Councilman Issues $200 Challenge to Replant Shrubs
Duluth Councilman Kelly Kelkenberg donates $200 and challenges city council and community to match his offer to replant shrubs at DiSpain home on McClure Bridge Road.
When Duluth City Councilman Kelly Kelkenberg offered to donate $200 to buy new blooming shrubs to landscape Charles DiSpain’s yard and challenged other council members and the audience to match his amount at Monday (April 23) night’s work session, he was serious.
No one responded, but the offer still stands, Kelkenberg said Tuesday. And it extends to the community.
Forty-five large red and white azaleas that bloomed every spring along McClure Bridge Road on either side of 79-year-old DiSpain’s and his wife Sue’s home were taken out for road improvements and sidewalk installation related to construction of the new roundabout linking West Lawrenceville Street, McClure Bridge Road and Irvindale Road.
Kelkenberg has since opened an account at Woody's Nursery in Duluth titled "Community Betterment Fund" to collect monetary donations to replant the shrubs in the DiSpain yard. Donate in person or call 770-476-1705. Donations in any amount will be accepted.
DiSpain appeared at the council’s April 9 regular meeting requesting the city replant the azaleas or something else in their place.
His neighbors and other residents have lamented the loss of the azalea display mostly in comments posted on Duluth Patch.
Since his council appearance, DiSpain has suggested that knockout roses, which would be less expensive and bloom longer, be planted instead of azaleas, Kelkenberg said. The entrance to the subdivision where Kelkenberg lives is across from the DiSpain home, and Kelkenberg said he had admired the azaleas.
A knockout rose bush costs about $19.50, according to DiSpain.
Kelkenberg had previously donated $175 to the city for a community betterment project. It had not been completed, he said, so the city had returned his check. He added $25 to that amount to raise it to $200. Maybe volunteers would be willing to plant the roses, he said.
There was no landscaping budget for the McClure Bridge Road project, which was designed to improve the roadway, install sidewalks and add drainage, Duluth Planning Director Glenn Coyne told the council during the work session.
Of 16 parcels involved in the roundabout and 21 in the McClure Bridge projects, representing a total of 37 parcels, only three property owners requested landscaping as part of negotiations for right-of-way and easements, Coyne reported.
The city contracted with the firm of Terrell Hundley and Carroll in January 2011 to handle the negotiations, Coyne said. The city attorney finalized negotiations for the last two parcels after the project was bid.
DiSpain told Duluth Patch he had not requested landscaping during right-of-way negotiations because he wasn’t aware or informed that he could do so.
At an Aug. 4, 2011, meeting to provide information to residents impacted by the projects, attendees were told there was not a landscaping budget, Coyne said, but that after completion, there might be selected areas where trees could be replaced where needed, depending on available budget.
Individual homeowners were not promised landscaping at that meeting, Coyne said, and there are no funds in the current project budget to accommodate landscaping requests from individual homeowners.
In several cases, the city had design plans modified to save trees and landscaping. “We weren’t able to do it everywhere,” he said. Coyne suggested an alternative solution of doing a streetscape plan for the corridor since it is a major entrance to the city.
The issue was placed on the work session agenda so the city council could decide how to proceed because it could affect future transportation projects.
Councilwoman Marsha Bomar expressed concern that “this could open the door for other requests.”
“There was no landscaping budget,” said Councilman Jim Dugan. “We can’t constantly be going back. Going forth we may have to build in landscaping design” in transportation projects, he said.
Councilman Greg Whitlock said he was opposed to making changes after a project is completed because taxpayer money is involved.
Bomar proposed that the council wait until the work is completely done, the construction equipment is gone, and debris removed before contemplating doing anything. “We wouldn’t do any planting until the fall anyway,” she said. “It will look different when completed," she said. “We would serve ourselves and the citizens well to let that play out.”
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Dusty Graham
11:42 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Odd that so many attendees took away a much different message from that meeting.
DavidE
1:14 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
We would not be going back and adding something that wasn't promised by the Planning Director. The Planning Director said in the meeting held last August that something would be replanted, that specific Planning Director said it wasn't said.
So, if we have Q&A meetings in the future, anything said during those meetings and any other functions, could be reversed if the person is not under oath. The city needs to video all public meetings to guarantee the rights of individuals.
I would be willing to match Kelly's offer. However, I don't feel that private citizens should have to pay out of their pockets for something that was promised by the Planning Director in a public meeting and has been confirmed by several citizens that were at the meeting.
