HomeMy WebLinkAbout#03 - Arbor Day
STAFF REPORT
DATE: April 1, 2025
CONSENT
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
FROM: Adam Swanepoel, Assistant Public Works Director
AGENDA ITEM: Arbor Day
CORE STRATEGIES:
☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☐ Efficient, reliable, innovative services
☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future
☐ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure
BACKGROND:
For the past 20 years the City has taken part in the Tree City USA program. Last year the city
planted nearly 1100 trees within our community developments, parks and open space. In 2024
the City gave out nearly 450 trees as part of its Arbor Day Event.
Each year on the last Friday of the month of April, the people of Minnesota pay special tribute to
the vital natural resource that our trees represent and dedicate themselves to the continued
vitality of our state’s community and rural forest.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Would City Council like to proclaim April 26th to be Arbor Day?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
On Saturday April 26th city staff will host a tree give away at the Public Works site. Free to any residence
of Lake Elmo, will be bare root trees. Residents are encouraged to stop by the Lake Elmo Public Works
building to get a tree and learn about Arbor Day in Minnesota.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of the yearly tree giveaway has been $600.
RECOMMENDATION:
Motion to proclaim April 26th to be Arbor Day and the month of May to be Arbor Month in the City
of Lake Elmo.
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
2025 ARBOR DAY PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS: Minnesota is home to many of our nation's natural resources, foremost
among them are our beautiful and abundant forests; and
WHEREAS: Trees are an increasingly vital resource in Minnesota today, enriching our
lives by purifying the air, conserving soil, water and energy, creating jobs
through a large forest products industry, serving as recreational settings,
providing habitat for wildlife of all kinds, and creating beautiful
landscapes to make our communities more livable; and
WHEREAS: Disease and insects threaten our trees, creating the need for concerted
action to ensure the future of community and rural forests in our state and
throughout the country; and
WHEREAS: Each individual can act locally to improve the environment by planting
trees and ensuring that these trees are protected and receive proper
maintenance in the years ahead; and
WHEREAS: Each year on the last Friday in the month of April, the people of Minnesota
pay special tribute to the vital natural resource that our trees represent and
dedicate themselves to the continued vitality of our state's community
and rural forests;
NOW, THEREFORE I, Charles Cadenhead, Mayor of the City of Lake Elmo, do
hereby proclaim April 26, 2025 to be ARBOR DAY and May to be ARBOR MONTH
in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
Signed this April 1, 2025
______________________________
Charles Cadenhead, Mayor