Number
230254
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. COGGS
Title
Resolution directing the Department of Public Works to develop plans for the use of the City’s “urban wood”.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Public Works to develop plans for the use of the city’s “urban wood” and to provide the Common Council with a report on its investigations, including the approximate commercial value of the lumber produced by the City annually and a list of possible, additional collaborators for the initiative.
Body
Whereas, Urban wood is defined as lumber produced from trees (or other sources) that were removed for reasons other than harvest of their lumber; and
Whereas, Use of urban wood has occurred for many years, and during the 1990’s small-scale networking efforts began to coalesce around the upcycling of urban wood; and
Whereas, These efforts ramped up considerably with the infestation of the emerald ash borer, which killed millions of trees across the United States, and in the Midwest in particular; and
Whereas, In the years that followed, the U.S. Forest Service began providing funding to launch local networks, demonstration projects, and educational programs to get industry members connected and customers interested in urban wood; and
Whereas, The Wisconsin chapter of the Urban Wood Network is one such organization; and
Whereas, On an annual basis, the Department of Public Works removes thousands of trees from around the city, representing thousands of tons of wood; and
Whereas, Before 2012, these trees were hauled to landfills for disposal, and the City paid landfill tipping charges; and
Whereas, Beginning in 2012, the City began working with partners to upcycle these trees into fire wood and other wood products; and
Whereas, To date, there has been no bid process for the City’s urban wood or explorations of possible alternatives to the City’s partnership with Kettle Moraine Hardwoods; and
Whe...
Click here for full text