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Public Works details Prop E ramp-up: 50-tree positions phased over three years
Summary
Public Works told the Budget & Finance Committee Prop E will fund about 50 new urban-forestry positions phased over three years, backed by contractor work and substantial equipment purchases, while the department described a $5.84 billion project portfolio and bridge repairs planned for FY18.
Public Works Director Mister Nuru told the Budget & Finance Committee that implementation of Prop E will expand the city's urban-forestry capacity and require a multi-year ramp-up.
Nuru said Prop E funding will support roughly 50 new tree-maintenance positions that the department expects to phase in over three years. To meet immediate needs the department plans to use contractors divided into six zones, add inspectors for each zone and order specialized equipment with lead times of 12 to 18 months. He estimated about $4,000,000 of the initial $19,000,000 package would go to new positions, roughly $6.5 million to contractors and about $3,000,000 to equipment purchases.
The presentation described Public Works's broader portfolio: roughly $5.84 billion across more than 500 active projects, and a capital budget that leverages EPIC developer fees and Caltrans grants. Nuru highlighted bridge work planned for Islais Creek and Third Street because of age and corrosion and cited a rise in the Pavement Condition Index from 64 (2011) to 69 today as evidence that steady resurfacing funding is improving street conditions.
Supervisors asked about hiring timelines and how the department would prioritize urgent tree work vs. planting; Nuru said priority 1 trees (unsafe or needing immediate care) will be addressed first and the goal is to move from a 10+ year cycle to a 3'to—2-year maintenance cycle as capacity builds.
Next steps: the committee filed the Public Works hearing; the department will begin procurement for equipment and phase hiring as Prop E funds permit.
