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Committee addresses mowing damage to native plantings at Howell Park and contractor communication
Summary
After members flagged recent mowing that harmed native plantings at Howell Park, staff said they will replant and add signage; the committee recommended clearer contractor instructions and temporary protections for new plantings.
Committee members described recent mowing at Howell Park that removed several newly installed native plants and discussed steps to prevent repeat damage. Members attributed the problem to contract workers and occasional day laborers who apparently were not shown the planting locations.
A committee member said staff will arrange replanting and install signs to reduce accidental mowing. "They are going to put up signs as well as replant," the member said during the meeting. The committee discussed options such as roped-off areas or temporary protections for seedlings until established and suggested clearer communication with contractors and Public Works.
Members also discussed whether some plantings should be delayed until more robust protections are available and proposed assigning a lead to follow up with staff and contractors to ensure instructions are transmitted to crews and subcontractors. Amy Franke said she had purchased a small number of "no mo, please" signs and would work with staff to secure additional materials for future projects.
The committee recorded this as an operational lesson for future plantings and tied it to broader work on updating the city plant pallet and improving site-level maintenance plans.
