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STAFF REPORT DATE: 5/06/2025 Regular TO: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM: Old Village Garden Improvement FROM: Marty Powers, Public Works Director REVIEWED BY: Nicole Miller, City Administrator BACKGROUND: Business owners in the Old Village have expressed an interest in beautifying the downtown including the five sidewalk gardens along Lake Elmo Ave. A group of volunteers involved with Connect Lake Elmo, the Rotary, and Landscape Architecture, Inc., presented a plan at the September 10, 2024 Council Workshop to replace/improve the five old village gardens, including adding additional trees. The group’s proposed plans included several options that were reviewed by staff and the city’s contracted landscape architects HKGI, and shared during an Open House at the Lake Elmo Library on April 3rd for community engagement and support. Tree planting in the county’s road right of way was discussed with county engineers and the county’s recommendations have also been incorporated into the design presented tonight. Staff have also included the community group’s request for an additional tree project proposed as a 2026 project, if the Council is interested in budgeting for it. The second phase of the Old Village Beautification could include adding two trees in the hardscape, replacing three smaller existing trees that don’t accomplish the desired site lines and contracting out professional pruning of existing trees. The estimated cost for the 2026 Old Village 2nd phase project is expected to be around $53,000 Three proposals were received to complete the 2025 garden improvements as proposed, along with pricing for future maintenance of the five gardens. ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Would the City Council like to see the gardens improved in 2025 as presented by HKGI, to contract Hoffman & McNamara to replace the gardens, and to contract out professional landscape maintenance after the warranty period? Would the council also like to budget for a 2nd phase of tree improvements in 2026? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: City staff and HKGI are proposing the garden replacement plan recommended by the community group based on community engagement. Three proposals were requested for removal, installation and maintenance, Hoffman & McNamara is the lowest proposal for installation. Proposed Annual Maintenance beyond the warranty period includes weeding, cutting, and cleanup 3 times per year. Plant replacement, watering and mulch replenishment are as needed and are extra in future years.