Five trees will be removed on Legion Way this coming Monday and Tuesday, March 19-20. According to the City’s urban forester Kevin McFarland, even before the recent storm, these five trees were identified for removal this year due to their potential hazard condition.

The original 123 oak trees on Legion Way were topped about 30 years ago resulting in unnaturally shaped and weak limbs.

Three trees will be removed between Eastside and Central, and two trees will be taken down between Eastside and Pear.

Legion Way closure schedule:

Monday, March 19:

• 9:00 a.m. until about Noon: Legion Way will be closed between Boundary and Central
• Noon – 4:00 p.m.: Legion Way will be closed from Eastside to the entrance of Madison Elementary School. Access to Madison Elementary and the Knox Center will be from Boundary Street.

Tuesday, March 20:

• 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (or until finished, if earlier): Legion Way will be closed from Eastside to Pear, with the first work taking place between Eastside and Quince.

If you have questions, contact Cathie Butler, City of Olympia Communications Manager, 360.753.8361.

Two free drop-off sites for tree storm debris will open the next three weekends for use by Olympia residents:

· City of Olympia Maintenance Center, 1401 Eastside Street

· Yauger Park Parking Lot by Dirt Works (entrance off Alta Street)

The sites will be open Saturdays and Sundays:

· January 28-29

· February 4-5

· February 11-12

Except for Sunday, February 5 (Super Bowl Sunday), the drop off sites will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, February 5 the hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Tree debris from the storm is the only material that will be accepted. It must not contain other material or objects.

The sites are open for the convenience of City of Olympia residents who should come prepared to show their Olympia utility bill or other proof they are an Olympia resident. Commercial trucks are to use the County Waste and Recovery Center, not the free drop off sites for City residents.

Olympia residents may also take storm debris to the sites previously announced by Thurston County.

The City will work with the Coalition of Neighborhood Associations to determine if additional drop-off sites are needed after February 12 at centralized neighborhood locations.

Tree Assessments.

Olympia’s urban forester has started to survey all trees on City of Olympia rights-of-way to determine their condition. Once the assessment is complete, the City will develop an action plan to prioritize which trees, if any, should be removed.

Report possible hazard trees on City of Olympia rights-of-way to Julie Mongey at the City by email or by phone during office hours:

· cp*****@***********wa.us

· phone: 753.8391.

The City’s urban forester may need to close streets without advance notice to take care of hazardous situations.

For Wednesday, January 25, Olympia’s Urban Forester is closing the following roads at 9:00 a.m. while crews remove hazardous roadway trees:

· Cooper Point Road between 14th and 28th

· Cain Road at both ends of Burnaby Park loop (detour Burnaby Park Loop).

If your group or organization is holding events this fall and winter, let us know and we’ll post them on our site, Facebook, and email newsletter.

1. Central Street calming – four speed bumps will be installed on Central between 8th & 11th. This project is currently out for bid. The city anticipates that the work will be done in September.
2. Lions Park shelter – the Parks Department is still planning to demolish most of the old shelter and build a new shelter in a spot close to the old one, along with some other site improvements. They will be leaving the restroom in place with a new roof. They’ve had some delays on other projects, but hope to complete the project this year.

Thanks to the members who asked and to the city staff who shared the information.

• Roadway striping August 6 & 7, August 13 & 14. Streets to get new paint include Boulevard, State, and Fourth, as well as the downtown core. Read more about striping and a complete list of locations.
• Storm drain grate thefts. Over the last three weeks, approximately 20 storm drain grates and manhole covers have been stolen from city streets. (More information.) Remember that any official work on city streets and sidewalks is done by city crews in marked vehicles.
• Notice of public hearing. City council will hold a public hearing during its regular meeting on August 15 to receive comments on amendments to the zoning code related to permanent homeless encampments in industrial zoning districts. Read the full notice (PDF).

Sent: Thursday, August 4, 2011 7:52 AM
Subject: Maintenance of the traffic circle at Sawyer St and 9th Ave

Thank you for contacting The City of Olympia Public Works and please feel free to contact me with any further questions you may have regarding this issue.
Sincerely
Lee

Lee Keech, lk****@***********wa.us
Transportation Engineering Designer
Olympia Public Works Department

This email is in response to your email […] requesting the city to maintain the vegetation in the traffic circle located at the intersection of Sawyer Street and 9th Avenue. When these devices were installed an agreement was made with the neighborhood association that maintenance of the vegetation for these devices would be the responsibility of the neighborhood association and/or the adjacent property owners. Because of the current budget constraints and cut backs the city does not have the funding needed to maintain the landscaped devises within the various neighborhoods. If the vegetation cannot be maintained by the neighborhood association and/or the adjacent property owners the city may remove all vegetation and replace them with some form of hardscape which could mean filling the area with concrete or gravel eliminating all vegetation within the traffic circle.

• 2011 Picnic Announcement
• Fairview Pathway Work Begun
• Madison-Avanti Giving Garden
• Newsletter Editor & Website Contributors Needed

Watch for it to be delivered to your door by an ENA volunteer, or download a copy now (PDF).