HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-03-22 - AGENDA REPORTS - MWD PEPPER TREES MAINT AGMT (2)Agenda Item: _ I I
CTTV OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
DATE: March 22, 2005
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF.AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT FOR THE CITY TO
ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND MAINTENANCE OF
PEPPER TREES WITHIN THE MWD RIGHT-OF-WAY
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council authorize the City Manager to consider and execute an agreement with the
Metropolitan Water District (MWD), subject to City Attorney approval, for the City to accept
responsibility for and maintenance of a line of pepper trees located within the MWD right-of-way
that runs parallel to Alderbrook Drive in Newhall.
BACKGROUND
In January 2005, City staff was notified that a line of pepper trees that runs parallel to Alderbrook
Drive in Newhall would be removed by the end of February 2005. Since learning of the
impending removal, the City has worked closely with the Chief Operating Officer and the staff of
the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) to identify feasible alternatives to the removal of the
trees. The City Council has received presentations and updates regarding this issue over the past
two months.
The MWD and the City have identified an alternative to removal of the trees that is acceptable to
the MWD. The MWD will allow the trees to remain in place if the City agrees to accept
responsibility for and maintenance of the trees. The City has not yet received a proposed
agreement from the MWD.
The City's arborist has evaluated the potential for negative impacts to the MWD pipeline and has
determined that it is highly unlikely that the trees pose any risk to the integrity of the pipeline due
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to root intrusion. The arborist also stated that it is highly unlikely, given soil and water
conditions in the area surrounding the trees, that the roots will pose any problem for potential
excavation activities that may be needed to maintain the pipeline. The City will be conducting
further investigations into the location and extent of the tree roots in relationship to the location
of the pipeline.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other actions as identified by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
No immediate fiscal impacts would be necessary to implement the Recommended Action. The
City's arborist has recommended that the pepper trees be pruned and cleaned -up per City
standards for City maintained trees. An unknown cost could occur if the trees were ever
identified as the cause for a rupture or damage to the MWD pipeline.