HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-28 City Council Workshop PacketAGENDA
MAPLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL
MANAGER WORKSHOP
6:00 P.M. Tuesday, May 28, 2024
City Hall, Council Chambers
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
D. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. EAB Tree Program Discussion
2. Legislative Session Recap
F. ADJOURNMENT
RULES OF CIVILITY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OUR COMMUNITY
Following are rules of civility the City of Maplewood expects of everyone appearing at Council Meetings - elected
officials, staff and citizens. It is hoped that by following these simple rules, everyone's opinions can be heard
and understood in a reasonable manner. We appreciate the fact that when appearing at Council meetings, it is
understood that everyone will follow these principles:
Speak only for yourself, not for other council members or citizens - unless specifically tasked by your colleagues
to speak for the group or for citizens in the form of a petition.
Show respect during comments and/or discussions, listen actively and do not interrupt or talk amongst each
other.
Be respectful of the process, keeping order and decorum. Do not be critical of council members, staff or others
in public.
Be respectful of each other's time keeping remarks brief, to the point and non -repetitive.
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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date May 28, 2024
REPORT TO: Michael Sable, City Manager
REPORT FROM:
Steven Love, Public Works Director / City Engineer
PRESENTER:
Steven Love
AGENDA ITEM:
EAB Tree Program Discussion
Action Requested:
❑ Motion ✓ Discussion ❑ Public Hearing
Form of Action:
❑ Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Contract/Agreement ❑ Proclamation
Policy Issue:
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) insects are having a significant impact on the health of ash trees in the
City of Maplewood and the surrounding metro area. The City has taken a number of steps to
address EAB infected ash trees along City maintained streets that lie within the public right-of-way,
City parks, and on City owned properties.
Tonight, City staff's presentation will cover how other cities are approaching management of EAB
related to ash trees on private property, review available funding sources, and options for a
Maplewood EAB tree program for ash trees on private property. Staff is looking for direction from
the City Council on what type of EAB tree program for trees on private property to implement,
general parameters for the program, and input on funding.
Recommended Action:
No action is required.
Fiscal Impact:
Is There a Fiscal Impact? ✓ No ❑ Yes, the true or estimated cost is $0.00
Financing source(s): ❑ Adopted Budget ❑ Budget Modification ❑ New Revenue Source
❑ Use of Reserves ✓ Other: Depending on the direction the City
Council chooses funding sources may include city funds, grant funds, or assessments.
Strategic Plan Relevance:
❑ Community Inclusiveness ✓ Financial & Asset Mgmt ✓ Environmental Stewardship
❑ Integrated Communication ❑ Operational Effectiveness ❑ Targeted Redevelopment
The City's urban forest is an important asset to the City and the public. EAB has had a significant
impact on the health of ash trees in Maplewood and the surrounding metro area. Trees on private
property are an important part of the urban forest.
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Background:
The City of Maplewood is working to address EAB infected trees that lie along City maintained
streets in the public right-of-way, in City parks, and on City owned properties. This includes ash tree
removals by City street and park maintenance crews, contractor removals, and removals done as
part of City street improvement projects.
Management of trees located on private property are the responsibility of the property owners.
Maplewood's City Code covers the management of diseased and hazardous trees. Ash trees can
become brittle once they die and can pose a hazard. If the City is notified with concerns that a tree
is diseased or may be a hazard, the City forestry consultant reviews the condition of the tree. When
a tree is found to be diseased or a hazard it becomes a code enforcement issue. If a property
owner fails to comply with the direction from the City to address the diseased or hazardous tree the
City then takes the steps needed to address the issue. All costs are then assessed back to the
property owner. This process is generally found throughout other cities in the metro area.
To help with the discussion of a Maplewood EAB tree program for trees on private property City
staff reviewed a number of other cities to see what programs they offer. The follow is a summary of
this review:
No city programs for trees on private property
o Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner
o City Code addresses diseased and hazardous trees
Discounted tools
o Reduced cost for replacements trees
■ Currently offered by Maplewood
o Discounted tree injection program
■ Work done by preferred contractor
City programs
o Financial assistance for removal of trees on private property
■ Most programs are income qualified
o Assessment of removal costs to property taxes
■ Allows for costs to be paid over a period of time
■ Reduces impact to property owner
■ City recovers up front removal costs
Staff also reviewed what various funding sources are available to help mange EAB on both private
and public property. Available funding was found to fall into one of five general buckets. These five
buckets include Federal grants, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) grants for public trees,
DNR grants for private trees, assessments, or City funds. The City recently received a DNR grant
for public trees in the amount of $450,000.
