City partners with Team Rubicon to use Gatsy Ridge for chainsaw training; 27 hazard trees identified

Staff presented resolution 26-1935 to authorize an MLU with Team Rubicon, a veteran-led nonprofit that trains and deploys volunteers for disaster response and resilience work. The agreement would permit Team Rubicon to use Gatsy Ridge Trails as a training location for Sawyer/chainsaw certification while assisting the city by removing identified hazard trees.

Team Rubicon representatives said they were prepared to supply volunteers and training, and that the organization has a national volunteer base. "We have over 200,000 volunteers who deploy nationally," Gabe Saltier, Team Rubicon director of operations for the East Blancher team, told the commission. Staff said the city could provide the Red Bank boxing building for staging (showers, space) and that Team Rubicon would close the trail for a weekend while work occurs; staff said roughly 27 trees have been identified for removal and all removals will require final staff approval.

Commissioners welcomed the partnership as a cost-effective way to mitigate trail hazards while giving volunteers a real-world training environment. Dates and final scopes will be set after additional field surveys and coordination with public works and parks staff.