Alderman Objects to Tree Removal

At Monday's board of aldermen meeting, the board and city staff seemed a bit taken aback when Ward 1 Alderman Larry DeGroodt raised an objection to a bill authorizing a grant from the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Before the first reading, DeGroodt spoke up and said that he'd read through the bill. "So we’re going to spend money to rip out trees that we just put in seven years ago?"

City Administrator Paul Markworth responded that the trees in question were Bradford pears, which are considered an invasive species. They are located on the Civic Center property.

"Their only fault seems to be that the branches don’t hold up under ice and snow if not properly trimmed," DeGroodt said. "I cannot see spending money for trees that are just reaching maturity. This makes absolutely no sense."

"Use the $3,700 to fill some potholes instead," De Groodt said.

Markwork explained that the city's $3,700 match for the grant was in salaries, not in cash.

In the past the grant money has been spent to remove dead and dying trees. City horticulturist Lorri Grueber thought this was the best use of the money. We have to do this project or go back in and amend the grant, Markworth said.

Ward 3 Alderman George Rich mentioned that he'd seen Bradford pears near North Henke that had been attacked by a kind of blight. "We'll lose them in next 5 to 10 years anyway," he said.

"When we get it, we'll deal with it," DeGroodt said. "I saw perfectly good trees get ripped out for the Schnucks sidewalk. I saw these trees go up, and I was assured then that they were a variety of pear that wouldn’t be a problem. I can’t see ripping them out."

The bill received two readings and was approved. DeGroodt's vote was the only nay vote.

"This is a waste of taxpayer dollars," DeGroodt said.

In other business, the board passed the following items:

• An ordinance to designate the Rhodes property at Lake Saint Louis Boulevard and Highway N as Highway Commercial (HC)
• An ordinance setting the regulations for temporary banners in support of civic activities
• A special use permit for Lake Saint Louis Academy Daycare to locate at the former KinderCare building on Veterans Memorial Parkway