NEW ULM - There may be several more tree reimbursements issued as a result of the continuing nice weather, but the Tree Advisory Commission had no trouble approving the report that indicated a net carry-over for 2010 amounting to $4,744.09.

"There may be a couple more [reimbursements] because people are still able to do it, but it won't change these figures much," City Engineer Steve Koehler said.

Because the commission will get its usual budget allotment of $6,500 for 2010, the commission will have $11,244.09 for the upcoming year if there are no more disbursements.

The positive financial news led to Koehler remarking that the commission might want consider upping the reimbursement, which now ranges up to a maximum of $75 for any tree replanting.

"It's a well-used program. I'd recommend increasing the reimbursement amount," said Tony Guggisberg, an advisor to the commission and owner of River Creek Nursery.

An extended discussion about the possibility of doing more for residents who must replace trees followed.

Partially off-setting the cost of removing and planting the trees were discussed.

City Council President Charles Schmitz asked the commission to consider the possibility of having the city remove the trees that need to be taken out on the boulevards.

"When I was campaigning, I learned that people were concerned about the city's tree replacement program. They thought the removal should be part of [the city's] policy ... so I'm asking the commission to take a look at that," Schmitz said.

When asked what he thought of the city taking down the trees, Street Commissioner Tom Patterson, head of the department that does tree work, said it wouldn't be an undue burden because "on a yearly basis there shouldn't be that many trees to take down."

The toughest part, Patterson said, would be identifying the trees that need to be taken down "because without leaves, all trees look dead."

Increasing reimbursement amounts and the possibility of street department taking down the trees that need to be replaced on the boulevards will be on the commission's January agenda.

Ron Larsen can be reached at rlarsen@nujournal.com