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Mounds View City Council September 23, 2024 <br /> Regular Meeting Page 6 <br /> 1 Ayes—5 Nays—0 Motion carried. <br /> 2 <br /> 3 G. Resolution 9988, Approving a Three (3) Year Contract With Upper Cut Tree <br /> 4 Service for Diseased Tree Removals. <br /> 5 <br /> 6 Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson requested the Council approve a three (3) <br /> 7 year contract with Upper Cut Tree Service for diseased tree removals. He explained Public Works <br /> 8 had a duty to oversee tree removal services. He reported this included the removal of elm, oak and <br /> 9 ash trees. He stated staff was seeking assistance with this service for private tree removal and the <br /> 10 City received three bids for this work. He understood tree contracts were very busy due to EAB. <br /> 11 He commented on the contract further and requested the Council approve a three year contract <br /> 12 with Upper Cut Tree Service. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 Council Member Meehlhause asked if this contract was for both City trees and private trees. Public <br /> 15 Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson reported this contract would be for City owned <br /> 16 trees in the parks or trees in the right of way that need to be removed. He noted the expense to <br /> 17 remove trees in the right of way would be split 50150 between the City and the property owner. He <br /> 18 indicated this contract would also allow Upper Cut to remove trees on private property in both the <br /> 19 front and backyard at the negotiated rate. He explained homeowners would be able to get their <br /> 20 own quotes for tree removal as well. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 Mayor Lindstrom questioned how much money the City had set aside for tree removal at this time. <br /> 23 Finance Director Bauman estimated the City had over $160,000 set aside and assessment letters <br /> 24 have been sent out for$50,000 worth of tree work. <br /> 25 <br /> 26 Mayor Lindstrom inquired if the City should be in the business of tree removal on private property. <br /> 27 City Administrator Zikmund stated there was evidence that tree removal slows the spread of EAB. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Council Member Gunn believed it was a matter of safety to have the dead and diseased trees <br /> 30 marked for removal. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 Council Member Meehlhause asked if there was anything in State Statute that required the City to <br /> 33 inspect trees on private property. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated City <br /> 34 Ordinance indicates Public Works will go onto private property to mark diseased trees. He noted <br /> 35 the diseased tree policy specifically addresses elm, oak, ash, and hazard trees. <br /> 36 <br /> 37 Vince Meyer supported the City pursuing a tree treatment program for ash trees versus only having <br /> 38 a tree removal program. Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson explained the City <br /> 39 partnered with Davie Tree Company to provide EAB treatment at a reduced cost to homeowners. <br /> 40 He stated this was only recommended for young and healthy ash trees. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 Mayor Lindstrom requested this item be brought back to the Council for further discussion. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 Public Works/Parks and Recreation Director Peterson stated he was seeking direction from the <br /> 45 Council on whether or not stumps should be removed. He reported the City would be grinding and <br /> 46 removing stumps on City property, then also reseeding the area. The Council did not support <br />