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Parks & Recreation Committee <br /> <br /> <br />Meeting Minutes August 6, 2008 <br /> <br />Motion was made by Chairperson Seeley, seconded by Vice-Chairperson Amundsen, to approve <br />the July 2, 2008 Parks & Recreation Committee Meeting Minutes as is. All in favor. Motion <br />carried unanimously. <br /> <br />IV. APPEARANCES <br /> <br />Mr. Jeff McDowell, Bonestroo Landscape Architect, Replacement Rain Garden Plantings <br /> <br />Mr. Jeff McDowell of Bonestroo made an appearance to discuss the replacement of plantings in the <br />rain garden at Hidden Spring Park. Approximately 2/3 of the plants which were planted in 2007 had <br />died. Mr. McDowell reminded the committee once the plantings were in place the watering is the <br />City’s responsibility. Chairperson Seeley questioned the warranty on this second set of plantings. Mr. <br />McDowell replied the first set of plantings was completely covered for one year, but the second set of <br />plantings are not covered by any warranty. The committee thought one of the reasons for not replacing <br />the plants last fall or early this spring was to ensure the optimal conditions were being met for the best <br />survival of the replacement plantings to take advantage of the best scenario for the continued warranty. <br />Mr. McDowell said the contractors only warranty the first planting, but he would check to see if this <br />could be altered for this instance since it was not the plants which were defective. The plants died <br />because the outlet structure was not working correctly and the plants were flooded for an extended <br />period of time. The outlet is now functioning correctly, the rain garden is stabilized and there should <br />not be a problem with the plants having plenty of time to take root before winter. <br /> <br />The committee reviewed with Mr. McDowell the selected plantings and he stated his overall concept <br />design was based on the committee’s request for showy flowering blooms which would be used as a <br />demonstration for the community as to what could be done with a rain garden. Most of the plantings <br />selected are native. The committee was supplied with a handout with a description of each plant and <br />the duration the plant can be under water before it has adverse affects. There is some difficulty <br />involved in selecting plants which can be inundated with water but can also tolerate some drought. Mr. <br />McDowell is comfortable with the hydrology and plants as he has presented to the committee. <br /> <br />The plants that failed to thrive on the shoreline were small plugs in extreme conditions, this time one <br />gallon potted plants are being planted. <br /> <br />Motion was made by Vice-Chairperson Amundsen, seconded by Chairperson Seeley to <br />recommend City Council proceed with the plantings for the rain garden as presented by Mr. Jeff <br />McDowell, Bonestroo Landscape Architect, with clarification of the plant warranty to be <br />supplied to Staff by the August 13, 2008 regularly schedule City Council meeting. All in favor. <br />Motion carried unanimously. <br /> <br />V. COMMITTEE BUSINESS <br /> <br />Additional Lighting Request at Tracie McBride Memorial Park <br /> <br />This item was added to the agenda as there was a request from a resident for the committee to consider <br />installing additional lightening. Committee Member Lee said that there is only one light and at night it <br />is perhaps dangerous. Chairperson Seeley requested between now and the next committee meeting that <br />each member go past the park and see what they think about additional lighting. Council Member Lee <br />stated that parks are however designed to close at dusk and would additional lighting encourage more <br />2 of 5 <br /> <br />