New Search
Public Works <br /> EUGENE <br /> Maintenance Division <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97402 <br /> (541) 687-5220 <br /> (541) 683-6883 FAX <br /> Date: July 23, 1998 <br /> To: Chris Andersen, Public Works Director <br /> From: Bob Hammitt, Maintenance Director <br /> Subject: Cheshire Street Park Parcel <br /> Since we talked last week about the parcel on Cheshire Street where the dirt was piled, I have been <br /> working with Doug and Tim to develop a plan that would satisfy Councilor Meisner. Doug has been <br /> talking to the contractor about removal of the remaining small piles, leveling off the site, and removal <br /> of the erosion control fence. John Etter tells me the site was also supposed to be seeded by the <br /> contractor. From the conversations I've had with Doug, I don't think that is ever going to happen. I <br /> believe we have come to agreement that the contractor would have all the cleanup and grading <br /> accomplished in a month. If it doesn't get accomplished, Doug is going to get another contractor to <br /> come in and do the work to get the site to an acceptable condition. This should all be done by <br /> September 1. <br /> In the meantime, Tim Rhay is working on developing a schematic that shows how we could develop the <br /> site into a combination rough mow area with some appropriately sized wildflower strips. Once the <br /> contractor completes the leveling, Parks staff would go in and begin this work. The goal would be to <br /> get all the planting done prior to the fall rains. Part of the project would include cleaning up the trees. <br /> There is one that is already dead and a couple others that look pretty shabby. We would incorporate <br /> the existing trees into the wildflower planting plan. • <br /> I plan to show Councilor Meisner the schematic and talk to him about what would be done prior to the <br /> planting. I gave him a call to discuss this plan. It turned out to be one of my more negative <br /> interactions with Scott. He is upset and used the word "appalled" that the contractor has not been <br /> forced to get the site into a good condition sooner. He brought up the fact that the contractor was to <br /> perform the seeding. He says the neighbors have lost all trust in the City because we have not done • <br /> what we told them. He referred back to the fact that the site was supposed to be cleaned up last <br /> October. I talked to him about not planting the entire site in wildflowers because it is much larger than <br /> we typically manage and doesn't have any irrigation. The fact it doesn't have irrigation means it would <br /> be a short blooming season and the wildflowers would appear to be a weed patch during the summer <br /> months. He doesn't like the term "rough mow" because he thinks that would be the condition we <br /> previously maintained it. I tried to explain that it would be more attractive because the site would be <br /> more level and we could keep it maintained more frequently. I think we need to quit using the term <br /> "rough mow" with him and describe it as a grass area. Without irrigation, it will certainly dry out <br /> during the summer months, so it will not look like one of our turf areas. <br />