Tonka Bay Weighs Tree Removal Costs Against Safety as Council Advances Subdivision, Trail Work
Council members called for a comprehensive tree management plan after learning removal quotes for three sites totaled nearly $12,700 against a $3,500 budget.
Tonka Bay officials revisited the city's tree removal policy at their latest City Council meeting, confronting a budget shortfall on hazardous tree work while also approving a residential subdivision and reviewing upcoming trail and street construction across the city.
City staff told the council that quotes for removing trees at three separate locations — 125 Pleasant Lane East, 35 Pleasant Lane East and Northrop County Road 19 — totaled nearly $12,700, far exceeding the $3,500 budgeted for the work this year.
Certainly, some of the challenge right here is you've got a budgeted item of 3,500, but you've got almost 12,700 between all three sets of trees that need to be addressed. Certainly, I think a longer-term plan about doing an inventory and an understanding of which trees have significant urgency and severity. But certainly, the question today is how do you want to manage the three sets of trees that we have in front of us and with the budget constraints that we have as well?
Resident presses for action on dead trees
Resident Danny Gillis addressed the council during the public comment period, thanking members for returning the item to the agenda and describing two dead trees on public property near his home at 125 Pleasant Lane East as an ongoing hazard.
I understand there's budget considerations and all that, but just wanted to reemphasize that it is a risk to my family's safety right now, because it really just takes one bad storm to knock them down.
Gillis said he was present when the city obtained one of the removal quotes and recounted the contractor's assessment. "He paused for a second and just said, 'I don't want to panic you, but I'd be worried,'" Gillis told the council.
Other Topics from This Document
Tree Removal Policy and Budget Management
Excelsior Fire District 2027 Budget Proposal
Simple Subdivision Approval (75 Birch Bluff Road)
Proposed Tonka Bay 125th Anniversary Public Engagement Event
Want to know when new stories arrive?
Enter your email to receive updates.
We will not use your email for any other purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time.