Inventory and maintenance for city trees
SPOKANE VALLEY - Council approved the opportunity to pursue a grant proposal to help the city create an inventory and maintenance plan for the existing trees taken care of by the city Parks and Recreation Department.
Approval came through with six votes yes, and Al Merkel being the only vote against the proposal.
According to Engineering Manager Adam Jackson they have a grant request totaling $225,000. Jackson broke it down a bit and said those funds would be for a three-year maintenance plan for trees in city parks.
So, the grant would cover $75,000 per year for the next three years.
Jackson said grant recipients are not required to match funds to be awarded the grant.
Councilman Al Merkel brought a few questioned how a consultant would be chosen in this situation.
Jackson said the consultant would be chosen through the standard procedure.
According to Jackson it would be better for a professional consultant to be included in this scope of work, and that they would be paid $2,000 for services.
Councilwoman Laura Padden noted that the proposal for the grant is to help the city get in compliance with some upcoming recommendations, but questioned what those recommendations are.
“This plan should position the city to meet the proposed requirements,” Padden said. “Well, what are those requirements that we are meeting?”
“Everyone wants to know,” Jackson answered. “The Department of Ecology is the authority for the stormwater division’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.”
“It’s what the stormwater division operates and maintains for compliance.”
Jackson said the permit for this year has not been finalized, but there will be a tree requirement included.
There were some concerns that the city would have enough funding for the planning aspect, but not enough to completely fulfill the maintenance aspect.
He also said they are only currently asking for $225,000, but the total award could be as high as $350,000.
The question came up as to why doesn’t the city ask for all of the funding, so they can ensure the proper tree maintenance can follow the planning process.
“Why don’t we ask for the full $350,000,” Wick asked.
“We could,” answered Jackson. “We could go for the additional amount, but $350,000 may not be enough either.”
“This is just an opportunity to take an inventory of our trees, of an asset we own.”
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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