Approval of Tree City USA applicationCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 13.
Copyrighted
January 21, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Approval of Tree City USA application
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the
resolution for the approval to submit an application for
Dubuque to become recertified and designated as a Tree City
USA.
RESOLUTION Retroactively Authorizing The Filing Of An
Application For Designation As A Tree City USA With The
Arbor Day Foundation
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Memo
3. Resolution
4. Application
Page 132 of 740
THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Tree City USA Application Approval Request
DATE: January 13, 2025
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Leisure Services Director Marie Ware is recommending City Council adopt the
resolution for the approval to submit an application for Dubuque to become recertified
and designated as a Tree City USA.
The Park and Recreation Commission has unanimously recommended approval.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
1�,A� k�4 S��'
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Marie Ware, Leisure Services Director
Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
Page 133 of 740
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Director
SUBJECT: Tree City USA Application Approval Request
DATE: January 10, 2025
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request approval to submit an application for
Dubuque to become recertified and designated as a Tree City USA.
BACKGROUND
Dubuque
All -America City
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
In 2017 Dubuque Trees Forever requested the city consider applying to become
designated a Tree City USA after several years had lapsed since the last application.
Leisure Services staff researched the information to complete that application and
with City Council approval, applied and received the 2017 Tree City USA designation.
The City has continued to apply each year since then and has received the Tree City
USA designation each year. In 2021, the City was recognized for 20 years of
recognition as a Tree City USA.
DISCUSSION
Staff have completed the application for Dubuque to recertify and be designated as a
Tree City USA. Unfortunately, staff were unable to get the application completed
before the December 161", 2024 City Council meeting. Due to the application being
due by December 31St, 2024, Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager reached out to
Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk to see if the mayor could sign the application so it
could be submitted. The application was signed by the Mayor and submitted by the
December 31st, 2024 deadline.
Steve worked with Adrienne and City Attorney, Crenna Brumwell, on the attached
resolution for retroactive approval to file the application.
Page 134 of 740
The Park and Recreation Commission has unanimously recommended approval.
ACTION REQUESTED
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council adopt the resolution for the Tree City
USA application.
cc: Laura Roussell, Dubuque Trees Forever Executive Director
Prepared by Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager
2
Page 135 of 740
Prepared by: Crenna M. Brumwell, 300 Main Street Suite 330, Dubuque IA 52001 563 583-4381
RESOLUTION NO. 16 - 25
RETROACTIVELY AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF AN APPLICATION FOR
DESIGNATION AS A TREE CITY USA WITH THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION
WHEREAS, applications for certifications, funding, and grants are set by outside
entities and outside the control of the City; and
WHEREAS, the deadlines set by outside entities do not always coincide with the
meetings of the City Council; and
WHEREAS, the City applied for designation as a Tree City USA from the Arbor
Day Foundation with an application deadline of December 31, 2024 and
WHEREAS, the Mayor signed the application and seeks retroactive approval of
the application from the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The application to the Arbor Day Foundation is approved retroactive to
December 31, 2024.
Passed, approved and adopted this 21st day of January, 2025.
Brad M. Caven-a—atp. Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Page 1 of 5
®Arbor Day
Foundation.
Application Information
Application ID: 364348
Partner: Dubuque
Program: Tree City USA
Application Type: Tree City USA
Start Date:12/10/2024
Status: Pending State Review
Primary Contact Information
First Name Last Name
Robert Wegmann
Title
Urban Forester
Address 1
Address 2
City State Zip Code
Country
United States
Details
Mayor or Equivalent Contact Information
FirstName: Brad
LastName: Cavanagh
Email: bcavanagh@cityofdubuque.org
Phone: +1 563 690 6502
StreetAddressl: 50 W 13th Street
City: Dubuque
Country: United States
State: Iowa
County: Dubuque County
ZipCode:52001
City Forestry Contact Information
FirstName: Robert
LastName: Wegmann
Title: Urban Forester
Email: rwegmann@cityofdubuque.org
Phone:+15635894298
Consent: False
Country: United States
PR/Communications Contact Information
FirstName: Angie
LastName: Metcalf
Email: mmetcalf@cityofdubuque.org
Phone:+15635894262
Country: United States
Partner Intake Information
PartnerName: Dubuque
Website: http://www.cityofdubuque.org/parks
GenericEmail: ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org
PartnerGroup: Dubuque
PartnerSubCategory- City
Population: 60000
AdditionalStic ke rs: 0
Shipping address for recognition materials
ShippingAddressl: 2200 Bunker Hill Road
City: Dubuque
County: Dubuque County
State: Iowa
Country: United States
Dubuque PQ1e1'I' 9?9 40
Page 2of5
ZipCode:52001
Standard 1 - A Tree Board or Department
Who is legally responsible for the care of all trees on community owned property?
