11-05-2025 City Council Meeting Packet

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STAFF REPORT DATE:11/5/2025 Regular Agenda TO: Lake Elmo City Council FROM:Jason Stopa, Community Development Director AGENDA ITEM: Tree Fund | Right-of-way (ROW) Boulevard Tree Program REVIEWED BY: Ashley Monterusso, City Planner CORE STRATEGIES: ☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services ☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future ☐ Managed Growth ☒ Resilient Infrastructure BACKGROUND: The City received a $50,000 payment from Greater Stillwater Schools as part of tree mitigation when the new elementary school was approved. The current code allows for a fee-in-lieu but doesn’t specify how the funds should be spent. Using the funds to replace trees was discussed during the approval process. The City does not have a tree fund separate from park dedication funds. The City does not have a right -of-way (ROW) boulevard tree replacement program. 105.12.470 Tree Preservation(f)(2). The City Council may require payment to the City of a fee-in-lieu of tree replacement, payment of additional park dedication fees; the implementation of woodland management practices by the applicant; or the planting of replacement trees on City property by the applicant under direction of the City Public Works Director; or a combination of these methods as a condition of the City approving relief or an exception from the City tree preservation and replacement standards. The amount of the fee-in-lieu of tree replacement is set forth in the City's fee schedule. This item was presented at the June 2025 workshop and was well received by the Council. ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: Would the Council consider creating a Tree Fund and Boulevard Tree program? PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: The City could amend chapter 105.12.470 Tree Preservation and add section (g) Tree Fund. Proposed Language: g) Tree Fund. (1) Purpose. The purpose is to provide a dedicated fund for tree replacement throughout the city.