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February 24, 2020, Work Session – Item 2D EUGENE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Adoption of a Resolution Repealing Resolution No. 3993 Regarding the Abatement of Dutch Elm Disease Meeting Date: February 24, 2020 Agenda Item Number: 2D Department: Public Works Staff Contact: Eric DeBord www.eugene‐or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541‐682‐4854 ISSUE STATEMENT Urban Forestry is seeking to repeal City Council Resolution No. 3993, which pertains to the abatement of Dutch elm disease. Although this treatment was considered a best management practice at the time it was put into effect, it is no longer necessary as the vast majority of the American Elms in Eugene have succumbed to Dutch Elm Disease or other causes. Since 2014, the City of Eugene has spent just over $30,000 on private tree removal. Currently, the cost of tree removal and disposal is averaging about $5000 per tree due to the exorbitant cost of disposal and access to the trees themselves. Many of these trees require use of a crane for removal as many are in citizen’s backyards. In fact, one single complex tree removal can cost in excess of $15,000. This cost would be justifiable if the treatment were effective, but at this time, it is no longer considered a best management practice for controlling the spread of the disease. Since the time of the original council resolution, new disease resistant elms have been introduced to the market and preventative chemical treatments are available. It is the opinion of Urban Forestry staff that the money spent to remove elms from private property would be better spent in other areas of the Urban Forestry program such as tree planting or pruning to reduce the City’s pruning cycle. BACKGROUND At the time that the Council Resolution and subsequent Administrative Order went into effect in 1986, both the City of Eugene and the nation were aggressively trying to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease. The Order was put into place in an attempt to prevent the spread of disease, ensure that removed trees were properly disposed of, and to save the American Elm population in Eugene. Many of these trees were mature and stately, adding to the character and livability of Eugene. At that time, considering that there was no chemical or biological treatment available, preemptive removal of all tree material to lessen habitat for the fungus spreading elm beetle was a valid solution to the problem. CC Agenda - Page 45