1 00:00:01,650 --> 00:00:09,130 Call this meeting to order. The Natural Resource Conservation Board is an advisory board to the city council. 2 00:00:09,850 --> 00:00:16,690 A board is charged with recommending acquisition of lands for open space and developing a natural resource plan, 3 00:00:16,750 --> 00:00:26,130 which includes environmental policy and guidelines for the maintenance and preservation of blends existing in future open spaces and trail corridors. 4 00:00:26,130 --> 00:00:32,790 One of the board's functions is the whole public meetings and make recommendations to the city council. 5 00:00:33,470 --> 00:00:41,350 For each item, the board will receive reports prepared by city staff provide the opportunity for public response, 6 00:00:41,810 --> 00:00:44,230 conduct board discussions, and make recommendations. 7 00:00:45,610 --> 00:00:49,690 The city council, however, makes all final decisions on these matters. 8 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:59,320 roll call meet board members unit here or member panning here board member 9 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:07,020 McKinley board member Tushan here board member Philippi chair 10 00:01:07,020 --> 00:01:16,300 raffordy here next we have approval of the minutes from last February 11 00:01:16,300 --> 00:01:17,580 every twenty first. 12 00:01:36,240 --> 00:01:40,340 I move we approve the minutes is written. 13 00:01:40,340 --> 00:01:46,820 All right, we have a motion in a second. All those in favor. 14 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:50,340 All right, minutes are approved. 15 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:53,440 Proveal of the agenda for tonight. 16 00:01:56,010 --> 00:02:00,690 Sure, everybody. I have a few things I'd like to add to the agenda this evening. 17 00:02:01,950 --> 00:02:16,590 One, at the last meeting, board member Jeanette brought up a grant opportunity for additional staff and she's going to send information to Nate, just wondering the process how that went because it's kind of a tight timeline. 18 00:02:18,350 --> 00:02:24,070 Second, I understand we have a new board member Ken Anderson that will be joining us next next month. 19 00:02:24,070 --> 00:02:24,610 Next month. 20 00:02:25,050 --> 00:02:25,090 Yeah. 21 00:02:25,590 --> 00:02:25,970 Just one. 22 00:02:26,250 --> 00:02:31,390 And then four possible adjunct members. 23 00:02:32,550 --> 00:02:38,750 And so I'd like to discuss the onboarding process for new members. 24 00:02:39,510 --> 00:02:45,450 And anybody that's interested in the community, new city council representatives just 25 00:02:45,450 --> 00:02:52,950 so they understand what the function of the board and some of the priorities put together 26 00:02:52,950 --> 00:03:01,450 around the board. And lastly, to talk about, well, not lastly, but the accounting for the 3.5 million bond referendum. 27 00:03:01,650 --> 00:03:08,350 And I realized that would be probably at a later meeting, but that would probably be a good time to do that on the next. 28 00:03:09,950 --> 00:03:19,230 And then I found friends of the open space on the city website. And so it's still there, it's still buried in there, and I would love to promote that again. 29 00:03:19,230 --> 00:03:24,290 So those are way more information than you needed just to add to the agenda. 30 00:03:24,670 --> 00:03:25,590 That's very good. 31 00:03:25,970 --> 00:03:26,230 All right. 32 00:03:26,450 --> 00:03:27,570 We can do that. 33 00:03:27,650 --> 00:03:32,310 Proveal the agenda as amended motion. 34 00:03:33,090 --> 00:03:34,290 I'll second that. 35 00:03:34,290 --> 00:03:34,890 All right. 36 00:03:35,190 --> 00:03:35,990 All those in favor. 37 00:03:36,670 --> 00:03:36,790 Hi. 38 00:03:37,190 --> 00:03:37,750 All right. 39 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:44,260 Next we have open form for citizen input. 40 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:49,940 Since we don't have anybody here, we'll move on to 6.1. 41 00:03:49,940 --> 00:03:50,320 one. 42 00:03:53,710 --> 00:03:55,810 All right, I'll turn it over to Meg in here. 43 00:03:57,570 --> 00:04:02,590 Thank you. We'll start with these items and then I know that Nate does have some information 44 00:04:02,590 --> 00:04:06,880 about these added items as a while that we can incorporate into our update later on. 45 00:04:08,370 --> 00:04:13,490 Let me go full screen. I think Nate said we had the screens working today. So hopefully you guys can 46 00:04:13,490 --> 00:04:21,290 see. I got the bugs. My visual aids tonight. I heard we had some pickups. My first is a brief update 47 00:04:21,290 --> 00:04:24,950 on our wetlands sanctuary trail contract that we're trying to get secured. 48 00:04:26,670 --> 00:04:31,770 We've got a couple different proposals from three different consulting companies and one of 49 00:04:31,770 --> 00:04:39,330 the main things I want feedback on tonight is regarding the possibility of some alternative materials 50 00:04:39,330 --> 00:04:45,650 and looking into that as part of the feasibility in site 7 for boardwalk. 51 00:04:45,650 --> 00:04:50,750 We've pretty stuck there. We're kind of committed to that same material that we've used previously 52 00:04:51,290 --> 00:04:59,170 Because that's what's been approved in our bank application, but as we entered the Southern portion, which is where majority of the trails under 53 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:11,920 These contracts will be constructed. I'm just curious to get some of your feedback in your initial gut reaction on getting information about alternative boardwalk materials in the site 7. 54 00:05:11,920 --> 00:05:15,920 We've gone with the timber frame. That more classic boardwalk material. 55 00:05:16,580 --> 00:05:28,360 But if we could see some cost savings with something else, I just, I wasn't around for the conversations during the original trail project. So I don't know if it's something we looked into then. I haven't had the time to do the research into that process. 