2001-174 Council Resolution - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

AGENDA ITEM STAFF ORIGINATOR: Marty Asleson DATE: October 22, 2001 TOPIC: Trade -A -Tree Program/Tree Trust/Xcel Energy/Approval BACKGROUND: This program was introduced at the July Environmental Board Meeting. The Board requested a representative from The Twin Cities Tree Trust come to the September Environmental Board Meeting. Sara Smith from the Tree Trust attended the September meeting. The Trade -A -Tree Program is a partnership opportunity involving the City of Lino Lakes, The Twin Cities Tree Trust, and Xcel Energy. The goal of the program is to increase the quantity and quality of trees in the community while reducing power line maintenance and power outages. The Power Company has line clearance safety standards that have to be maintained. When inappropriate trees are planted under these lines, costly and repetitive pruning visits, and disfigured trees are the result. The Trade -A -Tree program replaces each tree removed with two new trees. The property owner is given a choice of a new appropriate tree that can be planted on the same site or somewhere else in their yard. Additional trees can be planted throughout the City. In some cases the trees may be acting as a screen. In that case, property owners may be given a choice of lower shrubs so that there is no loss of screening. The process involves an initial tree inventory and identification of the trees under three phase power lines that we would like to replace. The Tree Trust assists in selecting trees and provides other assistance as needed. The Tree Trust works with community residents by contacting them, explaining the program and addressing concerns. Xcel Energy removes the above ground portion of the targeted and agreed upon problem trees at no cost. The City would have to remove or treat the stumps and plant the new trees. There have been approximately 103 trees identified in the initial survey performed by the Tree Trust and Xcel Energy. Of these trees, there are several spans of smaller trees that could simply be treated. The estimated cost of stump grinding is about $50 per stump. The City would than be responsible for about $1500 for stump grinding and $60 for chemical control of non -removed stumps. We have enough money in the Forestry budget for 2002 that is to be used for hazardous tree removal to cover these costs.