HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - November 18, 2015 C-19TM
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE:
MEETING DATE:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM
C19
Approve Hutchins Street Square North Parking Lot Tree Removal
November 18, 2015
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve Hutchins Street Square north parking lot tree removal.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The 11 ornamental pear trees in the middle of the Hutchins Street
Square north parking lot are a nuisance due to their fruit drop in the
fall. They also are unhealthy, suffering from mistletoe, fungal
infections and several are showing signs of a fire blight infestation.
They also are planted on top of irrigation pipes, a water main and communication lines owned by AT&T.
Hutchins Street Square visitors complain each year about the fruit that falls and sticks to their cars,
requiring frequent visits to car washes. The fruit on the ground can be tracked on shoes into the building
and, with new carpet being installed in the coming months, will only increase maintenance costs. The
maintenance crew from United Cerebral Palsy spends hours removing the fruit drop from the parking lot,
taking time away from their normal duties.
As fire blight is beginning to move through the trees' canopy, the trees will be subject to disfiguring
pruning if they are to be saved. Staff and the Hutchins Street Square Foundation requests the trees be
removed, with their removal mitigated by planting the same number or more trees at the Square and in
other City parks. In the median (approximately 7 feet wide), the trees and grass will likely be replaced
with low -maintenance and low-water plants, as mowing and edging results in frequent damage to
sprinkler heads that requires repairs. Unlike trees, the roots of selected plants will not damage curbing or
lift asphalt pavement.
Most of the trees can be removed by City staff, although some may require a contractor's services, as
well as stump -grinding.
Pictures of the trees and falling fruit are attached.
FISCAL IMPACT:
If removed by staff, additional cost will be minimal, and anticipated cost of a
contractor's services is not expected to exceed $2,500. The cost of
removing the trees will be offset in future years by lower maintenance costs
at Hutchins Street Square, as well as reduced vehicle wash expense by our
customers.
APPROVED:
au r, City Manager
Approve Hutchins Street Square North Parking Lot Tree Removal
November 18, 2015
Page 2
FUNDING AVAILABLE: 20071402 (Hutchins Street Square maintenance).
Jordan Ayers
Deputy City Manager/Internal Services Director
Jeff Hood
Parks, R fe- ion and , iturai Services Director
JH:tI
cc: City Attorney
Hutchins Street Square ornamental pear trees
Fire
blight
disease
Fruit
drop
Fungal
disease
From: Steve Dutra
To: Jeff Hood
Cc: Billy Gonzalez
Subject: RE: Tree fungus
Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 12:41:29 PM
Attachments: Wood Decay Funai in Landscaoe Trees Management Guidelines --UC IPM,htm
This could be many things but my guess is a wood decay fungi, Ganoderma applanatum (artist conk).
This may have been caused by a past maintenance injury. All of the existing Pear trees in this median
island have several issues. Fire Blight, trunk wounds, and fungi. The trees are abnormally thin in the
canopy. Additionally, we all know of the negative fruit from these Pears. I strongly suggest we start
planning a removal and or a replanting project. Maybe plant new trees between the existing. We will
also unfortunately encounter utilities, light standards and other site situations that will drive our potential
placement of new trees.
Let me know how I or Tree Lodi can further assist.
Original Message
From: Jeff Hood
Sent: Tuesday, October 27, 2015 10:05 AM
To: Steve Dutra
Subject: Tree fungus
Hi, Steve, do you know what type of fungus this is? At base of an ornamental pear in the parking lot
median at Hutchins.
ng
n
HUTCHINS
STREET SQUARE
FOUNDATION
HUTCHINS STREET SQUARE FOUNDATION
John Ledbetter
Chairman
Jeffrey Kirst
Vice -Chairman
Bradley Alderson
Secretary
Daphne Felde
Treasurer
Dennis Bennett
Bob Colarossi
Josh Elson
Meghan Lange
Josh Newfield
Benae Schmidt
Cathy Wetmore
Senior Advisors
Stewart Adams
Bruce Burlington
Julia Gillespie
Charlene Lange
Chuck Simpson
Jeff Hood
City of Lodi Liaison
Lodi City Council
221 W. Pine Street
Lodi, CA. 95240
Dear Lodi City Council, October 27, 2015
The Hutchins Street Square Foundation would like to address the issue of the
parking lot trees at Hutchins Street Square with the City Council. While we
value the need for trees on property, we are concerned about the trees running
down the middle of the parking lot that drop fruit. For several months out of
each year, the fruit drops onto the cars of guests, visitors, customers and
employees. The trees also blanket the entire parking lot ground with the fruit.
As you know, the Foundation has partnered with the City of Lodi to purchase
and design new carpet for an aging Hutchins Street Square. With the
installation of new carpet at Hutchins Street Square in the coming months, we
hope we can address this issue in a timely manner We hope to prevent the
new carpet from being ruined from the fruit sticking to guests shoes and
staining the carpet. The Foundation supports the removal of the ornamental
pear trees.
The Foundation is grateful to have such a positive working relationship with
the City of Lodi and its leaders. Should you have any questions please contact
John Ledbetter or contact the Foundation office.
Gratefully,
John K. Ledbetter, Chairman
Hutchins Street Square Foundation
JKL/sml
Hutchins and Oak Streets ❑ P. O. Box 2278 ❑ Lodi, CA 95241-2278 ❑ 209.366-1222
FAX 209.366-1222 ❑ E-mail: hssfoundation@gmail.com
0 www.HutchinsStreetSquare.com