56 00:05:28,360 --> 00:05:31,180 but figured I'd get some feedback from you all tonight, 57 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:31,980 if you don't mind. 58 00:05:35,640 --> 00:05:39,020 How did we arrive on our choice? 59 00:05:39,440 --> 00:05:43,420 Is it recorded anywhere for the site 7 or what 60 00:05:43,420 --> 00:05:44,140 that we have? 61 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:46,380 It was a million dollars vote. 62 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:51,440 And would that wouldn't because that was cheaper, 63 00:05:51,660 --> 00:05:56,680 or was that not any other choices at the time? 64 00:05:57,900 --> 00:05:59,980 I believe from what I've read. 65 00:05:59,980 --> 00:06:14,480 And it's been a while since I've dug through that original contract, it's something it was impacted by the army core and the watershed as part of the banking process that we needed to go with that boardwalk trail with a timber material. 66 00:06:15,820 --> 00:06:24,880 So as part of permitting through the southern portion we don't have that bank establishment, so you know very well might be that the watershed still requires a timber trail. 67 00:06:24,880 --> 00:06:33,980 It's something we certainly look into through the permitting process, but we have a look into that yet if the watershed would have a preference. 68 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:41,280 No, not at this time. We're hearing from our consultants, I think there might be some cost savings if we do have the opportunity to move away from timber. 69 00:06:41,800 --> 00:06:52,480 But if that's something that we've already decided to use some sort of composite material or some kind of precast material, there's a couple different proprietary products. 70 00:06:53,220 --> 00:06:58,280 If we were to move forward with anything, we would bring that for further review what those products were. 71 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:04,820 But if our gut reaction during the original trails, we wanted timber, you know, that's something I kind of wanted to know now. 72 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:17,140 So I don't remember exactly. I would have to dig back to the minutes and this was in 2014. It's been a while. 73 00:07:17,180 --> 00:07:19,420 Oh, then it's prior to when I was on the board. 74 00:07:19,420 --> 00:07:22,190 Yeah, so that's yeah, okay 75 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:39,500 But I know the construction like the the footings and the pedestals were were meant to be low impact 76 00:07:39,500 --> 00:07:45,340 to the yeah, so and I didn't know if the weight of the boards or you know 77 00:07:45,340 --> 00:07:48,300 I'm sure that has something to do with it, 78 00:07:48,420 --> 00:07:51,620 and would was much cheaper in 2014 79 00:07:51,620 --> 00:07:55,720 than it is in 2023, because the cost difference 80 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:59,160 between composite and would now is much less 81 00:07:59,160 --> 00:08:02,380 than it was eight years ago or whatever. 82 00:08:04,460 --> 00:08:08,080 It is heavier than timbers. 83 00:08:08,220 --> 00:08:11,880 So I don't know if that impacts it, but you're right. 84 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:16,020 If we don't have the requirements from, 85 00:08:16,540 --> 00:08:18,940 we do need to make sure that we're very clear 86 00:08:18,940 --> 00:08:23,780 on what the regulatory requirements are, 87 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:26,620 and what our obligations are that we have to uphold 88 00:08:26,620 --> 00:08:28,780 and that we abide by those. 89 00:08:29,680 --> 00:08:30,740 Important to me, too. 90 00:08:31,480 --> 00:08:35,290 There were any negative impact on the material 91 00:08:35,830 --> 00:08:38,170 that wouldn't be worth the money saving. 92 00:08:38,950 --> 00:08:42,210 To me, I would rather do it right 93 00:08:42,210 --> 00:08:48,950 for the natural resource, unless it was just sold expensively 94 00:08:48,950 --> 00:08:49,270 couldn't pass. 95 00:08:49,350 --> 00:08:52,370 And then the other side of it is the composite would 96 00:08:52,370 --> 00:08:57,690 be more durable, in terms of the longevity of it 97 00:08:57,690 --> 00:09:03,310 and the weathering, the composite would be more durable. 98 00:09:03,650 --> 00:09:05,530 And if it's a composite material that's made 99 00:09:05,530 --> 00:09:10,030 from recycled materials, then that's a consideration. 100 00:09:10,030 --> 00:09:15,230 And if it's, you know, using sustainable materials, that's a consideration as well. 101 00:09:16,790 --> 00:09:18,950 The boardwalks wouldn't be crossing wet land. 102 00:09:20,170 --> 00:09:23,610 So I'm assuming that we really have to find out from the watershed. 103 00:09:26,150 --> 00:09:29,190 What, you know, what their requirements might be now. 104 00:09:30,510 --> 00:09:34,930 We are going to have an inspection by the Army Corps this summer. 105 00:09:35,670 --> 00:09:47,510 So, you know, if we're not in a terrible hurry, it would be kind of good to know what army court thinks now rather than the leader than the right. 106 00:09:48,930 --> 00:09:50,910 And so, yeah, and the watershed too. 107 00:09:51,190 --> 00:09:54,330 And this is all within the Rice Creek Watershed district. 108 00:09:54,330 --> 00:09:59,570 So, and we have a, we have a blame console person. 109 00:10:00,210 --> 00:10:06,310 Who's on the board on board? Yep. So we have a good contact to keep in touch. 110 00:10:06,710 --> 00:10:20,030 And Patrick Hughes will be here for our April meeting. So perhaps this is something we can talk about with Patrick Hughes and also with Bowser, Ben Meyer. 111 00:10:27,300 --> 00:10:32,720 The other thing would be, now I'll lose my train, I thought, totally. 112 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:43,500 The other thing would be just to be sure we're putting in trails where we need them 113 00:10:43,500 --> 00:10:49,880 and not everywhere, are we changing the configuration of the trails we had already been 114 00:10:49,880 --> 00:10:50,180 shown? 115 00:10:50,180 --> 00:10:58,200 Not significantly, it will depend on our ultimate wetland delineation, because we will be looking for 116 00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:03,380 our kind of path of least impact to wetlands, going in the upland whenever we can. 117 00:11:04,020 --> 00:11:10,780 Because less impact to our wetlands and it is also significantly cheaper to put in the asphalt trail than build the boardwalk. 118 00:11:11,580 --> 00:11:17,620 So the layout we have here is based on some ground tru things, some preliminary delineation in the field, 119 00:11:17,620 --> 00:11:23,360 but nothing formally has been delineated, so it will depend on the results of that 120 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:26,340 delineation, which is something our consultant will perform this spring. 121 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:33,620 Also, where we can, I don't want any more asphalt fault than we have to have, and so I would 122 00:11:33,620 --> 00:11:41,660 like to see before we go ahead if you show our committee where the asphalt is going to be, 123 00:11:41,660 --> 00:11:44,820 where the wood chips or whatever is going to be gravel, 124 00:11:45,220 --> 00:11:48,840 whatever, whatever it is, you know, 125 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:53,900 and wherever the boardwalks have to be. 126 00:11:54,900 --> 00:11:57,480 So this image is a little hard to tell 127 00:11:57,480 --> 00:11:59,360 because it's a very large picture, 128 00:12:00,180 --> 00:12:04,200 but in general, any of the areas that are in green 129 00:12:04,200 --> 00:12:06,400 are going to be that boardwalk material. 130 00:12:06,660 --> 00:12:09,000 So at least phase one that we're looking at constructing 131 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:16,060 in 2023 is a significant amount of boardwalk material versus Bravler asphalt, whatever that 132 00:12:16,060 --> 00:12:16,880 alternative is. 133 00:12:17,120 --> 00:12:24,480 But it also shows boardwalk going across all of the islands too, does that necessarily have 134 00:12:24,480 --> 00:12:25,220 to be boardwalk? 135 00:12:25,640 --> 00:12:25,900 No. 136 00:12:26,140 --> 00:12:29,580 And that's a little challenging to see with the color scheme on the map. 137 00:12:30,020 --> 00:12:33,740 There are small sections of non-boardwalk on any upland. 138 00:12:33,740 --> 00:12:39,560 So essentially, anywhere we're constructing an upland, we're looking at having either asphalt or gravel. 139 00:12:40,020 --> 00:12:41,460 It's just what's happening in color. 140 00:12:41,640 --> 00:12:42,900 Yeah, it does. 141 00:12:42,900 --> 00:12:45,120 So that TAN is the upland areas. 142 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:49,460 So that will be, again, investigated further by the consultant. 143 00:12:50,400 --> 00:12:59,220 And probably the only spot there is an opportunity for an asphalt trail would be in North Oak's West Park. 144 00:12:59,220 --> 00:13:06,440 The rest of it, it will be gravel on any of those uplanders, just like we have in the larger island 145 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:07,460 in the north. 146 00:13:08,380 --> 00:13:09,240 So that would be great. 147 00:13:09,900 --> 00:13:12,600 But then that's what all that the consultant to look at all that stuff. 148 00:13:13,900 --> 00:13:18,100 And I actually went to our state conference last fall and talked to a few man or 149 00:13:18,100 --> 00:13:21,680 factors that actually did do composite planking. 150 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:26,220 And I know what is allowed, but again we'll have to verify that and I know our consultant 151 00:13:26,220 --> 00:13:27,060 could look at that. 152 00:13:27,060 --> 00:13:31,540 But again, it is like board member Jeanette said, it's very, it's a lot more durable. 153 00:13:32,700 --> 00:13:34,580 And then it's just going to last longer for us. 154 00:13:34,640 --> 00:13:37,080 But again, we'll, we can investigate some of that. 155 00:13:37,120 --> 00:13:42,740 But I think it is like we talked about with now that the, the wood prices are a little bit more 156 00:13:42,740 --> 00:13:43,220 comparable. 157 00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:45,900 Is it cost effective for us to look at that? 158 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:46,280 So. 159 00:13:47,060 --> 00:13:47,160 Yep. 160 00:13:47,160 --> 00:13:51,540 And really, I wanted kind of a gut reaction, like tell me if I'm going to wrong away with that. 161 00:13:51,640 --> 00:13:56,260 So we cut it off now in our consultants know we want timber, don't waste your time. 162 00:13:56,260 --> 00:14:00,480 but if they're able to find a sustainable material 163 00:14:01,020 --> 00:14:02,820 that they'd like us to take a look at, 164 00:14:02,820 --> 00:14:04,720 I can let them know that with something we'd entertain. 165 00:14:05,320 --> 00:14:09,260 I would be in support of a sustainable, durable material 166 00:14:10,200 --> 00:14:14,060 that would also provide minimal impact to the wetlands. 167 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:15,040 Do you like enough? 168 00:14:15,620 --> 00:14:18,060 You know, whatever the VC requirement is. 169 00:14:18,180 --> 00:14:19,620 Yeah, talking to some of the manufacturers, 170 00:14:19,860 --> 00:14:23,360 it seems the difference between now and our first kind of go around 171 00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:30,700 is the piling technology that they set the platforms on that has improved a lot, but getting 172 00:14:30,700 --> 00:14:35,500 that new helical piling improved in the wetland is something we need to run through the watershed, 173 00:14:36,140 --> 00:14:39,620 because that would be kind of a different construction technique than we did before, so we 174 00:14:39,620 --> 00:14:41,780 would need to make sure that's just as low impact. 