Item 13 - Consideration of Acceptance of Drought Tolerant Landscaping Improvements in Landscape Maintenance District No. 2 - Project Numbers 18016 and 18017AGENDA ITEM NO. 13
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: August 12, 2019
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF DROUGHT TOLERANT LANDSCAPING
IMPROVEMENTS IN LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 2 - PROJECT
NUMBERS 18016 AND 18017
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Accept the Drought Tolerant Landscaping Improvements in Landscape Maintenance District 2 for Project
Nos. 18016 and 18017;
2. Authorize recordation of Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Recorder; and
3. Authorize the release of retention funds after recordation of the Notice of Completion.
DISCUSSION:
The City of West Covina's Public Services Department is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of all
landscaping and irrigation improvements in City parks, facilities, medians, paseos, and landscape maintenance
districts, including the open space areas and slopes in LMD 2. On June 20, 2017, the City Council adopted the
Guidelines and Standards for Drought Tolerant Landscaping and Water -Wise Irrigation in the Public Right -of -Way,
City Parks and Facilities. The primary purpose of the guidelines is to provide design, installation and maintenance
standards and include criteria to be used in prioritizing the implementation of improvements — public health and
safety, aesthetics and mitigating blight, potential for water cost savings and lower maintenance costs, integration of
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements, availability and type of funding,
proximity or availability of recycled water, and watering restrictions of local water suppliers
Although the majority of the open space areas in the landscape maintenance districts have been planted with native
and drought tolerant plants, they had become overgrown and were in need of revitalization by utilizing new and
improved drought tolerant plant species and more technologically advanced water -wise irrigation systems. As part
of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget, Project Nos. 18016 and 18017
renovated the "Amax / Azusa Slope" located on the slope bounded by Brentwood Drive on the west, Amar Road on
the southern perimeter, and Azusa Avenue along the easterly side . This slope was renovated with water -wise
plantings, more efficient irrigation components and a more open and visually appealing landscape design. Over 50
percent of the old existing landscape plants were removed or reshaped, and most trees were laced and had crown
reductions performed. The new plants were planted in large groupings accentuating the plant species character and
beauty. After the plantings were completed, the immediate areas around the new plants were top dressed with
mulch to retain moisture, reduce invasive weeds, and provide a clean manicured look for the residents, guest, and
community.
All required improvements were performed in conformance with the approved plans and specifications by Azteca
Landscape, Inc. The project was satisfactorily completed in April 2019.
Prepared by: Mike Cresap Public Services Superintendent
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
The following table shows the total budget approved and actual costs for this project:
Item
Approved Budget
Actual Cost
Proj. 18016 - Tree Trimming and Brush Control
$30,000
$30,000
Proj. 18017 - Drought Tolerant Landscaping
$160,000
$143,160
Total
$190,000
$173,160
Funds were approved as part of the FY 2017-18 CIP budget by the City Council in Account No.
182.80.7004.7700 on June 22, 2017.