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Council approves nearly $300K removal contract, $126K planting contract for emerald ash borer work
Summary
The council awarded a $299,941 contract for ash tree removal and a $126,468 contract for replanting under a Minnesota DNR shade‑tree grant; staff will finalize homeowner notices and proceed with removals and September–October plantings covered by a three‑year warranty.
City staff recommended and the White Bear Lake City Council voted June 23 to award contracts to address emerald ash borer (EAB) impacts using Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant funding. Staff said the city’s 2018 inventory narrowed to about 350–375 eligible boulevard and park trees for the grant program.
The council approved a resolution awarding a tree‑removal contract to Precision Landscape and Tree for $299,941 and a separate planting contract to Hoffman McNamara Nursery and Landscape for $126,468. Staff told the council that planting is estimated at about $325 per tree and removal averages about $750 per tree — both figures came in lower than original cost estimates and left unused grant funds for the original target areas. The DNR has permitted the city to spend the remaining grant dollars elsewhere in the community to meet the grant’s requirement that removed trees be replaced within the community.
Staff described homeowner outreach: an initial newsletter notice, a focused mailing to properties identified in the inventory, on‑site marking of trees, door‑to‑door contact and a final notice that homeowners can review before contractor work begins. Residents who think a tree was missed or improperly marked were instructed to contact the city’s engineering department for re‑review. Staff said they removed marks in cases where homeowners had been treating a tree and wished to preserve it.
On planting, staff emphasized species diversity to avoid future monocultures; planned varieties include multiple oaks, an American elm, hackberry, Kentucky coffee tree and skyline honey locust — all selected from a DNR‑approved list intended to be pest resistant. Plantings will occur later in the season (September–October) to increase survival and will carry a three‑year maintenance warranty.
Council members asked about communications and appeals; staff said they had already mailed letters and performed significant on‑the‑ground outreach and will continue homeowner notification before contractors mobilize. Both contract resolutions passed by voice vote; staff will finalize schedules and homeowner notifications.
Because the project uses a DNR grant, staff noted some costs (about $20,000) that are ineligible for the grant will be covered from the city’s parks fund.
