Isanti council directs staff to address imminent emerald ash borer hazards, defers broader policy

Isanti — The Isanti City Council on Feb. 18 authorized city staff to assess and remove ash trees identified as an "imminent danger" from emerald ash borer infestation, while postponing broader policy decisions on right-of-way removal and replanting until staff returns with a fuller report and updated vendor quotes.

Council members debated numbers and costs during a lengthy discussion that recapped prior study work and a pending grant application. Staff recounted that a prior inventory identified 477 ash trees across city property — 396 in street right-of-way and 81 on parks and city-owned property — and that the city applied for grant funding to remove and replant 481 park trees earlier (staff had not included the right-of-way trees in that application). Josh, a city staff member, told the council, "I think we're just at the will of the grant people approving the grant," noting uncertainty on the award timeline.

A councilmember summarized budget implications, saying replanting had been estimated at about $450 per tree and that the total cost for 477 trees would be roughly $214,000 just for replanting. Councillors raised questions about ordinance restrictions against planting in right-of-way, potential assessment of costs to homeowners, and lingering liability concerns if private residents performed removals.

Public commenter Keith Kohler urged faster action and highlighted insurance and liability concerns he said he had provided in writing to the city. "I wish this would just get taken care of and in my opinion it's a no-brainer," Kohler said, adding that voucher programs may not solve liability issues and that public works crews, trained or subcontracted when necessary, are the more appropriate path for hazardous removals.

Council members agreed on a two-step approach: (1) give staff authority to address trees that present an immediate public-safety hazard, with permission to hire a contractor when a specialist was required, and (2) return to the full council with a packet of information — the full tree-inventory report, updated vendor quotes, disposal-cost estimates (burning vs. grinding), and options for voucher or reimbursement programs — so the council could consider longer-term policy and budget implications.

Council Member Lundine moved to authorize staff to "assess and address" imminent hazards and to hire specialists if needed; Mayor Merrill seconded the motion. The motion passed on a 4–0 voice vote.

Next steps: staff will compile the full inventory, fresh bids and disposal options, and draft policy alternatives for the next council meeting for a detailed policy decision. In the meantime, staff were directed to prioritize removal of trees that pose an imminent threat to public safety or infrastructure.