Agenda - Public Works Committee - 01/17/2017

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Public Works Committee Meeting Date: 01/17/2017 By: Mark Riverblood, Engineering/Public Works Title: Finalize the Landscape Renovation for the Center Median in the Sweet Bay Ridge Development Purpose/Background: In July 2016 the Public Works Committee reviewed options for addressing the median(s) at Sweet Bay Ridge, and directed staff to develop a landscape plan pursuant to the discussion. The following is the background within that case: "The median is located on 161st Avenue, east of hariolite Street. The median consists of two sections, one approximately 150'x 15'and the other 300'x 15'. The median was installed during the firstphase of the Sweet Bay Ridge Development and was irrigated and maintained by the developer initially. During the recession, the developer requested that the irrigation meter be removed and with no home owners association to assume payment of the utility bill, the irrigation was shut off and has been off for several years now. Because it was a private irrigation system, we have no record of it being winterized or if it is even functional today. A quick inspection by staff uncovered several broken sprinkler heads and missing parts. A group of residents from the development have taken on the maintenance of the median themselves, because they take pride in the appearance of their neighborhood. But, the out of pocket costs, time, and labor have become too much for them to continue this practice. Last fall a group of neighbors came to the City asking for help with the maintenance of the median. They were seeking permission to have rock installed on the median, at their cost, as a way to cut back on the maintenance and reduce costs associated with replacing the wood mulch every year. This idea was rejected by Staff because of the harsh environment it would create for the plant material and because of potential maintenance issues the rock could cause (if the rock found its way to the road surface). It should be noted that whatever solution or direction is taken for this median, City Council approval will be needed before any work can take place. Also, there are other medians throughout the city that are in the same condition of disrepair with no clear cut maintenance agreements or ownership in place. Any decision made on this particular median will impact how we handle the future maintenance on those facilities as well." At the October 18,2016 Public Works Committee meeting, Staff recommended a landscape plan with an annual maintenance contract for the median renovation to the Committee for consideration. Following discussion, a motion was made and approved to move forward with the project—but also that staff investigate a shared funding arrangement between the City,volunteer contributions by willing area residents, and the Lennar Corporation (the single family home developer to the south). As of this case preparation,there has been little interest/commitment expressed in the above referenced cost share opportunity. Notification: Staff has had regular contact with Sweetbay Ridge neighborhood(written and via phone) as this topic has progressed in 2016,until today. A neighborhood contact(s)has been notified that this case is being discussed once more at the the January 2017 Public Works Committee meeting. Observations/Alternatives: