Council declares cottonwood a nuisance after chainsaw damage, authorizes abatement and cost recovery

City Attorney Mr. Wadhams asked the council to declare a cottonwood tree on the North Riverside greenbelt a nuisance after staff discovered residents had cut at the tree with a chainsaw, rendering it unsafe. Mr. Wadhams said the city could declare the tree a nuisance under Idaho statute, abate the hazard and seek reimbursement for abatement costs from the property owners; he told the council the expected additional cost due to the damage was about $2,600.

Public Works Director Colin Schmidt described field findings: park staff were called Aug. 4 to inspect a precarious branch, found that individuals had already used a chainsaw and that additional adjacent trees had fresh limbing. An arborist advised removal; Schmidt said the damage made removal more extensive and that staff taped off the area and recommended remediation. Councilmember Page moved to declare the tree a nuisance and authorize abatement and demand for reimbursement; the motion was seconded and approved. The council also noted that portions of riverbank vegetation above the high-water mark may be under state Department of Lands jurisdiction, which could limit what private property owners may lawfully do in that area.