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ORD 96-27 ROADSIDE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE NO. 96-27 AN ORDINANCE of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington, relating to roadside vegetation management, and amending Chapter 7 of the WSDOT Manual (M51-01), which Manual was adopted by reference in Section 1 (c) of the Ordinance No. 94-29. WHEREAS, by Section l(c) of Ordinance No. 94-29, the City Council adopted the WSDOT maintenance Manual (M51-01), Chapter 7 of which contains several options for roadside vegetation management; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that roadside vegetation management should not utilize the procedures outlined in Chapter 7 of M51-01, but should utilize only mechanical mowers and cutters; now, therefore, THE CITY COUNCIL OF BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Chapter 7 of the WSDOT Maintenance Manual (M51-01), which Manual was adopted by reference in Section l(c) of Ordinance No. 94-29, is repealed and replaced by the version of Chapter 7 set forth in Exhibit A to this Ordinance. Section 2. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days from and after its passage, approval and publication as required by law. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 18thday of July , 1996. APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 18thday of July , 1996. Janet K. West, Mayor ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE: gusan P. Kasper, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Rod P. Kaseguma, Gl~ty Attorney FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: July 18, 1996 PUBLISHED: POSTED: EFFECTIVE DATE: ORDINANCE NO.: 96-27 DOCS\94700\103\0116133.01 07/03/96 - 1 - Rpr 08 03 02:38p COBI Public Works 208 780-5104 CHAPTER7 ROADSIDE MANAGEMENT GENERAL Roadsides are defined as the areas between the outside edges of the shoulders and the fight of way boundaries. In addition, the median st~ps between the inside shoulders are included. Roadsides range in development Eom pure native vegetation patterns to formally designed ornamental land- scapes t~at may include buildings. Roadsides are to be maintained as nearly as possible in the condition to which they were oonsti'uctad or subssquen~ly developed, and in a manner that makes a satisfactory cont~butJon to the safety, convenience, and pleasure of the public and the preservation and protection of the roadway itself. Ail landscaped areas are to be maintained as ofiginally designed, unless experience indicates that a change should be made. Plants lost in landscaped areas are replaced in accordance with the original design, unless after one re placement the growing conditions are such that further replacement would be unsatisfactory Roadside maintenance includes management ol~ vegetation and of features that are a part of the total lzansportation facile. Some areas are intended for active use by the ~'aveling public, while others are intended to integrate the ti'ansportation facility into the environment through which it passes. The road user's view fi'om the roadway dictates some management activities, as does the roadside as a neighbor to abut~ng landowners. In areas where the road- 7-I flpr OB 03 02:36p COBI Public Works 206 780-5104 p.3 way is constructed on an easement or is allowed by permit, the fee simple owner may have imposed restrictions on certain roadside maintenance ac~ities. When utilities occupy the roadsides, they are regulated by the franchise agreements. Cooperation with the utility own- ers is necessary to establish a management plan that identi- ties objectives, methods and responsibilities for mainte- nance of the roadside occupied by the utility. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT General Maintenance of desirable vegetation patterns on the road- sides can be the single largest draw on resources available for roadside management. The primary goat o! a good vegetation management program is the establishment of stable roadside vegetation that will resist encroachment by undesirable plants. Ground cover plants in formal roadside plantings must receive water, nut~enta and light in order to resist invasion by weeds. Grass stands, v/nether they are mowed turf or unmowed erosion con~'ol plantings, are man- aged to ensure that 6qey can choke out weeds, brash, and tree seedlings that t~/to invade. Taller growing shrubs and trees are managed so as to avoid their loss due to compet~- tJon from undesirable plants. Use of Mechanical Mowers and Cutters Public Works will ~[ize mowing and cuffing operations as the essential pa~t of its vege~aaon management program to provide sustainable, safe, reliable, and pleasant roadways. 