CF-Andrew Park 1-CS 930409COPPELL PUBLIC WORKS
DATE:
TO:
FROM:
RE:
April
9, 1993
Steven G. Goram, Director of Public
Rick S. Wieland, Parks & Recreation Manager ~'
Request for Information Regarding Brush and Tree Removal at Andrew Brown
Jr. Community Park
The purpose of this memorandum is to help provide information relating to Councilman
Robertson's inquiry regarding the clearing of trees that took place at Andrew Brown Jr.
Community Park, just west of the Kid Country creative playground.
In an effort to provide information to Councilman Robertson and the remainder of the City
Council, staff shall identify the following events regarding the clearing of trees that has taken
place at the Community Park.
In early February, I along with Larry Davis, Danny Watson, Steve Giovaninni form Mesa
Design and a parks crewleader met with Mr. Derek Earle, who was the representative from
Centex Homes. The purpose of our meeting was to discuss the improvements that Mr. Earle
was going to contribute to Kid Country. Among the improvements that Mr. Earle committed
to was to construct a sidewalk from the parking lot to the entrance to the playground. Mr.
Earle also added that his company would provide some drainage channel improvements near
and around the playground. This included the removal of two RCP that had provided access
to the playground during the construction in October. Mr. Earle committed to remove any
underbrush that was in the channel while his personnel were there.
On March 11, 1993, Centex Homes completed the construction of the sidewalk entrance to
the playground. Within a couple of weeks of this date Mr. Larry Davis, who is a
construction inspector with the Engineering Department met with a subcontractor working for
Centex. The purpose of that meeting was to discuss the cleaning of the drainage channel by
the playground and the removal of the RCP and underbrush along the drainage channel. It is
my understanding that during this meeting, the subcontractor also agreed to remove some
underbrush in the heavily wooded area just to the west of the playground. Mr. Davis clearly
indicated that the type of brush that was to be removed from the channel had to he done by
hand and that nothing was to be removed any larger than 2" in caliper.
Staff would also point out that Mr. Davis made it clear to the subcontractor that he was to
meet with any representative who would be performing any cleaning of underbrush from the
wooded area to the west prior to this cleaning taking place. Mr. Davis or park personnel
would then supervise this process.
During the last week of March, Parks staff observed the cleaning of the drainage channel
directly by the Kid Country playground. Just as Mr. Davis had specified, the removal of
any underbrush was being performed by hand and in conformance to Mr. Davis' instructions.
It is my understanding that during the course of last week, the subcontractor began using the
same type of equipment to begin removing trees as he had in cleaning out the drainage
channel. In a period of 1-2 days, the contractor had evidently removed a substantial amount
of underbrush and some larger trees from the wooded area. Staff did not observe this
occurrence nor would we have allowed this event to take place.
At no point prior to this removal of trees and underbrush from the wooded area did the
contractor attempt to contact either Larry Davis or myself. Staff is at a loss to explain why
the contractor took in upon himself to proceed in this manner. I would point out that both
Mr. Davis and I are attempting to contact Mr. Earle to ascertain details regarding this
matter.
As we had discussed this morning, staff will continue to monitor this matter and will update
your office as soon as information is available regarding this issue. As requested, staff will
forward copies to the individuals listed below. Should you have any questions regarding this
information, please contact me.
RSW/rsw
CC.'
Frank Trando, Acting City Manager
Ken Griffin, City Engineer
Larry Davis, Construction Inspector
CENTEX.RSW