City of Laguna Woods 08/21/19*

Cities identified in F10 have dedicated a portion of their general fund budget to an urban forest program; however, the allocated percentage varies widely among cities (See Appendix B). Response: The City of Laguna Woods disagrees partially with this finding. The City of Laguna Woods has dedicated a portion of its General Fund (and, other funds) budget to its urban forest program. The City of Laguna Woods does not have firsthand knowledge of the budget practices or conditions of the other cities identified in F10.

In order to efficiently manage financial and staff resources, Orange County cities identified in

City councils for the cities identified in F10 are supportive of their urban forest programs and budget requests made by their respective city managers and public works departments. Response: The City of Laguna Woods disagrees partially with this finding. The Laguna Woods City Council is supportive of the City of Laguna Woods' urban forest program, as well as budget requests made by the City Manager and the Engineering & Infrastructure Services Department. The City of Laguna Woods does not have firsthand knowledge of the views or responsiveness of the city councils for the other cities identified in F10.

Cities interviewed for this report reported minimal financial liabilities from tripping hazards, root intrusions, and falling branches and trees. Response: The City of Laguna Woods disagrees partially with this finding. The City of Laguna Woods was interviewed for the report and did report minimal financial liabilities from tripping hazards, root intrusions, and falling branches and trees. The City of Laguna Woods does not have firsthand knowledge of whether or what the other cities interviewed for the report reported to the Orange County Grand Jury.

Cities identified in F10 have not been successful in ensuring that residents are aware of their city's urban forest program. Response: The City of Laguna Woods disagrees wholly with this finding. It is unclear how the Orange County Grand Jury reached such a finding. The City of Laguna Woods does not believe its residents are unaware of its urban forest program. The City of Laguna Woods does not have firsthand knowledge of whether other cities have been successful in ensuring that their residents are aware of their respective urban forest programs.

Environmental and economic benefits provided by urban forests have not been fully realized in Orange County cities identified in F10 and the unincorporated areas of Orange County. Response: The City of Laguna Woods disagrees wholly with this finding. It is unclear how the Orange County Grand Jury reached such a finding. The City of Laguna Woods' urban forest provides substantial environmental and economic benefits, many of which are generally summarized in the "Background and Facts" section of the report.

Cities identified in F10 do not coordinate their urban forest programs with each other. Response: The City of Laguna Woods disagrees partially with this finding. In general, the City of Laguna Woods does not coordinate its urban forest program with other cities, nor do other cities coordinate their urban forest programs with the City. The City of Laguna Woods does not have firsthand knowledge of the extent to which urban forest programs may be coordinated (if at all) amongst the other cities identified in F10.

utilize contract services for their tree maintenance and services. Some cities also maintain a small staff to supplement contract services. Response: The City of Laguna Woods disagrees partially with this finding. The efficient management of financial and staff resources is one reason why the City of Laguna Woods utilizes contract services for tree maintenance and services. The City's decision-making is intended to ensure the efficient, effective, and economical conduct of City business. The City of Laguna Woods does not have firsthand knowledge of the reasons for or the manners in which the other cities identified in F10 provide for tree maintenance and services.