Help in managing the forest

Garden Grove’s best-known plant is the strawberry, but it’s also home to an urban forest of about 16,000 trees.

To better maintain, preserve and nurture those leafy stalwarts, the Garden Grove City Council on Tuesday will consider an agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for citywide tree maintenance at a cost of up to $440,000 per year.

Funding for the contract will come from a combination of gas tax and general fund money available in the current public works budgets. The need for “urban forest” management has been increased with the establishment of the Medal of Honor Bicycle and Pedestrian Path, flanked by over 300 new trees.

Also on the agenda for Tuesday is approval of an ordinance for a planned unit development at the West Grove Center at 12141 Valley St. that will include turning an existing closed bowling alley into a reduced building for four tenants – including an anchor tenant and three restaurants and Starbucks coffee store with drive-through lanes.

Approval has already been given by the city planning commission.

The council will meet  at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave.