A. Annual Inspections.
1. The Tree Inspector shall inspect all premises and places within each designated Shade Tree Pest control area of the City as many times as practical or necessary to determine whether any condition described in 20-501.A exists. [References to Dutch Elm Disease were removed from this paragraph by Ord. No. 93-1, effective February 2, 1996.]
2. [References to Dutch Elm Disease were removed from this paragraph by Ord. No. 93-1, effective February 2, 1996.]
3. Oak wilt disease. The Tree Inspector shall inspect all premises and places within each designated oak wilt control area of the City as many times as practical or necessary to determine whether any condition described in 20-504.B exists.
B. Entry on Private Property. The Tree Inspector so designated by the City Council may enter upon private property at any reasonable time for the purpose of carrying out the duties assigned to him or her under this Article. Before making any inspection on private property, notification shall be made to all affected residents and property owners either through an individual oral or written notice.
C. Diagnosis.
1. The Tree Inspector shall, upon finding indications of oak wilt disease, take such steps for diagnosis as may be appropriate, including analysis of twig samples from actively wilting branches by the Department of Agriculture’s disease diagnosis laboratory, or other laboratories capable of performing such services approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture. Whenever possible, diagnosis shall be based upon accepted field symptoms.
2. The Tree Inspector shall, upon finding indications of any organism, condition, or plant determined to be causing or threatening to cause damage to Shade Trees shall take such steps for diagnosis as may be appropriate. Whenever possible, diagnosis shall be based upon accepted field symptoms.
D. Reports. The Tree Inspector shall prepare the City’s reports to the Department. of Agriculture and any other state agency reports as may be required by statute or by the Shade Tree Disease Control provisions of Chapter 1505 of Minnesota Rules.
[Section 20-506 amended by Ord. No. 07-02, effective March 1, 2007, amended by Ord. No. 07-04, effective July 26, 2007, amended by Ord. No. 11-08, effective October 20, 2011.]