HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 04-22-2014 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
April 22, 2014
Mayor Slavik called a Special Meeting of the Plymouth City Council to order at 5:00 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on April 22, 2014.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Wosje, Stein, Willis, Bildsoe, Johnson,
and Prom.
ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Callister, Administrative Services Director Fischer, Park and
Recreation Director Evans, City Forester Buck, Community Development Director Juetten,
Planning Manager Thomson, Deputy Park and Recreation Director Northway, and City Clerk
Engdahl.
Emerald Ash Borer Program Update
Deputy Park and Recreation Director Northway and City Forester Buck provided an update on
the City's Emerald Ash Program (EAB). They stated in May and June, staff will be injecting 338
ash trees, greater than 15" in diameter, within the maintained areas of parks. The Council has
budgeted $17,000 in the budget to accomplish this task. The work will be completed in-house by
staff on a biennial basis using an injection mode of application. Based on current research, the
City will need to treat ash trees for the next 10 years to combat EAB. Staff will also be providing
an education component to residents regarding EAB and treatment.
They requested direction from the Council regarding the City's practice for boulevard ash trees
and the potential treatment for EAB. These are trees within the right-of-way on City property.
Currently, all trees within the right-of-way are maintained by staff which is trimming and
removal of trees. There are 542 ash trees greater than 15" in the boulevards. They noted that the
staff report contained three options, and staff is recommending Option A. With this option, the
City would fully pay for the injection treatment in all of the boulevard ash trees greater than 15"
in diameter. If this would be the Council's direction, staff has outlined a management strategy.
Staff's best estimation is that infestation will move across the City from east to west. Dividing
the City into an east and west side and treating both park and boulevard trees on each side would
be the preferred strategy. In 2014, and subsequent even years, 440 ash trees won the east side
would be treated. In 2015, and subsequent odd years, 440 ash trees on the west side would be
treated. This change in strategy would require a change in funding. Considering $17,000 is
already budgeted for EAB in 2014, an additional $9,529 would need to be added to the budget to
treat the east side trees. Beginning in 2015, $26,529 would need to be budgeted for treatment of
ash trees annually.
Adopted Minutes 1 of 2 Special Meeting of April 22, 2014
The majority of the Council supported trying the treatment for 2014 for the additional $9,529 and
having staff report back to the Council.
Met Council Thrive 2040
Community Development Director Juetten gave a presentation on the Metropolitan Council's
Thrive MSP 2040 draft document.
Mayor Slavik adjourned the study session at 5:55 p.m. and stated the Council would reconvene
this study session following the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Slavik reconvened the study session at 6:25 p.m.
The majority of the Council were concerned with the language of many areas of the document,
including the 2040 population, household and employment projections, and they voiced their
concerns to the staff regarding the specific areas.
The Council directed staff to provide a summary of their concerns to the Metro Cities meeting on
April 24.
Adjournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:57 p.1n.
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Sandra R. Engdahl, ty ClWrk
Adopted Minutes 2 of 2 Special Meeting of April 22, 2014