07/06/2021 ITEM NO. 7 - CONSIDEATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF DROUGHT TOLERANT LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS IN LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO.1 - PROJECT NUMBER 18014AGENDA ITEM NO. 7
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina I Office of the City Manager
DATE: July 6, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: David Carmany
City Manager
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF DROUGHT TOLERANT LANDSCAPING
IMPROVEMENTS IN LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 1- PROJECT
NUMBER 18014
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1. Accept the Drought Tolerant Landscaping Improvements in Landscape Maintenance District 1 for
Project No. 18014;
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 Landscape Maintenance District 1 (LMD 1). 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 No.
18014 renovated the "Ridge Slope" located on the "ridge" slope between Amar Road and Gingrich Park. 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
Merchants Landscape Services, Inc. The project was satisfactorily completed in November 2018.
Prepared by: Kelly McDonald, Public Services Manager
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
The following table shows the total budget approved and actual costs for this project:
Item
pproved Budget
ctual Cos
ro'. 18014 - Drought Tolerant Landscapingl$150,000
1$124,661
Funds were approved as part of the FY 2017-18 CIP budget by the City Council in Account No.
181.80.7004.7700 on June 22, 2017.
CITY Maintain and Enhance City Facilities and Infrastructure
COUNCIL Enhance the City Image and Effectiveness
GOALS &
OBJECTIVES: