By Charles M. Kelly
The city government on Dec. 5 posted a notice that Public Works had started maintenance work at the Avalon Cemetery. The notice was posted on the city of Avalon website and on the city’s Facebook page. Some Island residents were not pleased. One post on Facebook asked why families weren’t notified in advance. Another Facebook post called on the city to release California Environmental Quality Control documents. (Editor’s note: California law allows the public to request documents under the Public Records Act.) Some of the photos that accompanied the posts appeared to show trees with portions of tree limbs cut off.
Photos that accompanied the city of Avalon notice on the city website showed a void created by a root, the spit interior of a tree trunk, and one grave tilted at an angle. The city website said the plot was sinking because of the intrusion of a root from a nearby tree.
According to the Dec. 5 notice, staff presented Avalon’s annual tree trimming services to the City Council on Nov. 18.
A review of the Nov. 18 City Council video shows that the council approved a professional services agreement with West Cost Arborist for citywide tree trimming.
“Normally, every year what we do is piggyback off Island Company and their agreement bringing West Coast over every year,” said Public Works Director Jackeline Cordero during the Nov. 18 meeting.
“We share costs in barging equipment over and hauling and also for staging of all of that equipment,” Cordero said.
She said this year they (apparently meaning the Santa Catalina Island Company) was doing their tree trimming January to February, which was “extremely” late for the city.
“Usually we do this in October early November. So with that, we had to go through the procurement process,” Cordero said.
The city sought three bids. One of the potential providers is only available to work on Southern California Edison property, according to an Oct. 8 email from Kyle Peterson of SCE. (A copy of the email was attached to the Nov. 18 staff report.) That bidder was identified in the Nov. 18 staff report as Davey Tree Surgery Company.
Cordero told the council that a second tree trimming provider said the timing was too short. The second provider was identified as StayGreen. According to the staff report, StayGreen expressed an interest in bidding next year.
“West Coast gave us a bid. We’re going to do our annual tree trimming um in Front Street and all through town as well extensive work at the cemetery,” Cordero said.
The council members had no questions.
The contract was approved unanimously, authorizing the city manager to execute it.
The Nov. 18 staff report said at least six trees would be removed from the cemetery, all perimeter trees would be pruned, along with the pruning of 217 date palms and fan palms citywide and the crown reduction of about 97 palm trees.
According to the staff report, increased freight costs and the loss of sharing the tree trimming contract with the Island Company meant the city would need a budget adjustment to transfer $25,000 from the Storm Drain account to the Tree Trimming Services account and another $5,000 from the Cemetery Maintenance of Premises account.
The notice
“Recent concerns and comments have highlighted the need for additional information on why certain trees were removed and what improvements are underway. The cemetery is an important and sacred place for our community, and all work is being performed with care, respect, and professional guidance,” the notice said.
“A certified arborist evaluated the cemetery grounds and identified several issues requiring immediate action:
“Removal of hazardous trees and debris.
“• Cleanup of fallen branches and surface roots.
“• Placing memorabilia back on headstones and in surrounding areas.
“• Reinstallation of markers temporarily removed for protection,” according to the notice.
“Phase one of the project was scheduled to be completed before Christmas. Phase one is:
“• Heavy falling limbs creating hazards for visitors and cemetery staff.
“• Exposed roots and voids causing tripping risks and uneven ground.
“• Unhealthy root systems and confirmed waterlogging in one tree.
“• Raised plots and damaged markers due to root intrusion.
“• Trees obstructing burial plots and limiting future interments.
“• Root trimming would only provide a short-term solution and would not allow for long-term restoration of the grounds,” the notice said.
