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experience at Long Lake Road and County Road C with a branch coming down <br /> on the pathway, creating safety hazards for bicyclists. Chair DeBenedet <br /> suggested volunteer projects for traversing pathways for tree trimming at <br /> appropriate times of the year, whether privately or publically-owned if they were <br /> in the pathway easement area. <br /> Member Gjerdingen cautioned the Commission to determine who had the <br /> authority to trim, in accordance with City Ordinance, and having certified <br /> volunteers or a staff person available before trimming is attempted. <br /> Member Vanderwall suggested that a more cautious first step may be to provide <br /> notice to homeowners to trim their trees as applicable to keep them out of the <br /> pathway easement area. <br /> Member Gjerdingen noted a problematic area near the park frontage along <br /> Lincoln Drive that would be a huge step in the right direction if those areas were <br /> identified and mitigated by volunteers. <br /> Member Vanderwall noted that Buckthorn was prolific in the entire City, not just <br /> in Acorn Park; and suggested a Buckthorn Core of Volunteers to go around the <br /> entire City. Member Vanderwall opined that this would provide a benefit in every <br /> neighborhood and across the community, as well as most parks; and that after the <br /> Buckthorn was eradicated, the next project could be Purple Loosestrife. <br /> 8. Solid Waste Update <br /> Chair DeBenedet noted staff including several news articles in the meeting packet <br /> form communities in the region, and recent overflow crowds for related meetings, <br /> such as the one held in Maplewood. <br /> Mr. Schwartz noted that Member Felice had attended the "Talking Trash- Is <br /> Anyone Minding the Store?" event, and a direct link was available on the website <br /> for that Maplewood event. <br /> Member Felice lead a Power Point presentation on that event, and provided her <br /> observations of the arguments on both sides; and specifics related to ordinance <br /> enforcement and consumer protection issues. Member Felice highlighted hauler <br /> rate comparisons for cities with private haulers and those with organized <br /> collection, noting that the most expensive of those organized collections for the <br /> whole city was less than the least expensive private hauler rate. <br /> Mr. Schwartz advised that the City of Maplewood required an annual report of <br /> hauler rates; and when they reviewed the actual bills experienced by residents, it <br /> was not the same as what was actually reported to the City. Mr. Schwartz noted <br /> there were also misconceptions about the fees for fuel/environmental recovery <br /> that were included on bills, but not actually state or county fees, and their <br /> definition varied from one hauler to the next. <br /> Page 14 of 18 <br />