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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUntitled r CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS 14168 Oak Park Boulevard No • P.O.Box 2007 • Oak Park Heights,MN 55082-2007 • Phone:651/439 4439 • Fax 651/439-0574 2005 Forestry Program — Final Report Prepared by : Katharine D. Widin, Ph.D. Municipal Arborist City of Oak Park Heights 1/16/06 Monthly reports are submitted throughout the calendar year as an update to Council and Commission members on tree-related issues. The City contracts with me to provide the equivalent of 6-8 hours of arboricultural consulting services per week,including time spent on development projects. I also serve as the assistant weed inspector for the City and do the field work and reports required to address weed complaints. Work Program Hours Description of Work Staff Meetings/Reports 90 estimated I attended weekly general staff meetings,and site design & review meetings with Staff and developers as needed. Wrote Parks Commission 86.3 actual monthly reports on forestry program activities,other meetings and discussions with staff re: tree issues. I attended monthly Parks Comm. meetings and presented a short report each meeting to update the commission on tree-related activities and issues within the City. I attended Parks Commission work sessions and prepared reports for seasonal Park Walk-Throughs as needed. Boulevard & Park 100 estimated Planting: A total of 28 new or replacement trees were Trees planted on boulevards and in parks in August. I checked the 99.5 actual locations,sent letters to residents regarding tree species available,ordered the trees, arranged for an underground Tree Planting, Pruning, utility check and the planting and inspected the work after it Removal was completed. This year,as for the past two years,the tree plantings were paid for out of the City's Tree Planting Fund Inventory which comes from tree replacement funds paid by developers in lieu of tree planting. Pruning: 279 boulevard trees were pruned in the winter of 2005. I checked the locations, prepared a list of trees to be pruned,revised specifications,contacted tree services for quotes and inspected work done. Approx. 10 other trees were pruned for storm damage,hazards,vehicle clearance and sight lines. Removal: 24 trees were removed. These trees were either boulevard or park trees removed due to death,damage or disease, or were diseased trees on private property. (12 diseased elm and oak,5 hazardous and 7 Tree City U.S.A. nuisance/obstruction). I inspected the trees,marked them for removal,prepared the list,contacted tree services for quotes, and inspected work done. Some of the boulevard trees which were removed have been,or will be,replaced. I also checked each request received from property owners regarding boulevard tree issues related to pruning or removal. Boulevard Tree Policy: This pertains to requests for removal of"nuisance"trees(those not dead,diseased or hazardous which property owners want to remove because of interference with lawns,driveways or sewer pipes)or trees which have died due to damage by the property owner(e.g. lawnmower or weed whip injury).In each instance of such removal the adjoining property owner is required to pay a $100. fee to share in the cost of tree removal and replanting. The requests for these types of removals increased in 2005. Two cases involved properties where the owner was granted Boulevard Trees a building permit which included driveway changes and during the course of construction,they found out a boulevard tree was in the way and requested removal. Tree Planting, Pruning Tree Staking: New trees planted were staked by the and Removal, contractor. This staking will be removed after one year. Inventory Tree Inventory: I continued to compile an inventory of (continued) trees along boulevards in Oak Park Heights. The field data for the inventory is largely complete with the addition of lists of trees in the Valley View Homes area and in Autumn Ridge. I am re-checking trees for changes in diameter and condition and also entering the data this winter. I will be including trees in active park areas in the inventory.A $1,000. grant received in 2003 from the Minn.DNR will help fund the rest of the field work and the computer entry and summarization of the inventory data. This grant extends until June 2006. Tree Inspection 22 estimated I inspected boulevard,park and private trees for symptoms (Dutch Elm Disease & of Dutch elm disease,and oak wilt disease. 12 elms and Oak Wilt) 11.5 actual oaks were removed due to active disease. I also inspected boulevard and park trees for storm damage and hazards and a number of trees in active park areas and along boulevards were removed or pruned to mitigate hazards. VV Park—Prairie 3 estimated I checked the plantings in the prairie restoration in Valley Restoration View Park over the summer and recommended maintenance 2 actual of the prairie area. The area was mowed this spring by Prairie Restorations,Inc. Tree City,USA Award 8 estimated This is an award designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation and requires a Tree Board(the Parks Commission),$2 per capita per year spending on tree- 8 actual related work,an Arbor Day Proclamation and a Ceremonial Tree Planting.This year I prepared the necessary documents and made arrangements for a ceremonial tree planting. (This year's planting was a disease resistant elm planted in Brekke Park during the 'Party in the Park celebration on Aug.2nd) I wrote the final report in December and delivered it to the Minn. Dept. of Natural Resources. The City has received this award for 23 years. I attended the Tree City USA Awards luncheon in April. Weed Inspection 5 estimated I inspected four sites this year for weed and tall grass issues, contacted property owners and processed paperwork. I re- 6 actual inspected sites for compliance and prepared an annual report for the County Agric. Inspector. Professional 4 actual I attended several educational sessions this year related to Development trees:The Turf and Grounds Foundation Green Expo., Minn. Nursery and Landscape Assn. educational workshops, Society of American Foresters winter conference, Minn. Shade Tree Advisory Comm. meetings,.and Minn. Soc. of Arboriculture(MSA) conference,as well as a Pesticide Applicator's License workshop;I requested reimbursement of registration costs from the 2005 budjet to attend several of these conferences. Community Education 12 estimated In my capacity as OPH Arborist,I was involved in several and Outreach community education and outreach projects this year,as well 11.5 actual as a staff education workshop: I wrote articles on tree lantin and care for the two issues of P g OPH City Newsletter: Stem Girdling Roots,Oak the ty g , Anthracnose, Avoid Tree Pruning in Spring,Spring is a Good Time to Plant Trees and New Boulevard Trees. I arranged and participated in the tree planting at Brekke Park which was part of the 'Party in the Park'celebration and also answered tree care questions for residents. I prepared and presented a workshop to Public Works staff on Tree Pruning. Resident Contacts 60 estimated I returned 130 phone calls to residents,developers and staff regarding various tree care issues and information;I made 30.5 actual 68 site visits to residents to check out both boulevard and private trees and answer any questions they had. (There was an increase in phone calls,but a decrease in site visits which may reflect my answering more questions and solving tree issues over the phone).Tree issues I handled for residents included: interference with buildings,driveways and sight lines;surface roots in lawns;tree pruning;tree planting;tree staking;tree and shrub i.d.;tree selection;tree care;tree removal;new boulevard trees;risk trees;decay;storm damage;winter injury;sunscald;transplant stress; construction damage;lawnmower and weed whip injury; Dutch elm disease;oak wilt;anthracnose diseases(especially oak anthracnose),canker diseases;needlecast diseases;lawn weeds;ash plant bug;spruce sawfly; spruce adelgid and other gallmakers;pine bark beetle;fall webworm,carpenter ants,other insects;buckthorn management;woodland management and questions re: Eagle Scout projects. Development Projects- 80 estimated I reviewed concept,site and/or landscape plans,made site Plan and Site Review visits regarding tree or landscape issues and wrote short reports for the following development projects: Inspections, Reports 55.5 actual • McKean Square • DDDLLC • WalMart • Stillwater Motors • Shoppes of Oak Park Heights • Home 4 Me • Lowe's/CSM • Pine Grove Gardens Tree Removal and • Menard's Replacement • Oakgreen Village Requirements • Xcel Energy—King Plant • Fox Hollow • St. Croix Cleaners • Gullickson(home remodeling) • Bahr Construction(house moving) • W.A.T.E. Enterprises For some of these projects,I reviewed tree inventories,tree removal and,when applicable,calculated tree replacement. Exhibit "A" Forestry Consulting Work Program —2006 To: Eric Johnson,City Administrator From: Katharine D. Widin,Ph.D City Council Municipal Arborist 1/16/06 City of Oak Park Heights SERVICE ESTIMATE WORK PROPOSED D HOURS Staff Meetings& 90 Attend city staff meetings and work sessions,council and commission meetings Reports;Records; and work-sessions as necessary—prepare monthly reports Parks Commission Attend monthly Parks Commission meetings Maintenance of Public 100 Evaluations of trees on public property to determine nature of tree problem(s) Trees re: tree removal,pruning,planting Evaluation of Trees on Inventory of boulevard and park trees—complete field work and database Public Property: Boulevard Trees Preparation of lists of trees to be removed,planted,or pruned,and preparation Park Trees of documents re: quotes from tree services/nurseries Trees on City Property Check work completed Tree Inventory Education/Outreach Write Articles 6 Articles for City Newsletter(2-4)and 1 article for local paper on tree-related issues Resident Contacts 50 Return phone calls from residents and make site visits regarding tree insect, disease and cultural problems. Send literature to residents regarding information requested. Prepare informational handouts for property owners cable and website 5 for televised Parks Commission meetings,present monthly report and seasonal recommendations regarding tree care;send tree info.for webmaster to put on city website Tree City,USA 8 prepare annual Arbor Day/Month Proclamation,organize annual tree planting, write annual report,attend awards luncheon Review Development 50* Review plans regarding landscaping,tree removal and preservation, make Plans re: Landscaping inspection visits to development sites;make recommendations to staff,planning and Tree Preservation commission and council,attend site review meetings with staff and developers. * this work is charged to development projects as part of required fees Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm 15 Survey for oak wilt infection centers within the City;Inspect,upon request,and Disease mark diseased elms;provide information and assistance to property owners in oak wilt and Dutch elm disease management;arrange for removal of diseased elms and oaks from public and private property,records,inspections,reports Education/Conference 3 Attendance at professional conferences as the Arborist for OPH to gain _ information to be used for tree care within the City Weed Inspection 5 Upon request,inspect public and private properties for weed or local ordinance violations;contact property owners;check work completed;report Prairie Restoration 3 Inspect prairie for species diversity and weeds;arrange for annual maintenance Management by professional prairie restoration contractor;check work done Estimated Hours for 2006: City=285 (@$45.00/hour) =$12,825.00 (city will receive MnReLeaf grant reimbursement for tree inventory which will total about$1,000.) Developer=50(paid by developers)=$2,250. Forestry Consultant Contract This Contract is made this a?b day of 09 41 ,amts.'between the City of Oak Park Heights, existing under the laws if the State of Minnesota,with offices at 14168 Oak Park Blvd, Oak Park Heights,MN 55082, "City",and Katharine D. Widin, Plant Health Associates, Inc. 13457 Sixth Street North, Stillwater,MN 55082, "Consultant". Recitals The City desires to retain the services of the Consultant to provide consulting services in t3' p g the development and maintenance of a forestry management program; Consultant agrees to perform these services for the City under the terms and conditions as set forth in this Contract; In consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein, it is agreed between the City and the Consultant as follows: Section I.Nature of Work The Consultant will perform the services as shown on the attached Exhibit"A"on behalf of the City. Exhibit"A",may be revised year-to-year, including the hourly fee, subject to approval by the City Administrator. Section II.Place of Work It is understood that the Consultant services will be rendered largely in the field or at the Consultants place of business. Section III.Compensation 1. The City will pay the Consultant as follows: a. $45.00 per hour for services listed on Exhibit"A"or as otherwise approved by the City. b. Ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by the Consultant and attributable to the work will be reimbursed by the City provided that prior written approval is given by the City. Section IV. Status of Consultant This Contract calls for the performance of services of the Consultant as an independent contractor and the Consultant will not be considered as an employee of the City for any purpose. • Section V. Indemnification Any and all claims that arise or may arise against the Contractor, its agents, servants or employees as a consequence of any act or omission on the part of the Consultant or its agents, servants or employees while engaged in the performance of this Contract shall in no way be the obligation or the responsibility of the City. Consultant shall indemnify, hold harmless and defend the City, its officers and employees against and all liability, loss, costs,damages, expenses, claims or actions, including attorney's fees, which the City,its officers or employees may hereafter sustain,incur or be inquired to pay,arising out of or by reason of any negligence or willful act or omission of the Consultant,its agents, servants or employees, in the execution,performance or failure to adequately perform Consultant's obligations under this Contract. Section VI. Authority The City hereby grants to the Consultant all authority reasonably necessary to pursue and achieve the objectives of this Contract. Section VII.Duration This contract will be in effect as of January 1st, 2005 and will continue on an annual basis until terminated by either party upon sixty(60)days written notice to terminate this agreement. IN TNESS WHEREOF,the parties have set their hands this 2 6 day of , aos, . City(o ! a f ghts : -� , David :ea 44 ► .yor Attest,E •• Johnson, City Administrator Plant � ealth Associates,Inc. tharine D. Widin • •` Exhibit "A" Forestry Consulting Work Program —2005 ,ric Johnson,City Administrator From:Katharine D.Widin,Ph.D City Council Municipal Arborist 5/05 City of Oak Park Heights SERVICE ESTIMATEp WORK PROPOSED HOURS Staff Meetings& 90 Attend city staff meetings and work sessions,council and commission Reports;Records; meetings and work-sessions as necessary—prepare monthly reports Parks Commission Attend monthly Parks Commission meetings Maintenance of Public 100 Evaluations of trees on public property to determine nature of tree problem(s) Trees re: tree removal,pruning,planting Evaluation of Trees on Inventory of boulevard and park trees—complete field work and database Public Property: Boulevard Trees Preparation of lists of trees to be removed,planted,or pruned,and preparation Park Trees of documents re: quotes from tree services/nurseries Trees on City Property Check work completed Education/Outreach Write Articles 4 Articles for City Newsletter(2-4)and 1 article for local paper on tree-related issues Resident Contacts 60 Return phone calls from residents and make site visits regarding tree insect, disease and cultural problems. Send literature to residents regarding information requested. Prepare informational handouts for property owners cable and website 8 for televised Parks Commission meetings,present monthly report and seasonal recommendations regarding tree care;send tree info.for webmaster to put on city website Tree City,USA 8 prepare annual Arbor Day/Month Proclamation,organize annual tree planting,write annual report,attend awards luncheon Review Development 80 Review plans regarding landscaping,tree removal and preservation, make Plans re:Landscaping inspection visits to development sites;make recommendations to staff, and Tree Preservation planning commission and council,attend site review meetings with staff and developers. *this work is charged to development projects as part of required fees Oak Wilt and Dutch Elm 22 Survey for oak wilt infection centers within the City;Inspect,upon request, Disease and mark diseased elms,provide information and assistance to property owners in oak wilt and Dutch elm disease management;arrange for removal of diseased elms and oaks from public and private property;MnReLeaf grant: apply,records,inspections,report Weed Inspection 5 Upon request,inspect public and private properties for weed or local ordinance violations;contact property owners;check work completed;report Prairie Restoration 3 Inspect prairie for species diversity and weeds;arrange for annual Management maintenance by rofessional prairie restoration contractor;check work done Estimated Hours for 2005: City=300 (@$45.00/hour) =$13,500.00 (city will receive MnReLeaf grant reimbursement for tree inventory and oak wilt management which will total about$1,500.) Developer=80 (paid by developers) • 1126,2 413 10° Ni di 