11-20-07 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Approved: CITY OF ARDEN HILLS PARKS, TRAILS, AND RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2007; 6:30 P.M. ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henry called the November 20, 2007 meeting of the Parks, Trails and Recreation Committee to order at 6:33 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Committee Chair Bill Henry; Committee Members, John Peck, Lanny Baumann, Steve Zilmer, Joani Werner, and Rich Straumann. OTHERS PRESENT: Fran Holmes, Council Liaison; Michelle Olson, Parks and Recreation Manager; Meagan Beekman, Assistant Planner. Kris O’Brien and Katy Chayka were present until 7:30 p.m. MEMBERS NOT PRESENT : Jim Crassweller, Roger Williams 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: Committee Chair Henry suggested that instead of having the City Comprehensive Update it should read the City Comprehensive Plan. He then motioned to approve the agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – October 23, 2007 MOTION: Chair Henry stated there was one correction to add the word “removed” at the end of the 4th paragraph under Item #7. Committee Member Straumann motioned for approval of the minutes of the October 23 meeting, with changes. Committee Member Zilmer seconded. The motion carried. 4. MINNESOTA MASTER NATURALIST PROGRAM (DNR) – Kris O’Brien Chair Henry stated he asked the Master Naturalists to come and tell about what they are doing as Master Naturalists because he feels it has relevance for what we do in the City and in particular for the PTRC. He also stated he would like to have a discussion about Item 5, which is a discussion on how to decide how much buckthorn to take out of the wild. The reason for the discussion is, because of the large amount of buckthorn, if they are going to have buckthorn removal days, and how removal within the City should be prioritized. Ms. Chayka and Ms. O’Brien briefly described the Master Naturalist Program. They then passed out information from Minnetonka Public Works and mentioned that Janet Larson has a good program on trying to suppress buckthorn. They indicated they need to try to go in and get the female buckthorn out and that will give them time to work with the males. The reason they chose Floral Park for their project is it had been cleared last fall and the buckthorn is at manageable levels. Ms. Chayka stated there would have to be some sort of commitment to Buckthorn removal since doing this just one weekend will not help. She felt as long as there was someone to guide volunteers that would be good and they could get a lot done even if they were only occasional helpers.