175 00:14:43,180 --> 00:14:48,740 Thank you for bringing this up. I remember Nate bringing those options, and I love them. 176 00:14:48,740 --> 00:14:56,560 This predates me whether the original discussion or other. It's what or not. So I'm all for it. Thank you 177 00:14:57,880 --> 00:14:59,840 Well, I'm sure it was just cost prohibitive 178 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:09,900 In 2014, even 100%, yeah. And we were looking to reduce cost in any avenue. If it was a very small 179 00:15:09,900 --> 00:15:14,860 upcharge to get a more durable material, it's something I think we would entertain, but it will 180 00:15:14,860 --> 00:15:18,760 all depend on how that budget comes back. I mean, I look at the decking material. I have 181 00:15:18,760 --> 00:15:24,720 my home versus what I have at the cabin for the dock. I mean, I have often said, why can't we 182 00:15:24,720 --> 00:15:29,780 have docked because it's so light, I can move sections of that. But you know, you 183 00:15:29,780 --> 00:15:31,140 don't want to just blow it away either. 184 00:15:33,600 --> 00:15:39,020 In the Cummings flood, I'm kidding. 185 00:15:39,760 --> 00:15:43,780 And board member panning, actually, to your point there, one of the 186 00:15:43,780 --> 00:15:48,680 manufacturers that I met with that are at the trade show that comes to the 187 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:54,280 conference, they have decking, it's like 15 foot sections and it goes out. So in 188 00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:59,140 And again, it was so much cheaper, I was blown away, so to Megan's point, that's why we 189 00:15:59,140 --> 00:16:00,100 kind of want to look at that. 190 00:16:00,820 --> 00:16:01,600 It makes sense. 191 00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:09,260 And if it's lighter, and if you do need to replace the section, it's easier to do, so we'll 192 00:16:09,260 --> 00:16:10,120 definitely look at that. 193 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:23,880 And then to your point, too, about cost-effective, we're going to try to put things in the 194 00:16:23,880 --> 00:16:31,560 cool spot for people to walk, and it's just, it's awesome. So I mean, if we can mimic that 195 00:16:31,560 --> 00:16:37,200 to the south, I mean, I don't know why we wouldn't. It's really the nature center that we lack. 196 00:16:37,500 --> 00:16:45,480 I mean, right. That the growing green hearts, I do use it for belly, belly, belly, belly, 197 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:52,880 and for frog studies, and for whatever, whatever she does out there, we had that discussion when 198 00:16:52,880 --> 00:17:00,480 When we first met her, and we were decrying that we didn't have a building, and we all sort 199 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:05,360 of got the idea at the same time, but the boardwalk is such a great place to teach. 200 00:17:05,740 --> 00:17:12,000 It's not good for everything, you know, or can't you store your stuff on it, but it was 201 00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:16,340 a gave us great opportunity to teach there. 202 00:17:17,100 --> 00:17:20,380 So maybe that same thing will be happening down in the other. 203 00:17:20,380 --> 00:17:27,760 Are we are we going to have any lookout stations or overlooks or anything at all are we planning? 204 00:17:29,960 --> 00:17:37,440 So the proposal at this point that we're working with our consultants on is mostly geared specifically towards trail development. 205 00:17:38,300 --> 00:17:45,380 I don't see why we couldn't have some alternatives once we see how that budget starts coming back and how that wetland donation looks. 206 00:17:47,140 --> 00:17:53,280 if we've got available budget for look-out stations would be on the Upland part. 207 00:17:53,580 --> 00:18:00,460 Yeah, and I know there are some Sandhill crane-nesting areas, and because I've had camera 208 00:18:00,460 --> 00:18:05,560 trips out there, and I have lots of pictures of baby cranes. So if there was an opportunity, 209 00:18:05,960 --> 00:18:11,000 yeah, they're adorable. So if there was an opportunity to put a viewing platform, 210 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:20,060 kind of like we have between the islands and East Lake Park. I have some suggestions where 211 00:18:20,060 --> 00:18:28,560 that might go. Very good. You used get to be there and see it. I've spent a lot of time in 212 00:18:28,560 --> 00:18:34,860 that southern part of what's been putting out cameras and pulling cameras and it's cool stuff 213 00:18:34,860 --> 00:18:39,780 in there. Yeah if you want to share a map of different locations you think would be a good 214 00:18:39,780 --> 00:18:42,120 location for interviewing platform, let me know. 215 00:18:42,540 --> 00:18:46,160 Unfortunately, a lot of that stuff would be in the wetland area. 216 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:48,640 So that's unfortunate. 217 00:18:49,600 --> 00:18:56,880 But either where that little island near North Oak's West Park, 218 00:18:56,920 --> 00:19:00,280 the first island at crosses, of course, 219 00:19:00,380 --> 00:19:01,620 that's very close to the park. 220 00:19:01,780 --> 00:19:03,280 So maybe that's too close. 