Laserfiche WebLink
City Council Minutes <br />March 4, 2024 <br />Page 8 <br />and utility easement would be better treated to cut at or below grade and place seed and topsoil over <br />the stump to minimize impact on the utilities. <br />For a potential alternative to removal of an ash tree, Mr. Sevcik outlined the possibilities of EAB <br />injection treatments to aid in extending the life of the tree if they aren't highly infested. Other cities <br />have done this, and treatments are proven to be effective in slowing down the disease but are required <br />to be done every two to three years. The potential cost of treatment depends on the diameter of the <br />tree and can run between $100-$200 per tree. It would not be cost-effective for the city to take this <br />approach, but a homeowner may find this favorable to extend the life of their affected trees. <br />Councilmember Wagner wondered if there was any benefit to the city to do a rebate incentive to <br />reimburse homeowners that treat the affected trees with injections. <br />Mr. Sevcik stated that type of approach has been successful in cities that have contracted with a tree <br />service and received bulk pricing to treat residential trees. It's an option the city can explore. <br />Councilmember Wagner asked how the city would approach removal of trees as taking them all down <br />at once would be devastating to a neighborhood. <br />Mr. Femrite stated it would be most efficient for public works staff to go from neighborhood to <br />neighborhood and remove all the diseased ash trees at once. From the management of crews and the <br />size of the job, he felt if they could get ahead of the removal process, current public works staff could <br />handle the job. If they start a technique of spot removal of trees, it's less efficient and would likely <br />require contracted tree removal staff. <br />Mr. Sevcik stated there were very few neighborhoods that would see that distinct change other than <br />Morton Avenue, where both sides of the streets are lined in mature ash trees. Other neighborhoods <br />Eke Lafayette Woods, streets off of Irving and Jackson, and Bailey Point will also be highly affected. <br />He indicated that because of the lack of snow this winter, public works staff was able to tree -trim <br />almost the entire city in the right-of-way. This sets them up to focus on ash tree removal for the next <br />five years. He noted staff will also look to ERMU for use of a bucket truck to aid in large tree <br />removal. <br />Mr. Femrite asked for council feedback to begin drafting a policy. He asked if the council wants <br />public comment just to gauge the community's understanding and offer feedback on what they would <br />desire out of the city. He suggested once the policy is drafted, offer a public comment period to <br />residents, such as an open house, to provide the educational piece and what residents can do which <br />include tree removal, disposal, etc. Staff can work on the draft now but also begin to educate the <br />community with social media posts and gauge feedback on how much the community understands <br />the severity of EAB. Public ordinances would also have to be amended regarding diseased trees and <br />Mr. Femrite noted code enforcement staff already struggles with compliance to the existing ordinance. <br />Mr. Femrite would provide a first draft to the council in late spring and begin the engagement piece <br />now. <br />Mr. Femrite then discussed the impacts this city-wide tree removal will generate on the compost site <br />and noted staff continues to work on updates to the Compost Transfer Facility Use Policy. He just <br />received ordinance language from the city of Becker and wants to have this language reviewed by our <br />IEiEl of <br />NATURE <br />