HomeMy WebLinkAbout8A - Oak Wilit Abatement
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
PRESENTER:
AGENDA ITEM:
DISCUSSION:
4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake. MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
AUGUST 2, 2010
8A
AI FRIEDGES, PARKS AND FLEET SUPERVISOR
AL FRIEDGES
PUBLIC HEARING ON ABATEMENT OF OAK WILT
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda is to hold a public hearing for consideration of
abatement of Oak Wilt.
Historv
Oak wilt has been present in Prior Lake for approximately ten years. The
affected area (ground zero) is located along Fish Point Road between
Highway 13 and 160th Street and has been spreading in this area yearly
through root graft. The topography in this area is hilly and has resulted in
costly removal fees for the residents that have diseased trees. The cost of
removals has compounded efforts to slow down or eliminate the spread of
oak wilt, most noticeably this year. For example, of the seven residents that
were cited for oak wilt on June 15, 2010 for a total of 18 trees, only two
residents complied within the 20 days allowed to complete the removals.
City Ordinance Section 602 establishes a procedure for dealing with Oak
Wilt Disease. The City Council has determined that the loss of trees
growing upon public property would substantially depreciate the value of
property within the City and impair the safety, good order, general welfare
and convenience of the public. It is declared to be the intention of the
Council to control and prevent these conditions in the ordinance.
Currently the Parks Division of the Public Department conducts oak wilt
inspections during the summer months. At the July 19th City Council
Meeting, the Staff presented the Council with a report on the status of Oak
Wilt and that five properties had not removed the infected trees within 20
days as required by ordinance. The City Council directed staff to prepare a
resolution directing abatement of Oak Wilt for consideration at the August
2nd meeting.
Also at the July 19th Council meeting, Staff advised the Council that a
second outbreak of Oak Wilt has been detected in the Shannon Trail area.
To date Oak Wilt has been identified on 21 properties totaling 42 diseased
trees.
Current Circumstances
At the July 19th City Council meeting Staff was directed to prepare a
resolution authorizing abatement of the Oak Wilt from 5 of the 7 properties
that did not abate the trees within 20 days of receiving notice. Those
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properties still have not complied with the abatement order and two of the
properties have requested in writing that the City complete the removal.
As directed Staff obtained quotes from four tree removal companies for
abatement of twelve oak trees. The following quotes were received:
Vendors:
Bid Amount:
Sand S Tree Specialties
$9,150.00
$9,271.66
$9,618.75
$12,533.61
J. V. Tree & Landscaping
Collins Tree Service
Castle Rock Tree Service
The assessment roll for the abatement is shown below:
Address # of Tree's Assessment
David Lundquist
15504 Omega Trail 1 $900
Mark Anderson
15611 Fish Point RD SE 3 $1.800
Joe Delveaux
5903 Terri Circle SE 2 $2,250
Jeff Radermacher
5970 Timberview St SE 4 $2,000
David Martin
15650 Fish Point RD SE 2 $2.200
Total $9,150
Historically prices for this type of removal have been substantially higher.
In 2009 certain residents paid in excess of $10,000 per property to abate
the Oak Wilt. A competitive bidding process, the current economic climate
and innovative removal methods appear to have substantially reduced the
estimated costs. Based on the bids received staff recommends the City
Council authorize staff to contract with JV. Tree & Landscaping to
complete the abatement.
Conclusion
Staff recommends the City Council approve a resolution authorizing
abatement of the Oak Wilt on the properties listed above. In accordance
with the ordinance these properties will be assessed for the abatement.
ISSUES:
The only way to slow down or to stop the spread of Oak Wilt is by prompt
removal, treatment, containment and public awareness. Staff is currently
working with expert professionals in the horticultural field to assist with a
containment plan. Once staff has devised a containment and awareness
plan we will report back to Council for final approval. Containment is not
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recommended in this case because the trees have contracted the disease
and will become public safety hazards if allowed to stand and there are no
trees in the immediate area left to protect.
As is noted in this report there are an additional 14 properties that have
trees infected with Oak Wilt. At the July 19th City Council meeting the
Council indicated that in the future they would like to be able to proceed
more quickly with abatement. Staff has reviewed the ordinance and
because the infestation appears to be to be spreading the City Council can
authorize Staff to proceed with abatement without conducting a public
hearing in the future. Residents will still have up to 25 days (20 day initial
notice/5 day removal notice) to remove the trees even with the stream-lined
process. However this is the most expeditious way to contain Oak Wilt and
Staff believes should be considered.