There are several models the City can choose for an EAB tree program for trees on private
property. The City currently has $150,000 in funding available in 2024 for this program. On the next
page is a list of options and information on the different program models:
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No city program for trees on private property
o Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner
o City Code addresses diseased and hazardous trees
■ Becomes a code enforcement item
■ Could lead to City action if property owner does not address as instructed by
the City
• City costs would be assessed to the property
■ City continues to focus on addressing trees on City right-of-way, parks, and
properties
Discounts
o Discounted Tree Replacement Program
■ Provide replacement trees at a discounted cost to property owners
■ Helps preserve the City tree canopy
o Discounted Treatment Program
■ Negotiate a reduced cost for treatment of EAB
• A review would need to be done to see if ash trees in Maplewood are
still good candidates for treatment
■ Provides an alternative to removal
Grant Opportunities
o Grant funding can help fund an EAB tree program for trees on private property
■ Recent examples include DNR grants for private trees and dedication of
American Rescue Plan Acts (ARPA) funds
o Grants do come with scope requirements, less flexibility, may require income
qualifications, and increased staff time to meet the administration and reporting
requirements
City Assessment Program
o A program where EAB tree removal costs can be assessed to the property taxes
■ Reduces impact to property owner
■ Costs can be paid over a period of time
■ Potential revolving loan fund model
o Similar to existing programs (i.e. emergency sanitary sewer service repair
assessments)
■ Removal costs paid to contractor by the City
■ Waiver to assessment required
o Most flexible model
■ Should this be income qualified, or available to all?
■ Allows the City to setup the program that meets residents needs and
available resources
City Funded Program
o Option 1 — First Come First Served
■ Program lasts until funds run out
■ This program would be open to all residents
■ Easy program for staff to administer
■ Depending on amount eligible per property or per tree this limit the number
assisted by the program
• This could lead to a short window of available funds
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o Option 2 — Income Qualified
■ Program lasts until funds run out
■ Helps those with the less available resources
■ Can limit who can apply
■ Harder program for staff to administer and does require property owners to
submit income data to apply
o Questions that apply to both Option 1 and Option 2?
■ Will this be a one-year or multi -year program?
• If multi -year additional funding needs to be identified
■ What costs should be covered?
• Removal, stump grinding, restoration, or replacement trees?
• Staff recommends covering just removal costs as this will allow for
more trees to be addressed
■ City to fund full removal costs or partial removal costs?
• Covering full removal costs will greatly limit the number property
owners assisted
• Covering partial removal costs may limit those who do not have funds
to cover their share of removal costs
It should be noted that portions of these models could be selected to make a custom model. An
example is to continue to provided discounted tools (i.e. replacement trees at a reduced cost), a
City Funded Program — Income Qualified, and assessments of the portion of removal cost not
covered by the City.
Staff is looking for direction from the City Council on what type of EAB tree program for trees on
private property to implement, general parameters for the program, and input on funding.
Attachments:
1. EAB Tree Program Discussion Presentation
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CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date May 28, 2024
REPORT TO: City Council
REPORT FROM: Michael Sable, City Manager
PRESENTER: Michael Sable, City Manager
AGENDA ITEM: Legislative Session Recap
Action Requested: ❑ Motion ✓ Discussion
Form of Action: ❑ Resolution ❑ Ordinance
❑ Public Hearing
❑ Contract/Agreement ❑ Proclamation
Policy Issue:
The 2024 Minnesota Legislative Session ended on May 21, 2024. Staff will present a preliminary
update of legislative changes and the potential impacts to the City of Maplewood.
Recommended Action:
Discussion purposes only.
Fiscal Impact:
Is There a Fiscal Impact? ✓ No ❑ Yes, the true or estimated cost is 0.00.
Financing source(s): ❑ Adopted Budget ❑ Budget Modification ❑ New Revenue Source
❑ Use of Reserves ❑ Other: n/a
Strategic Plan Relevance:
❑ Community Inclusiveness ❑ Financial & Asset Mgmt ❑ Environmental Stewardship
❑ Integrated Communication ✓ Operational Effectiveness ❑ Targeted Redevelopment
Implementation of legislative changes may impact the City's operations and procedures.
Background:
The legislative session ended with a single "mega -omnibus" bill that included more than 1,400
pages. Representatives from the League of Minnesota Cities and Metro Cities are continuing to
develop their legislative summaries. That information will be shared during the meeting on May 28,
2024.
Attachments:
None
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