Agenda - Public Works Committee - 01/16/2001

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PART I - COMMUNITY ROADSIDE LANDSCAPING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Minnesota Department of Transportation's Community Roadside Landscaping Partnership Program is designed to provide technical and financial assistance to communities that are interested in landscaping state highway rights of way. The program has three goa}s: (1) roadside beautification, (2) community improvement, and (3) environmental stewardship. This manual describes the program and application requirements, and provides examples of documents required. Part One (pp.2-4) is the general program description. Part Two (pp. 5-7) contains the application form and the instructions to complete the form. Part Three (pp. 8-24) contains appendices' that provide other ihformation pertinent to the application requirements. Completed applications may be submitted to Mn/DOT for consideration at any time of the year but prioritization will be given to applications submitted before September 1st to take advantage of the opportUnity for fatI preparatory work prior to spring planting. If you have any questions about the program or application requirements, please call (651)284-3758 to speak with Mn/DOT's Landscaping Programs Coordinator., APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY For purposes of this program, communities are defined as counties, home rule charters, statutory cities or towns. Ineligible applicants will not be considered unless they are sponsored by a community or other unit of government that can execute and honor a cooperative agreement with h~a/DOT (a necessary requirement for Mn/DOT to transfer funds.) ELIGIBLE COMPONENTS Funds awarded under this program must be used for roadside landscaping located on state trunk highway rights of way with fee or easement' title. Most areas of interstate freeways and high volume divided highways with controlled access are excluded from this program due to liability, safety, and access problems. Components that support the goals of the program include, but are not limited to, the following: - Planting and maintenance of trees, shrubs, vines, perennial groundcovers, wildflowers and grasses; Incorporation of soil amendments, herbicides, edging, raised planters, tree grates, weed fabric, wood fiber blanket, mulch, rodent protection, staking and guying, seedling shelters, etc. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS Communities seeking approval to initiate a proposed landscape partnership project with provi- sion of Mn/DOT technical and design assistance must submit a written request for participation and services to the appropriate Mn/DOT Disti-ict/Metro Division Engineer (see Appendix III.)