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Shorewood moves toward single Vegetation Management Plan, affirms limited herbicide use
Summary
City staff proposed combining several documents into a single Vegetation Management Plan to guide turf care, invasive species removal and tree management. Council discussed reduced pesticide use, volunteer limits for buckthorn removal and Park Commission involvement; staff will work with the Park Commission on report metrics and return with details.
City staff told the Shorewood City Council on April 14 that they want to consolidate multiple vegetation‑related documents into a single Vegetation Management Plan to guide short‑ and long‑term work on turf, trees and invasive species.
Public Works Director Morreim said staff had been dealing with buckthorn, emerald ash borer, park and right‑of‑way trees and turf issues in recent years and wanted clearer direction. “We’re down to the bare minimum for now,” Morreim said, describing a reduction in chemical use: “we were not using any chemicals for buckthorn removal, or doing EAB injections as of last year.”
Why it matters: parks, trails and neighborhood open spaces are affected by invasive plants and tree loss, and the choices about where and how the city treats vegetation carry labor, budget and resident‑perception consequences. Mayor Jennifer Labadie said last year’s buckthorn work required roughly the equivalent of one seasonal worker in staff hours; while she thanked volunteers for about eighty hours of help, she warned the city could not rely on volunteers for equipment‑intensive removal.
Council members debated content and tone. Several documents were cited during the discussion — the City’s 2014 Resolution 14‑066 and an updated Resolution 22‑135 (2022), a 2017 Urban Forest Management Plan (not included in the packet), and an IPM report and draft invasive species plan. Morreim and City Administrator Nevinski said they favored a single, integrated plan that pulls useful elements from each document and provides clearer operational guidance and reporting metrics.
Councilmember Sanschagrin raised objections to draft language that referenced MnDNR best practices and phrases suggesting herbicide use is an accepted routine. “That kind of statement created tension with the City’s commitment to Bee Safe and to avoid the use of toxic chemicals,” Sanschagrin said, urging language that clearly frames Shorewood’s policy as minimizing herbicide use. Councilmember Gorham asked for a resident‑friendly Bee‑Safe progress report that explains the city’s approach to ballfields and pollinator habitats; Park and Recreation Manager Czech said the Park Commission would like to be involved but would need clear direction on expectations.
Staff described recent operational changes — Manor Pond received a contracted five‑treatment program (two treatments included alum) and staff reported reduced algae and improved turf in some parks after aeration and overseeding. Morreim said the city purchases equipment to reduce labor intensity and has coordinated with Hennepin County on difficult sites, but also acknowledged that some Freeman Park areas remain large undertakings.
What’s next: staff will work with the Park Commission to refine the proposed Vegetation Management Plan, clarify reporting metrics for Bee‑Safe progress, and return to the Council with a draft that reflects Council direction and clearer language on herbicide minimization.
The council did not take a formal vote on the Vegetation Management Plan at the April 14 work session.
