TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Intergovernmental Agreement between Oregon Department of Transportation for Tree Planting and Maintenance on Salem Parkway.
Ward(s): Ward 5
Councilor(s): Councilor Ausec
Neighborhood(s): Northgate
Result Area(s): Natural Environment Stewardship; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Oregon Department of Transportation for tree planting and maintenance on the north side of Salem Parkway between Cherry Avenue NE and Hyacinth Street NE?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for tree planting and maintenance on the north side of Salem Parkway between Cherry Avenue NE and Hyacinth Street NE.
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SUMMARY:
Since 2018, the City has undertaken an enhanced street tree planting effort to bolster the City’s urban tree canopy. This new tree planting effort includes the north side of Salem Parkway NE between Cherry Avenue NE and Hyacinth Street NE, a State Highway under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The City of Salem has an existing agreement with ODOT for tree and landscape maintenance along Salem Parkway NE south of Cherry Avenue NE.
This new agreement extends north of the existing agreement into the area between Cherry Avenue NE and Hyacinth Drive NE. In the 2020/2021 planting season, the City proposes to use Treecology to plant 67 trees along the north side of Salem Parkway, between Cherry Avenue NE and Hyacinth Drive NE.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. As part of the City’s enhanced street tree planting effort, the City has hired a contractor, Treecology, to implement the program. The work is being done under an existing five-year contract with Treecology that includes tree planting and three years of watering. Each year the City expends approximately $100,000 toward new street tree planting and establishment.
2. In the 2018/2019 planting season, Treecology planted 54 trees along Salem Parkway NE between Liberty Street NE and Cherry Avenue NE. Salem Parkway NE is a State Highway (Oregon Route 99E Business) under the jurisdiction of ODOT.
3. Proposed tree species and planting locations have been reviewed and approved by ODOT and the City’s Urban Forestry section.
4. ODOT has an existing agreement with the City of Salem to carry out tree and landscape maintenance along Salem Parkway. This 1985 agreement does not include the area north of Cherry Avenue NE.
5. A new intergovernmental agreement is needed to address tree planting and maintenance along Salem Parkway NE between Cherry Avenue NE and Hyacinth Street NE.
6. The Intergovernmental Agreement describes the roles and responsibilities of ODOT and the City.
BACKGROUND:
Street tree planting is an integral part of the City’s work to increase the urban tree canopy. The City has contracted with Friends of Trees since 2014 for public engagement in tree plantings in City parks. To increase the number of trees planted each year the City hired a contractor in 2018, Treecology, to specifically focus on street tree plantings within street rights of way.
Under this five-year contract approximately 150 trees will be planted each year along Salem streets. In addition to planting, the trees will be watered and maintained for three years under the contract to ensure a healthy establishment period for each tree.
Increasing Salem’s urban tree canopy is a primary goal of the Council-adopted Community Forestry Strategic Plan (2013). Trees in cities have been proven to improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff and urban heat island effects, and provide aesthetic, social, and economic benefits.
Robert Chandler, PE, PhD
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachment:
1. Intergovernmental Agreement between ODOT and City of Salem