221 00:19:05,200 --> 00:19:09,160 The wetland area that's not on the trail would be a fantastic place 222 00:19:09,160 --> 00:19:33,600 So I don't know if moving that dotted yellow line so that it intersects that island rather than go straight to the corner of that new development and then comes down then that would be one of those two islands down there would be a fantastic place or just a little jog. 223 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:44,960 Yeah, so that's I guess that was my suggestion was instead of instead of that yellow line going straight diagonal from that first island closest to North Oak's West Park to that corner 224 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:48,780 Did you see where I'm talking about? I wish I had control of the mouse right now 225 00:19:49,360 --> 00:19:52,000 It's so then angle it a little bit more 226 00:19:52,780 --> 00:19:57,920 Are we going south or north island go to the island that's further east? 227 00:19:59,460 --> 00:19:59,980 It's large one 228 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:23,700 Nope. Nope. That one. Yep. So just angle it that way so that it goes on that little upland area and that other little upland area directly south of it and then it can hook up with where it already is. Yep. And that's where we stage our planting right now. So can confirm that's very, that's high. That's the dry spot. Once you get out there, you have to stretch through a lot of wet to get all the way out. 229 00:20:23,700 --> 00:20:28,280 It's finally dry and we stage our plans here when we've been doing restoration with 230 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:30,440 Grey River green and kind of north of that island. 231 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:39,460 I wouldn't know that part of it either is a better ecologically to stay away from that 232 00:20:39,460 --> 00:20:42,300 area with the trail or not. 233 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:48,080 I know they spent a lot of time picking out the trail route, but that's a great idea too. 234 00:20:49,060 --> 00:20:53,680 I mean as long as it's an observation platform and I don't 235 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:55,180 I don't know, you know, 236 00:20:57,210 --> 00:21:01,870 I'm sure there's so much tall grass and wetlands in there, and 237 00:21:01,870 --> 00:21:05,110 I know there's a ton of cranes in there. 238 00:21:05,390 --> 00:21:11,190 Or members if I could do so this map that you're looking at, we actually just put this together 239 00:21:11,190 --> 00:21:13,550 on at a staff of our GIS director. 240 00:21:14,070 --> 00:21:20,010 We actually just, so these are very, we're basically just connecting, um, uplands, and then 241 00:21:20,010 --> 00:21:21,090 just connecting points. 242 00:21:21,370 --> 00:21:24,970 So these are, these are, so this isn't from the consultant, this is just how 243 00:21:24,970 --> 00:21:31,350 can we connect points to minimize cost and you know that's what we're in and maximize the 244 00:21:31,350 --> 00:21:37,490 upland use within the site. So some of these uplands that you're seeing on the map may not 245 00:21:37,490 --> 00:21:42,770 be high enough to even put gravel on. So that's again when you when we get to the consultant 246 00:21:42,770 --> 00:21:49,890 when they go out there on the ground and look at that stuff this will get change not I 247 00:21:49,890 --> 00:21:55,190 I don't want to see significantly, but again, we're going to minimize how much we're in there, 248 00:21:55,910 --> 00:22:01,170 but we are going, there will probably be some change just based on what ecological looks like 249 00:22:01,170 --> 00:22:06,990 out there. So. And our timeline right now for that is that either you're in Bay, but probably June 250 00:22:06,990 --> 00:22:14,110 meeting, we would have that delineation and some of that preliminary alignment that we can take a look at. 251 00:22:14,110 --> 00:22:20,770 Did we have a consultant suggestion for where the drill should go all before? 252 00:22:21,670 --> 00:22:27,950 This data preliminary came from site visits with critical connections and then just with a 253 00:22:27,950 --> 00:22:35,290 handheld GPS. So there wasn't a lot of physical delineation or actual survey that went into it. 254 00:22:35,590 --> 00:22:42,470 It's kind of a best guess that we know this route is kind of dry. So we'll be refining that further 255 00:22:42,470 --> 00:22:48,110 with actual measurements and some surveying and some delineations just to make sure there's 256 00:22:48,110 --> 00:22:52,990 not a better route out there because if we're looking at some of these uplands, we might 257 00:22:52,990 --> 00:22:58,370 have a better path of least resistance available to us based on what we learn. 258 00:22:59,090 --> 00:23:08,970 I love the fact that it's one trail through because there are some old maps around that have 259 00:23:08,970 --> 00:23:18,910 that haunted us, they were drafts, they were concept plans, concept plans, and we, in 260 00:23:18,910 --> 00:23:24,650 no way, I don't think our committee would support like trails all over the place, not good 261 00:23:24,650 --> 00:23:33,030 for the resource at all, and not in probably very much more expensive, put trails everywhere, 262 00:23:33,030 --> 00:23:43,190 And I just think that really, you know, that really looks like a good concept of the use of the space we have. 263 00:23:43,830 --> 00:23:58,810 We don't know much about, we don't know much about the very, that southern part of our strange shape piece of our open space. 264 00:23:58,810 --> 00:24:15,530 We don't have much information about that. No, I know 119. She's pointing to you. Correct, we do have a grant going right now with the company called Great River Greening that does restoration work in the 7th portion of Blaine Whitland sanctuary. 265 00:24:16,350 --> 00:24:27,610 But they focus more on plant restoration, you know, we haven't done any. We haven't needed to spend the time or any of that grant money to do any formal investigation or delineation. 266 00:24:27,610 --> 00:24:34,890 we focus more on trying to manage the canary readgrass and then doing restoration work kind of behind 267 00:24:34,890 --> 00:24:39,470 that. And then there was some tree removal involved with that grant as well so we're managing 268 00:24:39,470 --> 00:24:46,070 some willow and then a lot of buckthorn throughout that area. We had some interesting birds down there. 