SR-112376-14B~`
I~1FOP~IATION .Santa Monica, California, November 15, 1976 ~~
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SUBJECT: Status Report on Trees on Pico Boulevard - C7s-Y Cgrt2_;f5 ~~~,~,
TO: Mayor and City Council
ERObI: City Staff
Introduction -
T'nis repertdiscussesthe status of the"Treeson Pico Boulevard" campaign headed
by Liaian Abelson; project costs, and past history of the trees formerly planted
along Pico.
Background
At its October 26, 1976 meeting, the Council requested an informational report on
the above matter.
Past History of Trees A1eng~Pico-and Location-of water Line
Trees £ormerly located on Pico Boulevard were removed between 1957 and 1962 to
allow .for the widening of Pico Boulevard. Approximately 103 palm trees: and 26 other
species of trees were rericved. The palm trees were removed by the Kaspar Burgi
Company at no cost to the-City. (They retained the trees). The 26 other trees
were .removed by the widening contractor.
2'here is a 12-inch water ling located approximately 2-feet in back of the curb on
the south side of Pico between 4th and 14th Streets. This line is buried approximately
3-feet below grade. The location of this line prohibits the planting of trees along
this stretch o£ Pico, because the tree root ball would be planted immediately above
.the water: line which would permit roots intruding into the line as the trees mature.
ProjectCosts
Current Santa Monica Plunicipal Code provisions state Council policy as that of the
City bearing the costs cf planting or replanting trees in ,parkways in residential
areas, whereas other code prrcvisions state two methods for paying for trees in new.
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To: Mayor and City Council -2-
rtovember 15, 1976
subdivisions; commercial or industrial areas. No direct City funding is involved
in either case: (1) Property owners with street frontage deposit funds with the
City Treasurer to pay for all tree planting costs including labor which is done
by City`s forces; (2) Street frontage prgperty owners can request the Street
Superintendent to prepare a petition to the City Council to establish an assessment
proceeding where property owners are assessed. the costs of the tree planting (again,
except labor which is furnished by the City).
However,. at the time Ocean Park Boulevard and 26th Street were widened, the City
did replant displaced trees. On the other hand, the City did not contribute
financially to the recent planting of fifty trees on Montana Avenue.
The Staff has reccmmended to T.O.P, (Trees on Pico}.that phase I of their tree
planting effort include the stretch of Pico between 14th and 34th S£reets. There.
is no water line in this location and trees can be planted in the ground without
interfering with public utilities. T.O.P. has agreed to this Phase I area.
Approximately 36£3 trees are needed for this stretch of Pico Boulevard under current
spacing provisians in the:MUnicipal Code. Of these, 45 could be paid fox by the
City or the School/College District, and the remaining 323 equld be the goal for the
T.O.P. effort. Tree costs including approximately $20.00 per tree and $80.00 per
tree for labor and materials for a $100.00 per tree, total breaks down as:
- T.O.P. goal _ $ 32,300 -
-City School = 4,500
36, 800- ~ Total Phase I
However, if the Council determined that it wasthe City's responsibility to
replace the trees removed during the Pico widening prcjects,.the cost of all
the l29 trees removed at that time could be allocated tc Phase I. This. cost
Toi Mayor and City Council -3- November 15, 197b
breakdown would be:
- T.O.P. goal _ _$ 19,400
- City-School - 17,400
$ 36,800
This cost does not include on-going City costs of approximately $13.00 per tree
per year {$13.00 x 368 trees - $4,784 .est.} for trimming and maintenance. The
Staff feels that since street trees have a long-life and based on tha City costs
involved, the Capital Improvement Fund is a more appropriate source. of funds than
the Musie, Arts, and Recreation Fund;
Alternatives
L - Provide City funds to replace 129 trees previously removed due to Pico
Boulevard wideninge This cost ($12,900)-would be used to plant trees
in the 14th to 34th Streets area. In essence this applies past City policy
of replacing street trees removed because of street widening projects as in
the case of 26tH and Ocean Park Boulevard.
2. Paintain current City policy of no direct .City funding for tree planting
in new subdivisions, commercial and industrial areas in view of current City
involvement by providing on-going maintenance for all street trees.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Council maintain .current City policy as noted in
alternative. $2 above.
Prepared by: David P. Dolter
Assistant City Manager
DPD:cjg
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Santa i~Sonica, California, November 16, 1976. '.
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Councilman John McCloskey
SUBJECT: Request for Agenda Item regarding Trees on
Pico Boulevard for November 23, 1976 Council
Meeting
I would like to place on the agenda for the Council's regular meeting of
November 23, 1976 the matter of trees on Pico Boulevard. Attached is a
copy of the recent staff report on this matter..
i
JM:DPD:pp
Attachment