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Mahtomedi reports near-complete grant-funded plantings, seeks EV charger funding
Summary
City Administrator Scott Neilson relayed that Tree Trust planted 97 of 100 trees under an MN PCA LCA grant and that crews removed 107 ash trees under a MN DNR Shade Tree Bonding Grant with additional plantings planned; WSB has applied for a grant to fund 10 EV charging stations (award pending).
City Administrator Scott Neilson told the Mahtomedi Environmental Commission on Jan. 12, 2026, that the city’s grant-supported tree-planting work is substantially complete and that the city is pursuing additional environmental funding.
Relaying an update from City Forester Emily Ball, Neilson reported that under the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Local Climate Action (MN PCA LCA) grant the city and Tree Trust planted 97 of 100 planned trees in fall 2025: 43 at Wildwood Park, 45 at Wedgewood Park and nine at Echo Park, with three more scheduled for spring 2026. He said crews installed tree guards and water bags and that WSB staff will inspect the plantings in spring 2026; Tree Trust crews will replace any trees that do not leaf out or that sustain deer damage during the spring replacements. The city will manage watering and maintenance during a three-year establishment period.
Neilson also reported that the Minnesota DNR Shade Tree Bonding Grant work is substantially complete in removal: crews removed 107 dead or dying ash trees and stumps from boulevard right-of-way areas and parks/city properties. The city and Tree Trust planted 38 trees in Sept–Oct 2025 and plan to plant another 69 trees in spring 2026, including boulevard ROW sites.
On infrastructure funding, Neilson said WSB applied for a grant that would fund 10 new EV charging stations; the city has not received notice of an award and Neilson said he will report back when he knows more. He also said he will reapply this year for Washington County recycling grant funds the city used in 2025 to fund mattress and appliance recycling and RITE of Spring activities.
The updates were provided as informational items; no formal vote or ordinance was recorded on the grants or plantings during the meeting. Commissioners asked about inspection and replacement timing and confirmed the city’s care responsibilities for newly planted trees.
