Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutgr00090_000044_pg152-17- John Bearden from Comstock and Davis explained that he was present to discuss any problems and answer questions. He said the concept had been generated many years ago and that Mounds View has reshaped it's portion of the ditch several times. He said the culvert under Lois Drive restricts the flow of water. However, Blaine has a 50 -60 acre storage area, with controls to be` put on the culvert which Mounds View would have jurisdiction over. Mr. Bearden stated he felt it was a good project and that there would be controls available for Mounds View to protect itself from excess water coming in from Blaine. Engineer Hubbard reported that Blaine had advertised for bids for the project and they were waiting for the bids to come in to see how far the $150,430 would go. Mr. Bearden stated that the project and bids were both set up to go as far as possible with the money. MSP (Pickar- Hodges) to approve the final plans and specifications submitted by the City of Blaine, as it pertains to the City of Mounds View. 5 ayes CITIZEN COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Mayor Pickar at this time returned to Citizen Comments and Requests. Mary Semon, 8021 Eastwood expressed her concern to the Council on the tree disease program. She stated that she had lost 21 trees in the past two years and now has 7 more dying in her front yard. She stated that when she first noticed the disease two years ago she had the U of M come out and they determined it was oak wilt. She was told to wait until Spring to cut th trees down. She received an estimate of $1,000 to have the trees taken down professionally. She then contacted the City of Mounds View She called Mr. Shields from the City of Mounds View earlier this year when it became apparent that the trees in her front yard were dying. No one came out to look at the trees so she again called. Samples were then taken and she was told she had 10 days to take the diseased trees down. Mrs. Semon asked what the City of Mounds View could do to help its citizens with the removal of diseased trees, since both the cost and time limitations can present hardships to the property owners. She said that there was no where to take the branches once they had been cut and that they could not be burned. Mayor Pickar replied that the problem was wrestled with last year during budget planning and some money was appropriated but it represented just a drop in the bucket. Mayor Pickar suggested that Mrs. Semon ask for an extension of time in removing the trees if the time limitation was not feasible. Mrs. Semon replied that there was a discrepency on when to remove the trees, that the U of M had told her to wait until spring until the trees were dorment, but that the City had told her to take them down immediately. Administrator Achen reported that the City of Mounds View is under State law and has been told to enforce the law as recommended by the Department of Agriculture. Mrs. Semon said she felt the U of M was qualified to make their decisions, and Administrator Achen replied that the Agriculture Department hires U of M graduates to run their programs. Administrator Achen also stated that the City was concerned with the problem but had neither the funds nor technology to investigate the problem.