Emerald Ash Borer Ordinance Public Health, Environment, Civil - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS

Emerald Ash Borer Ordinance

Public Health, Environment, Civil Rights, and Engagement Committee

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December 2, 2019

Rationale

• Emerald Ash Borer will likely affect 100% of the City’s

more than 200,00 ash trees on private properties.

• On private property, the City has legal authority to

remove hazardous trees while the Park Board has authority to remove infested trees.

• This ordinance takes proactive steps to mitigate an

emergency scenario where tens of thousands of ash trees become hazardous at once.

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Ordinance

• Grants City the authority to assess the cost of a

proactive and voluntary removal on private property for trees that may or may not be visibly infested, but which can reasonably be assumed will die

• Avoids contractor shortages and increased prices once

trees start dying simultaneously in large numbers

• Reduces future workload for City staff working on

hazardous trees

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Implementation

• Health seasonal techs will identify potential trees

and work on community outreach targeted at low- income residents

• All Minneapolis residents are eligible.
• Regulatory Services will contract arborists, oversee

the tree removal process, and submit property assessments to the County.

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Pilot Program

• The first year pilot will voluntarily

assess up to 100 trees.

• Following the pilot, staff will have a

better understanding of usage data and staffing needs to continue and expand the program.

• Even with a successful program, the

City will experience amplified service levels in the future due to the large amounts of hazardous ash trees on private property.

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