Memorandum 14-111 Town Center and Library Trail Clearing

Memorandum ID: 
14-111
Memorandum Status: 
Backup

Details

Memorandum 14-111

 

TO:                      Mayor Wythe and Homer City Council

FROM:               Walt Wrede, City Manager, and Mark Robl, Chief of Police

DATE:                 July 21, 2014

SUBJECT:         Town Center and Library Trail Clearing

Chief Robl reports that homeless and seasonal camps appear to be expanding in both number and size this year over previous years. Unfortunately, these illegal and unsanctioned camps are in many cases hotspots for illegal and dangerous activities that present a threat to the safety and well-being of the general public. Two of the biggest problem areas are City owned land in the designated Town Center and the trail that leads from the Poopdeck Trail to the library. Both areas are thickly forested with dense black spruce, alders, and underbrush which makes visibility difficult. Chief Robl recommends that these areas be cleared similar to what the City did last year along the Poopdeck Trail.

The City Council discussed this issue briefly at the last meeting in response to a section in the City Manager’s Report. The Council appeared to be in agreement that something needed to be done. Council was informed that the administration would put together a plan of action and a budget request for the next meeting.

Administration  recommends that these areas be cleared similar to what occurred on the Poopdeck Trail. This would entail clearing underbrush and small diameter trees. Large healthy trees would be preserved but limbed high enough so that visibility is improved.  Carey has been working with the Corps of Engineers on wetlands delineation and a clearing strategy that would cause minimal damage to wetlands and habitat. It is likely that the work will be done with some combination of mechanized equipment and hand tools. Because mechanized equipment might be most efficient, it is probable that the work will not be done until fall or winter to minimize disturbance to wet soils.

At this time, we are not planning to haul wood out to a location where the public could take it for firewood.  There are two reasons for this. First, doing that would definitely drive the cost higher. Second, most of the trees that will be removed will be 8 inches in diameter or less. The current plan is to take stumps right down to the ground and leave small pieces on the ground. Much of the debris will be ground into wood chips. Carey has obtained some very preliminary cost estimates. This job will be put out to bid and when the bids come in, we will adjust the scope of work if needed.

RECOMMMENDATION: Approve Ordinance 14-36 and appropriate $35,000 for clearing at the two locations identified.