Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-10 PACKET 04.D.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # DATE 8/10/11 PREPARED BY Parks and Recreation Zac Dockter ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Consider authorizing staff to proceed with requesting proposals for service to remove up to 400 ash trees and replant in accordance to the EAB Management Plan. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Authorize staff to proceed with requesting proposals for service to remove up to 400 ash trees and replant in accordance to the EAB Management Plan. BUDGET IMPLICATION $156,000 BUDGETED AMOUNT ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION DATE REVIEWED ❑ PLANNING ❑ ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑ ® PARKS AND RECREATION 8/8/11 ❑ ❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ ❑ ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ® MEMO /LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ❑ OTHER: ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS $156,000 ACTUAL AMOUNT APPROVED DENIED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ 1 n City Administrator Date H'. \Forestry\Council Action Form -Tree Removal - Planting Plan 2011.doc City of Cotta Grove Minnesota To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Bowe, City Forester Date: July 27, 2011 Subject: Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan Introduction In 2010, the City Council adopted an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan in an effort to protect and maintain the city's urban forest from this destructive insect. The plan includes an aggressive series of both insecticide treatments and the partial removal of the ash tree species within the community for a twelve year period. Background The EAB Management Plan calls for a year of chemical treatment followed by two years of tree removal. The series repeats itself for a period of 12 years. In accordance to the plan, forestry and parks staff spent much of 2010 attempting to inject 3,000 trees with the insecticide TreeAge. That treatment has rolled over into 2011 as needed to complete the process. The 2011 work plan is designed as a removal year for ash trees. The reduction of the ash tree population allows the city to replant the urban forest with multiple species thereby reducing the community's susceptibility to current and future detrimental tree /canopy loss. Early removal also gives the city the opportunity to remove trees and /or classes of trees prior to maturity hence reducing future expenditures, minimizing the potential detriment to canopies and moving forward a more diverse tree population that is able to withstand future diseases and infestations. The EAB Management Plan calls for the removal of up to 4,000 ash trees in the 12 year plan. As such, staff is recommending the removal of up to 400 ash trees in the fall of 2012. This is a more aggressive removal schedule than originally anticipated but is highly recommended by the City Forester due to a positive bidding environment and the recent confirmation of EAB in St. Paul and Shoreview. The council approved budget for this work will be strictly adhered to. The Forester will identify trees scheduled for removal by utilizing the following criteria: 1. Ash trees less than 10" in diameter 2. Trees considered to be in poor health 3. Trees posing current or potential future hazards to public safety and /or utilities 4. Trees showing internal or external damage 5. Trees poor in appearance Request for proposals will be sought for tree /stump removal and tree installation. By separating the two levels of service, staff believes the quality of service provided by the vendors will be enhanced and also will provide the city the ability to seek out tree vendors who have a history of producing quality tree inventories. This method should also reduce past concerns with subcontracting of work and the resulting subpar quality of workmanship. Tree /stump removal services will be scheduled for completion by September 30. Replanting services will be scheduled for completion by October 31. All new trees will require a one year warranty to maximize the trees ability to live during its critical first year. Staff Recommendation Authorize staff to proceed with requesting proposals for service to remove up to 400 ash trees and replant in accordance to the EAB Management Plan.