Consider Policy on Turf Establishment Related to City Improvement Projects

On every City improvement project turf establishment is always the most contentious matter when it comes to residents & business owners.  The infrastructure (street paving, utility installation, etc.) portions of project are fairly straight forward; is runoff being directed where it's supposed to go, do the utilities pass all required testing criteria, are things working as designed.  Turf restoration always draws the most attention, as this work is taking place outside the roadway in the boulevard area and people believe that this directly impacts their property, but is the least scrutinized.  While a majority of the restoration takes place within the right-of-way residents are still required to maintain this area and consider it an extension of their property.  Other areas of restoration occur within easements, either along front or side lots as dedicated on the plats, or as acquired (temporary or permanent) during project initiation.

Staff continues to hear comments that we should be following our own rules related to topsoil requirements, but the current ordinance is only triggered by the construction of a new principle structure.  During the development of project scope on all City improvements staff reviews the potential areas of impact on a case-by-case basis and make a decision on what would be the most appropriate means of restoration.  Following are some considerations in that decision:

• Is the overall area a highly manicured urban type neighborhood or is it a more rural type setting
• Is it City land or private property
• Is the area used strictly for public purpose (drainage ditches/ponds vs. boulevard that drains to street)
• Who is responsible to maintain the area
• What are the current soil types in the area

From this gathered information we determine what would be an appropriate means of restoration, and include this information within the project feasibility study and estimates.  We always evaluate the entire project as one; we do not attempt to perform different types of restoration for different areas - everyone gets the same treatment within the project area (except steep slope/highly erodible areas).

Over the past couple of years we have had considerable issues and received numerous complaints regarding turf restoration on projects.  With all the recent topsoil discussions people believe that they will be receiving a high quality material for restoration.  They do not look into the details of this portion of the project, but are more concerned with how the area will drain, does it impact their access, will they lose any trees, will their landscaping, etc. be impacted.  Once the project is nearing completion and turf restoration is being established then several issues are brought forward as a concern; where is the topsoil, why didn't you sod vs. seed, why didn't we get what that project received, how long will it take to establish, who's responsible to maintain (water), etc.

Because staff reviews these issues on a case-by-case basis, regardless of what we do we are inevitably questioned and instructed where we went wrong and how we should have done it differently.  Staff is looking for direction on establishing a policy for turf restoration on all projects, which includes the following:

• topsoil requirements (import vs. salvage & reinstall)
  • should there be a differentiation between urban (curb & gutter) areas and rural (ditch section) areas?
  • depth
• method (seed vs. sod)
  • how handle on steep slope areas (hydroseed, geotextile blanket, etc.)
  • maintenance (watering) - MnDOT specs. require the contractor to be responsible for 30 days
• time of the year
  • dormant seeding vs. temporary erosion control for late season
  • sod everything

I'm sure there are other factors that can also be included but this is a flavor for issues staff typically receives complaints on, and can serve as a basis for discussion and development of a policy.

Development of the policy will be handled with staff time and therefore funded through the general fund.  Funding for the actual implementation will depend on the specific improvement project and could include enterprise funds, general fund, property assessments, state aid, TIF, etc.  Regardless of the final policy developed there will be cost considerations for each project, which must be identified and communicated prior to construction so there is no confusion during the approval process or during implementation.

Staff would like to receive direction an preparing a City policy for turf establishment on City improvement projects.

Based upon discussion.