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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — June 1, 2011 11 <br />7.B. Tree Inventory (continued) <br />They would only have the capacity of manually marking the information on a map. Staff would <br />then have to transfer the information to an electronic format. After discussing this with the Public <br />Works Superintendent, he suggested that we could possible utilize the City's sign inventory <br />software, Simple Signs by Rowecamp and Associates to do a full tree inventory. This software <br />utilizes a hand held GPS unit that plots each sign onto a map and places it in an electronic <br />database. Rowecamp and Associates indicated that the software could be revised and this would <br />cost $2000 - $3000. This amount would include the program and the mapping features with no <br />annual fee, free updates, and free technical support. Staff would also like to hire an additional <br />seasonal maintenance staff to supplement the time that the full time staff would be spending on <br />the inventory. The starting wage for a seasonal staff is $11.10 ($10.00 plus benefits) and if hired <br />for 12 -16 weeks, the amount needed for this salary would be up to 80 working days and 640 hours <br />for $7,104. The overall budget impact would be just over $10,000 for the extra maintenance staff <br />and the software. <br />Mayor Grant asked if all the trees in the City would be done. <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated they would be doing only those trees in the City <br />right -of -ways, the maintained areas of the parks, and the boulevards. The inventory would also <br />assist with tree donations. Currently the trees that are donated are plotted manually on a map so <br />that residents can find the trees they donate. This system would provide the exact GPS <br />coordinates for people to locate their trees. She explained that having an inventory of the City's <br />trees would allow them to easily access the types and locations of trees when there are diseases. <br />This will help the City in determining the potential effect a disease may have on the City's tree <br />population and give the City an opportunity to be proactive in tree replacements. <br />Councilmember Holden asked if this process would help residents in identifying those trees that <br />are on City property versus private property. <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Olson stated the City would plot the location of those trees that <br />may be close to the property lines. Without having a survey done the City would not be able to <br />determine this for sure. If the trees are located close to a property line, then when a property <br />owner requests to have something done in this area the City will be aware that there is a potential <br />City tree. <br />Councilmember Tamble stated having documented locations for trees would be beneficial for <br />the City and would allow the Public Works Department to be proactive in the future. <br />Mayor Grant asked if this could be done over the course of one summer. <br />Parks and Recreation Manager Olson clarified the project could be done in one summer if the <br />City were to hire one additional seasonal worker. <br />MOTION: Councilmember Holden moved and Councilmember Werner seconded a <br />motion to Authorize Staff to Proceed with a City Wide Tree Inventory <br />Utilizing the City Forester, Simple Tree Software from Rowecamp and <br />