HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Packet 8.11.2025City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
AGENDA
Monday, August 11, 2025
6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) ____ Georgiana May ____
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) ____ VACANT
Adam Keester ____ VACANT
VACANT
Staff Liaison Lynch ____
Council Liaison Mielke ____
GreenCorps Member Siebert ____
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. July 14, 2025
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Native Landscaping Ordinance Discussion
2. Energy Action Plan Update & Next Steps
3. Green To Go / Packaging Fair Updates
4. Lawn & Garden Tours – Recap and Recommendations
F. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report
2. Council Liaison Report
G. ADJOURN
Next regular meeting date: September 8, 2025
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, July 14, 2025
6:30 p.m.
A.CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
B.ROLL CALL:Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) _X_ Georgiana May _X_
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) _X_ VACANT
Adam Keester _X_ VACANT
VACANT
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _X_
GreenCorps Member Siebert _X_
C.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Keester made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion passed by consent.
D.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. June 9, 2025
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the June 9, 2025 minutes. Motion passed by
consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1.Green-To-Go – Noelle Bakken & Ness Carda, City of Roseville
Noelle Bakken (Sustainability Specialist) and Ness Carden (Sustainability Intern) from
City of Roseville gave a presentation on the City of Roseville’s Green-To-Go Initiative.
The goal of this ordinance is to reduce the use of Styrofoam packaging in food service,
reduce PFAS in the waste stream, support the MPCA’s Solid Waste Plan and increase
the recycling rate, encourage composting, and add consistency with other nearby
communities and the newly passed Packaging Waste and Cost Reduction Act.
Bakken gave an overview of the timeline for research, community engagement, and
adoption of the ordinance. She also described the next steps for education and adaptation,
and the ongoing enforcement that will need to happen. Carda explained his process of
reaching out to existing businesses and some of the difficulties involved. Chain
restaurants tend to be more difficult to coerce into adoption due to the corporate chain of
command. There are also currently many exceptions to the ordinance due to a lack of
appropriate alternative containers.
Bakken and Carda invited city staff and commissioners to their upcoming Packaging and
Resource Fair on July 28 from 12-3 PM.
Commissioners discussed the ordinance and how it could work for Falcon Heights. There
was some discussion around Roseville handling the outreach and enforcement of the six
restaurants that are currently located in Falcon Heights. Bakken and Lynch will discuss
further. Lynch also told the Commission she would look into this further and bring back
an update in three months.
2. Lawn & Garden Tour Updates
Staff Liaison Lynch gave a brief update on the Lawn & Garden Tours. Host sign-up is
closed and yard signs have been ordered for the 11 hosts. Handouts will be given at Ice
Cream Social on Thursday, July 17 from 5-7 PM. She requested Commissioners attend
and be prepared to work at the Environment Commission table.
3. Boulevard Tree Discussion / City Code Updates
Staff Liaison Lynch explained the difficulties that currently exist with the City’s
boulevard tree replacements. Currently residents who receive replacement trees tend to be
those that contact the city directly and are most persistent. There needs to be a formal city
code update to outline the process and describe the prioritization of neighborhoods to
receive replacement trees first. Lynch asked Commissioners if they would prefer an opt-
out or opt-in process for residents who are eligible for boulevard trees. Chair Mercer-
Taylor was in support of less choice in opting, but rather the City focus on being “tree-
forward.” Lynch went through the brief Code changes she made which allowed for
residents to provide input as to the type of replacement tree and placement, and if they
needed to opt-out for a specific reason (shading a garden, etc.), it could be discussed.
Lynch offered to work on the language and bring it back to a future meeting.
4. Community Park Landscaping Updates
Staff Liaison Lynch explained the comments and concerns from the previous Community
Park landscaping plan were submitted to WSB and responses were received as included
in the packet. She asked if the Commission wanted to focus more on low-maintenance
plantings or natives. After discussion it was concluded that any of these would likely
have a similar amount of maintenance needed, and the focus should be on native
plantings/pollinator-friendly plantings. Lynch stated she would take the comments back
to the staff person in charge of this.
F. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report – Staff Liaison Lynch gave a quick overview of the Les Bolstad Golf
Course sale by the University of Minnesota and reminded Commissioners of the documents
needed in order for them to begin to be paid by the city for their time spent volunteering at
monthly meetings.
2. Council Liaison Report – None.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: August 11, 2025
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota
__________________________
Item Native Landscaping Ordinance Discussion
Description The City of Falcon Heights promotes and understands the importance of
pollinator yards/gardens and native plantings. City Code has a section
regarding this, but it likely needs to be updated to allow for easier access to
these important plantings and clearer for code enforcement.
Budget Impact None.
Attachment(s) -City Code – Chapter 54 – Vegetation – Edits from Adam Keester
-City Code – Chapter 54 – Vegetation – Edits from Georgiana May
Action(s)
Requested
Staff requests the Commission discuss the drafted changes to City Code.
Meeting Date August 11, 2025
Agenda Item E-1
Attachment See below.
