Initiate Strategic Plan Action Item #3—Review and Analyze Turf Maintenance of City Properties

Purpose
The purpose of this case is to initiate one of Council's Strategic Plan items, specifically to 'Review and Analyze Turf Maintenance of City Properties', by implementing a long-term cost savings in ground's maintenance for approximately 2 1/2 acres within Autumn Heights Park.

The 'Key Outcome and Indicator' of this Strategic Action Plan is a desire to/for 'Significantly reduced time and expense of maintaining City turf'.

Background
In recent years, both the Park and Recreation Commission and City Council have generally recommended the reduction or elimination of unnecessary mowing in parks and public spaces where areas of mown turf serve little or no purpose (like the open areas of Autumn Heights Park).  At the same time, it is recognized that the public often supports wildlife habitat enhancements in parks and natural areas as the highest-and-best-use of these undeveloped lands.

Observations
The above-referenced Strategic Plan goal is shown for implementation in the third quarter of 2022. This case would begin the process of examining turf and grounds maintenance costs city-wide over the course of the coming year, however in this specific instance just one location is targeted, following the removal of the unused and antiquated play equipment at Autumn Heights Park.  It may be noted that the Playground Replacement Policy also references this topic: "Another option to traditional playgrounds is converting parkland, including the former playground area, into naturalized landscapes, providing a different type of valued outdoor amenity."

As indicated, this case only begins the process of examining turf-grass maintenance costs with the stated goal of reducing costs over time.  Additional information and opportunities will be developed for City Council consideration later in 2022.

The first attachment is existing conditions at the subject park. The second is an itemized cost of some, (not all of) the work proposed for the park, and is a menu for consideration in 2022 and later years.  Attachments 3 - 5 is additional background information.


Alternatives
Alternatives include;
~ Doing nothing, and continuing to mow the sparse vegetation at the park, at a time when fuel prices are at an all-time high, and the city has experienced labor shortages for mowing and grounds maintenance activity. 
~ Proceed with converting the ground cover at the subject park to native grasses and wildflowers.
~ Other, unspecified actions or expenditures.

Funding would be from the parks General Fund contracted services, for the installation of naturalized ground cover, and the first year contracted maintenance (establishment work).

Staff recommends proceeding with a 2022 not-to-exceed amount of $9,600 to replace the sparse turf and weeds at Autumn Heights Park with naturalized ground cover—understanding that in subsequent years, additional investments and maintenance activity will need to occur, but that after a few years, the annual costs will be less than for a mowed turf—and will result in a landscape that is interesting, with other benefits to residents and wildlife.

Motion to authorize up to $9,600 within the 2022 General Fund Parks Operations Budget to replace the mown grass and weeds at Autumn Heights with native grasses and wildflowers.