2012-02-28_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

their earliest convenience, get those volunteers and Scout Troops organized in identifying Buckthorn, and removing from public and/or private property. Mr. Brokke noted the use of volunteers in the past for Buckthorn eradication; however, he noted the need to ensure that removal was done properly and safely, as well as in the long-term; and that the appropriate training was offered by someone knowledgeable. Mr. Brokke noted that Mr. Evenson had just submitted several grant applications, with funding of expertise and volunteer supervision included in funding requests. Mr. Brokke noted that there could never be enough funding to accomplish eradication efforts without the assistance of volunteers. While not having any definite timeframe for implementing projects, based on the outcome of pending litigation, Mr. Brokke anticipated some of the projects could still be initiated in 2012. Chair DeBenedet suggested that, whether the bonding decision was finalized or not, volunteer efforts could still be undertaken. However, Mr. Brokke responded that, while there was no shortage of volunteers, Parks and Recreation Department staffing to provide supervision and training was still problematic, since volunteer efforts were undertaken on weekends, and no funding for overtime staffing available at this time without funding sources in place. Mr. Doneen assured PWET Commissioners that the natural Trail and Pathway workgroup was very cognizant of the pool of available volunteers and intended to make connections with them as early as this summer to begin developing a volunteer infrastructure that can be further expanded and developed. Mr. Schwartz focused discussion on previous PWET Commission discussions and their desire to be involved in providing feedback as trails and pathways are implemented. Chair DeBenedet note that tonight's presentation had already served to make the PWET Commission aware of some of those implementation plans; and advised that one of the Commission's major concerns was that the Parks and Recreation Master Planning would not reference previous pathway/trail planning across the City. Chair DeBenedet opined that one area that he still saw as a mission piece was the southern portion of Dale Street south of Reservoir Woods. Chair DeBenedet noted initial work of the Non-motorized Pathway Planning group; and expressed his surprise that significant progress had been made on trails to-date since that group's inception. Mr. Evenson referenced the Park and Recreation Proposed Pathway Map included in attachments; and noted that the constellation map provided the common link and should serve to be all-inclusive with the overlay of both the Public Works Pathway Master Plan and the more recent Parks and Recreation Master Planning process. Mr. Evenson assured PWET Commissioners that it was never the intent to replace the existing Pathway Master Plan; and the efforts to correlate locations Page 5 of 13