Agenda - Council - 02/08/2011 - Laserfiche WebLink

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prepared educational information for both the website and the newsletter. Furthermore, Staff has drafted an Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan that, should City Council approve it (hopefully early in 2011), will help the City prepare for this invasive pest. Due to a combination of factors (drought, insect attack and hail damage), many of the red pines in the community are declining. The communities of Ramsey and Andover jointly applied for and received grant monies through a FireWise program to assist property owners most significantly impacted by this problem. After some difficulty, an interested contractor was found and has begun removing dead /dying pines in an attempt to reduce fire fuels as well as reduce habitat for pine bark beetles. The City continues to offer assistance with identification of invasive /undesirable plants such as buckthorn. There are two (2) weed wrenches that residents can 'check out' to assist with removal of undesirable woody plants. The intent of the program is to provide residents an opportunity to combat unwanted plants without using harsh herbicides. The City coordinated the Environmental Expo and Tree Sale again in 2010. In its third year at the Municipal Center, attendance again improved over the previous year. The event featured approximately thirty (30) exhibitors, various presentations focusing on energy conservation, emerald ash borer, geothermal heating, and water conservation through smart irrigation. The students at Ramsey Elementary School participated in an environmentally themed coloring contest and their art work was on display throughout the event as well. The tree sale component, which is held in the parking ramp, again included a 'pre- order' option that has proven to be very successful. Residents have a wide array of species and root stock to choose from and this helps them get an early jump on spring! The City maintained its' Tree City USA designation for the eighteenth (18 consecutive year. Maintaining this designation requires, among other things, the City to officially observe Arbor Day. So, in recognition of Arbor Day, the City coordinated a planting event at Forest Hideaway Park, where roughly 100 seedlings were planted, and then concluded the day at the community garden site, where another seven (7) fruit trees were planted.