07-29-2019 Council Packet (Budget)

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2020 BUDGET ‐ ITEM UNDER CONSIDERATION LAKE DRIVE MEDIAN BEDS $10,000 ‐ $30,000 ‐ REMOVE & REDESIGN The Lake Drive medians were installed in 2008. Four landscape beds totaling approximately 12,000 sq. Ō. were planted with 1,195 Spirea and 3,699 Daylily plants. The beds also consisted of 18” of topsoil, 3”‐ 4” of mulch, and a drip irrigaƟon system. During 2009 & 2010 the beds looked great and required minimal maintenance. In 2011, some of the plants began to show signs of stress and the weed populaƟon in‐ creased, even with spring pre‐emergent applicaƟons and hand weeding. In 2012, many of the Spirea began to die‐ back. Weed pressure conƟnued to increase and we be‐ gan treaƟng weeds with Roundup in addiƟon to hand pulling. In 2013, 50% of the Spirea where showing signs of stress and death, and 20% of the Daylilies had died. The factors contribuƟng to the decline of the beds (and are sƟll factors hindering their growth and success today) included road salt, establishment of Canada and Sow Thistle, breakdown of the original mulch, rodents, and deer. The Parks Department is recommending that the City contract out the removal and redesign of the northern‐ most bed with a combinaƟon 70‐80% of mulch and 20‐ 30% plant material. The removal and replanƟng will remove the Canada and Sow Thistle that have spread throughout the bed and are impossible to remove without killing all the plant life. The new mulch will aid in weed control and make it easi‐ er to spray for weeds which will help with rodents and deer, as well as help keep some of the salt out of the soil. In turn this will cut down on labor and material costs as‐ sociated with maintaining the beds. Less Ɵme in the beds will lessen the permit cost associated with maintaining them (Every Ɵme the landscape beds are worked on the City must obtain a $150 permit from Anoka County and shut down the road (County requirement) in order to work on the landscaping). 130