HomeMy WebLinkAbout#02 - Arbor Day Proclamation STAFF REPORT
DATE: 04/04/2023
Consent
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Adam Swanepoel Assistant Public Works Director
AGENDA ITEM: Arbor Day
REVIEWED BY: Marty Power, Public Works Director
Kristina Handt City Administrator
BACKGROUND:
For years the City of Lake Elmo has participated in an Arbor Day Foundation Program. For the
past 18 years the City has been part of the Tree City USA program. Last year the city planted
nearly 1200 trees within our community developments, parks and open space. In 2022 the City
gave out 475 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 28th to be Arbor Day?
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
On Saturday morning, April 29th city staff will hand out free to the public approximately 450 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 $500.
RECOMMENDATION:
Motion to proclaim April 28th to be Arbor Day and May to be Arbor Month in the City of Lake Elmo.
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
2023 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 28, 2023 to be ARBOR DAY and May as ARBOR MONTH in
Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
Signed this April 5, 2022 ________________________________
Charles Cadenhead, Mayor
Tree City, U.S.A.