The City of Davis issued a statement on the trial outcome involving Jennifer Comey, who died in February 2021 after being struck by a falling tree limb in Slide Hill Park. The Superior Court of Yolo County concluded the trial, with the City accepting responsibility and seeking reasonable damages. The jury awarded $24.2 million to Comey’s survivors, which will be covered by the City’s municipal risk pool, according to the City of Davis.
The City of Davis has implemented changes to improve urban forestry safety. Measures include increasing staffing in the Urban Forestry Division, approving additional funding for tree maintenance, and relocating the division to the Public Works Utilities & Operations Department. The City Council has also expanded the division and revised the Tree Ordinance to speed up tree removal permits.
In April 2023, the Davis City Council approved a $200,000 increase for Urban Forestry to improve contractor work on trees. A pilot program launched in the summer aimed to speed up tree pruning in high-traffic areas, with a goal of inspecting 6,500 trees annually. The City also expanded collaborations with local organizations and contractors to improve tree planting and maintenance, reducing wait times for services. Additionally, safety information is regularly shared, especially during severe weather, as part of the City's efforts to manage the urban forest, as reported by the City of Davis.