269 00:24:47,730 --> 00:24:55,110 Beautiful hawk when we visited one of the walks we took through. So there's there's some 270 00:24:55,110 --> 00:24:59,770 Good habitat. They're used to be nesting bubble links. I want to down there. A bubble links. 271 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:13,580 There are migratory species that is relatively uncommon. They're not threatened, but they used to be down there, but they've lost so much habitat when that area was cleared for sanctuary preserve. 272 00:25:14,180 --> 00:25:29,220 Well, we were the, it was another bird on the corner of Lexington in 1909 that was the westernmost sighting of this bird actually lived there all the time. 273 00:25:29,220 --> 00:25:30,920 I wonder, do you remember what kind it was? 274 00:25:30,920 --> 00:25:35,420 I have to remember what the name was, but it's all, you know, it's gone. 275 00:25:35,980 --> 00:25:41,660 Yeah, so we were all there to see it once with D&R. 276 00:25:43,220 --> 00:25:43,480 Mm-hmm. 277 00:25:43,660 --> 00:25:47,640 So, Chair Raffady, I'm just like it's straight on what we're doing. 278 00:25:47,900 --> 00:25:54,480 So, you have three vendors selected for the RFP that you'd like to invite to quote bid on this. 279 00:25:54,820 --> 00:25:58,620 And then you said that you'd have something for the main meeting, what would that be? 280 00:25:58,620 --> 00:26:06,440 with an actual who you've selected or once you like how long when you call off for the RFP 281 00:26:06,440 --> 00:26:10,940 how long did they have to respond back? Maybe that's yep so we've got some preliminary 282 00:26:10,940 --> 00:26:16,600 responses that we're reviewing right now so it's a complicated project so it's taking longer 283 00:26:16,600 --> 00:26:21,240 than we expected to review that because we're looking at more than just the number that they're 284 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:25,640 giving us for what they're going to do. We're looking at all those services that come with and what 285 00:26:25,640 --> 00:26:30,900 they're missing what we would need to hire on top of that contract and the pros and cons. 286 00:26:31,320 --> 00:26:31,780 I'll all of that. 287 00:26:31,900 --> 00:26:36,320 So my current plan is I'm thinking it's going to time out between this meeting and your 288 00:26:36,320 --> 00:26:36,920 April meeting. 289 00:26:37,120 --> 00:26:41,820 I'm probably going to need to email out that information to you so that you have a chance 290 00:26:41,820 --> 00:26:44,360 to provide comments prior to bringing it to council. 291 00:26:44,920 --> 00:26:49,260 If it times out, we will bring that to your April meeting after those speakers and have 292 00:26:49,260 --> 00:26:51,300 a discussion and dialogue about it. 293 00:26:51,300 --> 00:26:57,160 We'll just have to see how with our council schedules and our delineation timelines how that phases out. 294 00:26:57,160 --> 00:27:01,380 I don't want to promise that I can bring it to April if we need to get it on a earlier council. 295 00:27:02,120 --> 00:27:04,720 Can you let us know who those three vendors are? 296 00:27:04,900 --> 00:27:05,100 Yes. 297 00:27:05,340 --> 00:27:05,380 Yep. 298 00:27:05,420 --> 00:27:07,200 So right now we're working with Stanteck. 299 00:27:07,460 --> 00:27:10,680 I've got a quote from WSB and we have a quote from SEH. 300 00:27:10,860 --> 00:27:12,840 So we're looking through engineering firms. 301 00:27:14,480 --> 00:27:16,920 Two of those firms have environmental services in-house. 302 00:27:16,920 --> 00:27:21,220 and these third is contracting out to an independent environmental consultant. 303 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:24,140 So that's part of the 304 00:27:24,140 --> 00:27:24,680 drug application. 305 00:27:25,480 --> 00:27:32,500 Yeah, yep, yep, is reviewing those, you know, they submit their whole portfolio of their project team. 306 00:27:32,520 --> 00:27:36,200 So we're reviewing qualifications over just a budgetary number. 307 00:27:39,580 --> 00:27:41,720 Okay, I think we're in support of that so. 308 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:47,560 Yes, so the original question, the profit that's on the screen, I think. 309 00:27:47,640 --> 00:27:48,660 Yeah, I think we are. 310 00:27:48,660 --> 00:27:53,080 have perfect which is very helpful and I will look into that original contract as well 311 00:27:53,080 --> 00:27:58,160 to see the determination to why we do go with that timber and if it's still relevant 312 00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:03,300 or if we have some options with the watershed. That'll definitely be part of our review process. 313 00:28:05,040 --> 00:28:09,660 All right. I go and move on to the six point two of them. 314 00:28:09,720 --> 00:28:16,260 Which is a similar conversation. We're looking for our new consulting services contract 315 00:28:16,860 --> 00:28:21,560 to get a contract for consultant on board sometime in April to start monitoring work. 316 00:28:22,560 --> 00:28:29,440 We are still in the development stage. I'm expecting I will get an RFP and your guys' hands for review early next week. 317 00:28:30,660 --> 00:28:35,660 But before I send out that draft free review, I kind of just wanted to get some preliminary comments. 318 00:28:36,260 --> 00:28:44,900 So I can make sure we're not only incorporating staff's priorities but trying to incorporate your priorities into that request for proposals as well. 319 00:28:45,900 --> 00:28:48,700 So, our previous contract did expire in 2022. 320 00:28:49,820 --> 00:28:53,780 I've talked to a couple different cities that do similar contracts. 321 00:28:54,220 --> 00:28:56,680 Our wetland bank is unique, as you guys know. 322 00:28:57,460 --> 00:28:59,340 So, while nothing's been super comparable, 323 00:29:00,140 --> 00:29:03,820 cities of Bloomington and Woodbury do have environmental services contracts. 