Also, 3-gallon Knockout Roses are about $14, that is what was requested by Mr. Dispain.
As many of you are aware, these were temporary easements not permanent (in most cases). Therefore, the city should repair or replace any private property damage within the temporary easement area and return it to a state that is satisfactory to the homeowner and within reason.
Jana Crump-Aquino
5:00 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I couldn't get to the meeting, and am very sad that this is still going on!! Why can't the city of Duluth just plant the Azaleas?? With all the money they blow all over the city for stuff, how can they not have $500-750, which would be $300-450 after Mr. Kelkenbergs offer to replant these Azaleas???? I agree with David, I'd put in $50.00 personally, but don't feel like I should have to, that it should be covered. If this project was 1 million dollars, how can they not have a couple hundred??? This is sad and does not make me proud to live in Duluth.
DavidE
6:06 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Jana,
I am not sure if you are aware, they moved $66k from SPLOST funds to cover additional sidewalks in the Howell Glen Subdivision. There is still about $125k available in that fund, and some could be used for this. I am concerned that if the project completes on McClure Bridge, the funding will not be available for this use. It has to be used for transportation projects. If the road work is completed, it will no longer be a transportation project.
The city should be able to cover the costs of this and the replacement of the subdivision sign for Howell Glen.
DavidE
6:06 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I forgot to mention, WSB TV was at the work session and spoke with Mr. Dispain and another homeowner as well.
Dwayne
10:21 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Any damages and destruction the City caused or created during this project should be repaired or replaced. A property owner shouldn't have to negotiate this as part of the easement agreement. If the City is going to start the project, then they should complete the project!!!
Jana Crump-Aquino
5:04 am on Friday, April 27, 2012
Well said Dwayne!!!
Laura
5:04 am on Friday, April 27, 2012
How about the city supply the labor to replant bushes and make a formal commitment to address landscape replacement in writing for all future projects. We, the neighbors/leaders in our community, will donate the bushes this one time to resolve this situation. There are certainly times to stand our ground, but this time, it shouldn't be at Mr. Despain's expense. His azaleas were a gift to all who drove by his house. Let's give them back. Please let us know where to mail the checks.
DavidE
9:35 am on Friday, April 27, 2012
I would prefer that the city supply the replacements, and we as a community install them. It would be a great community effort to show our support for Mr. Dispain and others along McClure Bridge Road that are dealing with issues.
DavidE
11:36 am on Friday, April 27, 2012
Councilwoman Marsha Bomar expressed concern that “this could open the door for other requests.”
It also opens another door. Mr. Dispain was told they would be replaced with something, this meeting was a Q&A session for homeowners. If the answers given were not binding since they were not in writing, should we trust any answers given by the city if not in writing? It opens a door for them to say what we want to hear, and then do what they want because it wasn't in writing. It all comes down to whether we can trust anything being said by the city.
Faye Edmundson
4:49 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Councilman Kelly Kelkenberg has opened an account at Woody's Nursery in Duluth entitled "Duluth Community Betterment." Donations may be made to purchase shrubs for Mr. DiSpain's yard in person at Woody's or by calling the nursery at 770-476-1705.
DavidE
7:28 pm on Friday, April 27, 2012
Thank you for the update.
DavidE
5:43 pm on Sunday, April 29, 2012
WSBTV is broadcasting from Mr. Dispain's driveway at 6PM Sunday 4/29.
DavidE
9:18 am on Tuesday, May 1, 2012
http://www.wsbtv.com/videos/news/landscaping-issue-has-gwinnett-residents-angry/vG5fK/
Jana Crump-Aquino
2:55 pm on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Thanks for posting that David. I saw part of it on 11pm news but this was all of it. I think the planners think everyone will give up on this if they wait long enough. I for one, won't! They promised Mr. Dispain in front of others, they need to make it right. I'll make my donation at Woody's, but I still think the city should be taking care of it.
Jana Crump-Aquino
2:54 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Is there an update on what is happening with this issue? Thanks.
Faye Edmundson
12:07 pm on Friday, May 18, 2012
No one has donated additional funds to the Community Betterment Fund set up by Councilman Kelly Kelkenberg at Woody's Nursery to purchase red knockout roses to replant Mr. DiSpain's yard. Kelkenberg donated $200 to start the fund and challenged others to make donations to it. Either go by the nursery in person or call to make a donation. Woody's is located at 2886 Buford Hwy. or call 770-476-1705.