HomeMy WebLinkAbout6B-Arbor Day Proclamation O� PR,-pr
U 4646 Dakota Street SE
Prior Lake,MN 55372
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: APRIL 13, 2015
AGENDA#: 6B
PREPARED BY: GREG SKLUZACEK, PARKS MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
PRESENTED BY: KATY GEHLER, PUBLIC WORKS AND NATURAL RESOURCES
DIRECTOR
AGENDA ITEM: PROCLAIM APRIL 24, 2015 AS ARBOR DAY IN THE CITY OF PRIOR
LAKE
DISCUSSION: Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to proclaim April 24, 2015 as Arbor Day
in the City of Prior Lake.
History
The City of Prior Lake became a Tree City in 2013 as a requirement of the
Forest Bonding Grants received in 2010 and 2012. The City was able to
plant over 600 trees along our boulevards and in our parks as a result of
receiving this funding.
Currently there are more than 3400 communities that belong to Tree City
USA. One of the requirements for Tree City status is to demonstrate a
commitment to caring for and managing public trees by celebrating Arbor
Day.
Arbor Day is celebrated nationally as well as throughout the world. This
designation originated in 1872 when Sterling Morton proposed to the
Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the
planting and caring for trees.
Current Circumstances
The renewal for Tree City is due by December 31, 2015. To meet the
requirements, the City must proclaim April 24, 2015 as Arbor Day.
Attached is a proclamation from the National Tree Board that will meet the
this requirement.
Other standards include spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry,
having a tree ordinance, and supporting a tree department or board. The
City currently spends $3.36 per capita on forestry. On staff, there are four
employees that are certified tree inspectors and two are also Emerald Ash
Borer(EAB) First Detectors who attend specialized training to maintain
these certifications. On August 13, 2013, City Council updated the tree
ordinance to include diseased and hazardous trees which fulfills the
requirement of having a tree ordinance in place.
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245/www.cityofpriorlake.com
Conclusion
It is recommended that the City Council proclaim April 24, 2015 as Arbor
Day to renew our commitment to Tree City USA and meet the
requirements of the Forest Bonding grants received.
ISSUES: The City of Prior Lake's urban forest is a large asset of which the City can
be proud. The trees throughout the city are beneficial in numerous ways
including reducing erosion, cutting cooling costs, and providing wildlife
habitat as well as increasing property values of homes. Recognizing and
protecting this asset can assure the residents of the continued exisitence of
the urban forest.
FINANCIAL No financial impact
IMPACT:
ALTERNATIVES: 1. Proclaim April 24, 2015 as Arbor Day in the City of Prior Lake.
2. Table this agenda item for a specific reason
3. Deny this agenda item for a specific reason and provide staff with
direction.
RECOMMENDED Alternative#1
MOTION:
Arbor Day Proclamation
Whereas, In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of
Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees,
and
Whereas, The holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of
more than a million trees in Nebraska, and
Whereas, Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and
Whereas, Trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and
water, lower our heating and cooling costs, moderate temperature,
clean the air, produce oxygen and provide habitat for wildlife, and
Whereas, Trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes,
fuel for our fires and countless other wood products, and
Whereas, Trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic
vitality of business areas, and beautify our community, and
Whereas, Trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual
renewal.
NOW, THEREFORE I, Kenneth Hedberg, Mayor of the City of Prior Lake, do hereby
proclaim April 24, 2015 as Arbor Day in the City of Prior Lake, and I urge all
citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and to support efforts to protect our trees and
woodlands, and
FURTHER, I urge all citizens to plant and care for trees to gladden the heart and
promote the well-being of this and future generations.
DATED THIS 13TH DAY OF APRIL, 2015
KENNETH L HEDBERG, MAYOR