City of Bozeman, MT - Library Board Minutes 7/13/06

CTA LandWork Division’s intent was to present its proposed trail and landscape work that is currently under contract and garner feedback prior to the public presentation planned for Thursday, July 20^th at 6 p.m. in the City Commission Room at City Hall. Project Landscape Architect Heikes made introductions, distributed handouts, and explained that this meeting was the trial run before the public workshop. He updated the attendees on the potential LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) points that are connected to the site development as part of the scope of work. Williams concurred with CTA’s strategy of garnering 5 of 7 points through: sustainable sites prerequisite with Westenskow coordinating replacing and/or updating the current Stormwater and Erosion Control Permit currently on file by Allied Engineering; sustainable sites for 3 of 4 points to include 50% open space which includes native or adaptive species for 50% of the site; no point expected for heat island effect due to low reflectivity of asphalt parking area; possibly 1 point for light pollution reduction but could be both challenging and expensive; and 1 of 2 possible points by reducing irrigation by 50%. Heikes then presented landscape plans for the site and trail and discussed the typical pioneer garden plant palette that would be consistent with the native/adaptive open space requirements. He also garnered design themes from the March 2003 Response to Public Comments document Meister had given him at the previous meeting. The group then reviewed the 3-D model of the site, making the following requests for modifications to the current plan: snow storage area to be shown in the plaza; a flagpole on site, preferably in the western circular bed in the parking/drop-off area; omission of solar panels on the lower south roof line in the 3-D model; connection to be shown linking alley to Peets Hill trail head; location of picnic tables and benches along the trail as well as rest areas; pioneer/community garden to be considered only if adopted and maintained by a civic organization; omission of sculpture plinths; spatial planning for 300 people in the plaza for special events; open view from east Library windows to the park with no oversized greenery; consideration of a canopy on the stage; minor revisions made to beds in plaza to encourage better circulation; concern about eligibility of hanging plants; moving the Christmas tree outside the plaza to the northeast corner; allowing for punching Babcock Street through to the Library circle which would mean eliminating bushes; and the possible use of recycled brick on the pump house/restroom facility at Peets Hill trail head. The group then discussed the schematic bridge designs and made the following requests: CTA to research code requirements for horizontal/vertical pickets; unanimous agreement on steel bridge design; masonry piers to extend veneer lower down onto abutments for aesthetical reasons; potential use of recycled brick from the depot for veneer; and CTA to forward bridge designs for use in Construction Document preparation to pre-engineered company of Wheeler Lumber for feasibility and costing purposes. Further discussion included Folger’s comment that she reviewed and forwarded the CATEX (requesting a categorical exclusion) documents prepared by Hyalite Engineering to the appropriate federal agency for review without any exceptions and commented on the excellent nature of the documents. CTA will limit the use of netafim “drip” irrigation technology to beds and planters only and not use it for the turf areas. No permanent irrigation will be supplied for natural grass areas, and mowing would be limited or not done at all. Changes will be made to the 3-D model with plans to present it to the public on July 20^th. Once this public meeting is completed, CTA will focus its efforts on completion of 90% of the Construction Documents to send to the United States Department of Transportation for feedback in early August.