Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Parks & Recreation Department

TO:	Tom Markus, City Manager
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Derek Rogers, Director, Parks and Recreation
DATE:	Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018
RE:	North Lawrence Tree Inventory and Assessment

In follow up from citizen comment at the Wednesday, Dec. 27, City Commission Meeting regarding the concern of a tree located at Fourth and Elm streets, I wanted to provide an update on the issue.  The tree in question was not one of the mid-October storm damaged trees but was but was evaluated during the health and safety assessment by certified city staff and a Kansas Forest Service forester. The tree located at Fourth and Elm streets will not be removed, however Parks and Recreation staff will prune and remove deadwood from the tree for safety, as the tree is located on a school walk route.

Park and Recreation staff began to inspect and assess public right-of-way street trees in the north Lawrence area after the mid-October microburst, reviewing the health and safety of approximately 1000 trees. Of the trees assessed, 25 trees were identified for further health evaluation, while 41 trees have been slated for removal. 

In addition, Westar Energy will also be conducting line clearance in 2018 due to the October storm. Westar has provided the department with a map of locations for tree pruning, which may overlap with the City’s work in north Lawrence.

Staff attended the North Lawrence Neighborhood Association Meeting Monday, Jan. 8, to discuss the plan with them.