8pr OB 03 02:37p COBI Public Works 2OB 780-5104 p.4 Mowing and cutting operations shall be used to provide a level of service commensurate wftil the level of effort that resturces allow according to the following priorities. First Priority - Provide Safe Operations in Hiqh Rick Situations Mow for safety related reasons to eliminate high risk haz- ards. Typical hazards are: · Sight Lines to regulatory and warning signs. -Stopping sight distance on mainline curves and road intersections. In most areas one complete mowing per year should resolve these safety issues. Additional mowings may be required due to the typical extended growing season, Mowing pdvate and commercial access points are not considered high risk. Second Priodty - Provide Safe Operations in Mod- erate Risk Situations Mowing for safety and operational reasons to eliminate moderate risk hazards is acceptable as long as higher pdoHty work is not deferred, Typical moderate risk hazards and operational functions include: -Sight lines to destination and guide signs. · Ditch lines and shoulders to expose ditch stopes and roadway hardware such as guardrail and delineators. · Areas where past history indicates there is a high fire potential with adjacent neigh- bors that could be significantly damaged. · Areas of known animal crossings. '/-3 Rpr OB 03 02:37p COBI Public Works 208 780-5104 In most areas one complete mowing per year should resolve these Safety issues. Addi~onal mowings may be required due to the typical extended growing season. Mowing private and commercial access points are not considered moderate risk. ~Third Priority - Noxious Weed, Nuisance Weed and Brush RCW 17.10 requires that measures be taken to conb'ol and prevent the spread of noxious weeds. Mowing is not the most effective means for conb'olling weeds and brush. 'i~m- lng of the mowing is cdtical to be successful. In order to prevent weed seed production, mowing should be accom- plished at bud stage, before t~e weeds flower. Mowing brush is most effective after the plants have completed their annual growth spurt, bb't before they have started storing energy for the winter. Mowing at any other t~me may exacerbate weed and brush problems. In many situations mowing and curling:is a short term solution for the con~'ol of weeds and brush and should not be considered a long term conb'ol option for promoting a sustainable roadside. .Fourth Priority - Aesthetic Enhancement ot the Roadside Mowing and cutting for aesthetic enhancement of I~e road- side is the lowest priority. AJthough con~b~ng to the scenic qualities of the roadside is important to the genera/public, it - is not as important as providing safe roads for the ~aveling public. Mowing and cufting to provide a neat and manicured appearance is a high level of service that should only be accomplished when all otter levels ol~ effort have been adequately funded. 7-4 Rpr 08 03 02:37p COBI Public Works 205 780-S104 p.6 it is permissible to mow ornamental turf for gateways or entrances to the community if on public land and after higher Pdodty activities have been funded. Mowlnq Methods Mowing frequency is dictated by the principle that grasses shall not be mowed below a height of two inches, and preferably left between four and six inches. Other less desirable vegetation will be cut or completely removed. Newly seeded erosion control grass stands are not to be mowed until the grass has been in place one fi~ll year. Grasses on slopes steeper ~an 2.5 : 1 should not be mowed and the slopes between 3: 1 and 2.5: 1 should be mowed only after a turf has become established, Grasses on slopes steeper than 2,5: 1 may be mowed or hand cut under special condYdons and only with special equipment. It should be noted that annual mowing cycles of unirdgated grasses that are not regularly fertilized will cause I~inning of the plant population and reduce ff~e grasses' competitive capabili~es, allowing seedling trees, brush, and weeds to become established. Other CuttJnq Method~ Saws, axes and other cuffing implements are used to selec- tively remove individual plants sr parts of plants and to remove plants that are too large to remove by mowing. ?-5 Rpr OB 03 02:37p COBI Public Works 206 780-5104 p-? When the tot-a{ plant is to be removed by cuffing, a follow-up herbicide application can prevent resprou'dng at the stump. Cuffing conifer trees below the lowest limb wf~l eliminate regrowth. Resprou~ng of any tree or shrub will be minimized if the cutting takes place in the summer after the spdng growth period is complete. The months of Jury, August, and September are the most effective period in which to accom- ptish the cuing. Trimming the sides or tops of l~ees should be avoided where possible. Remove the entire bee rather than damaging its natural form by pruning. Pruning above or adjacent to the traveled way, however, may be necessar~ to remove un- heathy conditions fl~at may endanger the plant and/or the public. Danqer Trees Once identified, dead or leaning ~'ees within the right of way that endanger the traveling public, the pavement, structures, or any other part of the roadway should be felled. Removing danger trees outside of the fight of way shall be the responsi- bility of the property owner. In Response To Requests From Others Requests t'or mowing and cuffing Eom outside the depart- ment should be addressed on a case by case basis and judged against the priorffies above. Mowing in response to requests Eom the community or others are discouraged unless ~t meets the adopted criteria. The option to "adopt" the roadside may be offered as an atternafive to those who are making special requests. 7-6 Rpr 08 03 02:38p COBI Public ~orks 206 780-5104 p.8 Approval for adoption iscoordinated through the Execu~ve Department and should be consistent with the long term objectives of the roadside and should not deb'act from me sustainability, safety and operational objectives of the road- side. These procedures are not intended Jn any way to discourage property ovwers from maintaining the areas abuffing t~eir properties. '/.?