I. RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is seeking Council's approval to use rubberized tree wells as an alternative approach to the use of conventional tree grates and use this approach on the 7th Street rehabilitation project between Forest and Elm Ave.
II. BACKGROUND:
During the design phase of the 7th street rehabilitation, staff has been looking at alternative methods to traditional metal tree grates. One of the alternatives is the use of rubberized material made from a mixture of recycled tires, washed gravel, and rubber resin and can be poured like concrete. It also serves to mitigate rainwater runoff is with permeable paving that allows water to flow through and be absorbed on site rather than enter the sewer system.
III. DISCUSSION:
Staff is bringing this to the City Council as an alternative to the use of a standard metal grate, that is very difficult to accommodate expanding trucks of trees as they grow over time. With the rubberized material, as the tree grows, crews can cut the material with a jigsaw to accommodate the expanding trunk. This approach also to be found a more cost effective alternative to a typical metal grate. According to the City Engineer, the cost could be approximately $500-$700 per tree well for Porous Pave/Flexi Pave compared to $1500 for a two piece metal tree grate.
Staff has included some information regarding the Porous Pave and Stone Set Tree Surround products that the City would like to consider as a pilot for 7th street rehab project to see how it works. If this serves to be a good option, the City would move to using this a standard for future projects.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, this alternative provides for a variety of color options to match the surrounding environment or to show civic pride with community based colors. Here is a link to various color options with Porous Pave:
Color Options Link: https://www.porouspaveinc.com/color-options
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
None at this time. Staff is seeking councils direction.
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
According to the City Engineer the cost could be approximately $500-$700 per tree well for Porous Pave/Flexi Pave compared to $1500 for a two piece metal tree grate resulting in a cost savings.
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