HomeMy WebLinkAboutD-4 Staff Report - City Street Median FinalSCHEDULED ITEM
D-4
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: DON PENMAN, INTERIM CITY MANAGER
FROM: LOUIE F. LACASELLA, SENIOR MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: DECEMBER 18, 2017
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING CITY STREET MEDIANS
SUMMARY:
At a recent City Council Meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Uriel Macias had some questions regarding the
condition of City street medians. Therefore, with the City Council’s approval Staff compiled this report
summarizing State water restrictions regarding City medians, recent City median projects completed as
well as options the City Council may want to consider regarding future project locations and landscape
designs. The proposed action requests that the City Council discuss the item and provide direction to
Staff.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following action:
1) Discuss and provide direction to Staff.
DISCUSSION:
Although water conditions have improved throughout the State, many of the provisions contained in the
Governor’s Executive Order B-37-16 remain in full force and effect (Attachment 1). One such provision
is that the Water Board shall prohibit practices that waste potable water such as irrigating ornamental
turf on public street medians. The City of Azusa, like many cities throughout the State has taken action
to comply with the executive order which has led to changing conditions of city street medians. Existing
irrigation is able to water existing trees and shrubs, however it provides limited watering of turf areas,
which include grass.
The City has completed two projects in the past two years that consist of the removal of grass and the
replacement of drought tolerant landscaping. Both of these projects were funded with grant funds in the
amount of $100,000 from the San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District (SGVMWD).
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
12/18/2017
City Street Median
December 18, 2017
Page 3
The first City project located on Orange Avenue was completed by Ecoworkz Synthetic Grass on
August 10th 2016. The project consists of artificial turf and boulders. The project’s construction cost was
in the amount of $54,866 and no contracted design work was required (Attachment 2).
The second City project located on Azusa Avenue was completed by City s taff in June of 2017 at a cost
of $35,166 (Attachment 3) which included design cost paid to a landscape architect. The project consists
of drought tolerant plant material, decomposed granite, boulders, river rock and drip irrigation.
A third City project the City Council may want to consider would be location on Foothill Boulevard
from Azusa Avenue to Rockvale Avenue (Attachment 4). This could be a desired location given its
connection to the downtown area and civic center. There are seven (7) medians within the location
where grass could be removed and drought tolerant landscaping could be installed.
Below are some landscaping design options for the City Council to consider, as well as a cost estimate
for the Foothill Boulevard identified medians:
Landscape Designs Cost Estimate (sq/ft)*
Example of Cost Estimate
Foothill Boulevard
(7) Street Medians
Artificial turf and boulders
(Used in Orange Avenue City Project) $11.25 to $13.25
$118,825
(9,700 square feet of landscaped area at
$12.25 a sq/ft)
Drought tolerant plant material,
decomposed granite, boulders, river rock
and drip irrigation
(Used in Azusa Avenue City Project)
$16.50 to $18.50
$169,750
(9,700 square feet landscaped area at
$17.50 a sq/ft)
Artificial turf, decomposed granite,
boulders and river rock
(Used at Citrus College)
$24.25 to $26.25
$244,925
(9,700 square feet of landscaped area at
$25.25 a sq/ft)
*Estimated cost may vary depending on quantities of materials does not include architectural services.
The main difference between the landscaping design options is the appearance. Minor maintenance and
water usages vary on the design and quantities of the materials used. The City Council could also
designate to have certain medians with certain landscape designs.
The City has over 5.5 miles of City street medians. Other locations could be identified for future projects
or the above mentioned location could be expanded or shortened as desired by the City Council. Staff
wanted to provide the Foothill Boulevard location as an example for costing purposes.
Within the City’s FY17/18 budget, there are no allocated funds available for street median projects.
Staff can reach out to the SGVMWD to see if there is funding available for future City projects.
Through the Azusa Light and Water’s Turf Removal Program, the City of Azusa would be eligible to
receive a rebate of $2.00 per square foot of turf removed (not to exceed $5,000 per watering meter). The
potential Foothill Boulevard location includes three (3) water meters. Therefore, the City could receive
up to $15,000 in turf removed rebates. Other funding would have to be provided from General Fund
monies.
City Street Median
December 18, 2017
Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved:
Louie F. Lacasella Don Penman
Senior Management Analyst Interim City Manager
Attachments:
1) Governor’s Executive Order B-37-16
2) City Project – Orange Avenue
3) City Project – Azusa Avenue
4) Potential City Project – Foothill Boulevard
ATTACHMENT 1
Orange Avenue ATTACHMENT 2
Azusa Avenue ATTACHMENT 3
Foothill Boulevard ATTACHMENT 4