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• <br /> J 1� <br /> s <br /> July 28, 2005 <br /> E U G E N E <br /> Parks and John C. Watkinson <br /> Open Space P.O. Box 10567 <br /> Eugene, OR 97440 -2567 <br /> a division of Public Works Dear Mr. Watkinson, <br /> 1820 Roosevelt Byrd. <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97402 <br /> Thank you for your letter of June 1 regarding tulip poplar trees on Oakway <br /> (541) 682 -4800 Road, which you sent to Kurt Corey. Kurt asked me to reply to your letter, <br /> (541) 682 -4882 Fax in which you described impacts from street trees to the sidewalk and street <br /> www.ci.eugene.or.us/parks adjacent to Oakway Center. You expressed the property owners' (McKays') <br /> concerns about safety from sidewalk pedestrian hazards and from impaired <br /> street drainage. You believe that the trees pose a threat to public safety, and <br /> that they should be removed. <br /> You requested that the stumps and roots of the five trees already cut down be <br /> removed, along with the remaining 14 trees; that the sidewalk be removed <br /> and replaced and obstructions to street drainage be repaired; and that a more <br /> suitable species of trees be replanted. <br /> Parks and Open Staff from Parks and Open Space and Public Works Maintenance Divisions <br /> Space Planning <br /> have been working with Bert Harrison (Operations Supervisor for Oak Leaf <br /> Parks Maintenance Property Management) and the McKays on the tree, sidewalk, and storm <br /> water issues since last August. Hazard reports were prepared for five of the <br /> Urban Forestry trees, which were subsequently removed because of structural defects, <br /> Natural Resources disease, and decay. Recently, the stumps of these trees were removed. The <br /> remaining fourteen trees have been assessed by our tree inspector and by the <br /> Urban Forester and were determined not to be hazard trees. <br /> Maintenance Division staff also recently completed resolution of all safety <br /> issues related to the sidewalk on Oakway Road between Coburg Road and <br /> Oakmont for which the City is responsible. City workers made patches and <br /> repairs to all panels of sidewalk that they had previously worked on, since <br /> the City warrants its work. Any other sidewalk issues are the responsibility <br /> of the adjacent property owner. Harry Neet, Sidewalk Inspector, is in touch <br /> with Bert Harrison and will inform him of any other sidewalk safety issues. <br /> Maintenance Division and Urban Forestry staff have marked all sections of <br /> curb and gutter displaced near tree trunks along this stretch of Oakway. <br /> After utility locate work is completed, and within the next two weeks, <br /> concrete crew workers are scheduled to remove sections of curb and gutter <br /> pan to determine what roots, if any, need to be cut to achieve a positive flow <br /> of storm water. With this information, Urban Forestry staff will be able to <br /> make assessments of resulting impacts to tree stability. Any additional tree <br /> removal that may be necessary in order to effect curb and gutter repairs will <br /> then be scheduled. <br /> EUGENE <br />