WORKSHOP ITEM - Robert Therres, Public Services Manager/Asst. City Manager
Title
UPDATE ON BLAINE WETLAND SANCTUARY LANDSCAPING
Background
In October of 2017 the City Council discussed doing additional landscaping at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary (BWS) as part of the wetland restoration that was done in 2017. As part of the discussion, Council asked staff to set up a meeting with the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Committee to see if there was interest in doing a reimbursement program, where the City would reimburse affected residents for planting trees on their own property instead of doing additional landscaping in the BWS.
Attached is the e-mail that was sent to the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Committee on January 10th requesting feedback on this proposal.
Staff received several responses from Committee members (responses are attached) on this proposal. The committee members representing the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) commented that the NRCB was not in favor of a reimbursement program. A comment was received that residents on Naples Circle may have covenants/easements that will not allow them to plant trees on their property. Other comments focused more on how the details of a reimbursement program would work and whether residents would be able to be reimbursed for work already done since the wetland restoration was started. Another comment questioned the delineation of where trees were removed as part of the restoration project.
Based on the comments from the committee, there does not seem to be consensus that a reimbursement program would work. There is interest by some of the property owners, but there may be some issues that might prevent others from using a reimbursement program.
Recommendation
Staff is looking for Council direction on the following questions:
1. Does the City Council want to do a reimbursement program for the BWS?
2. Is the City Council interested in installing a fence/gate where the maintenance access for the BWS is located? Cost estimate is $12,000-$15,000.
3. Is the City Council interested in planting additional trees in the BWS to further buffer residents from the wetland restoration? Cost estimate around $35,000 - $40,000.