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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday,January 26,2015 <br /> Page 14 <br /> As far as the 2015 work plan, Mr. Bockensted reviewed significant invasive brush <br /> and woodland restoration efforts; wetland restoration; monthly volunteer events <br /> and stewardship programs as previously noted; and invasive weed management <br /> and shoreline restorations; with ongoing grant screening and applications. <br /> Mr. Brokke noted the intended three year approach that included establishing pro- <br /> grams the first year, with two subsequent years for maintenance, all under the <br /> umbrella with Stantec before those areas were turned back to the City for mainte- <br /> nance. <br /> Park Superintendent Evenson thanked the City's Volunteer Coordinator Kelly <br /> O'Brien for her help with the volunteer program and leveraging interested resi- <br /> dents in specific stewardship opportunities. <br /> Councilmember Laliberte questioned how and when maintenance of those areas <br /> being mowed would need attention in the future. <br /> Mr. Bockensted advised that, depending on the actual invasive plants, those cut <br /> by hand were treated immediately with a herbicide, but those areas treated with <br /> the machine (forestry mower) would re-sprout and need to be treated as well, typ- <br /> ically after native trees and grasses go dormant in the fall. Mr. Bockensted noted <br /> that the overall goal was to increase plant diversity to improve wildlife habitat and <br /> provide good competition to those undesirable invasive plant species. <br /> Councilmember McGehee expressed appreciation for the presentation and work <br /> accomplished to-date, stating her support for this aspect of the Park Renewal pro- <br /> gram. However, she expressed her disappointment that only the core projects <br /> were able to be accomplished and not more. Councilmember McGehee asked for <br /> the anticipated plan going forward in applying for grants and whether they were <br /> in line with original expectations. <br /> Mr. Bockensted advised that they would continue to screen grants for a wide vari- <br /> ety of programs, a number of which have been applied for already. Overall, with <br /> the City Council's acceptance of the two grants before them tonight, Mr. Bocken- <br /> sted advised that the City would have been awarded $265,000, with a total goal <br /> set originally at between $300,000 and $400,000. Mr. Bockensted assured the <br /> City Council and public that they would continue to look at additional grant op- <br /> portunities from various local and national agencies to find good fits. <br /> Councilmember McGehee sought information on aquatic invasive species in Ro- <br /> seville lakes, with Mr. Bockensted providing an update on Langton and Bennett <br /> Lakes and the invasive species they were affected by. Mr. Bockensted advised <br /> that their firm was performing an inventory and developing a management plan, <br /> in conjunction with applicable area watershed districts, and working with previ- <br /> ous surveys done on those bodies of water, and specific to invasive, non-native <br />