Laserfiche WebLink
<br />~ <br />/],\~HILLS <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />August 24, 2005 <br /> <br />Agenda Item 7.A. <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />Honorable Mayor and City Council Members <br />Michelle Wolfe, City Administrator ('::-. d h <br /> <br />Thomas J. Moore, Operations & Maintenance Directo~ ' " ~ <br />Schawn P. Johnson, Assistant to the City Administrator <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />Revised Shade Tree Ordinance #365-Revising Chapter 700 of the City <br />Code <br /> <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 appeared that it was in <br />need of some revision. The existing ordinance had not been updated in many years and with the <br />recent outbreak of tree rclatcd illnesses throughout the State of Minnesota it was important that <br />the City implement a revised ordinance that is more proactive in the prevention of Dutch elm and . <br />oak wilt diseases. The intention of the proposed ordinance is to more clearly definc the tree <br />removal process and the City's regulations regarding the role of the City Forester and proper <br />procedures for removing shade trees that are considered diseased or unsalvageable. <br /> <br />Based upon the City Council's recommendations at the July 18th work session meeting, City staff <br />reviewed the shade tree ordinances for the Cities of Blaine, Elk River, and Minneapolis. <br />Additional language has been addcd to the proposed shade tree ordinance in order to more <br />clearly dcfine a public tree nuisance and the root grafting procedure. <br /> <br />In addition, City staff asked a few "experts" in the field to review the ordinance and provide City <br />staff with feedback regarding the proposed ordinance. At this time, Dr. Bob Blanchette (forest <br />pathologist and professor from the University of Minnesota) and Jennifer Juzwick Larmour, <br />(resident of AH who works for the USDA Forest Service), have rcviewed the proposed shade <br />tree ordinance and have recommended a few changes to the proposed ordinance. Those changes <br />have been underlined and bolded for your review. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br />City staff is requesting City Council approval of Ordinance # 365 revising the City's existing <br />shade tree ordinance. <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />Proposed Shade Tree Ordinance #365 <br /> <br />. <br />