111.1111111.111111111.1111111111111.11".1111111411.6 ,Mell..1011.01.11.1110".11 PLANT HEALTH ASSOCIATES INC. 13457 Sixth St. N., Stillwater, MN.55082 Katharine D.Widin.Ph.D. 612 436-8811 Plant Pathologist Mr.Tom Melena,City Administrator City of Oak Park Heights 14168 N. 57th St. Oak Park Heights, Minnesota 55082 4/8/98 To the City Administrator and City Council of Oak Park Heights: l understand that the City of Oak Park Heights is interested in hiring me on a contract basis to serve as the City's Municipal Arborist. Consulting services which I can provide for the city are listed on the attachment. My hourly rates for municipal consulting contracts(field,office and meeting time)are as follows: 1. 15 or more hours per month: $38.00/hour 2. 6 -14 hours per month: $43.00/hour 3. 1-5 hours per month: $50.00/hour From what 1 know of the needs of the City of Oak Park Heights, I would suggest 15-20 hours/month year-round. Fees would be billed on an hourly basis and invoices submitted once per month. The contract for the remainder of 1998 would be$6,460. (based on 20 hours per month). If you have any questions regarding this proposal, please contact me. a arine D.Widin Consultant "a,' Plant Insects Plant Diseases Landsca.c Appraisal a It of • $ 0 PLANT HEALTH ASC P03 Katharine D. Widin, Ph.D. Plant Health Associates, Inc. y Forestry and Natural Resource Consulting Services: • inspect trees on public and private property for disease,insects, hazards and maintenance • complete inventories of trees on the boulevards and in park areas to assist with planning for future maintenance and planting needs • make recommendations rc; tree species selection,maintenance,and planting specifications for trees on boulevards and in park areas • inspect development parcels re: vegetation resource identification,construction damage mitigation and re-planting of suitable plant species • review development and landscape plans for commercial and residential development projects re: construction damage mitigation,tree species selection,maintenance and planting specifications • provide recommendations for the control of invasive plant species,for establishment and restoration of natural plant communities,and for other natural resource issues as they arise • work with the city to develop a community forestry management plan and any natural resource ordinances • write grant applications or press releases related to tree and vegetation issues within the city • attend the monthly Parks Commission meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the month and other meetings within the city as requested • provide reports of my activities to the Parks Commission as well as city staff and council as requested Page 4- CIty Council Workshop 01/13/98 Boards to discuss working more cooperatively between the two chambers . Schaaf said that he felt the City should support the Chamber and continue its membership for 1998 in the amount of $575 . Councilmember Turnquist agreed and staff was directed to add the item to the Consent Agenda. V. Discussion of 1998 Council Appointments . Councilmember Robert said that Margaret Schwartzbauer will occupy one of the open seats on the Parks Commission. The appointment of a Cable Commission Citizen Representative was postponed until the January 27 Council meeting. Council also agreed that all appointments are to be for one-year terms unless otherwise noted. Staff was directed to contact # Abrahamson Nurseries to see if they would be interested in tibecoming the City' s Arborist. City Attorney Vierlin said that having. Abrahamson as the arborist may not work'tthe ? company also bids to plant trees in the City. -. Councilmember Robert requested that the Tree Board responsibilities be transferred to the Parks Commission and the item be ad&ed to k the January 27 agenda. VI . Closed Session. City Attorney Vierling said that not all personnel issues are allowed in closed session, and that the current request for closed session does not fit into the allowable reasons. Mike Thomas - NSP Ash Management Mr. Thomas was present to inform the Council that there will be some work done on the cap structure of the ash pit. Thomas said that there is an agreement between NSP, MN/DOT, and the MPCA to do this work. While Thomas emphasized that there are no ecological or human contamination, he stated that there have been influences on the groundwater detected which NSP would like to immediately address . Council requested that Thomas return before the project begins to make a more in-depth presentation to the Council . Council also requested that the trucks hauling for this project use state roads while working. Thomas agreed to return and explain the project more in depth to the Council later this winter or early spring. Adjournment: Mayor Schaaf adjourned the workshop at 6 :10 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, i{kaig 1141(k `. JZOit0 Melanie Mesko Administrative Intern Page 2 - City Council Minutes 01/27/948 1304 . 