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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 2018-222 C ITY OF P LYMOUTH R ESOLUTION N O. 2018-222 R ESOLUTION A PPROVING E MERALD A SH B ORER M ANAGEMENT P LAN I NITIATIVES WHEREAS, the City of Plymouth, adopted and approved an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan by the City Council on January 1, 2011; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Forestry Division is currently treating approximately 900 large legacy ash trees in City parks and boulevards; and WHEREAS, the original infestation site has expanded in the last two years; and WHEREAS, to lower the current ash population, staff proposes two new initiatives, pre-emptive removal and replacement of boulevard ash trees and pre-emptive removal and replacement of private ash trees; and WHEREAS, boulevard ash trees 5 inches or greater in diameter and not currently treated would be eligible for removal and replacement from September 2018 – December 2019; and WHEREAS, an incentive to remove untreated ash trees on private property, property owners would be offered up to four replacement bare root trees in exchange for removal of ash trees 5 inches or greater in diameter from September 2018 – March 2020 on a first come, first served basis up to a 1,000 trees during the September – March removal date timeline; and WHEREAS, pre-emptive boulevard and private removals, would be funded from the Tree Preservation Fund (660-10-110-11092) which has a fund balance of over $700,000; and WHEREAS, a “Managing Ash for EAB in Community Forests” grant through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be submitted and may cover the entire cost of the boulevard replacement trees. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PLYMOUTH, MINNESOTA, that two initiatives of incentivizing pre-emptive ash tree removals on boulevards and private property be added to the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan is approved. The $81,850 cost of the program will be covered by the “Managing Ash for EAB in Community Forests” grant or from the Tree Preservation Fund (660-10-110-11092). APPROVED by the City Council on this 12th day of June, 2018.