324 00:29:04,460 --> 00:29:08,320 So, kind of borrowing a little from stuff that they've sent out recently, 325 00:29:08,520 --> 00:29:10,120 contractors that they work with. 326 00:29:11,060 --> 00:29:13,340 We've got a preliminary list right now 327 00:29:13,340 --> 00:29:21,300 of, I think, six different contractors consultants that we plan to send this RFP to, which includes 328 00:29:21,300 --> 00:29:25,860 critical connections, so we've worked with in the past. I've kind of been in contact with a 329 00:29:25,860 --> 00:29:31,380 couple of other companies, gauging interest, Minnesota native landscapes currently does work for 330 00:29:31,380 --> 00:29:36,720 the city of Blaine in that southern Blaine wetlands sanctuary. They're employed by Great River 331 00:29:36,720 --> 00:29:42,420 Greening, who we have quite a large grant with to do restoration services. A lot of what we do 332 00:29:42,420 --> 00:29:47,960 There's done by volunteers, but some work in any herbicide treatment or any large-scale 333 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:52,240 trees is done by a licensed contractor, which is Minnesota native landscapes. 334 00:29:53,320 --> 00:29:54,630 So I've been in contact with them. 335 00:29:55,240 --> 00:29:59,980 Prairie Restoration's Natural Resource Services have done work in town for very- 336 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:08,960 There is HOAs or different city projects, and then Stantec and WSB have internal staff as well. So that's our short list at this time. 337 00:30:09,660 --> 00:30:21,180 If any of you have any experience with any other consultants or contractors that you think would be appropriate to send the request for proposal to, just let me know and we can add that to that list. 338 00:30:21,840 --> 00:30:27,800 We normally use a pool for these kind of services, but we don't have an environmental services pool. 339 00:30:27,940 --> 00:30:34,900 We have a stormwater pool, which is where I've pulled Stanteck and WSB from, and then we have civil engineering pools, which is a whole different ballgame. 340 00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:41,120 So trying to just get the RFP into the hands of as many people to take a look at it, give us their feedback. 341 00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:47,100 So if you guys do know or think of any other consultants to send that to, let me know, 342 00:30:48,300 --> 00:30:51,940 kind of our high level components of the RFK to get into tonight. 343 00:30:53,760 --> 00:30:57,920 First and foremost, we're looking at long-term monitoring of our site seven wet land bank. 344 00:30:57,960 --> 00:31:03,340 We're also looking to loop in the long-term monitoring and maintenance of our EDA bank as well. 345 00:31:03,880 --> 00:31:06,760 We've received all of our credits for that EDA bank. 346 00:31:08,260 --> 00:31:14,140 But what is EDA's development authority of the city of blame has their own wet land bank. 347 00:31:14,140 --> 00:31:17,400 those credits are not available for sale publicly. 348 00:31:18,060 --> 00:31:20,580 The city of blame retains them for either city of blame projects, 349 00:31:21,380 --> 00:31:24,700 but almost all of them have gone towards development in blame. 350 00:31:25,400 --> 00:31:29,180 Either sold at a premium for the development authority to make money 351 00:31:29,180 --> 00:31:34,040 or for priority sites, so that it just count to help motivate development. 352 00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:40,840 They manage that. I administer it, so I do paperwork, so I'm not super familiar, 353 00:31:40,840 --> 00:31:47,020 but they have received all their credits but we still plan to maintain and monitor that bank in 354 00:31:47,020 --> 00:31:51,640 perpetuity like we have discussed four sites seven. So while our obligation to do so is 355 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:57,040 running out we still have a plan to continue the high level of monitoring and maintenance. So that would 356 00:31:57,040 --> 00:32:00,800 be looped in so we would kind of have one contract with the two different portions. I had a question 357 00:32:00,800 --> 00:32:08,300 made. Is that EDA bank south of our land? Yes that's understanding a site seven has our main portion 358 00:32:08,300 --> 00:32:16,720 trail that runs from east to west and then through the EDA bank, we will cut that trail south of the site 359 00:32:17,300 --> 00:32:23,820 seven. So we've got site seven, EDA and then that southern portion that we have a grant covering 360 00:32:23,820 --> 00:32:29,620 the restoration for. So in whole, once we send out the newer of P, we'll have at least two of those 361 00:32:29,620 --> 00:32:36,940 portions managed by one consultant and we'll have our third grant on the south side. So it reduces how 362 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:41,340 Cooks are in the kitchen, who manages the ADA, what land bank. 363 00:32:42,040 --> 00:32:44,920 Critical connections had a contract with that as well. 364 00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:49,180 That expired quite a bit ago, and they've been doing the work 365 00:32:49,180 --> 00:32:51,120 just on a year-to-year basis since. 366 00:32:52,340 --> 00:32:56,060 So, and again, they'll be invited to respond to the RFP and send in their proposal 367 00:32:56,060 --> 00:32:57,700 as well if they want to keep doing that. 368 00:32:57,760 --> 00:32:59,160 Go back to the previous slide, please. 369 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:02,680 So, the bullet point on there that says critical connections 370 00:33:02,680 --> 00:33:08,420 is indicated that if preparing a response to an RFP is required for consideration, they will not 371 00:33:08,420 --> 00:33:12,300 be applying. Is that a requirement for consideration? 