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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, January 29, 2018 Page 6 wildlife habitat and natural areas, and the grant should be accepted. She suggest ed several park areas need additional buckthorn and burdock removal to aid the population of migratory birds. In response to the concerns expressed, Mr. Trudgeon noted the report referred to from the mid-2000s has been refreshed by staff in 2013-2014, as part of the Re- newal Program. Councilmember McGehee suggested that an additional review is still needed, to involve interested members of the community. Councilmember Etten noted staff spent a significant amount of time during the Renewal Program to create a City-wide plan to address natural resources and es- pecially the invasive species. One benefit of this grant is the City's ability to ad- dress the last big portions of that plan. Right now, there are some uncompleted areas due to lack of funds. He noted that Langton Lake was the first large natural resource area that received attention as part of the Renewal Program. This grant will help continue the mentorship program, where a dedicated core of volunteers complete work in the areas left unfinished due to lack of funding. Mayor Roe noted this does not mark the City's end of its efforts to deal with habi- tat. This is the completion of the park renewal program phase, but the City will continue to address natural resources issues going forward. Councilmember Etten added that the City now has in its capital outlay money dedicated dollars to continue this type of work. Councilmember McGehee noted there has been very little acknowledgment of a serious burdock problem, and the techniques used so far have been ineffective. Burdock is particularly damaging to small migratory birds and bats. She suggest- ed additional efforts are needed, and that perhaps teams of volunteers can pull out the burdock in mid-summer when it is healthy, and even sell the root to make some offsetting revenue. McGehee moved, Willmus seconded, authorizing the Mayor and City Manager to sign the necessary documents to accept a Conservation Legacy Partner Grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in the amount of$353,572 for Phase II of the Wildlife Habitat Restoration Program with a City cash match of$39,286 to be taken from the approved $1.5M Parks and Recreation Renewal Program Budget, with the caveat that there be some review of the burdock prob- lem. Roll Call Ayes: Laliberte, McGehee, Willmus, Etten, and Roe. Nays: None.