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Residents press council on tree canopy; council pauses $180,000 inventory contract
Summary
Advocates urged delaying a $180,000 contract to inventory 40,000 city trees until a strategic tree‑planting plan and greater council oversight are provided; after extended public comment and council debate the council voted not to approve the inventory contract and asked staff to return with options for planting and reporting.
Community advocates and city council members pressed Bakersfield staff on Feb. 25 over a proposed $180,000 contract to inventory the city’s trees. Speakers from the Sierra Club, local residents and academic experts said tree removals have outpaced plantings and asked the council to delay the contract until a strategic plan with clear goals, timelines and ward equity commitments is in place.
Sharon Grill of the Sierra Club asked the council to "delay the approval of the $180,000 contract to inventory 40,000 trees until a strategic plan is in place to guide its use," citing the…
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