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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12 - Council Policy G-6 - Maintenance & Planning of Parkway TreesF2EW�Rr b O e u ? d. <iF00.N\ TO: FROM. Mayor and City Council General Services Director City Council Agenda Item No. 12 July 23, 2002 SUBJECT: Proposed Amendment of Council Policy C -6 (Maintenance and Planting of Parkway Trees) Recommendation: Amend Council Policy G -6 (Maintenance and Planting of Parkway Trees) to reflect several changes. Background: During the review of proposed changes to the Municipal Codes 13.09.10, 13.09.20, and 13.09.040 regarding parkway trees, it became apparent that inconsistencies existed between the proposed ordinance changes and Council Policy G -6. The purpose of this correspondence is to correct or amend Council Policy G -6. Discussion: The inconsistency between the proposed ordinance and the Council Policy G -6 concerns the size of parkway tree to be planted. One of the revisions to the ordinance would require a minimum tree size of 36" box while Council Policy G -6 allows for a minimum size of 15 gallons. Additional revisions will also address: minor updates to City responsibilities regarding parkway trees, the identification of the City Street Designation list, and contacts and phone numbers of staff. Very respectfully, David E. Niederhaus Attachment: Proposed changes to Council Policy G -6 1 �uxnlGsvN9. indmun1200xywyotl, WfrcpoMC- 6�Cowicil- eoliryG6Ammdmmqulo3.doc 3W MAINTENANCE AND PLANTING OF PARKWAY TREES The City Council is vitally interested in beautification of City parkways. Public cooperation in helping to develop and maintain healthy and attractive trees is encouraged. MAINTENANCE OF PARKWAY TREES The General Services Department will trim the parkway trees on a rotation schedule. An effort will be made to trim the parkway trees on less than three -year cycle. If the rotation trimming is completed in less than three years, more frequent trimming will be done performed on certain trees and in view areas. Public safety such as low branches and heavy foliage will be given priority over view trimming. An effort will be made to trim parkway trees located in heavy summer traffic areas during the fall and winter months. The trimming schedule will be altered to avoid trimming streets with flowering street trees during their blooming time. This will apply to streets having a large number of flowering trees, not to one or two trees on a street. TREE LIST The Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission has adopted an official tree list which will be used by the General Services Department to determine species for planning purposes in all new subdivisions and replacement in established parkways. The list, which is entitled Street Tree Designation List, will be reviewed on an annual basis by the General Services Department staff with any recommendations forwarded to the Parks, Beaches and Recreation Commission. STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR PLANTING PARKWAY TREES A. General Requirements 1. 72 -hour notification shall be given the General Services Department prior to the initial installation of parkway trees for approval of species, material quality and planting supervision. 24 -hour notice shall be given prior to all subsequent inspections as required. 2. Relative position of parkway trees is subject to approval by the General Services Department, and any tree not properly placed will be relocated at no cost to the City. In the interest of public safety, trees shall be kept not less than: 1 G -6 a. 25 feet back of beginning of curb returns at intersections. b. 10 feet from lamp standards. C. 10 feet from fire hydrants. d. 10 feet from service walks or driveways. e. 10 feet from meters and sewers. f. 25 feet from stop signs. 3. Trees shall be a minimum container size ofd gallens 36" box. unless market availability necessitates the planting of 24" boxed specimens. a. Condition: Plants shall be symmetrical, typical for variety and species, healthy, vigorous, free from plant disease, insect pests and shall have healthy, normal root system free from being root bound. Trees shall not be pruned or topped prior to delivery. b. Inspection: All plant material shall be subject to inspection and approval by the General Services Department prior to planting. The City has the right to reject any item offered. 4. Soil Analysis Requirement for Land Developers Developer may be required to have a composite soil analysis made by a bona fide soil testing laboratory of soil to receive parkway trees at no cost to the City. The location and number of soil samples shall be determined by the City. Analysis shall include fertility level and organic content of the samples take. A copy of the test results shall be forwarded directly to the General Services Department a minimum of 60 days prior to scheduled planting of parkway trees. PARKWAY TREE PLANTING A. All pits shall be dug with the bottom level, width equal to two times the diameter of the ball, and the depth 1 %z times the height of the container from which the tree is planted. 2 G -6 B. Where land developers are required to provide soil analysis, the prepared soil backfill shall be based on test results. C. When soil analysis is not a requirement, native soil with a commercial fertilizer approved by the General Services Department shall be used for backfill. D. Set plants in center of pit, in vertical position, so that crown of ball will be level with finish grade after allowing for watering and settling and shall bear the same relationship to finish grade after allowing for watering and settling and shall bear the same relationship to finish grade that it did to soil surface in its container. E. Prepare a depressed water basin capable of holding 10 gallons of water. Water shall be applied in that quantity at time of planting in a fashion that insures wetting the entire root ball and that all air pockets are removed. F. If houses are not occupied, trees shall be watered one week later. Thereafter, watering shall be done at week intervals by the developer for a period of one year or until homes are occupied. G. Each tree must be properly supported by two Lodgepole pine stakes or other material approved by the General Services Department. Stakes shall be a minimum of eight feet in length. Stake all trees at time of planting by placing stake in prepared hole and driving stake a minimum of 30 inches to soil. H. All trees shall be secured to stakes with a cinch fie. 1. Eight -penny duplex nails shall be used to secure the brace to the stakes -- two per side. I. A root barrier approved by the General Services Department shall be installed. GUARANTEES A. 15 - '=__ 36" (or alternative 24 ") boxed trees shall be guaranteed as to growth and health for a period of ninety (90) days after final acceptance by the General Services Department. B. Trees that fail to grow or are injured or damaged during planting operation shall be replaced within 15 days after notification. Replacement material shall be guaranteed as specified as original guaranteed material. 3 G -6 ESTABLISHED PARKWAYS Applicant must: A. Applicant must accept responsibility for watering and fertilizing new trees. B. If an applicant has questions regarding the street tree program they should contact the Urban Forester at (714) 644- 949 644 -3083 or send a written request for one or more parkway trees to Attn: Urban Forester, P.O. Box 1768, Newport Beach, California 92659 -1768 City of Newport Beach will: A. Approve-vfpesnecies, location, and spacing of tree planting-prepesed. B. Furnish, install, stake, and initially fertilize new trees (exception would be trees planted in accordance with City Code 13.09.1. C. Prune and spray tree as required. D. Approve type of root barriers for installation. E. Assume trimming responsibilities. Adopted —November 22, 1982 Amended — November 14, 1983 Amended — October 22, 1992 Amended —January 24, 1994 Formerly I -19