New Search
MEMORANDUM <br />December 6, 1982 - <br />TO: Ray Willard, HCC <br />FROM: Bob Hammitt, Maintenance Superintendent <br />SUBJECT: <br />OBNOXIOUS VEGETATION ABATEMENT <br />Over the past few months, Jeff Hale and I met with you on several occasions in <br />order to discuss vegetation control problems. The issues seem to be as follows: <br />1. Members of the public often get the "city hall runaround" when attempt- <br />ing to have obnoxious vegetation problems abated. In other words, <br />when they call to voice complaint about a vegetation problem, they are <br />frequently referred from department to department; the problem may <br />have needed to have been dealt with in the original department they <br />contacted. Another frequent complaint is "we turned in the problem <br />but nothing happened." <br />2. Vegetation encroachment on the sidewalks or over the curb line into <br />travel lanes of streets has become a real concern. It restricts <br />street sweepers from properly cleaning streets and adds an additional <br />debris load on catch basins, thus causing plugging, which in turn <br />leads to flooding during heavy rain storms. Vegetation encroachment <br />also presents a variety of hazards to pedestrians, bicyclists, and <br />vehicular traffic. Visual obstructions are one of the most common <br />public complaints. Vegetation encroachment problems seem to be <br />increasing due to our lack of proper inspection and persistent follow - <br />up in a timely manner. <br />3. In the past, HCC has willingly (according to brochures) accepted <br />control of all vegetation problems (except areas maintained by Parks) <br />regardless of the root source. There seems to be confusion among the <br />departments as to which department (HCC, Parks, or Public Works) will <br />handle which problems. You have indicated to me that due to an <br />increased workload and a shortage of manpower, you are no longer able <br />to address vegetation problems where the source of roots is within the <br />public right -of -way of streets. We must determine how to handle this <br />problem. <br />I think it is important that the above -noted problem areas are addressed. I <br />suggest the following solutions, most of which we have already verbally agreed <br />upon: <br />1. Adopt the Vegetation Control Policy Manual that my staff has developed. <br />We have previously discussed the manual and after some minor changes <br />agreed on its content. The manual clarifies responsibility and should <br />help eliminate some of the "city hall runaround" if we properly use it. <br />