Submitted By Hannah Lynch, Community
Development Coordinator
Chapter 54 - VEGETATION
Article/Division/Section:
ARTICLE I IN GENERAL
54-1 – 54-33 Reserved
ARTICLE II PLANTING, MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL
54-34 Purpose
54-35 Applicability
54-36 City forester
54-37 Regulations for public property
54-38 Regulations for private property
54-39 Declared shade tree pests, control measures, and control areas
ARTICLE I - IN GENERAL
Secs. 54-1 – 54-33 - Reserved
ARTICLE II - PLANTING, MAINTENANCE AND REMOVAL
Sec. 54-34 - Purpose
(a) Purpose. It is the purpose of this article to promote and protect the public health, safety,
and general welfare by providing for the regulation of the planting, maintenance, and
removal of trees, shrubs, and other plants within the city.
(b) Plant protection. It is the intent of the council to conduct a plant protection and export
program pursuant to the authority granted by Minn. Stats. § 18G.
(c) The provisions of this section are adopted as an effort to control and prevent the spread
of shade tree pests and to maintain a healthy urban forest, in addition to and in
accordance with Minn. Stats. §§ 89.001, 89.01 and 89.51-64.
(Code 1993, § 8-4.01; Ord. No. 18-09, § 1, 9-26-2018)
Sec. 54-35 - Applicability
This Code provides full power and authority over all trees, plants and shrubs located
within street rights-of-way, parks and public places within the city; and to trees, plants and
shrubs located on private property that constitute a hazard as described herein.
(Code 1993, § 8-4.02)
Summary of Comments on Chapter_54_VEGETATION_AK.pdf
Page: 1
Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:24:28 AM
Add another purpose that is to increase climate resiliency. Suggested updated using language from the climate action plan:
"(c) The provisions of this section are adopted as an effort to control and prevent the spread of shade tree pests, maintain a healthy
urban forest, improve air and water quality, and to strengthen climate resiliency, in addition to and in accordance with Minn. Stats. §§
89.001, 89.01 and 89.51-64. "
Adam Comments
Sec. 54-36 - City forester
The city forester shall be under the direction of the city administrator at all times. The
authority and duties of the city forester are as follows:
(1) The forester shall have jurisdiction and supervision over all trees, shrubs, and other
plants growing within the city.
(2) The forester may order the trimming, treatment or removal of any trees or plants
on public or private property that constitute a nuisance or hazard, or whenever
necessary to prevent the spread of disease or harmful insects.
(3) The forester shall act as the city tree inspector and shall coordinate all activities
between the state department of agriculture and the council.
(Code 1993, § 8-4.03; Ord. No. 18-09, § 2, 9-26-2018)
Sec. 54-37 - Regulations for public property
(a) Planting.
(1) No trees, shrubs or herbaceous plant materials, including annual or perennial
flowers, may be planted in a public right-of-way except by authorized city
personnel.
(2) No tree shall be planted on a public right-of-way, except to replace a tree that has
been removed or that has been identified as a new location for a tree by the city
administrator.
(3) The city administrator shall determine the specific location of any tree to be
planted on a public right-of-way.
(4) Any tree to be planted on a public right-of-way must be of cultivated nursery stock,
and must be at least 1½ inches in diameter, measured at a point two feet above the
ground.
(5) Any tree to be planted on a public right-of-way must be planted in soil adequate to
insure growth, in accordance with standards set by the forester.
(b) Maintenance of trees.
(1) Public trees will be trimmed according to a schedule established by the forester
and approved by the city administrator.
(2) Only persons authorized by the city administrator may trim boulevard trees.
(3) The forester may chemically vaccinate boulevard trees against disease whenever
necessary.
(c) Removal of trees.
(1) The city administrator has sole authority to order removal of any tree on a public
right-of-way.
Page: 2
Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:25:28 AM
Add section about foraging on public property. Reference Vadnais Heights code, and any climate action plan language
Do we need an urban agriculture section? Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:33:50 AM
Climate Action Plan GE 1-1: "Adopt a No Net Loss policy that ensures every removed public street or space tree is replaced with a seedling or
sapling. If replanting on-site isn’t feasible, a tree should be planted in a nearby space or within a tree bank established by or designated by the
City."
(2) Trees will be removed by city staff or contracted firms.
(d) Miscellaneous. No person shall:
(1) Damage, cut, trim, carve, kill or injure any tree or plant on public property;
(2) Attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant on public property
unless authorized by the forester;
(3) In any way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area of public
property; nor
(4) Cause or permit any wire charged with electricity or any harmful gaseous, liquid or
solid substances to come into contact with any tree or plant on public property.
(e) Care and maintenance of boulevards and adjacent property. Owners of property
abutting the right-of-way of a public street or alley shall properly maintain the grass on
the property and on the public right-of-way to the curbline or traveled portion of the
street or alley. Proper maintenance shall include sodding, planting, mowing or weed
abatement whenever necessary.
(Code 1993, § 8-4.04; Ord. No. 0-95-03, § 1, 1-25-1995; Ord. No. 20-02, § 1, 2-12-2020)
Sec. 54-38 - Regulations for private property
(a) Purpose and application. It is the purpose of this section to prohibit the
uncontrolled growth of vegetation, while permitting the planting and maintenance of
landscaping which promotes resiliency, diversity and a richness to the quality of life.
There are reasonable expectations regarding the proper maintenance of vegetation on
any lot or parcel of land. It is in the public's interests to provide standards regarding the
maintenance of vegetation because vegetation which is not maintained may threaten
public health, safety, order, and may decrease adjacent property values. It is also in the
public's interests to encourage diverse landscaping, particularly that which restores
native vegetation. Native vegetation requires fewer inputs of water, fertilizers, and
herbicides. It also supports pollinators and birds. The city enacts this section to balance
these competing interests.
(b) Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly
indicates a different meaning:
Edible landscaping means the intentional planting, caring for, or otherwise
cultivating plants that could produce food that is consumed by people. These plants
include fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, vegetables, herbs, or edible flowers.
Native plants are those grasses (including prairie grasses), sedges (solid, triangular-
stemmed plants resembling grasses), rushes, forbs (flowering broadleaf plants), vines,
trees and shrubs that are plant species native to the state of Minnesota prior to
European settlement.
Noxious weeds are annual, biennial, or perennial plants that the Commissioner of
Page: 3
Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:28:32 AM
This specifies turf grass and is over simplifying the code for private property plantings in the next section. It suggest it is changed to something like
"... maintain the plants on the property and on the adjacent public right-of-way, as regulated for private property in Sec. 54-38"
It would also allow residents to extend plantings into the right-of-way without requiring city approval, though the city would still retain all relevant
rights for the right-of-way as described above Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:34:41 AM
Climate Action Plane GE 1-3: "Update the City’s Landscape Ordinance to establish minimum tree and native/pollinator planting coverage
standards based on lawn or impervious surface area. Ensure planting islands are included in parking lots for new or expanded developments.
Promote diversity in native trees, shrubs, and pollinator-friendly groundcovers." Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:32:30 AM
Expand on the benefits and reasons using some of the language in the climate action plan. Suggested update using language from the climate
action plan:
"Native vegetation requires fewer inputs of water, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and there is less emissions from lawncare equipment. Native
vegetation supports a broader range biodiversity including pollinators, birds, and other wildlife."
Agriculture designated to be injurious to public health, the environment, public roads,
crops, livestock, or other property (Minnesota Noxious Weed Law, Minn. Stat. Sec.
18.75-18.91).
Ornamental plants means grasses, flowering annual, biennial, and perennial plants,
shrubs, trees, and vines that may not be native to Minnesota, but are adapted.
Ornamental grasses do not include turfgrasses.
Turf grass means commercially available cultured turf grass varieties, including
bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass blends, commonly used in regularly cut lawn areas.
Planned landscape area means an area where ornamental plants, or native plants are
planted pursuant to a plan.
Rain garden means a shallow excavated depression (typically no more than 18 inches
deep) with loosened sub-soils in which ornamental or native plants that are adapted to
moist conditions and have deep roots are planted for the purpose of infiltrating and
filtering rain water and reducing storm water runoff. Temporary ponding of water in
rain gardens typically occurs for no more than 48 hours after rainfall assuming no
subsequent rainfall.
Residential garden means an area of edible landscaping on a lot that is conducted by
the property owners or residents of that lot.
Restoration area means an area where native plants are being, or have been,
intentionally re-established
Weeds are (i) prohibited noxious weeds or (ii) any volunteer plant, except trees and
other woody vegetation, which is not customarily or intentionally planted. For the
purposes of this definition, weeds do not include dandelions or clover.
(c) Location of restoration areas, planned landscape areas, and edible landscaping
areas.
(1) Setback. A restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden must
provide the following minimum setbacks:
a. Front lot line, corner side lot line, or rear lot line abutting a street or alley: two feet,
and two feet from publicly maintained pavement or sidewalk
b. Interior side lot line or rear lot line not abutting a street or alley: two feet;
provided, however, for the exception in the required side yard or rear yard setback,
as described in section 54-38(c)(2).
(2) Mitigations for reductions in side or rear yard setback. A required interior side yard
or rear yard (not abutting a street or alley) setback may be reduced to zero feet for a
restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden if:
a. A fence at least three feet in height is installed on the lot line adjoining the
Page: 4
Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 9:03:07 AM
There are a large number of plants that volunteer during normal growth/spreading. I think we should remove all of (ii) and focus on preventing
invasive plants Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:40:34 AM
A question for the city and EC to consider: what benefit does this setback add? It has a con or making any garden planning and execution more
convoluted. The following subsection does not actually require turfgrass in the setback, but that's not immediately clear.
restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden; or
b. The restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden abuts:
1. A restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden on any
adjoining lot;
2. A public park or open space;
3. A wetland, pond, lake or stream;
4. Natural area; or
c. The restoration area or planned landscape area is located on slopes equal to, or
greater than, three feet horizontal to one foot vertical (3:1).
