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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL—November 30, 2009 16 <br /> 7D. Ordinance 2009-014 and Ordinance 2009-015 (continued) <br /> Community Development Director Lehnhoff stated that this ordinance would not <br /> address the easements. The City has requested that Xcel contact the City in regards <br /> to future tree trimming activities. <br /> Councilmember Holmes stated that this could be added because this is a contract. <br /> Mayor Harpstead stated that clear cutting of trees is not covered by the contract <br /> and going forward does not look like it would be allowed. <br /> Mr. Wertish, Community Relations Manager for Xcel Energy, stated that trees are <br /> the number one concern for Xcel. The franchise deals with tree trimming in the - <br /> public right-of-way. Transmission or high voltage wires serve regions and these are <br /> installed in easements and in order to ensure that these do not come into contact <br /> with trees clear cutting is necessary. Xcel does try to maintain afour-year cycle for <br /> trimming trees in the right-of-way. He acknowledged that Xcel could have done a <br /> better job of communicating with the residents of Arden Hills regarding the <br /> trimming and clear cutting that was done. Xcel will be doing a better job of <br /> communicating in the future. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated that the clear cutting that was done took out not <br /> only trees but also shrubs. All that is left is bare ground and there is no restoration <br /> done by Xcel. <br /> Mr. Wertish stated that it is their right to do this. Xcel does have arborists that can <br /> work with City Staff and residents to determine the correct vegetation to plant in the <br /> right-of-way and easements. <br /> Councilmember Holmes clarified that the document if front of the Council at this <br /> time deals with the right-of-way and tree trimming in that area and the clear cutting <br /> is done in easements. She asked if there was any way that people could be <br /> contacted who lived next to these easements. <br /> Mr. Wertish stated that the language being presented is the same language that is <br /> used in other franchises that Xcel has and it is for right-of-way. This assists with <br /> administration of these franchises. <br /> City Attorney Filla asked if Xcel follows the same notice process for public tree <br /> trimming as they would for private tree trimming. <br />