Council considers $250,000 spruce-bark beetle removal fund to reduce wildfire risk

A council member proposed a new city program to remove dead spruce killed by spruce-bark beetle as part of a wildfire mitigation initiative and asked the council to appropriate $250,000 for a new CIP project.

Council member Graham described the proposal as a 50/50 split: 50% of the $250,000 would be available for removal on city property and 50% available as a 75/25 cost-share for private property removals, with the city paying 75% of removal costs for qualifying private property. "We've gotta manage taking the trees down," Graham said, describing the city’s loss of black spruce and wildfire exposure.

Administration signaled support but requested legal review to define the city's role and liability. The city manager said the project was "a worthy project" and that staff would work with the Department of Forestry and legal counsel to craft program parameters if the council approved the appropriation.

Councilor questions focused on how the $250,000 figure was derived and whether the amount would be sufficient. Graham said the number was modeled on a North Lakes Community Council program and intended as a start: "Do I anticipate that $250,000 is gonna solve the problem? No. I do not. But I think it's a good start for us to put a program together and to, figure out exactly how we're gonna manage it."

Council voted to adopt the amendment creating the CIP line and appropriating the $250,000 as an amendment to the FY2026 budget. Staff will return with program details, legal review and an ordinance to implement eligibility criteria and vendor contracting.