native & Invasive Vegetation Overgrowth, East of Serra Trail, Mission Trail Nature PreserveCOMMENTS:
• Due to the unprecedented number and severity of wildfires in California during the 2008 fire season and “based on the high fire danger this year,” the City Council discussed fire prevention as an urgency topic at their meeting on July 1, 2008 and directed the preparation of a report summarizing existing municipal code authorities relating to fire safety. As it pertains to Mission Trail Nature Preserve, Public Safety Director George Rawson wrote that a contract crew is mowing dead grasses and removing undesirable vegetation. Completed areas include: “the areas west of Flanders Mansion driveway, the upper section of Serra trail, the upper and lower Doolittle trail, the Willow trail, the Mountain View entrance, the Martin Meadow which was done by city staff, and other pedestrian trails.” Moreover, City Forester Mike Branson has been working with the fire department to ensure vegetation clearance efforts are completed.
• Apparently, the impetus for “vegetation clearance efforts” in Mission Trail Nature Preserve was not normal, routine maintenance; rather it was due to the unprecedented 2008 fire season. While it is important for the City to recognize and respond to the unprecedented 2008 fire season, it is also important for the City to comply with the City’s Local Coastal Program, including the removal of invasive horticultural species and non-native plants from the Preserve, removal of inert debris and overgrowth to the extent that the vegetation prohibits water flow within the established channel, et cetera, as a proactive measure to address fire prevention and safety during normal periods and emergency periods.
• While, “Staff recommends a fire danger awareness campaign be initiated that includes a press release, media coverage, and posting information on the city website,” the City can promote fire safety by complying with the City’s Local Coastal Program and schedule regular, routine maintenance efforts year long, especially in fire prone areas, such as Mission Trail Nature Preserve.
REFERENCES:
STAFF REPORT REGARDING FIRE PREVENTION PLAN
FROM: GEORGE E. RAWSON, PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
DATE: July 9, 2008
EXHIBIT “A” CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA MUNICIPAL CODES
FIRE RELATED REGULATIONS
General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element
P5-118 Avoid removal or pruning of native riparian vegetation except for drainage channel and road/trail clearance and/or for the purpose of new native indigenous tree/shrub establishment. (LUP)
O5-27 Reduce the introduction and population of invasive horticultural species in the Preserve. (LUP)
P5-122 Organize volunteer work groups to remove non-native plants from the Preserve. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection crews from Gabilan Camp could be used to assist in this effort. (LUP)
G5-10 To preserve the natural drainage of Mission Trail Nature Preserve and enhance wetlands. (LUP)
O5-31 Maintain natural drainage patterns except where erosion or human safety problems may be created. Maintain the existing creek bed and preclude it from becoming debris clogged. Encourage/allow the channelized ditch to revert to a more natural channel in order to enhance the Preserve’s wetlands (riparian forest, wet meadow) and natural character. (LUP)
P5-131 Remove fallen trees and limbs from the stream channels as needed. Place natural boulders and creek cobbles to prevent erosion only in situations where private property or public safety is at risk. (LUP)
P5-132 Repair stream bank deterioration as it occurs, and remove inert debris and new growth to the extent that they prohibit water flow within the established channel. Projects of this nature shall be reviewed by the Forest and Beach Commission, similar to its review of street projects. (LUP)
P5-137 Clean and grade road shoulders and maintain culverts at least twice yearly, to insure continuous drainage. The Forest and Beach Department will trim vegetation to the extent necessary to allow access by the City maintenance equipment and fire apparatus. (LUP)
G5-11 Maintain Mission Trail Nature Preserve using great care to avoid degradation of resources. (LUP)
O5-35 Implement the Mission Trail Nature Preserve Master Plan maintenance provisions. (LUP)
P5-149 Repair stream bank deterioration as it occurs, and remove inert debris and new growth to the extent that they prohibit water flow within the established channel. (Annually: September - October.) (LUP)
P5-150 Clean and grade road shoulders and maintain culverts to ensure continuous drainage. Trim vegetation to the extent necessary to allow access of equipment (Annually: September - October.) (LUP)
P5-151 Remove fallen limbs and trees from stream channels (As needed.) (LUP)
P5-156 Conduct trail maintenance and clearance (June - August.) (LUP)
2 comments:
Pebble Beach does a fine job of vegetation clearance each year of the north side of Pescadero Canyon. I believe PB has cut brush on the north side already this year. Carmel, on the other hand, has only cut brush up on the roadway of 2nd Avenue. Vegetation abounds on the south side or the Carmel side of Pescadero Canyon. You might want to check it out. Carmel should do a better job because of the higher density housing along 2nd Av. and eastward. Once a fire gets into the upper canopy trees whole blocks of houses could go up in fire and smoke.
MTNP is every nature lovers "jewel." It is so sad the city has badly neglected this open space area for all of us for such a long long time. Many native species would have a chance of survival if the invasive ivys and poison oak were removed. It just looks very neglected, even with the recent frenzy of cutting and not removing broom, etc.
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