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CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM 6A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson,Environmental Coordinator MEETING DATE: December 12, 2022 TOPIC: Consider Resolution No.22-152,Accepting Quotes and Awarding an Emerald Ash Borer Injection Program Contract VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5 INTRODUCTION Staff is requesting authorization to accept quotes and award an Emerald ash borer injection program contract for 2023-2024. BACKGROUND Emerald ash borer(Agrilus planipennis,EAB) is a non-native invasive beetle that is causing widespread ash tree mortality in much of the eastern half of the United States. Lino Lakes is within the heavily infested area in the metro. In the next few years,the vast majority of ash trees in the city will be killed,removed, or treated with insecticides. The city response to EAB with respect to public trees includes removals of boulevard ash trees,replacement of these trees with a diverse mix of species, and insecticide injections that allow us to stagger removals over time. Options for homeowners with privately owned ash trees include removal or treatment with insecticides. To ensure that the City is able to hit our treatment goals for boulevard trees while also providing a clear pathway for residents to get private trees treated at a discounted rate,an ash tree injection program was initiated in 2021. The Environmental Board supported the creation of this program on October 28th, 2020. The City Council approved the program on December 7t, 2020. The City contracted with Rainbow Tree Care in 2021 and 2022 to provide discounted ash injections for City boulevard trees and private trees for interested homeowners. The results of the first two years of the program are listed below. City Cost Private trees Cost boulevard trees 2021 102 $8,093.25 163 $15,956.55 2022 100 $7,087.50 194 $19,160.84 Total: 202 $15,180.75 357 $35,117.39