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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Services Minutes 10-16-17 Minutes City of Cottage Grove Public Services Commission Meeting October 16, 2017 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a Cottage Grove Public Services Commission Meeting was held on October 16, 2017. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Members Present: Campbell, Robert Griffith, Kent Ingram, Steve Podoll, Jeff Rediske, Lise Staloch, Peter Members Absent: Dornsbach, Lewis, Serpico Staff Present: Koerner, Pete - Police Captain Redenius, Rick – Fire Chief Burshten, Les – Public Works Director Taylor, Harry – Public Works Supervisor Orloff, Gary – Streets Foreman Others Present: Dennis, Steve – Council Member Approval of Agenda Agenda – Podoll, Griffith Approval of Minutes Minutes – August 21, 2017 - Ingram, Staloch Open Forum None Presentations Urban Forestry Program Update – Quinn Palar The City of Cottage Grove Forester, Quinn Palar, introduced himself to the Commissioners. Palar stated he has a BA in environmental studies with a minor in biology. He started working with the City of Cottage Grove in May of 2017 and worked for the City of Anoka prior. This year the forestry department has treated over 500 Ash trees on boulevards and parks throughout the City. Palar stated the main goal is to diversify the City’s species of trees. Currently over 25% of City trees are green ash trees. Palar explained it is a general rule in forestry to have no more than 10% of one species, 20% of one genius and 30% of one family of tree. Palar showed the commissioners a map of where the emerald ash borer has been detected and what to look for. Palar added that any tree that is not treated will get ash borer. If it’s not treated it will have to be removed once it becomes infected. This will increase the price for removal because the tree will be considered dangerous. Campbell asked if the City would take an entire city block of ash trees down. Palar responded that it would depend on the budget. Palar added the response rate has been around 20% and he has not seen an entire block request removal. Campbell asked what the best time to remove a tree is. Palar responded in the winter. Staloch asked if he could have a Maple to replace his boulevard tree. Palar stated that Maple is not on the list for City approved boulevard trees. Palar moved on to the Japanese beetle that have been causing cosmetic damage to the trees within our community. The mild winters have contributed to the larger population. Palar does not recommend hanging traps in your trees. Adding it tends to attract the beetles to your yard. Palar stated using a chemical to treat your trees has the potential to damage the pollinators. The bees will be poisoned when they forage on the pollen coming from the treated trees. Palar stated he encourages a pollinator positive approach. Grub control is another approach that can be taken however unless everyone is treating their lawns, parks and open spaces it would have very little effect on the beetle population. New Business Boulevard Tree Ordinance Burshten explained to the Commission that Director Zac Dockter and Councilmember Steve Dennis have started a program to preserve the valuable resource of public trees. There is currently an ordinance in place but it is lacking some verbiage that would hold someone accountable for deliberately hurting a City tree. Burshten introduced Council member Dennis. Dennis stated there are 25,000 cataloged City trees in Cottage Grove. These trees are planted on both City owned lands including parks, trails and those areas lining the streets of our neighborhoods on public right-of-way designated easements under City control. Dennis added the City recognizes the aesthetic and material value that trees bring to our community. Dennis stated in an effort to protect the integrity of our Community’s investment and promote clean air, energy conservation and cooling, prevention of water pollution and soil conservation, muffling sound, providing canopy and a habitat for wild life, increase property values and improve economic growth he believes a penalty to the ordinance must be added for people that purposely hurt a City tree. Dennis added he has worked with City staff and the City attorney to come up with the added verbiage being presented to the Commissioners. Ingram used a couple of example of how a homeowner could damage the City tree by mowing over the roots that could be exposed. Burshten clarified the ordinance and penalty would apply to persons who maliciously damaged a tree. Ingram requested information regarding the financial obligation of the City maintaining the area around boulevard trees. Burshten stated the City would not have much obligation because boulevard trees are located in the right-of-way and there is an ordinance that prohibits landscaping in the right-of-way. Staloch clarified that we are just adding a fine to the already existing ordinance. Rediske asked if this will apply to homeowner association and cul-de-sac trees. Dennis replied no that is the responsibility of the homeowners association. Burshten added if a tree located in the right-of-way is hanging to low or into the street causing site line obstructions it will be addressed by the City. Campbell asked what if a car hits the tree on the right-of-way who would pay for damages. Burshten replied it would be the car insurance of the driver that hit the tree that would be responsible for replacement. Koerner added the penalty for a violation would be a civil penalty. If the offender fails to pay the City for damages the City may initiate criminal charges. It is a misdemeanor with a maximum of $1000 fine and 90 days in jail. Rediske asked what if kids or teens accidentally break branches playing in the tree. Dennis stated we are trying to stop homeowners from removing their boulevard trees without permission. We are not worried about children playing. Podoll made a motion to accept the language as presented for the preservation and protection of trees 7-6-6.01. Seconded by Griffith. Old Business Response to Previously Raised Commission Requests None Commission Comments and Requests None Staff Reports and Educational Material Police – Koerner updated the Commission on the following: Woolery is retiring after 34 years of service New officer Luke Langraff Police explorer interviews PD caught some car prowlers. One of the offenders was charged with having a loaded fire arm and controlled substance. Police reserves have helped at Park Homecoming, Afton Apple, Oktoberfest and Hail to the bird 5K. Reminder the parking ban will begin on 11-1-17 Holiday Train is coming on 12-9-17. Fire – Redenius updated the Commission on the following: 433 EMT calls and 49 Fire calls in August and September 496 EMT and 54 Fire total calls in October. Redenius added fire has hired nearly 10 new PT fire staff, some EMT and some Paramedic. They are in the process of hiring a FT fire position. Staff is adjusting to the new location at the BEC while the new station is being built. There was a girder in the new station which was signed by many of the staff. It will be encased by sheet rock and when that station is torn down or refurbished the girder can be taken out like a time capsule and placed in the new station. Public Works – Burshten updated the Commission on the following: Sweeping Ditch mowing Tree trimming Traffic counts Patching Flushing hydrants Well 3 and 10 are functioning and buildings are being built Holiday decorations are installed 1500 meters replaced Lift station complete Pine hill water tower washed New well being installed of 62nd Sandblasting plow equipment. Council Comments Dennis updated the Commission on current council action items including: Marketing our City to developers 72 million currently in permits My Future Cottage Grove initiative to hear responses from the citizens at Ferber Farm on October 25, 2017 Dennis expressed his appreciation to the Commission for their service to the community. Commission Comments Adjournment – Meeting was adjourned at 8:02pm