Meeting Date: l May 2012
Prepared by: Sean Conroy, Plng & Bldg Services Manager
City Council
Agenda Item Summary
Name: Consideration of a Resolution accepting a gift and authorizing the Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club to perform work on the City Hall gardens including the placement of a memorial sign.
Description: The project includes a renovation of the City Hall gardens including new plantings, replacement of the existing pathways and handrails, a new bench and other improvements.
Overall Cost:
City Funds: N/A
Grant Funds: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Adopt the attached Resolution.
Important Considerations: City Hall is a highly visible public building that includes many deferred maintenance issues. This generous gift will greatly improved the appearance and longterm maintenance of the gardens.
Decision Record: N/ A
Reviewed by:
Jason Stilwell, City Administrator Date
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR BURNETT AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCILFROM: SEAN CONROY, PLANNING & BUILDING SERVICES MANAGER
THROUGH: JASON STILWELL, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: 1 MAY 2012
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A GIFT AND AUTHORIZING THE CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA GARDEN CLUB TO PERFORM WORK ON THE CITY HALL GARDENS INCLUDING THE PLACEMENT OF A MEMORIAL SIGN
BACKGROUND & PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The front garden at City Hall has several deferred maintenance issues. These include problems with the paved walking surfaces, rotting of the wood retaining walls, old handrails, and the need for new plantings. The Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club has received a generous donation to create a memorial garden for one of its long time members and has selected City Hall for the project. The project consists of the following:
• Replacement of existing vegetation with new vegetation.
• Replacement of existing ADA walkway with concrete walkway with a sand finish.
• Raise the existing patio to eliminate the need for steps.
• Installation of a two new benches and a small water feature in the patio.
• Replacement of the existing handrails with a decorative forged iron handrail.
• Repair and/or replacement of some of the existing retaining walls.
• Relocation of the bulletin board to the south side of the garden.
• Installation of low voltage path lighting.
• Design for future installation of underground cistern.
• Provide some funding to assist with future maintenance of the gardens.
The Forest and Beach Commission reviewed the proposal and recommended approval on 5 April 2012 and the Planning Commission issued a Design Review permit for the project on 11 April 2012.
EVALUATION
City Council Policy C89-41 requires that all gifts in excess of $1,000 be accepted by resolution of the City Council. The policy also requires City Council authorization of any naming plaque associated with the donation. The proposed plaque will be mounted on a granite rock and will say “In memory of Constance Meach Ridder / 1941 – 2011 / Member, Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club”. The plaque would likely be placed beside the patio area.
Project Design: Both the Forest and Beach Commission and the Planning Commission determined that the project was a significant upgrade and commended the Garden Club for the design. While the Planning Commission did approve the project, it did express some concern regarding the appearance of the iron handrails. The Commission was somewhat concerned that the railing may not be appropriate for, and in scale with, the building. The Commission suggested that the Council review the handrails to ensure that
they would be appropriate for the site. It should be noted that the Forest and Beach Commission was very much supportive of the railing. City Commitment: The Garden Club has requested some commitment from the City to replace the existing deteriorated wood retaining walls, and with labor to assist in some of the demolition work. The 2012/13 draft Capital Improvement Plan does have this project listed at approximately $25,000, but it is not yet funded. The Council should provide direction on whether the City should fund this project.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt the attached Resolution.
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION 2012-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
ACCEPTING A GIFT AND AUTHORIZING THE CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA GARDEN CLUB
TO PEFORM WORK ON THE CITY HALL GARDENS INCLUDING THE
PLACEMENT OF A MEMORIAL SIGN
WHEREAS, the Carmel Garden Club has received a donation to create a memorial garden for one of its long time members; and
WHEREAS, the Garden Club is proposing to renovate the City Hall gardens with this donation; and
WHEREAS, the renovation includes the placement of a memorial plaque in the gardens; and
WHEREAS, City Council Policy C89-41 requires adoption of a resolution for gifts in excess of $1,000 and for the placement of a naming plaque associated with a gift.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA does hereby:
1. Accept a gift and authorize the Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club to perform work on the City Hall gardens including the placement of a memorial sign.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA this first day of May, 2012 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS:
ATTEST: SIGNED,
____________________ ________________________
Heidi Burch, City Clerk JASON BURNETT, MAYOR
MICHELLE COMEAU
LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALLATION
P .0. BOX 6327 • CARMEL, CA
93921
831.620.0111 • FAX 831.620.0105
www.comeaudesign.com
LICENSE NO. 582326
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
Carmel by the Sea Garden Club
March 19,2012
New City Hall Garden Concept
The Carmel-by-the-Sea Garden Club has selected City Hall, after researching possible sites and consulting with Cit_y officials, as a site to create a garden in the memory of one of their beloved members. They agree that one of the most visible spots in the Village exists right in front of City Hall, believing the site has great potential as it is the center of City government and a favorite stop for visitors to the area.
This is a most generous and timely gift, allowing the Garden Club to work together with the City to not only! plant a lovely garden, but to address many deeper issues.
The grounds of City Hall need a serious update, the maintenance, of the hardscape particularly, has been deferred tor a very long time. The infrastructure is an important issue to consider. It is my deep concern that a new beautiful garden will be disrupted and/or damaged when the inevitable maintenance work is done.
Many of the wood retaining walls are rotting and need repair or replacement. All the gutters are dumping the water into the planter beds at the base of the building, contributing to the demise of the wood retaining walls, man_y of which hold the AD A ramps in check.
The existing Handicap walkway is falling apart, and will be replaced with a sand finish concrete that looks just like our local Golden Decomposed Granite. The new walkway would cover less square footage than the existing walkway and would have a non-slip finish.
The concrete would allow tor the variety of thickness in the walkwa_y ramps, keeping in conformance with the ADA grade requirements, and eliminate the need tor wood retaining walls to keep them in place. This would also allow tor the connection of all the drains, an updated irrigation system, sate lighting, and be a seamless 'path' throughout the landscape.
Aesthetically and functionally, one of the more glaring issues are the handrails required by the AD A. The current handrails are splintering wood and are a hazard to anyone grasping them. Proposed are an elegant hand forged rail that floats on either side of the Handicap Ramps, which tull_y meet the strict standards, while appearing as works of art.
The Garden at City Hall could truly be a jewel of a garden, a destination tor visitors and the local community alike. It can set an example of thoughtful plant choices, while incorporating a comfortable area to pause and listen. This overall concept weaves a number of challenging features into one concise package.
There has been consideration to 'green' technolog_y as well as updating the garden itself. One sustainable aspect is that the wood slat backs of the benches can re-cycled from the existing ADA rails, and the current pavers will be re-used in future City prc:jects.
Water is as critical as energy; the root system at City Hall could capture more than enough water to take care of all landscaping needs, and would set another example of environmental consciousness. The new drain system can be organized such that these could be located beneath the parking lot on the South Side in the future.
By incorporating sustainable aspects, water conserving plant material and providing tor future items such as a rainwater capture s_ystem, it would set an example that the City of Carmel is willing to improve, and protect the quality of the environment' while remaining committed to civic improvement.
Michelle Comeau Landscape Design
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