Council keeps current storm-removal practice but directs staff to add post-removal notices

The Crookston City Council discussed long-standing practices for removing public trees and directed staff to make administrative changes to improve owner notification after storm-response removals.

Public works staff explained the city does not have an additional formal policy beyond the code and that crews prioritize safety during storms, often removing hazardous trees immediately. The staff representative said the city will add post-removal door hangers that identify the city contact and explain the removal when a tree is taken out as part of storm cleanup.

Council members supported better homeowner communication but cautioned that pre-removal notification during emergency response is often impractical because crews are prioritizing safety across many sites. One council member suggested door hangers or a pre-printed notice that crews can leave; staff said crews already photograph trees and will continue to document removals and follow required utility-locate procedures (the locate process typically allows 48 hours for marking underground utilities when required).

Staff told council the recent storm cleanup removed about 18–20 trees and that staff will carry door hangers and post a notice after storm-related removals. The council agreed not to change the underlying policy for emergency tree removal but asked staff to adopt the administrative practice of door-hanger/post-removal notification and to return if a formal policy change is later proposed.

Details recorded during the meeting: staff said they rely on calls from emergency services and residents to prioritize removals; they will photograph trees for documentation; and where required, they follow the 48-hour locate procedure before moving forward with non-emergency removals.

Next steps: staff will add the post-removal notification procedure to operating practice and continue documenting storm removals with photos.