Item 8CAGENDA ITEM # 8C
JANUARY 26, 2009
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA: Approve the FY 2008-2009 Tree Planting Program
SUBMITTED BY: Rick Carper, P.E., Public Works Director
DATE: January 19, 2009
BACKGROUND: The City implemented a tree planting program in 2002 to assist
with maintaining the tree canopy and beauty of Atlantic Beach. Since then, over 700
trees have been installed on the right-of--way areas and parks throughout the City. This
year staff proposes to offer live oaks, drake elms, East Palatka hollies and tree form
crape myrtles for adoption and maintenance by homeowners. Because there have been
few adoption requests from selected areas in past adoption programs, Staff proposes to
provide trees for adoption throughout Atlantic Beach. We currently have requests for
106 trees from 47 residents. Staff is in the process of meeting with each homeowner
requesting adoption to verify the desired tree will work on the proposed site. In addition,
the City will offer new trees for adoption by residents at all locations where dead /dying
bay trees have been removed from the right of way (9 trees). If insufficient homeowners
volunteer to adopt trees to meet the desired yearly total (150 trees), Staff will plant and
maintain live oak, drake elm and holly trees in the City Right of Way in the proposed
areas.
In addition to the annual tree adoption program, Staff proposes a second part to
the program this year. Staff proposes to install 30 trees (included in the 150 tree goal)
along Seminole Road ditch, replacing many of the stunted trees that have not thrived in
this environment with larger, hardier trees. To this end, Staff requested landscape
services from Early Piety, a Certified Arborist, and Mike Donnell, a Registered
Landscape Architect, to design a proposed planting scheme to begin this program.
Professional services for the design are estimated to cost $1500, with tree purchase and
installation costs of approximately $7,500. The proposed plan (attachment 2) was
developed to account for site specrfic sheltering, choosing the best trees for each
location along the ditch.
BUDGET: Funds for this program are in the Tree Replacement Fund, account
number 112-6020-537. The tree adoption program is estimated to cost approximately
$22,000. The increased cost over previous years results from planting larger more
robust trees than in the pas#. The Seminole Road project will cost approximately $9,000
The current budget includes $19,000 for Tree Replacement purposes. Planting of 150
total trees will require allocation of additional funds from the Tree Fund (transfer is
included in the Budget Modification currently under consideration by the Commission.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve fund use for the annual tree planting Program
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Tree Adoption Agreement
2. Proposed Seminole Road Tree Plan
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER: ~ Y,
~ January 26'" 2009 Regular Meeting
AGENDA ITEM # 8C
JANUARY 26, 2009
City of Atlantic Beach
Public Works Department
1200 Sandpiper Lane
Atlantic Beach, FL 32333
(904) 247-5834- Main
(904) 247-5843- Fax
Deaz Atlantic Beach Resident:
To increase the beauty and tree canopy in Atlantic Beach, the City has initiated an annual
Adopt-A-Tree Program. The tree(s) will be planted by the City in the City right-of--way
or on private property within ten feet of the right-of--way, and we are asking the
homeowners and renters to assist with maintaining the tree(s). If you would like to assist
the City in this effort, please complete the form below and return it as soon as possible.
For additional information, please call (904) 247-5834.
Beach
A
Date:
Name of Resident
agree to
take responsibility of the planted Live Oak, Drake Elm, Crape Myrtle or Holly
(circle preference).
Address
Telephone Number
I will be willing to maintain tree(s) based on the following list of requirements:
^ Watering -
Ideally, you will provide 15 gallons of water to the tree at each watering.
First year: daily during first month
1-2 times per week the second and third month
1 time per week thereafter up to six months and during
periods of drought for the life of the tree
^ Keep mulched
^ Keep trimmed
^ Fertilize once yearly with one cup of 6-6-6, 8-8-8, or 10-10-10 tree fertilizer,
found at your local hardware store
^ Please keep in mind all maintenance is for the life of the tree