Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 02/02/2015

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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) Meeting Date: 02/02/2015 By: Chris Anderson, Community Development Information Title: Tree Sale & Environmental Expo Status Purpose /Background: 5.1. The purpose of this case is to update the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) regarding both the Tree Sale program and the Environmental Expo event. Staff has reviewed each of these offerings for the past three years and noted that both have been generally trending downward. As a result of the downward trend of each, Staff believes it is time to move away from these programs and look at other opportunities to promote tree planting and environmental awareness. Observations /Alternatives: Tree Sale In 2012, the Tree Sale format was redesigned out of necessity (the former vendors that participated all opted out for various reasons, one of which was declining sales). The City began working directly with a wholesaler and purchased trees directly to offer through a pre -order program. This provided an opportunity for residents to purchase trees at wholesale prices and encouraged planting trees within the community. However, this new format also provided direct competition with the private market. Moreover, in reviewing the Tree Sale program over the last three (3) years (since changing to current format), sales have not rebounded like we had hoped. While it is true that the total number of trees sold in 2014 more than doubled as shown in the table below, six (6) orders combined to account for seventy -three (73) trees. Typically, there's a limit to how many trees one can order because we only have a limited number to begin with but when the sales are lagging, we have had to try and work with what residents have requested. Year I Total # of Orders Total # of Trees Sold 201 14 60 2013 15 49 2014 23 129* *73 trees were purchased through 6 orders Each year, it is conservatively estimated that about twenty (20) hours of Staff time goes into the Tree Sale program, including working with the wholesaler, marketing, webpage development, receiving orders, addressing questions about trees, confirming orders, and coordinating the pick -up of purchased trees. When this position was more evenly split between environmental and planning responsibilities, the time commitment was more manageable. However, with the reorganization of responsibilities, the time commitment has become problematic. When looking at the number of residents this program has served over the past three (3) years, it appears that the Tree Sale program no longer has the value it once did. Additionally, the Anoka Conservation District has their own, well established seedling sale. While that program focusing on seedlings rather than the larger stock the City's Tree Sale typically offers, it provides residents an extremely inexpensive option to purchase and plant trees. These factors, along with the fact the City's program provides direct competition with the private landscaping /nursery market, has led to the decision to not offer the Tree Sale in 2015. Staff may reconsider and re- evaluate the program if there is public demand or desire for it to be brought back in future years.