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CC - (1) Acceptance of Work Performed by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps in the amount of $150,000; (2) Authorization to File a Notice of Completion; and (3) Authorization to Release the Retention Payment after Expiration of the 35-Day Lien Period for the Parkway Tree Planting Project (PS-010).
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Contact Person/Dept: Joe Susca / Public Works
Phone Number: (310) 253-5636
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Commission Name:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (12/30/15)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director/City Engineer (12/22/15)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council: (1) accept work performed by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps in the amount of $150,000; (2) authorize filing a Notice of Completion; and (3) authorize the release of the 5% retention payment after expiration of the 35-day lien period for the Parkway Tree Planting Project (PS-010).
BACKGROUND
Over the years, the City has lost a number of parkway trees due to age, disease, storm damage, and other factors. Recognizing the importance of maintaining a vibrant urban forest, the City Council has been dedicating General Funds to replace trees on an ongoing basis. On average, the City loses 120 trees and plants 180 new trees annually. This represents a significant investment of City resources. However, even with these investments, the City still has a significant backlog of vacant planting sites remaining. According to the City’s street tree inventory, there are over 1,300 vacant tree locations in the City’s parkways.
Given the age of the City’s urban forest and the likelihood that additional trees will reach the end of their lifecycles in the next few years, the City applied for and was awarded a $150,000 grant through Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas’ 2012 Competitive Tree Planting Grant Program. The grant covers the cost to purchase and plant 300 24” box parkway trees and to water them once per week over the first year (Project).
In January 2015, staff released a Request for Proposals, and on April 13, 2015, the City Council approved an agreement with the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (Corps) to complete the Project.
DISCUSSION
The Corps completed the purchasing and planting portion of the Project in a timely fashion without any change orders. The Corps will continue to perform the weekly watering of the newly planted trees over the coming year to promote their growth and to establish their roots.
Typically, parkways equipped with irrigation systems are operated in a manner that serves the needs of shallow rooted plants and turf. Newly planted trees, however, require deeper watering to establish their roots and to promote growth. For the first year, on a weekly basis, a Corps watering tank truck will drive along the parkways where trees have been newly planted and use a spout to pour 15 gallons of water into each tree well. When a vehicle is parked adjacent to the tree, the truck driver will manually water the tree using a bucket. During and shortly after rainstorms watering will be suspended.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The City Council approved a budget amendment on April 13, 2015, to appropriate the grant amount of $150,000 awarded through the 2012 Competitive Tree Planting Grant Program. The grant covers all of the $150,000 Corps cost to complete the Project. The grant requires an additional $5,000 City match, which is in the form of in-kind services to oversee the Project.
ATTACHMENTS
None
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
That the City Council:
1. Accept the work performed by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps in the amount of $150,000; and,
2. Authorize filing a Notice of Completion; and,
3. Authorize release of the 5% retention payment in the amount of $7,500 upon expiration of the 35-Day lien period.