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Radio Road Beautification MSTU Minutes 03/04/2013I. CALL TO ORDER Radio Road Beautification M.S.T.U. Advisory Committee 3299 East Tamiami Trail Suite 103 Naples Florida 34— r G March 4, 2013 MINUTES The meeting was called to order by Chairman Dale Lewis at 1: 03 PM. A quorum was established. Four voting members were present. Chairman Lewis explained to the Committee that the reason for calling the Special Meeting was to discuss the weeding issue on Devonshire Boulevard. • Hand - weeding is to begin on March 25h o Plan: 20 men for 8 hours at a cost of $8,000 • The cost of the weed killer to be used as a follow -up was not provided – no quote had been submitted o Cost could equal the expense for weeding ( +$8,000) • Chairman Lewis r ested a quote for costs to remove the Jasmine plants and sod the area., Chairman Lewis requested input from the Committee before authorizing the additional expense for landscaping. • $55,000 had been initially allocated in the Budget for "incidentals" but the amount has been exceeded by $12,000; • The overage will be taken from the $60,000 which was approved to be transferred to Line Item 16 of the Budget, "Other Contractual Services;" • If the $67,000 had not been used for landscaping, several other projects could have been completed, i.e., mulching of Radio Road, and would have been paid in full; • There is tdB. "nothing but weeds" from Devonshire Boulevard to Santa Barbara • Estimated cost to re -sod: $36,120.00 (quote submitted by CLM) Darryl Richard confirmed there would be additional costs for materials which would be paid by the County in the approximate amount of $1,500. He explained there is an open Purchase Order for Irrigation: Parts and Supplies. II. ATTENDANCE: Members: Dale Lewis, Chairman Helen Carella, Fred Rogers, John Weber Excused: Jerry Parillo County: Darryl Richard – MSTU Project Manager Others: Robert Kindelan – Commercial Land Maintenance (CLM) Scott Windham – Windham Studio, Inc. (Anne Iacuzzo – JuriStaff) March 4, 2013 III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Fred Rogers moved to approve the Agenda as presented Second by John Weber. Carried unanimously, 4 — 0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 11, 2013 Correction: • On Page 6 (4t' paragraph): "$25,0000" was changed to "$25,000" Fred Rogers moved to approve the Minutes of the February 11, 2013 meeting as amended Second by Chairman Lewis. Carried unanimously, 4 — 0. V. DEVONSHIRE BOULEVARD A. Discussion: Weeding issue and options Review: Estimate of costs to completely remove the Asian Jasmine between the sidewalk and roadway curb, and to install 100% sod coverage Questions from the Committee: • Was the ground that was brought in not sterilized and full of weeds? • Was it [weeds] from the ground or was it the plants? Scott Windham: • Cause could be due to a combination of things — has never seen this type of intense infestation previously — has used Asian Jasmine regularly in projects • Determining the best approach to attack and control the weed problem has been a learning curve • Issue: time lapse — too much time has been lost • General impression: herbicide had been applied immediately, but a major herbicide effort never took place despite repeated suggestions • Best approach: Combination of herbicide along with some manual weeding • Manual weeding can only be effective if done continually • Jasmine usually takes one year to thatch in thick enough to produce a "mat" layer to prohibit a weed infestation • Once established, it would not be necessary to employ a crew to hand -pull weeds for 8 hours a day at least 3 days per week • Only top shearing, side edging, and fertilizing are required after Jasmine has thatched in o Result: lower water consumption and less mowing Mr. Windham stated he has conferred with Robert Kindelan who agrees that a two -prong approach is best solution. Mr. Kindelan submitted an estimate of $8,000 to cover the initial labor "push" to remove the weeds and follow with application(s) of herbicide, i.e., heavy, pre- emergent granular product. Scott Windham stated four different types of herbicide will be tested for future use. 2 March 4, 2013 CLM began on -site work approximately two weeks earlier. Maintenance services performed: • Friday, February 22, 2013: • Cleaned medians and hand - pulled weeds from one Jasmine bed (median) • Hand - pulled 100 feet of weeds between the sidewalk and the road in • one section to estimate the number of man hours required to hand -pull weeds from the entire roadway ■ 6 man-hours were required to hand -pull 800 square feet of bed • Mowed a small section of Jasmine and weeds as a test to determine if herbicide could penetrate after all levels were even • Performed testing of chemicals in two spots • Monday, FebruM 25, 2013: • Returned to the 100 -ft. cleaned section and applied chemical ( "Snap Shot'— a granular pre- emergent) to a small portion of the section as a test • Later applied a second chemical ( "Image ") over the "Snap Shot" in a different portion of the 100 -ft. section ■ Both chemicals were labeled for use on Asian Jasmine to control weeds (grassy and/or broadleaf) • Applied "Image" (alone) to a section adjacent to the first two test areas within the 100 -ft. section • Friday, March 1, 2013: • Normal maintenance • Sprayed "Round -Up" on the weeds in the median • Pulled weeds in the "skinny" median by Santa Barbara • Applied "Fusalade -2" to a small section next to "Image" plot • Applied "Fusalade -2" over the section treated with "Snap Shot/hnage" • There are four to five plots where various combinations of chemical are being tested • Multiple combinations: chemicals plus hand - pulling vs. chemicals plus mowing • Monday, March 4, 2013: o ^Treating again with either "Snap Shot" or "Fusalade -2" Robert Kindelan stated the estimate for hand - pulling was on target. Chairman Lewis asked what was the amount billed to the MSTU for the work completed to date. Mr. Kindelan replied it was part of the maintenance contract. A bill will be submitted only for the