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Home My WebLink About2005 09 12 Informational Item 301 COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 301 CONSENT INFORMATIONAL X PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR September 12, 2005 Regular Meeting ;2- Mgr. / Authorizatio REQUEST: The Community Development Department Is Advising The City Commission On Current Progress Of The Urban Beautification Services Division. PURPOSE: This agenda item is to update the City Commission on the status of the Urban Beautification Services Division and projects currently in progress within the City of Winter Springs. CONSIDERATION: BOARDS Tuscawilla Lighting and Beautification District - Landscape plants in the Winter Springs Blvd. medians are being replaced in areas where they had been planted in unsuitable conditions for their specific species type. Phase 2 Project - Notification to the Tuscawilla residents regarding the Phase 2 Beautification Program will go out no less than (4) times; in addition to several public meetings prior to the scheduled straw ballot mailout on September 9, 2005. Straw ballots are due back to City Hall by September 23, 2005 to allow ample time for tabulation. The City Commission will consider approving the Phase 2 Project at the November 14, 2005 City Commission Meeting. The current annual grounds maintenance contract with P&L Lawn Service has a value of $ 81,216.00. The current chemical contract with True-Green has a value of $11,589.00. Oak Forest Wall and Beautification District - The landscaping project to install irrigation and plants along the Oak Forest Wall is 60% complete. Project completion is estimated for mid- September 2005 with a contract value of $59,489.17. Eastwood Tuff Turf, grounds maintenance contractor, has been put on notice to improve the quality of their work or contract termination will result. The annual grounds maintenance contract has a current value of$ 8,164.00. Beautification of Winter Springs - The Neighborhood Community Grant Program was a success with (4) applicants receiving grants totaling $11,200.00. Successful applicants were: Mt. Greenwood H.O.A., Fairway Oaks H.O.A., Fire Station on Moss Road, and the Winter Springs Police Department Building. The deadline for all grant projects to be complete is September 20, 2005. Grant funds will also be expended to enhance Right-of-Way areas on Winter Springs Blvd. September 12, 2005 Informational Agenda Item 301 Page 2 within the Oak Forest Subdivision. The Beautification Board is currently working on new projects for improvement to public areas on the West side of Winter Springs. FACILITIES Our facilities consist of City Hall, the Public Safety Building, Public Works Building, the Fire Stations, the Water Plants, and the Reclaimed Water Plants. A picnic bench and mulched break area has been added at the rear parking area of City Hall. Fire Station 24 and the Police Station are receiving new trees and landscaping as part of the 2005 Neighborhood Improvement Grant Program. Eastwood Tuff Turf, grounds maintenance contractor, is performing adequately, in most cases. The annual grounds maintenance contract is currently valued at $38,545.96 per year. Eastwood has been put on notice to improve the quality of their work or contract termination will result. TUSKA WILLA ROAD Native grasses in the medians are being removed and replaced due to Citizen concerns related to visibility near the entrance to Arbor Glen. Native ground cover is scheduled to be installed in place of the taller grasses. Eastwood Tuff Turf, grounds maintenance contractor, is usually performing to standard; with encouragement from staff. The annual grounds maintenance contract has a current value of $41,692.50 per year. Eastwood has been put on notice to improve the quality of their work or contract termination will result CITY RIGHTS OF WAY, MEDIANS. AND PONDS Replacement trees are continually being installed in Rights-of-Way areas throughout the City on streets such as Northern Way, Winter Springs Blvd., and several streets in the Oak Forest and Tuscawilla subdivisions. To date, more than 250 new trees have been installed and are being maintained by the new Urban Forestry Worker hired in January 2005. DawnaLee Corporation, grounds maintenance contractor, is performing at standard and communicating on a weekly basis with staff. The annual grounds maintenance contract, with addendums, is currently valued at $134,476.62 per year. SR 434 RIGHTS OF WAY, MEDIANS. AND PONDS Automobile accidents continue to be an issue on the SR 434 medians, claiming roughly $10,000.00 in trees per year, most of which are recovered through insurance claims processed by the Urban Beautification Services Division. DawnaLee Corporation, the grounds maintenance contractor, is performing very well and communicating with staff daily. The annual maintenance contract, which started October 1 S\ 2004, is currently valued at $85,260.00 per year. The contractor has requested the Commission grant a 10% increase (Agenda Item 209, September 12, 2005) at renewal due to the increasing costs of fuel, labor, and personnel required for performance under this contract. TOWN CENTER DISTRICT The Town Center District currently consists of Market Square, Magnolia Square, and Blumberg Boulevard; including rights-of-way areas in the vicinity. Staff is working on conceptual 'year September 12, 2005 Informational Agenda Item 301 Page 3 round' alternating banners that will attempt to capture, in design, the heart of the Winter Springs Town Center. The City currently posts banners for the Christmas and July 4th Holiday Seasons. Building 2 sidewalk landscaping was completed in July 2005. An audio system (satellite radio) for the public sidewalk areas along Main Street is being considered for installation. Staff will report back to the Commission on our progress when more information is available. Vehicular damage is a continuing problem at the Magnolia Fountain bollard area with over $ 3,000.00 per year in replacement costs. Staff is working with the Police Department to limit losses in this area. Ken- Lin Landscaping, the grounds maintenance contractor, is performing to standard and communicating with staff. The annual grounds maintenance contract has a current value of $17,372.04 per year. PROJECTS Forestry Grant: The Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry has accepted the following grants for payment: Urban Forestry Worker (6 month extension) and the Tuscawilla Tree Grant (97 trees on Winter Springs Blvd.). Winter Springs has also been awarded (2) additional 50% matching grants: Urban Forestry Worker (2nd year) and Urban Forestry Vehicle with equipment. The Parks Department and Beautification Division has applied for a tree grant in the amount of $ 104,710.00 for the Central Winds Park Expansion. Results are pending. Kingsbury Fence: Town Center - Installation of fencing along the Kingsbury property, in the public right-of-way has been completed. Street Lighting Upgrade Projects: Received updated agreement from the City Attorney on 8/19/05. Forwarded agreements to Glen Eagle H.O.A., Winding Hollow H.O.A., and Oak Forest H.O.A. for review. Spoke with Mark Lammert of The Highlands H.O.A., who stated that the H.O.A. was no longer interested in the street light upgrade due to cost issues. The Commission will be updated on these issues as information becomes available. Landscape Installations: Staff is currently working on the following planting projects: . Fisher Road - Installation of native and conservation planting in the Rights-of-Way areas. A total project cost of$ 3,000.00 (Arbor Fund) is expected. . SR 434 Medians - Native plantings of Gulf Muhly Grass and Simpson Stopper are being installed between Tuskawilla Road and SR 419. A total project cost of$ 15,000.00 (Public Works - R&M Grounds and Arbor Fund) is expected. . Oak Forest R.O.W. - Installation of native trees and conservation plantings. A total project cost of$ 9,500.00 (Arbor Fund and Urban Beautification Fund) is expected. COMMISSION ACTION: