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CITY COUNCIL <br />AGENDA ITEM 6A <br /> <br /> <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator <br /> <br />MEETING DATE: December 13th, 2021 <br /> <br />TOPIC: Consideration of Resolution No. 21-152, Approving 2021 <br />Preparing for Emerald Ash Borer Grant Contract with Minnesota <br />Department of Natural Resources <br /> <br />VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />Emerald ash borer (EAB), a non-native, invasive beetle that kills ash trees, was first confirmed in <br />Lino Lakes in 2017. Since then, the rates of infestation and tree mortality have increased rapidly <br />throughout the city. <br /> <br />Our response to EAB includes removals of boulevard ash trees, replacement of these trees with a <br />diverse mix of species, and insecticide injections that allow us to stagger removals over time. <br />We currently remove and replace approximately 30 boulevard ash trees per year. It will take <br />approximately 10 years to complete removals and replacements at this rate. <br /> <br />The State of Minnesota has made grant funds available for the removal and replacement of ash <br />trees on public land through the 2021 Preparing for EAB Grant. Staff submitted a grant proposal <br />for this program that has been approved for funding. To accept these funds, the city must enter <br />into a contract with the state, ensuring work is completed as described in the plan. <br /> <br />The plan includes 91 boulevard ash tree removals; 31 removals performed by Parks staff, and 60 <br />removals performed by a contractor. Parks staff will be planting 91 bare root trees as <br />replacements. The grant funds will cover the 60 contracted removals and stump grinding, the 91 <br />bare root replacement trees, and planting supplies. The 25% match required from the city will be <br />provided through staff time spent on removals, planting, watering, pruning, training, outreach, <br />and inspections. Estimated project costs are included below: <br /> <br />Description Grant Funded City Match <br />Contracted removals $25,109.50 <br />Staff removals $10,755.50 <br />Trees $6,825.00 <br />Planting materials $976.36 <br />Maintenance, inspections $6,082.44 <br />Total: $32,910.86 $16,837.94 <br />Project Total: $49,748.80