(d) Maintenance Standards. Every owner of property shall maintain the vegetation
growing thereon according to the minimum standards set forth in this subsection:
(1) The setback area required by section 54-38(c) shall be composed of a soil retention
cover such as mulch, regularly mowed turf grasses or groundcovers maintained at six
inches or less, native or ornamental plants maintained at ten inches or less, trees or
shrubs, or as may be required by the city administrator to protect the soil and
aesthetic values on the lot and adjacent property.
(2) Non-woody vegetation in a planned landscape area shall be cut at least once annually
between April 15 and July 15 to a height no greater than 10 inches.
(3) It is unlawful to plant any tree or shrub within five feet of a property lot line abutting
a right-of-way of a public street or alley.
(4) Property owners shall prune trees and shrubs located on private property so they will
not obstruct pedestrian sidewalk traffic, nor obstruct the view of any traffic sign,
street, alley, or intersection. Overhanging portions of trees and shrubs must be pruned
to maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet over all sidewalks, and 16 feet over all
streets.
(5) Properties shall be free of blight and blighting factors, as described in section 22-19.
(6) Properties shall be free of public nuisances, as described in section 22-47.
(7) The city may require the owner or occupant who has planted, or has allowed to be
planted, native plants or other vegetation within a drainage or utility easement to
remove the native plants or other vegetation from the drainage and utility easement at
no expense to the city if the city determines the native plants or vegetation interferes
with the utility easement. The city will not be responsible for damage to turfgrass
and/or any landscaped areas resulting from public works improvements or snow
removal activities within drainage and utility easements.
(8) Retail sales of produce from edible landscaping activities shall not occur on the
property.
Page: 5
Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 7/29/2025 11:24:07 AM
When I read this, I feel there is an implicit assumption about protecting a neighbor's turfgrass from a resident's garden area. See top-level note
about changing our assumptions about what the typical/default landscape contains. To flip the scenario, how does this setback protect the
resident's planned area from the neighbor's (non-native) turfgrass?
There's also an edge case here where two residents have adjacent garden areas. If a Homeowner 1 comes in and removes their garden area, does
Homeowner 2 have to put in a fence or add a setback due to Homeowner 1's actions? I don't think this should be the result, but think that the
code would currently default to this understanding Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 9:04:08 AM
I suggest the city increase this turfgrass height limit. 8-9"? I'd have to do more research on what the modern height limit should be Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 9:04:28 AM
This 10" limit eliminates a very large number of native/ornamental plant options. If present at all, I think it should be increased at minimum to 18",
preferably 24". Echoing my comment above, what do we want out of the setback? Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:49:17 AM
Remove this regulation entirely. There is no basis for this as a good gardening practice for most variety of native/ornamental plants and still
requires the use and maintenance of lawncare equipment which are enormously polluting.
I'm curious to know the motivation behind this. My guess is that it's intended as a way to enforce "neatness" onto resident's gardens or appease
very pro-lawn residents, while being quantified so that the arbitrary opinion of a complaining neighbor is not what determines "neatness" of one's
gardens. Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 8:54:08 AM
Link to city document describing what/where these easements occur. Also this feels like an unfair call out on native plants. If we want to
encourage people to increase their native plant populations for the reasons specified above, I suggest this is just "vegetation". This is one more
regulation for folks to worry about and is hard to understand as where the easements are is unclear for a lay person
(e) Trees. Persons responsible for growing any trees, shrubs or other plants on private
property must comply with the following regulations:
(1) Planting.
a. It is unlawful to plant any of the following trees:
1. Box elder, Acer negundo;
2. Silver maple, Acer saccharinum;
3. Female ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba;
4. Eastern cottonwood, Populus deltoides;
5. Lombardy poplar, Populus nigra italica; or
6. Chinese elm, Ulmus pumila.
b. It is unlawful to plant any tree within five feet of a property lot line abutting a
right- of-way of a public street.
(2) Inspection and investigation of hazards and nuisances.
a. The city administrator or duly authorized agents shall inspect all premises as often
as practicable, to determine whether any declared hazards or public nuisances
exists. The city administrator or duly authorized agents shall investigate all
reported incidents of infection.
b. The city administrator or duly authorized agents may enter private premises at
any reasonable time for the purpose of carrying out any of the duties assigned
under this section.
c. It is unlawful for any person to prevent, delay, or interfere with the city
administrator, forester, or duly authorized agents while in the performance of
official duties related to this chapter.
(3) Abatement of hazards and nuisances on private property.
a. Order procedure. If the city administrator determines that trimming, treatment, or
removal of a tree or plant on private property is necessary to abate a public hazard
or nuisance, the city shall serve a written order upon the responsible property
owner or occupant to correct the condition.
b. Abatement of disease. The city administrator shall order the treatment or removal
of any infected tree or wood constituting a nuisance as described in section 54-39.
Removal and abatement shall be in accordance with the technical opinion of the
forester or the department of agriculture. Trees impacted by a shade tree pest shall
be removed or effectively treated so as to destroy and prevent as fully possible the
spread of the shade tree pest.
c. Time limit. The order or notification shall set a time limit for compliance,
depending on the urgency of the hazard or nuisance.
d. Authority to abate. If, after notification, the responsible person fails to correct the
condition within the time prescribed, the city administrator may order city staff or
This page contains no comments
a contracted firm to abate the hazardous or nuisance condition.
e. Cost of abatement. The responsible person shall be billed for the full cost of the
abatement plus any additional administrative costs. If the bill is unpaid, the cost
shall be certified to the county auditor as a special assessment against the
property.
(Code 1993, § 8-4.05; Ord. No. 18-09, § 3, 9-26-2018; Ord. No. 20-02, § 2, 2-12-2020; Ord.
No.
20-04, § 3, 5-13-2020; Ord. No. 20-07, § 1, 12-09-2020)
Sec. 54-39 - Declared shade tree pests, control measures, and control areas
Declaration of a shade tree pest. The council may by ordinance declare any vertebrate
or invertebrate animal, plant pathogen, or plant in the community threatening to cause
significant damage to a shade tree or community tree, as defined by Minn. Stats. § 89.001, to
be a shade tree pest and prescribe control measures to effectively eradicate, control, or
manage the shade tree pest, including necessary timelines for action. The following are
considered public nuisances whenever they may be found within the city:
(1) Oak wilt disease
a. Oak wilt disease is a shade tree pest and is defined as any living or dead tree,
log, firewood, limb, branch, stump, or other portion of a tree from any species
of the genus Quercus existing within the control area defined that has bark
attached and that exceeds three inches in diameter or ten inches in
circumference and contains to any degree any spore or reproductive structures
of the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum.
b. Control measures.
Installation of a root graft barrier. A root graft barrier can be ordered installed
to prevent the underground spread of oak wilt disease. The city will mark the
location of the root graft barrier. The barrier disrupts transmission of the fungus
within the shared vascular systems of root drafted trees. The barrier is created
by excavating or vibratory plowing a line at least 42 inches deep between any
oak tree infected with oak wilt disease and each nearby and apparently healthy
oak tree within 50 feet of the infected tree.
c. Removal and disposal of trees.
1. On property zoned for residential and commercial use. On property that is
zoned residential and commercial the city may mark for removal of trees
that have the potential to produce spores of the fungus Ceratocystis
fagacearum. After, and in no case before, the installation of the root graft
barrier and no later than May 1 of the year following infection, all marked
trees must be felled. The stump from such felled trees must not extend
more than three inches above the ground or, if taller, must be completely
debarked.
If, however, after the city prescribes the location for a root graft barrier, the
Page: 7
Author: ajkee Subject: Comment on Text Date: 8/3/2025 9:05:41 AM
Similar to shade tree pests, I think we should convert the noxious weed reference to Sec. 29 to a subsection like this that details the express desire
to eradicate invasive species like buckthorn, creeping bellflower, etc
city determines that installation of the barrier is impossible because of the
presence of pavement or obstructions such as a septic system or utility line,
the city may mark for removal all oak trees whether living or dead,
infected or not and located between an infected tree and marked barrier
location. These marked trees must be felled and disposed of no later than
May 1 of the year following infection. The stump from such felled trees
must not extend more than three inches above the ground or, if taller, must
be completely debarked.
2. On all other property. On all other property, the city may mark for removal
all oak trees whether living or infected or not and located between and
infected tree and marked barrier location. These marked trees must be
felled and disposed of no later than May 1 of the year following infection.
The stump from such felled trees must not extend more than three inches
above the ground or, if taller, must be completely debarked.
All wood more than three inches in diameter or ten inches in circumference
from such felled trees must be disposed of by burying, debarking, chipping
or sawing into wane-free lumber, or by splitting into firewood, stacking the
firewood, and immediately covering the woodpile with unbroken four-mill
or thicker plastic sheeting that is sealed into the ground until October 1 of
the calendar year following the calendar year in which the tree was felled,
or by burning before May 1 of the year following infection. Wood chips
from infected trees may be stockpiled or immediately used in the
landscape.
d. Control area. The control area for oak wilt disease is defined as all lands within
the boundaries of the city.
(2) Emerald ash borer.
a. Emerald ash borer is a shade tree pest and is defined as an insect that attacks
and kills ash trees. The adults are small, iridescent green beetles that live
outside of trees during the summer months. The larvae are grub- or worm-like
and live underneath the bark of ash trees.
b. Control measures that may be taken to abate emerald ash borer are those state
statute.
c. Control area. The control area for emerald ash borer is defined as all lands
within the boundaries of the city.
(3) Dutch elm disease.
a. Dutch elm disease is a shade tree pest and is defined as a disease of elm trees
caused by the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi or Ophiostoma nova-ulmi, and includes
any living dead tree, log, firewood, limb branch, stump, or other portion of a
tree from any species of the genus Ulmus existing within the control area
defined that has bark attached and that exceeds three inches in diameter or ten
inches in circumference and could contain bark beetles or any spore or
reproductive structures of the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi or Ophiostoma novo-
This page contains no comments
ulmi. Any tree infected with the Dutch elm disease fungus or which harbors
any of the elm bark beetles (Scolytus multistratus, S. schevyrewi, or
Hylurgopinus rufipes) or any other pest capable of producing an epidemic, and
any dead elm tree or part, including logs, branches, stumps, firewood or other
material that contains elm bark are considered nuisances.
b. Control measures that may be taken to abate Dutch elm disease are:
1. Use of fungicide. Fungicides may be effective in prevent Dutch elm disease
when injected into living trees that do not already show symptoms of Dutch
elm disease. Fungicide injections on private lands are optional and, if
performed, are at the landowner's expense. Treating with fungicide on
public lands requires the approval of the city administrator or their
designee.
2. Removal and disposal of trees. Prompt removal of diseased trees or
branches reduces breeding sites for elm bark beetles and eliminates the
source of Dutch elm disease fungus. Trees that wilt before July 15 must be
moved by April 1 of the following year. Diseased trees not promptly
removed will be removed by the city at the landowner's expense. Wood
may be retained for use as firewood or saw logs if it is debarked or covered
from April 15 to October 15 with four mill plastic. The edges of the cover
must be buried and sealed to the ground.
c. Control area. The control area for oak wilt disease is defined as all lands within
the boundaries of the city.
d. Unlawful storage, transporting and disposing of elm wood. It is unlawful for
any person other than licensed tree services to transport, store or dispose of any
bark- bearing elm wood between April 15 and September 1 of each year.
(Ord. No. 18-09, § 4, 9-26-2018; Ord. No. 20-02, § 5, 2-12-2020)
This page contains no comments
Section 54-38
a) Definitions
Edible landscaping means the intentional planting, caring for, or otherwise-
cultivating plants that could produce food that is consumed by people. These plants
may include fruit and nut trees, berry bushes, vegetables, herbs, or edible flowers.
Native plants are those plant species, grasses (including prairie grasses), sedges, rushes, forbs
(flowering broadleaf plants), vines,
trees and shrubs, that are plant species native to the state of Minnesota prior to
European settlement.
Ornamental plants means are those plant species, grasses, flowering annual, biennial, and
perennial plants, shrubs, trees, and vines that may not be native to Minnesota, but are adapted.
Ornamental grasses do not include turfgrasses.
Rain garden means a shallow excavated depression (typically no more than 18 inches
deep) with loosened sub-soils in which ornamental or native plants that are adapted to
moist conditions and have deep roots are planted for the purpose of infiltrating and
filtering rain water and reducing storm water runoƯ. Temporary ponding of water in
rain gardens typically may occurs for no more than 48 hours after rainfall assuming no
subsequent rainfall.but typically is drained within 48 hours.
Weeds are (i) prohibited noxious weeds or (ii) any volunteer plant, except trees and
other woody vegetation, which is not customarily or intentionally planted. For the
purposes of the code definition, weeds do not include dandelions or clover.
(c)Location of restoration areas, planned landscape areas, and edible landscaping
areas.
Current language:
(1)Setback. A restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden must
provide the following minimum setbacks:
Front lot line, corner side lot line, or rear lot line abutting a street or alley: two feet,
and two feet from publicly maintained pavement or sidewalk.
b. Interior side lot line or rear lot line not abutting a street or alley: two feet; provided,
however, for the exception in the required side yard or rear yard setback, as
described in section 54-38(c)(2).
Suggested language:
(1) Vegetation in a restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden that is adjacent
to a front lot line, corner side lot line, or rear lot line abutting a street , or alley, or a publicly
maintained pavement or sidewalk should be maintained with plants that do not bend over the
property line or otherwise impede use of public areas.
b.Vegetation in a restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden that is adjacent to
an iInterior side lot line or rear lot line not abutting a street or alley: two feet; provided,
Georgiana Comments
however, for the exception in the required side yard or rear yard setback, should not bend over or
impede use of the adjacent propery except as described in section 54-38(c)(2).
2) …
c) Vegetation in a restoration area, planned landscape area, or residential garden that is located on
a steep slope adjacent to a property line.
(d)Maintenance Standards. Every owner of property shall maintain the vegetation
growing thereon according to the minimum standards set forth in this subsection:
(1) The setback area required by section 54-38(c) shall be composed of a soil retention
cover such as mulch, regularly mowed turf grasses or groundcovers maintained at six
inches or less, native or ornamental plants maintained at ten inches or less, trees or
shrubs, or as may be required by the city administrator to protect the soil and
aesthetic values on the lot and adjacent property.
(2) Non-woody vegetation in a planned landscape area shall be maintained at the natural height for
the plants and such that it does not impede use of adjacent property. be cut at least once annually
between April 15 and July 15 to a height no greater than 10 inches.
(3) It is unlawful to plant any tree or shrub within five feet of a property lot line abutting
a right-of-way of a public street or alley.
(4) Property owners shall prune trees and shrubs located on private property so they will
not obstruct pedestrian sidewalk traƯic, nor obstruct the view of any traƯic sign,
street, alley, or intersection. Overhanging portions of trees and shrubs must be pruned
to maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet over all sidewalks, and 16 feet over all
streets.
On the plans for the community park
WSB accepted most of our suggestions for plant species substitutions. On the idea of a
demonstration garden for native plants – if it seems a maintenance problem for a more natural
planting, the native plants could be planted in arrays such as suggested by the drawings. These
would still allow residents to learn about the plant species.
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota
__________________________
Item Energy Action Plan Update & Next Steps
Description GreenCorps Member Siebert has been working extensively on the Energy
Action Plan implementation along with Partners in Energy. This is an update
on the current status of implementation and next steps.
Budget Impact None.
Attachment(s) - Energy Action Plan Work Plan
Action(s)
Requested
Staff requests the Commission discuss the Energy Action Plan work plan and
advise on next steps.
Meeting Date August 11, 2025
Agenda Item E-2
Attachment See below.
Submitted By Hannah Lynch, Community
Development Coordinator
2024 2025 2025 2025 2025 2026
Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1
A Identify school and teacher partnerships and work with those partners
to understand classroom needs.
B Develop materials and activities that support appropriate energy
engagement according to school partners
C Ask school library or other entities to host educational events
regarding energy efficiency / conservation and renewable energy
D Encourage partnering with “EmPowered Schools” program to
Neighboring School Districts
E
Utilize the Minnesota GreenStep School Program to show students
that their school is leading the way in energy conservation and
reducing environmental impacts
A Call for community volunteers by the City
B Provide Xcel Energy and supporting energy resources to the
volunteers to share with their neighbors / associations
C
Develop resources for volunteers to share with neighbors (e.g.,
template emails, National Night Out activities, NextDoor posts, website
content, etc.)
A Provide renters with information about applicable energy rebates
B Raise awareness of assistance programs for those renters who are
affected by a higher energy burden or lower-income household
A Promote home energy assessments
B Showcase residents who have had home energy assessments and
made improvements in their home as a result
A Create an Energy Action Hub on the City of Falcon Heights’ website to
disseminate information about energy resources
B Establish partnerships with community organizations and/or Falcon
Heights specific publications to bring awareness to residents
C Include energy educational resources on the City of Falcon Heights
email newsletter
A Showcase positive testimonials in the City’s newsletter, blog and
articles in local media
B Postcard mail out campaign of testimonials from residents to other
residents
D Postcard mail out campaign of testimonials from business owners to
other businesses
D Share testimonials at St Paul Chamber of Commerce meetings
A Connect with Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative (CTC) to Improve
Living Conditions through energy projects for Student Housing
B Form partnership with neighboring city councils to coordinate energy
equity projects that are mutually beneficial
A Create and promote City incentives and/or recognition for energy
efficient multi-family buildings
B Review and revise City code to remove barriers to more energy
efficient multi-family buildings
C
Support the adoption of standards requiring buildings larger than 5
units to periodically re-invest in energy efficient improvements that
have a reasonable payback period
D
Support incentives for retrofits and redevelopment of existing multi-
family buildings to improve energy while respecting the historic
integrity of buildings and communities
A Be present at community events with resources and tips to encourage
businesses and residents to reduce energy consumption
B
Request that homeowners who have made significant energy
efficiency improvements temporarily display an energy conservation
yard sign
C Publicly acknowledge homeowners and business owners in the City’s
email newsletter for energy conservation efforts
3) Partner with the State Fair to Encourage Energy A Draft proposal to partner with State Fair to encourage joint energy
projects
A
Create targeted outreach programs to educate business owners and
owners of multi-family buildings about the benefits of electric heating
options
B Host workshops and informational sessions to highlight benefits of
adopting efficient electric heating technologies
C
Encourage building owners who have already installed air source heat
pumps to share their success stories with other building owners
through presentations, open houses and business networking events
D
Assist businesses and workforce to keep up to date on technological
advances in building energy. Provide outreach to local businesses to
assist in these educational efforts
E
Recommend energy improvements for rental properties during annual
inspections. Provide an opportunity to educate building owners about
energy improvements annually, giving updates on electrification
technology and available incentives
A Draft a proposal for collaboration between the City Council and the
University of Minnesota and find a way forward
B Advocate for increasing EV charging infrastructure on and off campus
C
Encourage charging infrastructure on new developments and retrofits,
especially multi-family buildings and businesses. Support the
continued development of charging infrastructure for Evs
6) Collaborate with Metro Transit A Draft, send and follow up on a request to Metro Transit to have electric
buses on Route 121 and on the Rapid Transit A Line
7) Reduce Costs of Home Energy Assessments for Residents A
Address economic barriers for residents who may be hard to reach or
under-represented in the community and increase home energy
assessment visits by promoting free visits
A Identify homes and businesses that have already undergone energy
projects
B Recognize those who would wish to participate in open house tours
and set up tour dates for groups to visit
C Host a local energy fair in Falcon Heights and encourage citizen and
local business participation
A Contact and form a collaboration with Solar United Neighbors (SUN)
to help residents and businesses bulk buy solar
B
Pursue grants to assist with the installation of solar panels on homes
and businesses. This financial support will make renewable energy a
viable option for more residents, reducing the City's overall carbon
footprint
A Request proposals for solar installations on future municipal buildings
B Partner with one or more solar installation companies to recommend
to buildings in the City.
