4.c) Policy for Removing Dead Trees from Public Rights-of-Way Meeting Date: 3/8/2011
Agenda Item: L,( G,1
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City Council Agenda Report
City of Scandia
14727 209th St. North
Scandia, MN 55073 (651) 433-2274
Action Requested: Discuss the city's policy for removing dead trees from public rights-
of-way.
Deadline/Timeline: N/A
Background: • Council member Chris Ness requested that the Council discuss
this topic. He (and at least one other Council member) was
recently contacted by a resident who is unhappy about staff's
response concerning a dead tree in right-of-way adjacent to her
property.
• There is not currently a written policy document, but this is the
policy in practice: dead trees are not routinely removed from
public rights-of-way unless they are an imminent threat to private
property or a potential traffic hazard. If a tree or branch falls on a
roadway, staff will move it off the roadway, cutting it up to the
extent necessary and within the limitations of the city's own staff
and equipment. If the material is large and will be in the way of
mowing(and cannot be left on the roadside) staff will call in a tree
removal contractor with the necessary equipment and expertise
and they will complete the cleanup.
• The current issue concerns a homeowner who has an unused right-
of-way adjacent to her lot. A very large tree within the right-of-
way is dead or dying. She is concerned that it will fall on her
home or garden. Staff, along with a local tree expert, examined
the tree last year. Because in their judgment the tree was not in
danger of damaging the home, the decision was to not remove the
tree. We have agreed to monitor the tree and to reverse that
decision if some event, such as storm damage, changes our
evaluation. But we did not find removal at this time to be an
appropriate public expense (which would be in excess of$1,000.)
The homeowner disagrees and has verbally threatened legal
action.
Recommendation: Staff recommends that the Council discuss the policy.
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Attachments/ None
Materials provided:
Contact(s):
Prepared by: Anne Hurlburt, Administrator
(Dead Trees in Rights of Way)
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