service performed on February 22nd. A bill for March will not be submitted until the end of the month. Darryl Richard confirmed only monthly maintenance had been performed. March 4, 2013 Mr. Kindelan continued the testing was performed to help determine what will work. There had not been an extensive effort previously to use chemicals to control the weeds which have been present for at least four months. He further stated in order for the property to look perfect, it must first be 100% free of weeds before the chemicals can take hold. Hand - weeding will be necessary only on an occasional basis once the problem has been brought under control. Chairman Lewis reminded the committee that, at the time, no one knew what to use that would not damage the existing plants. He stated the MSTU receives an income of approximately $300,000 per year from the millage rate. Almost 1/3 of the budget has been used for the roadway. Mr. Kindelan assured the committee that while he has used the chemicals previously and knows they are safe, small plot testing is being done to be certain. He noted the cost of "Fusalade -2" is approximately $60 to $70 per quart. One ounce is used to spot spray approximately 100 square feet. The area to be treated is 28,000 square feet. (Michelle Arnold arrived at 1:25 PM.) Discussion ensued concerning the proposed chemicals, which worked best, and how much time before any improvement might be evident. • Weed growth will begin to halt within one week from application. • Suggestion: Add mulch to the shaded areas by Santa Barbara where the Jasmine has not yet covered the ground. A small patch could be tested with an application of mulch before committing to the entire area. • Chemical application should be repeated in approximately two months. Robert Kindelan outlined the most economic method of treatment: • kill the weeds with herbicides, • allow the weeds to decay and lay in place, • after the weeds are under control, fertilize the Jasmine • hand -pull as necessary Chairman Lewis asked if the cost will remain at $8K to $9K to complete the work. Mr. Kindelan replied if allowed to use the chemical treatment, the cost should be significantly less since the amount of labor required will be less. It is the more cost - effective solution. He reiterated, beyond expensive hand - pulling, there is no "quick fix." Chairman Lewis: • $55,000 has been spent on this problem • The Committee approved a Budget transfer of $60,000 to "Other Contractual Services (Line Item 16) and $2,000 of that amount was used to cover the overages Fred Rogers suggested a motion could be made to delay the decision on how to proceed for one month to see what progress has been made. 4 March 4, 2013 Robert Kindelan clarified the estimate of $8K to $9K pertained to hand - pulling. If the Committee chose to use the combination of chemical treatment and hand - weeding, the cost will be less. • Cost to apply pre- emergent is $400 per applicant and the cost to apply the herbicide is approximately $800 per application. • With labor, the cost could be $1,500 per complete application. • If done three times a year, the total cost would be approximately $4,500. If progress is evident after one or two applications, additional applications may not be necessary. John Weber moved to approve del ing making any decision concerning spending $36,120 until the April meeting. He further moved to allow CLM to add mulch to the shaded areas near Santa Barbara (north east corner of Bellville off Devonshire), and to authorize the application of chemical treatment until the April meeting. Chairman Lewis amended the Motion to grant permission to Scott Windham, Robert Kindelan, and Darryl Richard to allow mulching if it is determined the chemical treatment has begun to control the weed infestation. Mr. Weber accepted the amendment to the Motion. Second by Chairman Lewis. Carried unanimously, 4 — 0. John Weber asked if the previous contractor had submitted verification of the hours. Darryl Richard confirmed the contractor's bills had been verified and that the contractor did not bill for all services that were provided. Robert Kindelan noted the irrigation system had a leak in the well water feed to the mixing chamber but has been repaired. The system is using well water. He further noted some adjustment is still necessary concerning well water versus reclaimed water floats in the tank to ensure the well water is the primary source of water in the tank. B. King Greenway Darryl Richard: • Survey description was provided by in -house surveyors • Cost: $1,300 or less • County Attorney's Office is drafting language to modify the MSTU Ordinance to include the area • The revised Ordinance will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners for review and approval • A R -O -W Permit is not required and FPL has approved the plan • An agreement with FPL will be submitted to the Board for execution • Michelle Arnold will contact the County Attorney's office for an update Chairman Lewis moved to approve granting permission to Darryl Richard and Scott Windham to begin the project after the revised Ordinance has been approved by the Board of County Commissioners. Second by Fred Rogers Carried unanimously, 4 — 0. 5 March 4, 2013 C. Memorial Plaque Darryl Richard noted copies of the final plans were sent to the members. As soon as the R -O -W Permit is issued, the project will move forward. All FDOT and County Standards are being followed. John Weber moved to approve cancelling the March 11`h meeting. Second by Fred Rogers. Carried unanimously, 4 — 0. VI. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS (None) VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS (None) VIII. NEXT MEETING: April 8, 2013 at 2:00 PM Berkshire Lakes Master Association Clubhouse 495 Belville Boulevard, Naples, FL 34105 There being no further business to come before the Committee, the public meeting was concluded at 3:20 PM. RADIO ROAD BEAUTIFICATION MSTU SO Y COMMITTEE f ". DALE LEWIS, CHAIRMAN The Minutes were approved by the Commi ee Chair on `7 '2013 "as presented" [_] OR "as amended"