Consider Maintenance Options for Center Median in the Sweet Bay Ridge Development

The purpose of this case is to seek direction on the ongoing maintenance of the center median at the entrance to the Sweet Bay Ridge development.  The median is located on 161st Avenue, east of Variolite Street.  The median consists of two sections, one approximately 150' x 15' and the other 300' x 15'.  The median was installed during the first phase of the Sweet Bay Ridge Development and was irrigated and maintained by the developer initially.  During the recession, the developer requested that the irrigation meter be removed and with no home owners association to assume payment of the utility bill, the irrigation was shut off and has been off for several years now.  Because it was a private irrigation system, we have no record of it being winterized or if it is even functional today.  A quick inspection by staff uncovered several broken sprinkler heads and missing parts. 

A group of residents from the development have taken on the maintenance of the median themselves, because they take pride in the appearance of their neighborhood. But, the out of pocket costs, time, and labor have become too much for them to continue this practice.  Last fall a group of neighbors came to the City asking for help with the maintenance of the median.  They were seeking permission to have rock installed on the median, at their cost, as a way to cut back on the maintenance and reduce costs associated with replacing the wood mulch every year.  This idea was rejected by Staff because of the harsh environment it would create for the plant material and because of potential maintenance issues the rock could cause (if the rock found its way to the road surface). 

City staff has gathered several options for possible maintenance solutions of the median and they are included in this case. It should be noted that whatever solution or direction is taken for this median, City Council approval will be needed before any work can take place. Also, there are other medians throughout the city that are in the same condition of disrepair with no clear cut maintenance agreements or ownership in place.  Any decision made on this particular median will impact how we handle the future maintenance on those facilities as well.

Staff has collected several estimates for various maintenance options and they are as follows:

Option #1-Do nothing and leave the median to occasional and partial maintenance by concerned residents in development.

Option #2- Removal:

1. Remove median and re-pave area at an estimated cost of $54,541.00. This does not include removing irrigation stub and capping at the water main; or
2. Remove landscaping, leave curb in place and pave area at an estimated cost of $32,300.00. This does not include removing irrigation stub and capping at the water main.

Option #3- Restore and/or Replace Landscaping:

1. Contract with Prairie Restorations to create a native and pollinator friendly landscape in the median area at a cost of $16,733.00 (this cost includes 3 year maintenance agreement).  Long term maintenance could be a collaborative effort between the City and neighborhood.
2. Remove all plant material, except the trees, and install sod. Estimated cost of $1,400.00 (this does not include labor cost to remove plant material and prep area for sod. 

It should be noted that for either scenario under Option #3 to succeed, the irrigation system must be repaired and in usable condition. Additionally, a legal agreement of some type would also potentially be needed to clarify who is paying for the ongoing maintenance of the system and the water use throughout the summer.

Funding would be based on maintenance option chosen and a future funding agreement between the residents of Sweet Bay Ridge Development and the City of Ramsey

Recommend maintenance option from list of alternatives provided or provide alternative maintenance option based on EPB  discussion and move forward to Public Works Committee for further review.