Parks and Public Landscaping Advisory Board Agenda and Packet 2018 02 01

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I 1.2 City,] Louisville COLORADO , SINCE 1878 PARKS & PUBLIC LANDSCAPE ADVISORY BOARD COMMUNICATION AGENDA ITEM SUBJECT: UPDATE ON DECLINING COTTONWOOD TREES BY THE POWERLINE TRAIL AND RECREATION SENIOR CENTER DATE: FEBRUARY 1, 2018 PRESENTED BY: JOE STEVENS, PARKS AND RECREATION BACKGROUND: Previously the Parks and Public Landscape Advisory Board (PPLAB), on a 4-2 vote, recommended that the two cottonwood trees by the recreation senior center and on the Powerline Trail not be removed but that the fall zone be fenced to discourage activity within the hazard zone along with relocation of that section of the Powerline Trail. Since that recommendation was made, staff asked the City's insurer to review PPLAB's recommendation. Our insurer was not supportive of leaving the trees "if they pose a liability to the city and dangerous situation to residents and non-residents that happen to be in the area" and asked for a second opinion. Based on that information, the City contacted Kevin Marks, a Board Certified Master Arborist, to evaluate and make a recommendation on the condition of the trees. In essence, conclusions are consistent with the City Forester's: "All things considered, public safety is the priority. If the trees are removed any possibility of injury will be mediated". Based on the 2nd opinion and our insurer's concerns around liability, we have temporarily fenced and signed the area around the trees and are requesting PPLAB revisit this subject. At the December 13, 2017 Open Space Advisory Board (OSAB) meeting, OSAB discussed but did not take formal action with regards to the aging cottonwood trees, but did share concerns with regards to any action that would require realignment of the Powerline Trail (minutes from OSAB's December 13,2017 meeting pertaining to this issue are attached) for PPLAB review. Attached to this communication please find the report prepared by Kevin Marks, Board Certified Master Arborist. That report recommends removal of both trees for public safety. If the trees remain, substantial steps must be taken to prevent the public from entering the area under the trees. The City's insurance provider is not amenable to post and dowel/split rail fencing and is of the view that the trees pose a hazard and removal is warranted. The January 15, 2018 report states that one of the trees has been heavily impacted by construction activities. Saunders Construction has acknowledged that one of their subcontractors did not follow the trees and protection plans and specifications as enumerated in section 320190.33 of the City's bid package #2 dated September 29, 2017. Per that agreement, the City Forester assessed the damage and directed the contractor to take immediate steps to remediate some of the damage and impacts from this intrusion. Saunders acknowledged that these actions were not approved, 4