13 , the Park Commission to be appointed Tree Board. Roll call vote taken. Carried 5-0 . City Staff was directed to advertise for the position of ' City Arborist . Councilmember Robert requested the proceeds from future Garden Committee plant sales be returned to the Garden Committee to be used at the discretion of the Garden Committee. The Garden Committee' s portion in the amount of $3, 075 . 00 for the wall and shrub planting in Cover Park has now been paid back and the Committee would like future sale proceeds to fund other garden projects at City Hall and other parks. City Attorney Vierling commented that 1000 of garden sale funds and overall projects and expenditures would have to be approved by the City Council. Councilmember Robert, seconded by Beaudet, moved to allow the Garden Committee to receive future proceeds from Garden Committee plant sales. Carried 5-0 . The Garden Committee will meet Sunday, February 8, 1998 at 2 : 00 p.m. at Pam Patrick' s, 5737 Peller Ave. N. The public is welcome. Cable- Councilmember Turnquist reported the Cable Commission' s annual meeting will be February 18 , 1998 at 7 : 00 p.m. and the regular Cable Commission meeting will be at 7 :30 p.m. at Stillwater City Hall . Water Management Organizations - Councilmember Beaudet reported the next Middle St : Croix Valley Water Management Organization meeting will be held March 12, 1998 at 7 : 00 p.m. at Bayport City Hall . Recycling Award - Interim Administrator Hoist awarded a $25 . 00 check to Robert and Clarissa Evanoff of 6132 Paul Avenue North for participating in the City' s recycling program on Thursday January 22, 1998 . Oak Park Heights Business Association - The group will be meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 1998 at the Washington County Workforce Center. The presentation will be on how employers can find employees . Page 2-City Council Minuted 04/14/98 4 with the understanding that this would be the last time. Melena said that authorization for up to $300 is on Item N of the Consent Agenda and he would request approval from the Council. IV. Consent Agenda: A. Approve Bills &Investments B. Approve City Council Workshop Minutes-March 24, 1998 C. Approve City Council Minutes -March 24, 1998 D. Resolution 98-03-32 -A Resolution Approving Abatement of Special Assessment to Robert M. and Jean A. Ludwig E. Acceptance of retirement of Public Works Director Roger Benson effective April 30, 1998 F. Approval of organizational plan/Public Works operations concepts G. Authorization to hire Jay Johnson as temporary acting Public Works Director/Engineer through September 30, 1998 H. Authorization to hire two Manpower employees to work in the Public Works Department for 30 days I. Authorization to fill secretarial position in Community Development area J. Authorization to employ Manpower secretary through May 1, 1998 K. Acceptance of contract for Arborist services r L. Authorization of$100 expenditure for Our Future at Stake insert in the Chamber newsletter-this item was pulled from the Consent Agenda M. Strategic Planning update for April 17, 1998 N. Authorization of expenditure for final swale corrections O. Authorization of release of$7,500 of escrow funds for As-Built surveys for Oak Park Ponds plat by KTJ Limited Partnership Eleven P. Renee Sorenson letter Q. Set Party in the Park date for Sunday,August 9, 1998 at Brekke Park R. Authorization to approve bid for Community Development office area modifications S. Authorization for staff to hire summer park attendants T. Authorization for the purchase of trash containers for City trails and parks Councilmember Robert pulled Item C,the City Council Minutes of March 24, 1998. Mayor Schaaf pulled Item 0,the authorization of release of$7,500 of escrow funds for As- Built surveys for Oak Park Ponds plat by KTJ Limited Partnership Eleven. Councilmember Turnquist, seconded by Swenson,moved to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Roll call vote was taken. Carried 5-0. Robert said that there were some name spelling corrections to be made in the minutes.