Council presses staff on parks watering, irrigation problems and tree losses

Highland City Council members on Aug. 19 pressed staff for details after portions of the city’s parks and medians appeared dry in June and early summer. City staff explained a cluster of factors that contributed to browning and dead patches: a temporary diversion at the Albion/French Fork Weir that required charging the city’s irrigation system from the Murdock Canal rather than usual river water (staff said canal water brought more debris), a later-than-usual fertilizer application because the Parks Building project delayed operations, and difficulties staffing and preparing systems earlier in the season. Staff said new pumps with filters came online the week of the meeting and the canal/weir work will be fully operational by mid-October with electronic controls, which should reduce problems next year. Council members asked about grub damage, weed growth along North County Boulevard, dead trees in medians and trail corridors, and the need to protect recently-planted trees. Staff said pesticides and insecticide treatments had been applied where identified, and that some grub treatments are constrained by pet- and child-safety concerns. On water usage, staff reported total pressurized-irrigation (PI) usage returned toward prior-year levels (about 10,000 acre-feet in recent years) and asked whether council wants to prioritize stored water for drought contingencies or continue current watering to preserve park appearance. The council directed staff to prioritize critical park areas and to prepare proactive seasonal readiness earlier in the year to avoid future “catch-up” maintenance.