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Urban Forestry Committee Meeting
April 13th, 2021
West Fargo City Hall - West Fargo Room
Members Present: Dave Schacher, Dave Janssen, Barry Johnson, Mary Beth Odegaard
Others Present: Chad Zander, Barry Kiemele
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM
Barry Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes from February 9th, 2021. Dave Schacher seconded the
motion, motion carried.
The first item of old business was an Emerald Ash Borer update, Chad Zander gave the update. He included
the most recent map from the USDA and noted the newest county in Minnesota with EAB. Blue Earth County
recently found an EAB outbreak and makes it the 27th county with the insect. Chad also noted that the
department would work with ND Department of Agriculture to help with the EAB traps again this year. Barry
Kiemele also gave a short update on the ash trees he has been inspecting, he noted most are in really good
shape and he has come across very few that are in bad shape. Chad also noted that the city will continue to
inspect ash until all ash are rated.
The second item of old business was an update on the community orchards, Chad Zander gave the update. He
noted that the city will, again this year, install several community orchards. He included handouts that showed
the two locations, one on a pond at 14th Ave. E. and the other on 19th Ave. W. He also noted that these will be
two smaller orchards and will be planted this fall.
The third item of old business was an update on the 9th St. E. Xcel Energy Gas Main project, Chad Zander gave
the update. He noted that the project is still moving forward, the final agreement for the project is the next step.
He noted that engineering has taken the lead on the project and will handle the management/construction. Chad
noted that Xcel has made several adjustments to their gas line route to help preserve some of the trees. He
noted that the trees between 14th Ave. E. and 17th Ave. E. will more than likely all be removed and replaced.
He noted that in that area, the fence and sidewalk are being removed and replaced. The open cut for the gas
line trench will be in the drip lines of the trees.
The next item of old business is an update on Xcel Energy Electric and their tree policy, Chad Zander gave the
update. Chad noted that he was contacted by Wright Tree Service and was told they would be removing 50
newly planted trees in electrical easements because the species were not on their approved list. Chad submitted
several question to them in an email and included the response as a handout. Xcel Energy said that they have
not been allowing Amur Maples in their easements since 2010. Chad asked when and who at the city was
notified of this and their response was that they cannot notify property owners every time they change their
policy. Chad noted that Xcel Energy representatives were part of the projects and nothing was noted in their
review of the plans. Chad will work with Xcel Energy’s representative to try and get these trees approved so
they will not be removed.

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The next item on the agenda was grant updates, Chad Zander gave the updates. He noted that the city will
apply 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.
The first item of new business was the 13th Ave. E. planting plan, Chad Zander gave the update. He noted that
city was proceeding with the project and since it will be presented to the city commission, that the committee
submit a letter of support for the project. Chad included the planting plan handout for the committee to review.
Dave Janssen made a motion to submit a letter of support, Dave Schacher seconded the motion, motion carried.
Chad will draft the letter and have the committee approve it before submitting to the City commission.
The next item of new business was the 2021 Arbor Day celebration. The committee reviewed the existing list
of candidates and after a discussion, Dave Janssen made a motion to honor Bob Potter at this year’s Arbor
Day. Dave Schacher seconded the motion, motion carried.
The next item of new business was the 2021 Earth Day, Chad Zander gave the update. He noted that on April
22nd, 2021 the forestry department will set up their educational booth at the Earth Day Event at the Lights on
32nd. He noted that any committee members that would like to help out or volunteer would be appreciated. The
last item of new business was the miscellaneous item, the only item on the list was the utility bill insert, and
Chad handed out the insert for the committee to review.
The next meeting will be June 8th, 2021.
Dave Schacher made a motion to adjourn, Dave Janssen seconded. Meeting was adjourned.