HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/03/1998, C4 - REQUEST FOR FUNDING FOR TREE REMOVAL council 9t
j acEnaa Report b.N.Aw dAl
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: aul LeSage,Parks and Recreation Director
epared by: Kathy Mills,Recreation Manager
SUBJECT: Request for Funding for Tree Removal
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the transfer of $22,600 from General Fund unappropriated fund balance to the Golf
Course Fund to provide for the removal of diseased and dying trees at Laguna Lake Golf
Course.
DISCUSSION:
Pine pitch chancre, a disease that kills pine trees, is attacking the Monterey Pine trees at
Laguna Lake Golf Course. There are 55 trees at the course that will die by the end of fiscal
year 1999. Staff has embarked upon a plan to remove 25 trees in FY.1997-98 and 30 trees in
FY 1998-99. The dying trees are creating an increasingly dangerous-environment on the Golf
Course. As the disease diminishes the health of the trees, limbs become weak and begin to
fall. Eventually whole trees are in a weakened state and are at risk of falling over. The only
mitigation measure to correct the devastation and return the course to a safe environment in
which to operate is removal of the trees.
Staff consulted with Public Works City Arborist, Todd Martin, to determine if there was
sufficient funding in the current budget to include the removal of effected trees at the Golf
Course. It was the determination of the Arborist that there are not enough funds budgeted for
the removal of trees at the Golf Course, nor is there sufficient funding in the existing Golf
Course budget to do this. Removal of affected trees to date has incurred expenses totaling
$2610 and has depleted the Contract Services line item in the Golf Course budget. This
request corrects current negative balance and provides for the additional remaining removals
required for FY 1997-98.
The removal and subsequent disposal requires special equipment not included in the Golf
Course equipment inventory. Because of the nature of the highly contagious disease the only
manner of eliminating the debris after removal of diseased trees is through chipping. The Golf
Course does not have sufficient equipment or manpower to initiate the tree removal,
consequently it is necessary to contract with a tree removal service in order to accomplish the
removals.
The request for removal is designed to accomplish the following:
• To provide a safe environment for Golf Course users.
• To preserve the appealing appearance of the Golf Course in order to continue maximum
rounds of play.
• To provide ample funding in the Contract Services line to accomplish the removal and
disposal of infected trees.
Cy-/
FISCAL BIPACT
The Golf Course Fund -contract services budget I;has. already been: depleted due to the
unanticipated expenditure of$2610 to remove diseased and _dead trees. :Staff.is-requesting the
transfer-of $22,600 from the unappropriated General Fund, balance to restore the Contract
Services budget in the Golf Course Fund_and pay for the removal of the remaining trees.
Alternatives'
.Deny request for funding leaving infectedand dead trees on the golf course.
CONCURRENCES
The'Departments>of Public Works and.the:Parks and Recreation Commission concur with this .
request.
G:CAORPTS/CAOGCTREEREMOV ALFUNDS
i
i
I
i
I
i
i
G:4o