LTC 169-2019 Flamingo Park Park-Wide Improvements A AM ! BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 169-2019 LETTER TO COMMISSION
TO: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of the Ci Commission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager -4or7LNI
DATE: March 26, 2019
SUBJECT: Flamingo Park Park-Wide Improvements
The purpose of this Letter to Commission is to provide information to the Mayor and City
Commission regarding the removal of four (4) Melaleuca trees. We deeply regret the feeling of
loss that this removal of these mature trees has caused our community. Yesterday, four (4)
Melaleuca trees were removed by the contractor as part of the Flamingo Park Park-Wide
Improvements, without proper notification to the community.
Plans for this project were developed and designed as part of an overall plan to upgrade and
renovate the park and a series of community outreach meetings have been conducted since
2014. The Tree Work Permit, #UF2017-0195, was issued on October 2, 2017, and specifies the
removal of 11 trees, planting of 42 new trees and the relocation of 13 trees. The 42 new trees
include (3) Gumbo Limbos, (6) Verawood, (9) Bridal Veil, (5) Pigeon Plum, (4) Orange Geiger,
(14) Wild Tamarind and (1) Mahogany. New trees will be installed in the next 30-60 days. This
permit included the removal and mitigation of the Melaleuca trees, which are considered
Category 1 invasive, prohibited species.
While prohibited species are exempt from permit requirements under the City Code, the project
was designed to ensure that the canopy removed was mitigated in the form of new Florida
Friendly canopy trees which are better suited for the South Florida environment. Melaleuca
quinquenervia is one of the most invasive species on the Miami-Dade County prohibited species
list and part of a management program spearheaded by the USDA.
During the design and development of the project, the City obtained a Tree Resource
Evaluation, completed by an ISA Certified Arborist. A general assessment of the Melaleuca
trees was completed and they were identified to have dead and/or decaying branches, resulting
in a potential danger to the visitors and guests of the park.
As a requirement of the tree work permit, the contractor is required to tag and identify all trees
planned for removal, in advance. This requirement allows the tags to serve as a visual notice to
the stakeholders. It explains the reason for removal, the permit information and the mitigation
efforts. Unfortunately, the Melaleuca trees were not tagged prior to removal. The City will be
issuing today a Notice of Non-Compliance to the contractor, for not having complied with Tree
Work Permit and contract requirements. In addition, the contractor has been directed to cease
all tree removal activities until such time as the Administration can further evaluate the
justification for the removal of any additional trees.
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Moving forward, any additional trees proposed for removal or relocation as part of the Flamingo
Park Park-Wide Improvements project will be properly tagged before removal activities occur in
accordance with the issued Tree Work Permit. In addition, advanced notification through
advisories or project updates will be provided to the community and other stakeholders.
Further, we will be exploring additional opportunities, as part of this project, to further enhance
the native tree canopy.
The Administration has taken this opportunity to reevaluate its internal processes related to tree
removal. Urban Forestry will hold a special training for city staff related to the tree permitting
process and tree health. CIP will be updating its standard operating procedures as it relates to
tree removals in their projects to ensure that the community is properly notified when trees are
required to be removed during construction.
JLM/EC/DM/E /OJL
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