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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2. COW Minutes 03/13/2012COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES March 13, 2012 I. CALL TO ORDER — ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. in the Village Board Room of the Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Irvana Wilks. Trustees present included Arlene Juracek, John Korn, Paul Hoefert, John Matuszak, Steven Polit, and Michael Zadel. Staff present included Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl, Public Works Director Sean Dorsey, Forestry Superintendent Sandy Clark and Forestry Technician David Hall. II, APPROVAL OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES FOR JANUARY 24, 2012 Motion made by Trustee Hoefert seconded by Trustee Polit minutes were approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None IV. EMERALD ASH BORER (EAB) UPDATE Forestry Superintendent Sandy Clark spoke. She stated that she has provided an annual update to the Village Board since 2006 regarding the Emerald Ash Borer. She highlighted the areas in which information can be obtained through various public sources. She stated that ash trees make up approximate 14% of the total tree inventory within the community or about 3500 trees. She stated staff has been following the plan adopted in 2009 for Emerald Ash Borer eradication. She stated that the early detection and education efforts have allowed a continual monitoring of tree conditions. She stated as replacements are installed the plan is to limit the species to no more than 10% of any one specific variety. She stated staff is treating approximate 800 parkway trees through insecticide. She also stated staff has identified approximate 600 trees with Emerald Ash Borer as of March 2012 and it is expected that this count will continue to rise as more and more trees are inspected with the warmer weather. Based on the funds available there are not enough funds to replace each tree removed at this time nor is there adequate funding for extensive insecticide treatment for each ash tree. Insecticide treatment has limited effectiveness based on the level of infestation for the tree and the specific type of ash tree. There is a very limited window available for treatment and even with treatment there is no guarantee that the tree will survive the infestation. She stated the department continues to investigate grant opportunities in an effort to secure additional funding for tree replacement and removal; however, since this problem is significant and region -wide there are limited funds available, if any. Scott Shermer of the Illinois Department of Agriculture spoke. He stated the State of Illinois now has 193 confirmed communities impacted by the Emerald Ash Borer. He stated based on a rough estimate there have been approximately 250 million trees lost to this insect to date. He stated 39 counties within Illinois have been quarantined. He stated the insecticide options have limited effectiveness if the tree is unable to absorb the chemical based on its level of infestation. Committee of the Whole Page 1 of 3 3/13/12 He stated that his department has recommended aggressive removal since the only effective treatment of the insect is to eliminate the food source which are ash trees. He stated that removal of trees not only eliminates the food source, but as the tree continues to die due to infestation, it does become a hazard. He stated there have been varying studies on the insecticide treatment and its effectiveness with different studies coming to different conclusions. Residents Cynthia Monroe 528 Lois Court spoke. She stated she has read studies of various chemicals recommended by the University of Illinois that were not mentioned in the discussion. Sandy Clark stated that there have been different studies using different chemicals, but staff is not recommending one specific chemical over another since there are unknown effectiveness time frames resulting from treatments. Resident Ron Bare 1824 W. Thornwood spoke. He is requesting the Village Board save as many trees as possible and the recommendation of cutting down trees does not seem financially viable. He stated it would seem to make more sense to chemically treat the trees in an effort to save as many as possible since the cost of chemical treatment is substantially less than removal and replacement on a per tree basis. He is suggesting the Village Board follow the Arlington Heights model where the Village is using public funds to treat parkway trees. He also felt that all residents should share in the expense of the treatment and not just the residents that have infected trees. Resident Ron Monroe 528 Lois Court spoke. He stated there are a large number of ash trees which have been marked for removal in his area. In discussions with residents he felt that seven of eleven residents in his area are willing to pay for chemical treatment or a new tree once the infected ash trees are removed. Sandy Clark stated that she is open for consideration of chemical treatment by residents of infected trees, provided that the resident undertakes the annual cost of treatment, with the stipulation that if the treatment fails and the tree still needs to be removed the Village will undertake removal. She also stated that it is important that the resident understands when they undertake a treatment regiment the tree still may not survive. Resident Bert Schultz 1821 Algonquin spoke. He would propose that residents and homeowners treat their own trees at their expense if they are willing to undertake the effort. Resident Peter Schmidt 1821 Thornwood spoke. He has concerns about the likelihood of so many trees being removed in his neighborhood and the impact on property values. Wayne White business owner from Carol Stream spoke. He stated that he operates a business that treats ash trees and has contracts with several communities that are already treating ash trees and he offers a money back guarantee if the tree dies after his treatment. Committee of the Whole Page 2 of 3 H: \VILM \Cow\2012 \Minutes \Cow Minutes 3- 13- 12.docx Sandy Clark is recommending direction on the following items: Change the ordinance to allow homeowners through permit process to chemically treat parkway trees at their own expense but allow Village removal if infestation or hazard exists. Consensus of the Village Board was to support this change in the ordinance. 2. Extend the removal time for infected private trees to 30 days when the tree is in the dormant season. Consensus of the Village Board was to support this change. 3. Do not require removal of stumps of private trees. Consensus of the Village Board was to support this change. 4. If the resident wants to treat infected trees with insecticide, all risk is assumed by the resident, which will be clarified through an ordinance change. Consensus of the Village Board was to support this change. General comments from the Village Board members included the following items: Village Board members commented on the knowledge and expertise of the Village Forestry division and has confidence in their recommendations. They also stated that they have confidence that unless a tree must absolutely be removed staff will endeavor to prolong the life of the tree as long as possible. Village Manager Michael Janonis stated that there will need to be a few operational details worked out, but he anticipates that the Ordinance will be available by the next Village Board meeting for final consideration. V. MANAGER'S REPORT Village Manager Janonis stated that the Village Board meeting for March 21 has been canceled. VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Trustee Korn reminded the audience and the listening public that the yard waste pickup program does not start until April 1. He also reminded everyone that the parkway repair effort of the Public Works Department to repair damage from snowplow operations is currently underway. VII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager Committee of the Whole Page 3 of 3 3/13/12