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<br />..,. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />~ <br />/]'\~ HILLS <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />Agenda Item 2.D. <br /> <br />July J 3,2005 <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Honorable Mayor and City Council Members <br />Michelle Wolfe, City Administrator <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />Thomas Moore, Operations and Maintenance Director <br />Schawn Johnson, Assistant to the City AdministratorSiZS <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />Revised Shade Tree Ordinance-Revising Chapter 700 of the City Code <br /> <br />Backeround <br />In 2004, City staff received a number of concerns from residents regarding the removal of <br />diseased trees, After reviewing the City's existing shade tree ordinance, it was determined by <br />City staff that revising the existing ordinance may be more advantageous to the City. The <br />existing ordinance has not been updated in many years and with the recent outbreak of tree <br />related illnesses throughout the state of Minnesota it is important that the City implements a <br />revised ordinance that is more proactive in the prevention of Dutch elm and oak wilt diseases, <br />The intention of the proposed ordinance is to more clearly define the tree removal process and <br />the City's regulations regarding the role of the City Forester and proper procedures for removing <br />shade trees that are considered diseased and unsalvageablc, <br /> <br />Most of thc changes staff felt were necessary to more clearly dcfinc the regulations and the role <br />the City plays in enforcing them, In addition it was a goal to define methods that may be <br />undertaken to prevent the spread of tree-related diseases and remove hazardous trees, It was also <br />important to make sure the regulations arc reflective of advances in knowledge about tree-related <br />diseases, thcir treatment, and prevention, <br /> <br />City staff has reviewed the tree ordinances for the Cities of Andovcr, New Brighton, Columbia <br />Heights, and Shoreview, After comparing the tree ordinances from these four communities, City <br />staff revised the existing ordinance with language that more clearly defines the procedure <br />involved in removing a diseased tree, The revised ordinance has been reviewed by the City <br />Attorney and he is comfortable with the changes that have been proposed by City staff. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br />City staff is requesting City Council comments regarding the proposed shade tree ordinance, <br /> <br />Attachments: <br /> <br />. Proposed Shade Tree Ordinance #365 <br /> <br />C:\Documents and Settings\MichelleW\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLKlO\Shade Tree Ordinance 7- <br />] 8-05LDOC <br />