CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

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Department:

Parks and Recreation

Commission Meeting Date:  9 /11/ 2018

Staff Contact:

Crystal Miles  Horticulture Manager

Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:

 

Receive recommendation from the Director of Parks & Recreation regarding the removal of dead Elm trees on certain private properties and direct the City Clerk to issue a notice to the owners of these properties, requiring removal of the trees at the owners’ expense pursuant to City Code Chapter 18, Section 1.

 

Executive Summary:

 

City Code Chapter 18, Article 1, Sections 113 through 118 declares any living or standing elm tree infected with Dutch Elm Disease a public nuisance and sets forth the city’s process to abate and remove such trees from private property. Parks and Recreation staff annually inspects properties within the city to identify infected trees and initiate the abatement process. Staff identified 15 large dead Elm trees located on 11 private properties at the following locations:   

 

  • 1330 Kasold Road:East edge of property near Lawrence Avenue
  • 1229 Tennessee St.: Front yard tree
  • 910 Louisiana St.: 1 tree on north property line
  • 3301 Creekwood Dr.: 2 trees in front yard
  • 700 Lyon- St.: 1 tree on South property line
  • 510 N 6th St.: 2 trees on north property line
  • 2133 Ohio St.: 1 tree in backyard
  • 2229 Ohio St.: 1 tree in backyard
  • 441 Elm St.: 3 trees in side yard.
  • 429 Wisconsin St.: 1 tree in backyard, south property line
  • 425 Wisconsin- St.: 1 tree on south property line, behind hydrant

 

The Parks and Recreation Department Director recommends removal of these trees and requests that the City Commission direct the City Clerk to notify owners of the listed properties of their obligation to remove the trees by December 30, 2018. Upon this direction, staff will mark the infected dead trees for removal because they constitute a hazard to property and persons. Notice will be delivered by certified mail or in person by a police officer.

 

Should the property owners fail to comply with the requirements of the notification, the city will remove the trees with the cost being paid by the owner. Any unpaid cost will be recovered by an assessment against the property. Chapter 18-116.3 states no damage shall be awarded to the owner for the destruction of an elm tree, wood, material or any part thereof pursuant to this section.

 

Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor

Effective Governance

Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods

Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management

Core Services

Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):

The fiscal impact to the City is negligible, as the costs are paid by private property owners.

Attachments:

None

 

 

Reviewed By:

(for CMO use only)

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