MEMORANDIUM

Date:       05/05/2004

To:          Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City manager                                                                                                    

From:     Mark Hecker, Parks & Maintenance Superintendent

RE:          UKSHA request

In reading the memo from the UKSHA Project Manager I have the following comments:

Waiving the charges for the value of the trees removed: The basic premise for the charges assessed for the value of tree is based in the fact that a 15-20 year old tree located on a city right-of-way has a considerably higher value to the community than a newly planted tree. Each tree was assessed using a method that has been in use for many years in the state of Kansas. It takes into account the type of the tree, the size of the tree and the current condition of the tree.

Planting trees back in the locations is a great first step but it will be 15-20 years before these trees will have the same value to the community as the ones that were removed. The citizens of Lawrence invest a great deal of money each year to assure that the streets of Lawrence are tree lined and the trees are well maintained. To remove mature trees without paying the actual value is dimensioning a city asset.

Water of newly planted trees:  I feel that this is work best left to the City’s Horticulture staff. From past history, we have found   that volunteer groups assisting with horticulture maintenance has not worked over a long period of time. Usually groups are very good about performing the work for a month or two and then the volunteer effort tends to be forgotten or the membership of the group changes and tasks are not completed. 

Cc Fred DeVictor, Director Parks & Recreation