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Council approves community-selected live Christmas tree for City Hall; planting planned for Earth Day
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Summary
Councilmembers approved the community'chosen live tree for the City Hall parking lot and directed staff to proceed with planting and related programming at the April 22 Earth Day event; staff described projected tree size and cost-savings of replacing the artificial tree.
The Hawaiian Gardens City Council on April 8 approved use of a community-selected live tree at City Hall, with a ceremonial planting planned for the city's Earth Day event on April 22.
Staff presented a proposal to replace the existing 20-foot artificial holiday tree—whose removal, installation and storage staff estimated currently costs approximately $18,000 to $20,000—with a permanent live tree to reduce recurring expenses and support sustainability goals. Staff said it solicited proposals from arborists and presented three options to residents via social media on January 29. Staff described the chosen specimen as presently about 13 to 14 feet tall with a potential to reach about 22 feet when mature and recommended planting at the City Hall parking lot prior to the next holiday season.
In the transcript staff reported vote totals as: option 1 — 106 votes; Norfolk Pine (listed as second) — 257 votes; third option — 93 votes. Staff nevertheless stated that option 1 emerged as the preferred choice and the council accepted staff's recommendation by motion and unanimous roll call. The transcript contains inconsistent vote-count reporting on this item; the council approved moving forward with the community-selected option.
Councilmembers praised the community engagement in the selection process and encouraged staff to explore year-round programming around the tree once planted.
