9.c) Schmidt-Council letter re tree cutting policyJanuary 10, 2015
Mayor Simonson, City Council and Administrator Handt,
It is my humble opinion that when residents of Scandia come to a council meeting they should feel that
the Mayor and Council have the intention of working with them to make Scandia a better place to live.
They should know that the council, mayor and administrator will listen with an open mind about how we
can work together to solve the problem or issue at hand. More than 125 people came to a meeting in
November to tell you that the Scandia tree trimming policy needed changes. They would like to know that
you listened and will do something about it.
I brought a request to the council to change the wording in three areas of the tree trimming policy and
eight points that the Scandia residents were proposing to be added. Bottom line is the group wants a
commitment from the council that fewer trees will be cut down in Scandia then is currently proposed.
That is NOT a commitment that I received from the council at their meeting on January 7.
Your idea of a compromise was to say yes to 2 of the 11. Cutting stumps and the flail mower not used
vertically are the only points that were approved. The Director of Public Works said they are already not
leaving stumps so the only thing that the mayor and council gave us was that the flail mower would not
be used vertically.
This is not a compromise at all. Compromise is coming to the middle ground where neither side gets all
they want by both sides give in on some things. The process you discussed where landowners can
disagree and come to the council to discuss their disagreement is no different than what landowners can
do at the present time. The only change is that the Public Works director will paint an X on the trees
slated to be cut if there is disagreement. This also gives no voice to those residents who care about all of
the trees in Scandia not just the ones on the property they own.
You have made NO changes to the policy that gives a landowner a reason for coming to the council. Old
healthy trees, very large trees, trees that would change the property value; all of these are reasons that
someone may object to having a tree cut. If you don't put that into the policy, that these are reasons for
exceptions to the policy, the process is useless. You will say that it is in the right-of-way and you support
the Public Works director in his assessment. There was no discussion at the meeting about the fact that
there is a Scandia Comprehensive Plan that clearly states that trees are an important part of the rural
beauty of Scandia. They can't contribute to the beauty if they are cut down.
In addition, the Guidelines for the Protection of Scandia's Priority Scenic Viewsheds include the area
around Bone Lake. According to these guidelines approved on May 15, 2012 as Resolution 05-15-12-01:
The goal of the Scenic Viewshed Protection Guidelines is to continue Scandia's historic efforts to guard
its natural, historic and scenic beauty:
Protect Scandia's scenic resources
Enhance its natural beauty to make it a desired place to live and visit
Maintain attractive entrance ways into and corridors through the city
Improve Scandia's economic vitality by enhancing its attractiveness to its residents and visitors
I would like you to reconsider your "compromise" and make changes to the policy that are in line with the
spirit of the Comprehensive Plan and the Scenic Viewsheds Resolution. Yes, legally you can cut down
any tree in the right of way. Just because you CAN doesn't mean you absolutely should.
Margie Schmidt, Bone Lake Association President and Scandia Resident