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Urban Forestry Committee Meeting
August 10th, 2021
West Fargo City Hall - West Fargo Room
Members Present: Dave Schacher, Dave Janssen, Mike Opat, Barry Johnson
Others Present: Chad Zander, Barry Kiemele
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 PM
Mike Opat made a motion to approve the minutes from June 8th, 2021 with one amendment, the program
development grant listed 2nd Ave. W, it should have said 3rd Ave. W. Barry Johnson 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 only one new county in Minnesota discovered EAB, Freeborn County in Minnesota, which is
well south of the twin cities and not close to ND.
The second item of old business was the Xcel Energy Gas Main Project, Chad Zander gave the update. Chad
had noted that the project was well into construction and had been documenting any damage to trees along the
way. Chad also noted that the city collected a deposit or retainer for any damage to the trees. Once the project
is completed, any tree(s) that decline or dies, the city would collect that tree assessed value. Chad noted that
the trees were rated in Cartegraph and could be rerated after the two years, for any obvious decline.
The third item of old business was the Xcel Energy electrical easement update, Chad Zander gave the update.
Chad noted that upon further inspection of the areas where Wright Tree Service was going to remove trees, that
a lot of them were in Fargo and some were private property trees. Chad noted that only about 9 or 10 of the
original 50 trees, are owned by the City of West Fargo. Chad will still submit those trees for approval.
The next item on the agenda was grant updates, Chad Zander gave the updates. The grant trees have been
ordered and the plan is to complete the grants this fall. Chad also noted that the fruit trees for the two new
orchards have been ordered. He handed out the planting plans for the orchards, located on 14th Ave. E. and the
other at 19th Ave. W.
The first item of new business was the 13th Ave. Planting Project. Chad noted that the project will be
completed this fall by GreenEarth Landscaping. He also noted it will have a two year warranty.
The second item of new business was the CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) discussion and Main Ave. W. Chad
noted that with the 13th Ave. Planting Project getting completed, that landscape item would be removed from
the CIP. Chad noted that since the committee made the recommendation to do one project at a time, that the
committee would need recommendations for each planting project each year. The 2022 project is the Main
Ave. W. Planting Project and Chad estimated that would include around 290 trees and the dollar amount would
be close to $150,000. Dave Janssen made a motion to recommend the Main Ave. Planting Project gets put on
the 2022 CIP plan with an estimated value of $150,000. Barry Johnson seconded the motion, motion carried.
Chad will draft a letter for committee approval and submit it to Engineering and the City Commission.

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The next item of new business was the 2021 Arbor Day. Chad noted that nothing has been set up yet, he is
hoping to meet with Bob Potter in the next couple weeks to get a date set.
The last item on the agenda was miscellaneous, Chad gave a quick Night to Unite update. He noted that 104
people signed up for the tree and that the event went well and was well attended. Chad also noted that the city
has hired a safety coordinator that will coordinate all safety training and issues moving forward.
The next meeting will be November 9th, 2021.
Dave Janssen made a motion to adjourn, Dave Schacher seconded. Meeting was adjourned.