Community has both a Tree Board and a Department Chair/City Manager
Tree Board Chairperson Contact Information
FirstName: Robin
LastName: Kennicker
Email: rkennicker@mchsi.com
Phone:+15635894262
StreetAddressl: 2200 Bunker Hill Road
City: Dubuque
Country: United States
State: Iowa
County: Dubuque County
ZipCode:52001
Additional Board Member Contact Information
FirstName: Justin
LastName: Hochberger
Email: hoch62694@gmail.com
Country: United States
FirstName: Jess
LastName: Ochoa
Email: jessness.ochoa@gmail.com
Country: United States
FirstName: Jennifer
LastName: Tigges
Email: producer@videocreations.com
Country: United States
FirstName: Lori
LastName: 011endick
Email: lbruflodt3@gmail.com
Country: United States
FirstName: Ron
LastName: AxtelI
Email: ornax62@gmail.com
Country: United States
Tree Board Meeting Frequency
Monthly
Please Explain:
Department Chair or City Manager Contact Information
FirstName: Steve
LastName: Fehsal
Title: Park Division Manager
Email: sfehsal@cityofdubuque.org
Phone:+15635894260
StreetAddress7: 2200 Bunker Hill Road
City: Dubuque
Country: United States
State: Iowa
County: Dubuque County
ZipCode:52001
Standard 2 - A Community Tree Ordinance
Our Attached Ordinance
Is in effect 24/7/365
Addresses, at the very least, all public trees in our community
Delegates authority over all public trees in our community
Has clear guidance on the protecting, planting, maintaining, and/or removing of public trees
Copy and paste relevant language from your community's uploaded ordinance addressing
delegation of authority over public trees in the box below.
IV. STREET TREES. 1. General Requirements. A. Only the Leisure Services Department or those
contracted or approved by the Leisure Services Department may plant, spray, fertilize, preserve, prune,
remove, cut above ground, or otherwise disturb any tree located within the planting lawn. All tree care
practices must conform to the standards approved by the National Arborist Association, the
Dubuque PQ1e1'I NF� 40
Page 3of5
International Society of Arboriculture, and the American National Standard ANSI 2133.1 Safety
Requirements. B. If a property owner or tenant has planted an undesirable tree, or after September 15,
1988, plants a tree that does not meet the specifications set forth in this Policy, the Leisure Services
Department will notify the property owner or tenant of this Policy and ask that the tree be removed. If
the tree is not removed by the date established, the tree will be removed and costs of removal will be
assessed to the abutting owner and given to the County Treasurer for collection in the same manner
as property taxes. C. In any planting lawn less than four feet (4') in width, the City Forester will
determine if a tree can be planted based on site suitability. In planting lawns that measure between
four feet (4') and five feet (5') in width, both small and medium size trees may be planted. In planting
lawns greater than five feet (5') in width, large trees may be planted. Sidewalk planting pits must have
a minimum of thirty-six (36) square feet of exposed ground and be a minimum of three feet (3') deep.
D. Small trees must be used where overhead lines or building setback present special problems,
regardless of the size of the planting lawn. Small and medium size trees must be used in planting pits.
