HomeMy WebLinkAbout7388 - ADMIN Resolution - City Council - 1983/05/16RESOLUTION NO.
7388
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS TO ESTABLISH A SPECIAL LEVY FOR A COUNTY
SHADE TREE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the residents of St. Louis Park and Hennepin County are facing
a crisis in shade tree losses resulting from dutch elm and oak wilt
disease; and
WHEREAS, a substantial percentage of the urban stock of shade trees in
St. Louis Park and other Hennepin County municipalities has been lost; and
WHEREAS, these debilitating diseases threaten to eliminate as much as -
90% of all elm and oak tree populations by 1990 unless adequate safeguards
are reestablished to control them; and
WHEREAS, it is possible to slow the rate of loss of shade trees in Hennepin
County to 5% per year; and
WHEREAS, the City of St. Louis Park has disbursed over $1,500,000 since
1975 for diseased tree control and removal and reforestation within the
City; and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota has totally eliminated state matching
funds to participating municipalities in 1982; and
WHEREAS, this program was proven to be highly effective and economical
in controlling the spread of shade tree diseases; and
WHEREAS, in addition to this epidemic of dutch elm disease in our com-
munities which threatens the quality and vitality of our neighborhoods,
there is a corresponding need for new jobs for the unemployed; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive county -wide shade tree disease control program
in conjunction with participating municipalities will create new jobs; and
WHEREAS, these new jobs fit ideally into the State Jobs and General
Assistance proposal developed and supported by Hennepin County and cur-
rently being considered by the Minnesota Legislature; and
WHEREAS, these new jobs will decrease our dependence upon welfare and
increase our commitment to new jobs,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of St. Louis
Park does hereby give its full support to the Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners for the establishment of a comprehensive shade tree
disease control program for Hennepin County by adopting at least the
following measures:
1. A special levy on all property in Hennepin County, the proceeds
of which shall be placed in a special fund for administration;
2. A program where proceeds generated will be used to provide
50-50 matching grants to participating municipalities for
sanitation and reforestation services;
3. The establishment of an accelerated diseased wood destruction
and disposal program;
4. Any other additional measures such as public awareness,
additional training of tree inspectors, agreements to sub-
sidize private property owners for tree removal and appointment
of an advisory committee to advise the County on the abate-
ment to the greatest extent possible of the spread of shade tree
diseases in Hennepin County.
Adopted by the City Council May 16, 1983
Attest:
.4,0A
ity Clerk
Reviewed for administration:
JaAAAA'/Aer.
City Manager
Approved as to form and legality:
City A Forney