City Council Resolution 2026-50 (Tree Removal)CITY OF MONTICELLO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2026-50
RESOLUTION APPROVING TWO MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
(MNDNR) RELEAF GRANTS TOTALING $622,600 FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TREE REMOVAL
AND URBAN CANOPY RESTORATION
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello is experiencing significant canopy loss due to Emerald
Ash Borer (EAB) infestation, affecting both public and private ash trees across the community;
and
WHEREAS, Monticello has developed a multi -phase EAB Management and Urban Tree
Canopy Restoration Plan to address hazardous ash removals, restore canopy cover, and
prioritize equity in high -need neighborhoods; and
PUBLIC -TREE PROJECT — $250,000 RELEAF GRANT
WHEREAS, a citywide inventory identified 189 public ash trees on boulevards, parks,
and school grounds requiring removal due to EAB infestation and structural decline; and
WHEREAS, removals will occur exclusively within census block groups scoring >_70% on
the Supplemental Demographic Index (SDI), where canopy loss poses the greatest
environmental and social risks; and
WHEREAS, MNDNR Priority Area mapping identifies neighborhoods east of Highway 25
and north of 1-94 where approximately 60% of residents are low-income, and areas west of
Highway 25 where approximately 30% are low-income, representing more than 1,000 residents
with limited access to green infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the City has been awarded $250,000 in MNDNR ReLeaf funding to remove
189 public ash trees and plant 189 climate -adapted replacement trees, all meeting the 20-10-5
diversity guideline; and
PRIVATE -TREE ASSISTANCE PROJECT — $372,600 RELEAF GRANT
WHEREAS, Monticello has also been awarded $372,600 in MNDNR ReLeaf funding to
implement a private -property EAB mitigation program supporting residents in priority census
block groups; and this project will remove 234 hazardous private ash trees identified as infested
or high -risk, and will provide income -based assistance to ensure equitable access for
low-income households and seniors on fixed incomes; and
WHEREAS, replanting will occur at a 1:1 ratio using climate -resilient, non -ash species selected
to improve long-term canopy health, shade equity, and neighborhood livability; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF MONTICELLO, MINNESOTA: that
the City Council hereby finds that the City Council of the City of Monticello hereby accepts two
MNDNR ReLeaf grants totaling $622,600.
ADOPTED this 8t" day of June, 2026, by the City Council of the City of Monticello, Minnesota.
MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Lloyd Hilgart,
nifer$Vhgeik\er, City Clerk
HEREBY CERTIFY that the above is a true and correct copy of a resolution presented to and
adopted by the Municipality of Monticello, County of Wright, State of Minnesota, at a duly
authorized Municipal Council Meeting held in the Municipality of Monticello, Minnesota on the
8t" day of June, 2026, as disclosed by the records of said Municipality on file and of record in
the office.
Municipality of Monticello
'w"kLA-1
tefnif'er'
S h ei e , City Clerk