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Elk REQUEST FOR ACTION <br /> River <br /> TO ITEM NUMBER <br /> Mayor and City Council 4.5. <br /> AGENDA SECTION MEETING DATE PREPARED BY <br /> Consent May 20, 2013 Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation <br /> Director <br /> ITEM DESCRIPTION REVIEWED By <br /> Emerald Ash Borer Preparedness and Management Plan Cal Portner, City Administrator <br /> REVIEWED BY <br /> ACTION REQUESTED <br /> Approve by motion the Emerald Ash Borer Preparedness and Management Plan. <br /> BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION <br /> An Emerald Ash Borer Plan has been developed in response to a serious regional pest that has caused <br /> massive tree loss through 18 states. The need for a plan was first presented to the city last winter by Gina <br /> Hugo, Resources Conservationist for the Sherburne Soil&Water Conservation District. Ms. Hugo is the <br /> lead on this plan and is working with many of the municipalities in Sherburne County. <br /> The plan can only be effective through the cooperative efforts of area cities. The implementation of <br /> certain plan objectives will be in cooperation with the Sherburne County Urban Forestry Committee. <br /> This plan has been reviewed by city staff in the Environmental, Streets,and Parks divisions. It has also <br /> been reviewed by the city attorney. The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the plan at the May <br /> 8 meeting. The Commission recommended the plan,in addition to recommending that the city place <br /> similar staff resources toward a management plan for buckthorn. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT <br /> The financial impact to the city from this plan is minimal until the Emerald Ash Borer is detected in our <br /> area. Staff may begin proactively removing ash trees as part of a normal component of urban forest <br /> management. Staff plans to budget for 2014 an amount dedicated toward a fund for diseased trees. <br /> A range of$10,000 to $15,000 citywide fund has been discussed. This includes tree diseases such <br /> Emerald Ash Borer,Dutch Elm Disease, and Oak Wilt. <br /> ATTACHMENTS <br /> ■ Emerald Ash Borer Community Preparedness and Management Plan <br /> P O W E R E D BY <br /> N:\Public Bodies\Agenda Packets\05-20-2013\X4.5 SR FAB plan.docx IN A f U RE] <br />