M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Members of the Town Council
From: Roger Coriat, Council Member Seat 2
Date: September 18, 2019
Re: Authorizing the Relocation of Saw Palmetto Shrubs to the South Florida
Water Management District’s Old Cutler Wetland Restoration Site
REQUEST
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO COORDINATE WITH LOCAL GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS TO RELOCATE SAW PALMETTO SHRUBS TO SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT’S OLD CUTLER WETLAND RESTORATION SITE; PROVIDING FOR AUTHORIZATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
As part of the Old Cutler Roadway Improvement Project (from SW 87 Avenue to SW 97 Avenue), the Town’s portion of landscape enhancements incorporated and an assortment of native trees and plants/shrubs in the corridor. These native trees and plants/shrubs, in addition to beautifying the roadway, provide a habitat for birds and other wildlife, and contribute to the Town’s reputation as a steward for the environment. The inclusion of the native Florida landscaping has provided pedestrians with canopy and buffer from vehicles along the Old Cutler Road corridor.
On May 23, 2018, the Town Council approved a site plan for a 13 +/- acres shopping center along Old Cutler Road. The shopping center’s entrance will be aligned with Marlin Road. As a result, a portion of the existing landscaping must be removed to allow for a roadway to extend into the property. The intersections of Marlin Road and Old Cutler Road has several healthy Florida native saw palmetto shrubs, which will be removed as part of the construction of the new shopping center entryway (Attachment “A”).
Rather than allow the saw palmetto shrubs on this site to be destroyed, it is proposed that they be relocated to the South Florida Water Management District’s Old Cutler wetland restoration site, located near the intersection of Old Cutler Road and SW 184 Street (Eureka Drive). This relocation shall be performed by a group of volunteers, including individuals with considerable experience in the preservation and cultivation of native plants.
Since the saw palmetto shrubs were purchased and installed by the Town through its portion of the Old Cutler Roadway enhancements element, the Florida native plants are considered Town property. As a result, I am recommending that the Town Manager and staff work closely with groups of volunteers within the community who have planted trees/shrubs in the South Florida Water Management District’s Old Cutler wetland restoration site in order to relocate the existing saw palmetto shrubs located at the intersection of Old Cutler Road and Marlin Road.
I encourage the Town Council to approve this Resolution, continuing the Town’s commitment to environmental preservation.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council adopt the attached Resolution, authorizing the Town Manager to coordinate with local groups of volunteers and relocate the existing saw palmetto shrubs located at the intersection of Old Cutler Road and Marlin Road.
ATTACHMENT(S):
Ø Attachment “A” - Existing Location of Saw Palmetto Shrubs (Photo)