12-16-2022CHANHASSEN COMMISSION ON AGING MINUTES
December 16, 2022
MEMBERS PRESENT: Jerry Cerchia, Linda Haight, Jim Camarata, Kara Cassidy, Bhakti
Modi, Ruth Lunde.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Susan Kibler.
STAFF PRESENT: Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Mary Blazanin. Ari Lyksett, Jill Sinclair.
GUESTS PRESENT: Bill Maloney.
Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Lunde moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner
Camarata seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the motion carried.
Commission ON AGING Minutes November 18, 2022: Commissioner Camarata moved to
approve the minutes. Commissioner Haight seconded the motion. All voted in favor and the
motion carried.
APPROVAL OF BYLAWS: Commissioner Haight moved to change the name of the Senior
commission to Commission on Aging. Commissioner Camarata seconded the motion. All voted
in favor and the motion carried.
COMMUNICVATION WITH THE AGING POPULTION – COMMISSION ON AGING
E-BULLETIN: Ari Lyksett presented a layout for the commission and the features of the
bulletin. The commission had positive comments and wanted the work to proceed.
EMERALD ASH BORER IMPACTS ON AGING PROPERTY OWNERS: Jill Sinclair
presented this topic to the commission. She educated the commission on the impact of EAB and
the financial cost associated with tree removal vs. treatment.
What is EAB?, EAB = Emerald Ash Borer, an Invasive insect First discovered in Detroit in
2002; Confirmed in Chanhassen in January 2021. It Kills all types of ash –green, black and white
Doesn’t kill mountain ash.
EAB life cycle and damage: Larva overwinter under bark and emerge in late May/early June as
adults. Adults lay eggs on ash bark (around July). Larvae hatch and burrow into phloem tissue
(mid-to late-July). Larvae feed on phloem creating permanent disruption of vascular tissue (late
July/early Aug –October). As larval populations grow, disconnection of vascular tissue increases
until tree dies (EAB may have a 1 or 2 year life cycle).
Signs of EAB include:
Woodpecker activity
Bark splitting
D-shaped exit holes
Symptoms of EAB
Crown dieback
Epicormics sprouting
Recommendation
Professionally treat trees: chemical protection lasts 2 years
Cheaper to treat a tree for 20 years than it is to remove and replace a tree 10” or larger
Treatments are effective and environmentally safe
Chemical treatments
Rainbow Treecareis city’s contractor for public ash tree treatments
City only employing trunk injection treatments –700+ trees in program
Pollinator safe insecticide
Environmentally safe application
City contractor provides discounted rate to residents to encourage protection ($7.25/in)
EAB infested ash –Removal required
Inspections occurring Nov.-Mar. by city staff (certified Tree Inspector)
Infested trees marked on public and private property for removal.
Only open grown trees.
Removals are necessary to slow spread and protect public safety:
Basal stump sprouts can create sight line obstructions.
Ash become very brittle within 8-12 months of death.Bark shed in sheets
Spontaneous limb shed
Shatter zone
In-tree worker safety
The Concerns
Treatments are cheaper and easier, but it’s easy to ignore the problem.
Removals are more expensive if the tree is infested. Hard on property owners with fixed
incomes.
Dead trees will be hazards.
Takeaway
Prevention is best
Easier
Cheaper
Preserves existing canopy
Help spread the word –EAB is here and all ash are in jeopardy
Treat your ash
Pre-emptively remove trees now
SELECTING 4TH OF JULY BINGO EVENT CHARITY: List of Charities that the
Commission on Aging has contributed funds for: 2012 Wounded Warrior, 2013 Wounded
Warrior, 2014 Wounded Warrior, 2015 Wounded Warrior, 2016 Pets Loyal 2 Vets, 2017 Project
Delta, 2018 Project Delta, 2019 Chaska Area Fishing With Friends, 2020 Canceled, 2021
Canceled, 2022 Project Delta.
The commission did not make a final decision.
ADJOURNMENT: Chairman Cerchia called for meeting adjournment. Commissioner
Camarata moved to adjourn; Commissioner Cassidy seconded the motion. All voted in favor and
the motion carried.
Prepared and submitted by Sharmeen Al-Jaff, Senior Planner