CR 2004-139 Dutch Elm Disease
CITY OF
September 1, 2004 ~ Council Report 2004-139
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DUTCH ELM DISEASE
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move to approve that City Continqency
Funds be utilized to fund stump removal and reforestation efforts in the amount of $28,500.00.
Overview
Dutch Elm Disease has reached catastrophic proportions once again in the metropolitan area.
Elm losses are now approaching the numbers experienced in 1979-1983, the peak years for
Dutch Elm Disease in Minnesota. The total elm losses in Hopkins for the years 2001-2003
averaged 110 trees. 2004 has already surpassed 400. Diseased tree numbers through August
2ih are as follows:
1 ) Public trees marked: 143 Public trees removed: 60 =42%
2) Private trees marked: 258 Private trees removed: 152 =59%
City crews are responsible for public tree removal, private diseased elm pick-up, brush pick-up
and all other tree work associated with the urban forest (Le., storm damages, tree trimming, tree
. removals other than elms). At this point in the season it is obvious that efforts to remove and
pick up diseased trees will extend well into late fall and early winter.
Primary Issues to Consider
. Stump removal
. Reforestation efforts
Supporting Information
. Memo - R. Vogtman (8-27-04)
. Memo - S. Stadler (8-30-04)
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Supt., Parks & Forestry
. Financial Impact: $28,500 Budgeted: ~ Source: Continqency
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
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Council RepOlt 2004-139
Page 2
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Analysis of Issues:
Stump Removal
The removal of boulevard tree stumps should be completed prior to the onset of winter.
Attempts to remove them after snowfall compounds the removal efforts and the supply of
adequate back fill. Although the stumps do not generally pose a high risk of personal injury, the
stumps do present a trip hazard. There is a small concern with potential litigation if left for too
long a period of time. All forestry efforts have been geared to remove trees, with any stump
removal postponed. Although most residents are sympathetic to our tree removal program,
some are becoming impatient with large, unsightly and potentially hazardous stumps on the
boulevard. Adequate Public Works staffing to allocate additional personnel to stump removal
efforts and still complete other Public Works job tasks is not an available option. I would like to
recommend that the City authorize staff to proceed with a contract for boulevard stump grinding
and hauling. A projected contract of about $12,000 should be enough to remove an estimated
150 stumps. Initial inquiries indicate stump pricing to be about $2.50 per stump inch for this
work. Staff anticipates approximately 4,800 inches of stump.
Reforestation
The money allocated for reforestation in the 2004 budget has $5,000 remaining after the spring
. planting programs. This will be enough for about 25 trees. Initial indications are that there is an
overwhelming public response to increase planting efforts this fall.
Requests and diseased tree replacements could easily approach another 100 trees. An internal
audit of the 2004 budget for Public Works (see 8-30-04 memo) indicates that $5,500 can be
transferred to reforestation to offset these tree losses. An additional $16,500 from Contingency
funding would allow staff to replace many if not all of the available tree planting spaces created
by this season's losses.
Summary
In summary, Contingency funding approval of $28,500 is requested for stump removal and
reforestation efforts.
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