2024 05-21 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gem Lake Trail and Open Space Plan for 2024-2025 From Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Mayor, Gem Lake Gem Lake owns and maintains a small trail and open space area in the southwestern area of the city, adjacent to the Gem Lake Villas development. The area was originally seeded with wildflowers and planted with numerous trees by the Villas developer approximately four years ago. For the first several years, the maintenance of some of the trees and the wildflower planting areas were the responsibility of the developer. This responsibility has now passed to the city. In 2022, a variety of additional trees were planted by the Tree Trust, as part of a settlement with Water Gremlin, stemming out of an environmental pollution event they were responsible for. The Tree Trust fulfilled their initial obligation for maintenance of the trees they planted. Some survived, others did not. On-going maintenance and improvement of this wonderful area is a priority for the City of Gem Lake. In 2023, the City Council authorized the purchase of an additional park bench on the trail, and a set of colorful and descriptive signs along the trail. These signs were intended to educate the public on wildflower plantings and how these native plants help the eco-system they exist within. The signs were developed in partnership with master gardener Dr. Kim Anderson. The project was paid for through a contribution to the city by Luther Cadillac for park and trail projects. For 2024, tree planting and possible reseeding projects are planned as follows: 1. The Tree Trust has agreed to evaluate tree planting done by them over the last few years and replace up to 12 trees that were dead or dying on the last inspection. This is projected to take place in June. However, since this is largely a volunteer organization, some flexibility is required in scheduling expectations. Pete Tholen of White Bear Township Public Works Department will coordinate this project with the Tree Trust and will be the primary point of contact. Please note that the Tree Trust has made it clear that they will only maintain any newly planted trees for the remainder of 2024. After that point, tree maintenance will be the responsibility of the city. 2. Fourteen other trees that were planted by the developer initially have died. Their locations have been marked, staked and agreed to between myself and WBT public works, with feedback from volunteer Kim Anderson. These fourteen trees are spread out along the western and northern edges of the city property. (See map) Quotes are being obtained by two companies to replace these trees. This number may go down to 12 trees, based on completion of work by the Tree Trust this summer. I suggest the quotes be evaluated at our May 21 meeting. Once a vendor has been selected, the amount can be adjusted downward without further council approval if we decide to plant two fewer trees, based on expert feedback. The tree planting will be coordinated by Pete Tholen of White Bear Township Public Works Department, who will be the primary point of contact with the tree vendors. The tree replacements will happen this summer sometime after the Tree Trust has completed their work. 3. Two additional trees will be added by the city, for a total of 14-16 city purchased trees. (In other words, in addition to any trees the Tree Trust will be willing to replace them for us.) These two new tree locations have been marked and staked and are part of the quotes being sought. The sites for the two new trees are both along the western edge of the property. The two new trees are included in the tree quotes obtained and will be part of the tree replanting project that Pete Tholen of WBT will coordinate and will be the primary point of contact for outside vendors. The sites have been agreed upon by all parties involved. 4. Prairie Restorations, a company that specializes in native plantings has met with representatives from Gem Lake to evaluate the current wildflower plantings on city property. They feel the western wildflower plantings need to be completely reseeded. This would take a phase approach, based on logistics and budget restrictions. The company suggests starting with the elimination of