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City presents Firewise, waterwise demonstration landscape for City Hall with $70,000 budget
Summary
City staff presented a Firewise/Waterwise demonstration landscape for City Hall, describing three defensible-space zones, drought-tolerant plant selections and value-engineered costs reduced to a $70,000 construction budget. Councilors questioned plant choices (manzanita, rabbitbrush), ADA path width and maintenance safeguards.
City staff unveiled design plans for a Firewise and Waterwise demonstration landscape at City Hall and reported a budgeted construction cost of $70,000. The project, developed with Greenworks landscape architects, is intended to show residents how water-efficient, fire-resistant plantings can be visually appealing while reducing wildfire risk.
Jackson DuMont presented the plan and explained the three-zone approach: a 0–5 foot nonflammable zone of crushed rock; a 5–30 foot intermediate zone with deciduous trees, shrubs and low grasses; and a 30–100 foot outer zone allowing taller grasses and mulch. "All the plants that were selected, they're all drought tolerant and fire resistant species," DuMont said, adding that the city will perform a fair amount of work in-house to keep construction within the $70,000 budget.
Council members pressed staff on details. One councilor pointed to species on the plant list that are not on the OSU fire-resistant plant guide and raised concern that "things like, manzanita and rabbitbrush, which are have a tendency to be to to be flammable." DuMont confirmed some plants (rabbitbrush, certain sages and poppies) were not in the OSU list and suggested additional vetting. Several councilors urged clearer contract language to ensure contractors do not substitute different species at installation and recommended signage and an educational component so residents understand which plants work where.
Councilors also asked about ADA-compliant paths and emergency egress. DuMont said sidewalk minimum width is typically 4 feet but staff will consider wider multi-use paths where increased pedestrian traffic is expected. The council did not take a formal vote on the design tonight; staff will incorporate feedback and return with final specifications and contract language for future action.
