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Roseville, MN - Official WebsitePage 4of 4 <br />Councilmember Johnson enthusiastically supported such an objective <br />and concurred that this would be a win-win situation for all parties; <br />and noted that the current volunteer base was aging, and needed to <br />be resuscitated and nurtured to make it vibrant. <br />Further discussion included the potential for a local sales tax levy, <br />authorized by the legislature, and requirements of such a levy and use <br />of those funds for regional uses; and whether another option would be <br />to affect legislation that such uses not be restricted to regional, but <br />community capital uses. <br />Additional discussion included proactive actions on the Emerald Ash <br />Borer (EAB) concerns and receipt of a grant to inventory all Ash trees; <br />impacts to the City’s aesthetics and property values; replacement of <br />those trees; current staffing and funds available to treat the problem; <br />and actions of the U of MN and other cities to-date. <br />Councilmember Pust noted her recent attendance at a session in the <br />City of New Brighton and options for regional cost-sharing and plans <br />for a shared Forester and related costs. Councilmember Pust noted <br />the need for inventorying private properties having Ash trees, as well <br />as the grant funding for boulevard tree inventories; and impacts to <br />environmental cycles needing immediate action. Councilmember Pust <br />encouraged Commissioners to make this a priority for an integrated <br />plan, and subsequent recommendations to the City Council. <br />Commissioners expressed their concerns with the continued <br />elimination of Diseased and Hazardous Tree funds; and how those <br />funds should be allocated. <br />Councilmember Johnson asked hypothetically, given tonight’s <br />discussion, how the Commission recommended paying for extra staff <br />and maintenance of a community center; noting the difficulties being <br />faced by the City of Duluth after using regional and state tax money to <br />build facilities that they couldn’t maintain over the long-term, noting <br />that those monies couldn’t be used for maintenance; and <br />recommended some serious planning for long-term staffing and <br />maintenance of such a facility. <br />Chair Stark thanked Councilmembers and Commissioners for the good <br />discussion. <br />http://www.cityofroseville.com/Archive.aspx?AMID=&Type=&ADID=901&PREVIEW=YES7/19/2010 <br />