LTC 141-2011 Status Update of Meridian _
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OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER .
No. LTC #,,i 4 1 - 2 01 1 / L T�
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of tlyty� .
FROM: Jorge M'. Gonzalez City Manager
DATE June 9,, 2011'
SUBJECT: Status Update of the Meridian Avenue Tree. Trimming
The intent of this Letter to Commission is to provide you an update, on the status of trimming of
the Calophyllum trees on Meridian Avenue.
As you may recall, . as the result of cold damage in January 2010, the, large Calophyllum trees
lining* Meridian- Avenue between 2 " St. and 16 St. have numerous dead branches that need- to..
be removed for. public safety. and tree health.. The damage to.these' trees and the Greensp'ace
Management. Division's strategy for addressing the damage was described in LTC #189 -2010,
dated July 6, 2010. Trimming of these trees was delayed until now in order to give the trees as
much time as necessary to recover from the cold damage and produce new shoots.
A. number of resident inquiries have been received abo.ut these trees. would. be trimmed.
The trimming of the. Meridian Avenue Calophyllurn trees is now scheduled to start on Monday,
June 13, 2011, and will continue for approximately three weeks, depending on the weather.
During this period it will be necessary to implement; vehicle detours and, designate "No -Parking''
areas for the block(s) where tree - trimming is taking. place. It is expected that:
o one two blocks 'of Meridian Avenue will be affected on -any specific day;
- the detours and parking closures be in effect from 8 :00.AM to 6:00 PM,` and
Individual blocks will be impacted by the detours and parking closures for one to three
days, depending on the time required to trim the block's trees.
Parking closures are necessary-to prevent damage toy parked vehicles and. to provide the
trimming crew with access to. the trees.
Letters. notifying property owners of the parking closures are being mailed. during the week of May
23rd 27th, giving the owners at least a two -week notice of the planned closures. Notices will be
posted` in the neighborhood prior to implementing the parking closures. The Flamingo Park HOA
has also been, advised of this process and we will coordinate'- further with them as necessary_
The primary objective of' this project is to restore the crowns of `these trees as much as possible
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given - the extent of cold damage. Damaged branches will be trimmed to a point where shoot
growth is present or has been initiated. If a branch has no shoot growth, it wiIF be trimmed back to
live;; healthy wood -that has the potential to produce new..s. This might. eave some branch
stubs in the crowns of'the trees, but will- provide a final opportunity for these branches to produce
new shoots. Branches that are completely dead .will be completely removed_ It is also possible
that several trees will . need to be removed because of the severity of damage 'and lack of
.recovery.
As always, please let me know if you have questions, comments, or concerns.
JMG /HMF /KS /JO /CL
H :\ Parks \Greenspace\LTC_Status -up Date of the Meridian Avenue Tree Trimming (3).docx