C Explore grants for installation of onsite solar on businesses and
buildings
A Encourage subscription and on-site opportunities to residents during
events and on the City website
B Share incentives for renewable energy options with renters though
email and mailing campaigns
A Reach out to the University of Minnesota to form a collaboration
centered on renewable energy technologies
B
Partner with the University of Minnesota to help share incentives for
renewable energy programs to multi-family building owners, residents
and students
A
Host workshops to educate the community on renewable energy
topics and resources while connecting professionals with residents
and residents with training options
B Support and promote workforce opportunities in renewable energy
industry
Action Items
2) Solar Arrays on Future Buildings
3) Promote Renewable Subscription and On-site Options for
Residents
4) Partner with the University of Minnesota to Encourage Renewable
Energy
5) Establish a Reliable Workforce in Renewable Energy Applications
Focus Area Strategy
1) Support Energy Improvments
2) Incentivize and Recognize Energy Efficiency Projects
4) Encourage Efficient Electric Heating Technologies
5) Form Climate Action Partnership with U of M
8) Showcase Existing Energy Projects in Homes and Businesses
1) Support a Group-Buy Solar
Al
l
e
v
i
a
t
i
n
g
e
n
e
r
g
y
b
u
r
d
e
n
f
o
r
h
o
m
e
o
w
n
e
r
s
a
n
d
r
e
n
t
e
r
s
En
h
a
n
c
i
n
g
E
n
e
r
g
y
E
f
f
i
c
i
e
n
c
i
e
s
i
n
B
u
i
l
d
i
n
g
s
Em
b
r
a
c
i
n
g
C
l
e
a
n
,
R
e
n
e
w
a
b
l
e
E
n
e
r
g
y
1) Conduct Energy Outreach in Schools
2) Develop Neighborhood Energy Liaisons
3) Increase Access to Renter Resources
4) Promote Home Energy Assessments
5) Provide Accessible Energy Communication
6) Highlight Energy Saving and Clean Energy Testimonials
7) Develop and Sustain Partnerships that Support Community Energy
Equity Goals
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota
__________________________
Item Green-To-Go / Packaging Fair Update
Description Commissioner Pellegrini contacted staff about potentially looking at an
ordinance similar to the City of Roseville Green-To-Go initiative. Noelle
Bakken, Sustainability Specialist with the City of Roseville, and Ness Carda,
Sustainability Intern, spoke at the last Environment Commission meeting.
Since that time, Staff Liaison Lynch and GreenCorps Member Siebert attended
the Roseville Sustainable Packaging Fair and went on a Roseville restaurant
visit.
Budget Impact None.
Attachment(s) - Green-To-Go Flyer – City of Roseville
- City of Roseville – Ordinance No. 1681 Creating Title 4, Chapter 412
“Green To Go Packaging” to Require Food Establishments to Provide
Recyclable, Compostable, or Reusable Packaging
Action(s)
Requested
Staff requests the Commission discuss the Roseville program and potential
ways to adapt this to the needs of Falcon Heights.
Meeting Date August 11, 2025
Agenda Item E-3
Attachment See below.
Submitted By Hannah Lynch, Community
Development Coordinator
Allowed
• Recyclable plastics:
• #1 (PET or PETE)
• #2 (HDPE)
• #5 (PP)
• Compostable plastics, paper,
or fiber products that meet BPI
or ASTM D6400/D6868 standards
• Aluminum products
Not Allowed
• Black plastic (even if it’s labeled #5
- it’s not recyclable!)
• Styrofoam
• Any other plastics (#4, #6, etc.)
Exemptions
• Foods prepackaged by manufacturer
or distributor
• Plastic films
• Paper food wraps and liners
MATERIALS EXPLAINED
What is Required?
Any food and beverages prepared for immediate
consumption and meant to be carried out must be in
packaging that is:
• Compostable (certified BPI) or
• Recyclable or
• Returnable or reusable
Who is Affected?
Businesses that provide take-out food packaging/
containers or utensils. This includes restaurants, but
also organizations providing to-go food or beverages
(free or paid) at events that require a permit or license,
including:
• Restaurants
• Gas Stations
• Food Trucks
• Grocery Stores
• Convenience Stores
• Schools
Who is Exempt?
• Hospitals and nursing homes
• Manufacturers, distributors, or other businesses
with no retail food or beverage business
• Caterers
Why an Ordinance?
• Reduce non-recyclable single use plastic
• Eliminate the use of Styrofoam
• Increase awareness and usage of recycling and
composting programs.
• Promote Ramsey County’s upcoming food scraps
pickup program.
• Decrease the volume of landfill waste and toxic
byproducts of incineration
• Achieve a 75% recycling rate as laid out by
Minnesota State Statute by 2030.
CityofRoseville.com/Green2Go
CONTACT
Noelle Bakken
Sustainability Specialist
noelle.bakken@cityofroseville.com
651-792-7057
Collection Bins
Food businesses must
provide collection bins
for each type of material
used.
• Recyclable materials
must be recycled
• Compostable plastics must be collected
as organics and sent for composting
Utensils
• Utensils, straws, and condiments should
be given only when asked for.
• Single use utensils (including forks, knives,
and spoons) must be compostable