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E <br /> �ss� Committee Memorczndum <br /> tensESOTA <br /> To: City Councilmembers <br /> From: Chris Jenkins, Parks & Recreation Director <br /> Date: April 19, 2021 <br /> Item: Diseased or Hazardous Boulevard Trees <br /> Committee Action Requested: <br /> Support staff recommendations to remove, replace, and protect boulevard trees as <br /> outlined below. <br /> Background Information: <br /> The first infestation of EAB in Hastings was identified in 2016. The City began <br /> communicating with residents through social media, website, newsletters and <br /> postcards in 2017. The City has also negotiated affordable pricing for ash tree <br /> protection through insecticide injections, and offered that service each year since <br /> 2017. Rainbow TreeCare, our preferred vendor for protection, has treated over 400 <br /> trees (private trees and boulevard trees) each year. The City Forester has also <br /> treated between 150 and 175 park trees each year. Good work is being done. <br /> It is apparent now that EAB is spreading through our community and fewer property <br /> owners are taking required action to protect boulevard ash trees than was hoped. We <br /> are now facing the grim reality that unprotected ash trees are dying and need to be <br /> removed. <br /> The situation and facts: <br /> • Hastings City Ordinance requires property owners to care for boulevard trees <br /> abutting their property, which includes preventative maintenance like pruning, <br /> watering, staking, and protection against diseases. <br /> • If a boulevard tree becomes diseased or hazardous, it is considered a public <br /> nuisance and abatement of that nuisance is the responsibility of the property <br /> owner. <br /> • If a boulevard tree is removed, the stump must also be removed and a <br /> replacement tree must be planted. Replacement trees must be at least 1.5 <br /> inches in diameter, and must be a species authorized for planting in a <br /> boulevard space. <br /> • Hastings has a cost 60/40 share program for removal of diseased or hazardous <br /> trees, but is only applicable IF the property owner has properly cared for the <br /> tree, and in this case would require the property owner to have treated the tree <br /> to prevent EAB. <br /> 1 <br />