2011-07-26_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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no guarantees that catastrophic events will not happen nor that they will be fully mitigated. Chair DeBenedet opined that the concept of a major rain event needs to change; and that a City would never be able to design for all events; and that it was still a learning process to facilitate emergency overflow routes. Mr. Schwartz noted that storm water management technologies and options had changed over the years as well; and more understanding of those options and efforts continued. Staff noted that the Fire Department responded to the Fairview and Highway 36 flooding area, and as typically done, the area was blocked off with barricades until the water level diminished. 7. Volunteer Opportunities Chair DeBenedet noted his request to staff to include this on tonight's agenda, based on comments made at previous meetings by Member Stenlund related to projects and volunteers available for those projects. In his recent bicycling along County Road C toward the entrance to Acorn Park, Chair DeBenedet noted the lack of a vision triangle with only 5' between the pathway and access to the park. Chair DeBenedet opined that this was a perfect volunteer opportunity, as a lot of the underbrush preventing adequate and safe visuals in that area was due to Buckthorn. With Mr. Schwartz expressing confidence that the Parks and Recreation Department was supportive of any volunteer assistance, Chair DeBenedet advised that he would coordinate with Parks and Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke and Member Stenlund on this issue as a potential Boy Scout project. As a frequent walker in Acorn Park, Member Vanderwall noted Member Stenlund's previous concerns with erosion in the park; however, he suggested that sometime in October or November, a weekend be set aside for an entire school or large-group project to remove the considerable amount of Buckthorn in the Park, since they appeared to be overtaking most of the underbrush. Chair DeBenedet suggested that, if the PWET Commission agreed to sponsor such efforts, the Commission ask the Public Works and Parks and Recreation staff to communicate who and how to take the lead; and how to coordinate with City staff on trucks and equipment, along with assistance or supervision for volunteers. Member Vanderwall suggested staff train the PWET Commission on how to go about removing the Buckthorn. Chair DeBenedet also noted comments of Member Gjerdingen at past meetings on overhanging tree branches near or over pathways; and noted his personal Page 13 of 18