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Mission Trail fuel-management demo and tree-inventory audit prompt calls for transparency on data and software
Summary
Staff presented a fuel-reduction demonstration at Mission Trail, described methods (mastication, chipping, hand crews) and emergency-access improvements, and reported tree-work stats and an audit of the TreeKeeper inventory; commissioners asked staff to evaluate replacement tree-management software and to provide clearer data on tree counts and survival rates.
The commission received a Mission Trail Nature Preserve fuel-management update and a monthly forestry operations report that prompted questions about data quality and software for tree inventory management.
Mission Trail: Ronel Dama (hiking assistant forester) described methods used on the Mission Trail fuel-mitigation project — mastication, chipping and hauling, and hand crews — and showed before-and-after demonstration work, including a 50-foot demonstration clearing and a new turnaround and emergency-access route on the Sarah Trail. Dama said the work was coordinated with Monterey Fire and local volunteers and that phase-1 demonstration areas were completed quickly; staff said continuation of the program would involve multiple similar sections and "a week-and-a-half" of work to finish the remaining demonstration-length sections if approved.
Tree operations and inventory: Justin and other staff reported November operations: city crews removed six dead or invasive trees, planted 16 trees, and pruned 32 trees; staff reported receiving 20 tree permits and issuing 20. Justin said he audited the TreeKeeper inventory and found only two trees recorded as dead since the inventory started and about 59 trees listed as "very poor" condition; staff said they will continue task orders for large-scale stump and northern-city work. Multiple commissioners urged better monthly updates for key CIP projects and asked staff to provide clearer information on stalled items.
Data and software: Commissioners asked whether the city should replace TreeKeeper and whether alternatives (such as TreePlotter/Planet Geo used by Monterey) were cost-effective. Staff said they would trial a contractor-provided, no-cost alternative and review Planet Geo pricing; commissioners emphasized requirements over cost and raised concerns about data staleness and the feasibility of regular re-inventorying.
Public response: Members of the public who spoke praised increased city engagement in Mission Trail maintenance and urged the city to plant more trees than it removes to maintain canopy over time.
Next steps: staff to continue Mission Trail mitigation in coordination with fire guidance, trial an alternative inventory platform and return to the commission with cost/service comparisons for a new tree-management system and clearer data on replanting and survival rates.
