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Urban Forestry Committee Meeting
June 8th, 2021
West Fargo City Hall - West Fargo Room
Members Present: Dave Schacher, Dave Janssen, Mary Beth Odegaard, Mike Opat,
Others Present: Chad Zander, Barry Kiemele
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM
Dave Janssen made a motion to approve the minutes from April 13th, 2021. Dave Schacher seconded the
motion, motion carried.
The first item of old business was an update on the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), Chad Zander gave the update.
Chad noted that since the last meeting that no new counties in Minnesota have found the insect. Chad noted
that no news for EAB is good news.
The second item of old business was the Xcel Energy Gas Main Project, Chad Zander gave the update. Chad
had noted that the project went before the West Fargo City Commission and when the commissioners were
presented what this corridor would look like without trees, they said they couldn’t support the removal of those
trees. The West Fargo City Commission and Xcel Energy have come to an agreement to bore under that
section and not remove the trees. Chad thanked the forestry committee for the letter of recommendation for the
gas main project.
The third item of old business was the Xcel Energy electrical easement update, Chad Zander gave the update.
Chad noted that he yet to be in contact with the Xcel Energy Representative that would approve our city’s
plantings in the easement. Chad noted that he heard that Fargo did get their trees approve to remain in place.
Chad is hoping that West Fargo will do the same.
The next item on the agenda was grant updates, Chad Zander gave the updates. He noted that the city applied
for both a tree planting grant and a program development grant. The tree planting grant is located on 14th Ave.
E. from 17th St. E. to 9th St. E. and includes both the north and south boulevards. The project will include
around 100 new trees. The program development grant will include the removal of 17 ash trees under power
lines and the replanting of smaller species on 2nd Ave. W.
The first item of new business was the 13th Ave. tree planting project, Chad Zander gave the update. Chad
noted that the project went before the commission and was approved. The project will be planted in the fall.
The Second item of new business was Arbor Day 2021, Chad Zander gave the update. Chad noted that he and
Dave Schacher have not been in contact with Bob yet and will try to get ahold of him soon and get a date
figured out.
The next item of new business on the agenda was the miscellaneous item, Chad Zander had several other items
he gave updates on. He noted that the Earth Day celebration at the Lights was not well attended and was glad
not a lot of resources were used. He also noted, after Mike Opat’s question, that the GIS department was still

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working on getting interactive map on the forestry website. The goal is to have the map available so residents
can identify their trees or trees in their neighborhood. Chad will check with the GIS department on its status.
Chad also gave a short update on the growth award for this year and a quick construction update.
The next meeting will be August 10th, 2021.
Mike Opat made a motion to adjourn, Dave Janssen seconded. Meeting was adjourned.