Tim, Funny you should mention storm sewers. Mayor Rybak is actually planning an event for Sunday, September 29 called "Get in the Gutter with the Mayor," to call attention to sewer obstructions and the hazards of raking leaves into the gutters. We're going to walk the streets of the city -- sending people out with maps for neighborhoods all over the city-- clearing out storm sewers and letting people know that they shouldn't rake leaves into gutters. We're meeting at the Lake Harriet Bandshell at 10:30 a.m. (It's the day of the Twin Cities Marathon, but this will be after runners pass through the area.)
I got the following information on storm sewers from our Public Works Department. Sorry, I can't help with trees -- they are all maintained by the Park Service. Thanks for your interest in storm sewers. The City sweeps all streets each Spring and Fall and then rotates intermittent throughout the Summer -- this is provided uniformly throughout the City. At any time, you may see difference in the streets depending upon how recently a sweeping has occurred in that area. Street sweeping, besides a livability issue, is also an environmental one. Basically, leaves, grit and litter in the streets can wash into the storm drains and eventually flow , untreated into nearby lakes, creeks and the River. The leaves and debris, even in small amounts, can naturally contain phosphorus and may contain pesticides, which pollute the waters. Citizens help in keeping the streets and storm basins clean is greatly appreciated. Laura Sether Office of Mayor Rybak Standish-Ericsson -----Original Message----- From: timothy connolly [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2002 5:06 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Elms and storm sewers The StarTribune wrote a particularly nice editorial bemoaning the loss of another batch of elm trees. There are very few places around town where you can still see the canopy effect of these stately trees. It is a beautiful sight. I'm certain some have asked these questions but do people know how much it costs the city to bring down one of these trees and replace it with another? I am told the chemical treatment for the diease cost $300 per yearly application. I am not certain how many years that would be necessary, if it be in perpetuity or if it might not have a cumulative effect that would mean, for instance, after four years you could stop treatment. The number I recall being taken down this summer is 300 trees. At $300/tree that would come to $90k for one year. How much is the city paying Asplundh? How much will new trees and labor to plant them cost? How much can we estimate the cost of new trees not making it will cost the city? I'm sure someone has all these figures. You see where I'm headed with this line of reasoning. What is the value of these trees? Sometimes I wonder if we aren't moving too quickly. Is this an extension of our municipal need to tear down rather than preserve? On the point about storm sewers, I had this startling revelation today as I biked along 26th Street from Seward into the Wedge. Nearly every storm sewer in Phillips along 26th was plugged up with sticks and leaves. Not litter, but natural detritus that normally disappears from other city streets in either fall or spring cleanup. Magically as I crossed the bridge over 35W heading into Whittier 90% of the storm sewers were free of leaves and sticks, etc. This was pretty much the case through Bryant where I turned back to head downtown. I'm not certain what the sewer grates in Seward look like but I would be willing to bet a coupla bucks they are more like those in Whittier and Lowry Hill East than those in Phillips. I'm certain others could point to similarly neglected neighborhoods. Are core services for all or just some? Or maybe this is another thing we can blame on junkies, thieves, and poor people. Tim Connolly 12th and LaSalle __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better http://health.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
