Casper staff propose contracted arborist program to speed enforcement of overhanging trees

City staff told the Casper City Council they want to contract local arborists to address private-property trees that violate city clearance standards for sidewalks and streets, shortening current wait times for remediation and aiming to reduce public-safety risks.

Why it matters: staff said delays of several weeks for private contractors leave obstructed sidewalks and sight-line hazards in place. The proposed program would allow the city to hire contracted arborists to fix a specific code violation within roughly two to three weeks and then bill the property owner, mirroring the city—s approach for nuisance mowing.

Amber (staff member) described the city—s escalation and proposed contract approach. Under current practice, property owners receive a 15-day notice to correct an overhanging branch or obstructing hedge; arborists in town are often booked six to 12 weeks out. "We would just fix the violation. They wouldn't prune the whole tree... But what we're doing is by going in with this arborist... we're ensuring that we're trimming that tree in a healthy way," Amber said.

Staff said they have spoken to at least four local tree companies willing to negotiate contracts. Proposed operational details included a rotational call list of contractors and a target response window of five to seven days after assignment; if the called contractor cannot meet the timeline, staff would call the next contractor on the list. The city would seek two-year contracts "so we can get them doing it," Amber said. The cost of corrective trimming would be charged to the property owner in the same manner the city recovers mowing or nuisance-abatement costs.

City Arborist Katie Hallock said funds from a separate federal grant commonly called the Branch Across Casper grant are not available at present because that program is frozen under the Inflation Reduction Act implementation and is expected to remain frozen for roughly 90 days. "So there aren't any funds available at this time," Hallock said.

Councilors asked about scope and equity. Amber confirmed the program would apply to private-property trees overhanging sidewalks or streets across Casper where required clearance (8 feet above sidewalks, 15 feet above streets) is not met, and said the city sometimes calls in the parks crew or asks contractors to address immediate public-safety hazards such as obstructed stop signs. Council members also asked about options for elderly or financially constrained residents; staff said Rotary and other community groups have assisted in past isolated cases, but cited that most cases are owner neglect rather than inability.

No formal action was taken; staff requested authority to continue contract negotiations with local arborists and return with recommended contract terms.

Looking ahead: staff will continue negotiations with interested arborists and return to council with contract proposals and recommended timelines.