SUFTA Grant and Emerald Ash Concerns Prompt New Tree Ordinance

Oskaloosa City Hall

Oskaloosa City Hall

The Emerald Ash Borer has devastated ash trees across Iowa and the United States. Though the pest has not been spotted in Oskaloosa, it has affected trees Eddyville and DNR (Department of Natural Resources) say it is just a matter of time Oskaloosa Ash trees are infected as well.

Knowing this and the effect the borer would have on Ash trees in the City’s right-of-way, prompted City staff to apply for a Sustainable Urban Forestry Training and Assistance (SUFTA) grant. Oskaloosa was awarded the grant which allowed City staff as well as members of Oskaloosa Trees Forever to receive a total of 318 training hours where they learned how critical it is to maintain a healthy right-of-way tree population and city-wide tree canopy.

Council members heard a presentation from Dylan Mulfinger, Management Analyst for the City Oskaloosa. Mulfinger said training provided by the SUFTA grant showed staff members and volunteers the importance of tree replacement and management as well as the numerous benefits to be gained from a properly managed tree canopy. He said studies have shown the potential for…

  • 2-7% reduced storm water run off
  • Up to 60% paving cost reduction because trees reduce temperature fluctuation which means pavement replacement and repair is reduced
  • Shoppers travel further to shop around an area with trees and are willing to pay between 9-12% more for products
  • Property owners could see as much as 7% higher rental rate due to property tree placement and management
  • There is a higher rate of childhood asthma where tree populations are the lowest
  • Residents are shown to be three times more  physically active in tree-populated areas
  • Patients recover faster from hospital stays when they have a view of trees
  • Traffic noise is reduced and some studies indicate a 46% reduction in crash rates*

Mulfinger said the key to seeing these benefits and making sure Oskaloosa continues to benefit from right-of-way trees meant changing Oskaloosa Municipal Code for Trees, the Permit Application pLans and Specifications as well as Site Plan Review Procedure. Doing so ensures property owners continue to maintain right-of-way trees while new commercial and residential development includes trees in their site plans.

The ‘tree ordinance’ was basically rewritten and presented to the Oskaloosa City Council for adoption at Monday night’s meeting. Planning and Zoning had reviewed the ordinance changes at their November 9 meeting and recommended sending it to council; the ordinance changes passed unanimously on the first vote

Mulfinger said Oskaloosa is working toward an urban canopy goal of 21% tree coverage. That would take 120 trees per year to meet that goal but working with Oskaloosa’s Trees Forever and MidAmerican Energy’s Plant Some Shade Program along with the City planting 20-30 trees per year makes this goal very reachable.

Other Council action included:

  • Passed a resolution approving a professional services agreement with Curtis Architecture and Design not to exceed $18,000 for the pre-award design phase of the Facade Grant Program
  • Approved the vacation and sale of the 120’ X 16.5’ of the north-south alley adjacent to 411 North H Street & 902 D Avenue West
  • Presented a Certificate of Recognition plaque to Oskaloosa Trees Forever in recognition of the volunteer hours they committed to the Sustainable Urban Forestry Training and Assistance Grant (SUFTA)
  • Approved a resolution requesting the Mahaska County Board of Supervisors initiate a petition for abatement against the property located at 2632 Highway 63
  • Approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to revise the Transportation Alternate Program (TAP) application for the Sidewalk Improvement Project by reducing the scope of work by removing the proposed sidewalk along North 3rd Street and along Green Street from Orchard Avenue to M Avenue West

*Contact Dylan Mulfinger at the City of Oskaloosa, 641.673.9431 or by email for a more complete list of benefits provided during his presentation.

Posted by on Nov 18 2015. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.

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