E. Trees must be planted at least fifty feet (50') feet from the edge of street intersections, traffic control
lights and stop signs, and at least ten feet (10') from driveways and fifteen feet (15') from alleys. The
exact location will be determined according to the type of tree to be planted. F. No tree may be
planted closer than twenty-five feet (25') from a street light and ten feet (10') from a utility pole, water
shut-off, hydrant, or gas line lateral. G. Spacing of trees will be determined by the City Forester
according to local conditions, the species, cultivars, or varieties used, and mature height, spread, and
forms. Generally, all large trees must be planted forty feet (40') to sixty feet (60') apart. All medium
trees must be planted a minimum of thirty-five feet (35') apart. All small trees must be planted a
minimum of 5 twenty-five feet (25') feet apart. H. When a tree is removed from a planting lawn, the
City will replace it if budget considerations and this Policy allow replacement. If a property owner
wants a tree planted where one does not exist, the City will provide fifty percent (50%) of the cost to
plant the tree, if budget considerations and this Policy allow. If the City is unable to fund replacement
or share the cost of adding a tree, the property owner may purchase a tree, and the Leisure Services
Department will plant it. The property owner may plant this tree provided the City Forester has
approved the tree type and its location. I. When the tree removed is from a planting lawn less than
four feet (4') in width, the City may provide and plant a tree beyond the sidewalk on private property
(in the front yard) at the request of the property owner, based on site suitability as determined by the
City Forester, and if budget considerations allow. Such tree then becomes the property and
responsibility of the property owner. If it is determined that there is no room to plant a tree on the
neighboring private property, an exception may be made to replace the tree in the planting lawn at
the City Forester's discretion. Small and medium trees would be considered for replacement based on
the size of the planting lawn and if budget considerations allow. J. When special conditions or
circumstances that are not directly covered in t
Copy and paste relevant language from your community's uploaded ordinance addressing clear
guidance over public trees in the box below.
Pruning, Treatment, and Removal. A. Pruning. Topping or dehorning of trees is not permitted, except
with written permission of the City Forester. Established trees must be pruned over the tree's lifetime
to allow free passage of pedestrian and vehicular traffic; to attain a desired branch height of ten feet
(10') over sidewalks and recreational trails, and fourteen feet (14') over streets and alleys. A tree's age,
size, location, condition, and natural form are factors that determine the extent of pruning. B.
Treatment. Any treatment of street trees will be completed by City Forestry staff unless treatment
option by abutting owner is approved by City Forester and paid for by that owner. C. Stump Removal.
The stumps of trees removed must be cut to at least six inches (6") below the ground, soil must be
replaced and the area must be leveled. If the area where the tree is removed will be paved, the tree
must be cut or the stump must be removed at least eight inches (8") below the ground. D. Tree
Trimming/Pruning, Removal, or Grinding. Any plantings obstructing tree removal, trimming/pruning,
or stump grinding will not be replaced if damaged during those operations. The City Forester will not
attem pt to contact the abutting owner prior to any tree maintenance operation.
Date current tree ordinance was established
02/15/2015
Attach your community's current public tree care ordinance
Tree Ordinance 2015.pdf
Ordinance Changes
My community ordinance has not changed this past calendar year
Standard 3 - A Community Forestry Program with an Annual
Budget of at Least $2 per Capita
Community Population
60000
Tree Planting and Initial Care
29035
Tree Maintenance
79017
Tree Removal
62928
Management
298068
Utility Line Clearance
Dubuque PQ1e1'I 39?9 40
Page 4of5
Volunteer Time (Hours)
602
Are there other costs to report?
Yes
Other Costs
251498
Other Costs Description
New Log Loader for Forestry Division
Total Expenditures:
740706.98
Total Expenditures per capita:
12.35
Community Tree Management Statistics
Number of Trees Planted
74
Number of Trees Pruned
242
Number of Trees Removed
116
Optional Attachments
Annual work plan (if required by your state)
Supporting Budget Documents
Forestry FY24 Expense.xlsx
Standard 4 - An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation
Does your community tree program partner with local k-12 schools on any programming?
No
When did your community celebrate Arbor Day?
EventType: Arbor Day Observance
EventDate: 5/1/2024 12:00:00 AM
EventFiles:IMG_5558.jpeg, IMG_5559.jpeg
Application I d: 364348
Attach your signed Arbor Day proclamation
24_04_15 Arbor Day Proclamation 2024.pdf
Signature
Mayor Signature
Mayor or Equivalent Signature Method
Signed Document
Download the PDF summary application, sign it, and upload it below.
Upload Signed Document
SIGNED 2024 Tree City USA Application for Certification.pdf
First Name
Last Name
Professional Title
As Mayor or Equivalent of the Community I certify that the information in this application is
accurate by signing my name below.
How did you hear about the Tree City USA program?
Previously recognized Tree City
Please Explain:
By submitting your application, you agree to the Tree City USA terms and conditions.
Dubuque PQ1e11RF� 40
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Dubuque PWel WNH40