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The total cost to remove the diseased trees is $9,150. The funding source
for the abatement cost would be the Contingency Fund. In accordance
with the ordinance the assessment terms will be 1 year for assessments of
less than $1,000 and five years for over $1,000. The interest rate charged
will be 6% to cover bonding and administrative costs.
AL TERNATIVES:
1. Approve a Resolution ordering the abatement of the Oak Wilt on the
listed properties.
2. Authorize Staff to abate future Oak Wilt without a Public Hearing in
accordance with the City Ordinance Section 602.700 (2)
3. Table this agenda item for a specific reason and provide staff with
direction.
4. Deny this agenda item for a specific reason and provide staff with
direction.
RECOMMENDED #1 and #2
MOTION:
Reviiwe&:L
?d~IJs, C;y Manage,
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4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake. MN 55372
RESOLUTION 10-xxx
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ABATEMENT OF TREES INFECTED BY OAK WILT DISEASE.
SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AGAINST AFFECTED PROPERTIES AND DECLARATION OF AND THE
DECLARATION OF AN IMMENEMT THREAT TO COMMUNITY OAK TREES.
Motion By:
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
Second By:
Oaks are one of the most valued trees in Prior Lake and Oak Wilt has infected trees on at
least 21 properties in 2010; and,
City Ordinance Section 602 establishes a procedure for dealing with Oak Wilt disease;
and,
On July 19th, 2010 City Council directed staff to prepare a resolution ordering abatement
of Oak Wilt; and
Staff received quotes from four vendors for tree removal of twelve trees on five properties
and are as follows:
Vendors:
Bid Amount:
J. V. Tree & Landscaping
$9,150.00
Sand S Tree Specialties
$9,271.66
Collins Tree Service
$9,618.75
Castle Rock Tree Service
$12,533.61
A notice of intent ordering the abatement at a Public Hearing on August 2nd, 2010 and
cost associated for the tree removals have been sent to the affected residents on July 27,
2010 and the proposed assessment roll is as follows:
Address
David Lundquist
15504 Omega Trail
Mark Anderson
15611 Fish Point RD SE
# of Tree's
Cost oer Prooert'{
$900
3
$1,800
Joe Delveaux
5903 Terri Circle SE
2
$2,250
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WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
WHEREAS,
Jeff Radermacher
5970 Timberview 8t 8E
4
$2,000
David Martin
15650 Fish Point RD 8E
2
$2.200
Total $9,150
Property owners were provided the opportunity to address the City Council at the public
hearing; and
Pursuant to Prior Lake City Code and input received at the public hearing the City staff is
authorized to abate the diseased trees that were cited on June 15, 2010; and
Staff recommends hiring J. V. Tree & Landscaping who is the lowest quote for a total cost
of $9,150; and,
Staff recommends utilizing the General Fund Contingency Account to pay the costs of the
abatement of the diseased trees subject to repayment through special assessment
against the properties receiving tree removal services; and,
In future cases Oak Wilt is deemed to be an imminent threat to area Oak trees and staff is
authorized to proceed in accordance with Prior Lake City Code Section 602.700 (2)
without a public hearing; and,
Staff is working with professionals in the horticultural field to assist with a containment and
Public Awareness Plan in an effort to slow down the spread of Oak Wilt in the City of Prior
Lake.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PRIOR LAKE,
MINNESOTA as follows:
1. The recitals set forth above are incorporated herein.
2. The total cost to remove the diseased trees cited on June 15, 2010 is $9,150.
3. The Mayor and City Manager are authorized to execute the City's Standardized Contractual Agreement
with J. V. Tree and Landscaping on behalf of the City.
4. Funding for these services will be drawn from the General Fund Contingency Account 101-49999-000
to be reimbursed to the City through special assessments against the affected properties for the
repayment terms set forth in the city code.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 2nd DAY OF AUGUST 2010.
YES
NO
Myser
Erickson
Hedberg
Keeney
Millar
Myser
Erickson
Hedberg
Keeney
Millar
Frank Boyles, City Manager
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