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City Council Study Session — 08/15/OS <br />DRAFT Minutes - Page 15 <br />specifically in the City's park system. Mr. Willenbring noted <br />that sotne vistas at HANC were totally blocked by buckthorn and <br />encouraged Councilmembers to seek additional information or <br />tours of affected areas. <br />Mr. Willenbring requested that the City Council consider <br />funding in upcoming budgets for buckthorn eradication. <br />Bob Meyer, President of FORHANC <br />Mr. Meyer expressed his appreciation to the City Council for <br />allowing the FORHANC Board to attempt additional <br />fundraising; and presented an additional $1,000 check and <br />provided marketing materials for the upcoming all-day Wild <br />Rice Festival fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, September 10, <br />2005, from 7:34 a.m. through 5:40 p.m. <br />7. Discuss Diseased Tree Program Diseased Tree <br />Parks and Recreation Director Lonnie Brokke reviewed the Program <br />background of the diseased and hazardous tree removal program <br />maintained by the City's Parks and Recreation Department <br />through the hiring of one part-time seasonal forestry technician <br />from April through October, with the majority of the work <br />contracted out and through joint efforts with the Public Works <br />staff. <br />Mr. Brokke provided statistics for 2004 and 2005 to-date <br />regarding budgeted funds; work completed; and number of <br />contacts made for the program. Mr. Brokke reviewed program <br />specifics including, identification and marking of damaged <br />andlo� diseased trees; education and information to property <br />owners; managing storm damage; street bee plan maintenance; <br />tree nursery establishment at the Muriel Sahlin Arboretum; park <br />reforestation plan; and grant application monitoring. <br />Mr. Brokke noted that the street tree plan needed to be updated; <br />current maintenance was limited and as time allowed for <br />pruning, thinning and damage clean up; additional work was <br />needed for prevention, new planting care and buckthorn <br />eradication. Mr. Brokke noted that a number of residents were <br />taking an interest in buckthorn removal through the assistance of <br />community volunteers. <br />