Prince George City Council will hear a report on planting wildflowers in the city’s centre medians along streets.
The report, prepared by Director of Civic Operations Blake McIntosh, will go before Prince George City Council at Monday’s meeting.
City Council directed administration to return a report considering planting in municipal boulevards back in January.
The report used the centre median along Massey Drive between Ospika Boulevard and Foot/Coyle Street as an example.
The median in question is 1,070 square metres in size.
According to a report, the median turf maintenance includes mowing and litter collection on a cycle of once every two weeks at a cost of $450 per season.
Converting the median to wildflowers would be more expensive, as the city says it would require excavation, removal of the existing grass turf, adding topsoil and seeding with the appropriate wildflower mix.
The City estimates the cost of the conversion for the one median would be a one-time cost of $21,000 to $24,000.
In addition, they estimate the annual seasonal maintenance tasks and end of season clean up for the median would cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
The report states the seasonal maintenance would include trimming as required to ensure sightlines are maintained (which could be reduced through species selection), weeding, and a cutback and cleanup of the median in the fall.
It also states traffic control measures would be required during maintenance staff as per safe work procedures, while turf mowing does not require traffic control.
The report does not come with a recommendation for council to either proceed or not to proceed with planting wildflowers.
Other items to be discussed at Monday’s meeting include a bear advisory committee, and fruit tree removal incentives.
The full agenda can be found here.
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