Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SHADE TREE PROGRAM BONDING GRANT TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO REMOVE AND REPLACE DISEASED BOULEVARD ASH TREES, NOT TO EXCEED $99,081.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, the City of Duluth authorized a EAB management plan in 2016; and
WHEREAS, the state is in need of implementing activities to suppress EAB populations in the City of Duluth in order to slow the spread of EAB from the city into surrounding areas;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to accept funds from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the amount of up to $99,081, such funds to be used to reimburse costs associated with the activities related to the removal of EAB infested trees and the replacement of removed ash trees, and to execute a grant agreement, Exhibit A,
FURTHER RESOLVED, grant funds will be deposited in Fund 205-130-1221-5225 (Parks Fund, Community Resources, Park Maintenance, Park/Landscape Materials) with matching funds, as previously approved by City Council as Resolution 21-0508R, in the amount of $16,324 to be provided from Funds 205-130-1220-CM205-PKMTCE-21SHDE (Parks Fund, Community Resources, Parks Capital, Capital Maintenance Fund 205, Park Maintenance, 2021 DNR Shade Tree Program Bonding Grant)
FURTHER RESOLVED, the city of Duluth has the legal authority to accept the money and financial, technical, and managerial capacity to ensure proper planning and maintenance of the project.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Duluth city council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jennifer Carlson, Financial Director, 411 West 1st Street, Duluth MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes acceptance of a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $99,081 for the removal and replacement of select ash trees consistent with the 2016 City-Council-approved Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan.
Council previously passed resolution 21-0144R authorizing application for the grant and resolution 21-0508 authorizing $16,324 in matching funds from the Park Fund.
The City’s EAB Management Plan calls for:
1. Removal of non-infected ash under 12 inches in diameter and all infected trees.
2. Replacement of those trees on a one-to-one basis.
3. Treatment of non-infected healthy ash greater than 12 inches in diameter.
This grant will be used to for the removal of 600 infected and declining ash that are over 16 inches in diameter that represent a significant and mounting hazard to people and property.