372 00:33:13,600 --> 00:33:19,160 Yes, so we'll send out a request for proposals and then we need to receive a proposal. So last 373 00:33:19,160 --> 00:33:25,940 we discussed with critical connections, they indicated they would be happy to do the work but if 374 00:33:25,940 --> 00:33:30,180 they need to respond to a request for proposal, that's not something that they got at the time, 375 00:33:30,180 --> 00:33:32,520 they would have the capacity to do. 376 00:33:33,040 --> 00:33:35,240 That was less summer, so I don't know. 377 00:33:35,480 --> 00:33:36,560 We haven't started the conversation. 378 00:33:36,800 --> 00:33:39,700 I have not sent an RFP out to see if that's changed. 379 00:33:39,700 --> 00:33:42,460 If the work load is changed, if their availability is changed, 380 00:33:43,000 --> 00:33:45,860 but we'll be sending that out with the invitation 381 00:33:45,860 --> 00:33:48,100 to certainly send that proposal in. 382 00:33:48,420 --> 00:33:50,580 Because I know they have a very long history working 383 00:33:50,580 --> 00:33:55,480 in this very complicated site, also as professionals 384 00:33:56,800 --> 00:33:59,580 in the Wetland Big, site 7 is an ENRV 385 00:33:59,580 --> 00:34:02,120 an exceptional natural resource value bank. 386 00:34:02,880 --> 00:34:04,900 And the Board of Water and soil resources 387 00:34:04,900 --> 00:34:08,780 will only accept monitoring and reports 388 00:34:09,640 --> 00:34:11,560 based around these performance standards 389 00:34:12,540 --> 00:34:14,960 from a limited number of consultants. 390 00:34:15,200 --> 00:34:18,400 And I know critical connections is one of those consultants. 391 00:34:19,340 --> 00:34:24,680 And I know they've invested a lot of time and energy 392 00:34:24,680 --> 00:34:28,080 and professionalism and expertise into the site. 393 00:34:28,080 --> 00:34:37,140 It is my opinion that if they're willing to continue the work, that is who I would support 394 00:34:37,140 --> 00:34:41,800 because that history and that site is exceedingly important. 395 00:34:43,400 --> 00:34:49,980 And we're able to track down the monitoring reports from the 2022 growing season. 396 00:34:50,020 --> 00:34:52,340 We're working on finalizing that with the core right now. 397 00:34:52,540 --> 00:34:53,360 Who did that work? 398 00:34:53,360 --> 00:34:59,580 So Jason conducted a majority of the work throughout the 2022 growing season and that's what our 399 00:34:59,580 --> 00:34:59,920 invoices. 400 00:35:00,000 --> 00:35:07,540 For the $45,000, dollars had gone to it. And then moving forward, as I mentioned, there'll certainly be 401 00:35:07,540 --> 00:35:13,740 invited that historical knowledge is invaluable. It's similar to that trail RFP where when we review 402 00:35:13,740 --> 00:35:20,340 these, we look at more than just a number that's being provided to us, because the number in the cost 403 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:28,300 of somebody less experienced is how much more is that going to cost. It's more than just the bottom line 404 00:35:28,300 --> 00:35:32,700 very project like this, a hundred percent. And that'd be something we'll weigh in for you guys 405 00:35:32,700 --> 00:35:38,360 to comment on just if you got the process. What term of a contract would you be awarding 406 00:35:38,360 --> 00:35:43,560 with your RFP? Again, if we're going to be onboarding a different vendor, there's going to be a 407 00:35:43,560 --> 00:35:44,460 learning curve. 408 00:35:46,620 --> 00:35:51,160 What are you suggesting? Three years, five years, ten years when you say long-term 409 00:35:51,160 --> 00:35:56,240 monitoring. We'd recommend probably at a minimum three years, is what we've discussed about in-house 410 00:35:56,240 --> 00:35:59,660 And if you guys have feedback, it's been how many years? 411 00:36:00,040 --> 00:36:00,940 Three, three, yep. 412 00:36:01,200 --> 00:36:04,040 And if you have feedback on if you want that, if you think it's more appropriate for 413 00:36:04,040 --> 00:36:08,020 that to be less or more, like I'm happy to take that and incorporate that in how we move forward. 414 00:36:08,040 --> 00:36:12,960 That is a very short timeline when monitoring is highly weather dependent. 415 00:36:13,540 --> 00:36:20,480 And sometimes we fall behind, you know, weather has definitely been a factor in the last few years. 416 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:37,900 And we are behind on our monitoring schedule and not currently in not that we haven't met the performance standards and and we haven't seen the report from the 2022 growing season so at 417 00:36:37,900 --> 00:36:42,380 a short timeline like that doesn't allow for any wiggle room. 418 00:36:43,020 --> 00:36:46,880 So it would be my recommendation to mine to expand that. 419 00:36:46,880 --> 00:36:51,800 will turn wouldn't be unheard of. No. No. I think five would be a minimum and ten would be better. 420 00:36:52,580 --> 00:36:58,280 Our original contract was four professional services for seven years and I believe that number 421 00:36:58,280 --> 00:37:02,800 stem from our original perspective report that said, you know, best case scenario, everything goes 422 00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:07,020 right. It's going to take us seven years to get these credits and that's why we framed it that way. 423 00:37:07,100 --> 00:37:11,980 So I don't know that seven is the correct number. It just is what we have to definitely better than three. 424 00:37:11,980 --> 00:37:15,120 Okay, yes, that feeds three in my opinion. 425 00:37:15,700 --> 00:37:22,720 Yes, and I too would like to add on to Kristen's comments 426 00:37:22,720 --> 00:37:29,480 about the restore we had, and what's really amazing 427 00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:34,420 about our restoration and the long-term restore 428 00:37:34,420 --> 00:37:37,680 or we have had ever since restoration started. 429 00:37:38,260 --> 00:37:40,580 I know he's worked with other contractors 430 00:37:40,580 --> 00:37:46,780 were along with his work, but he indebted the method of restoration in our 431 00:37:46,780 --> 00:37:56,500 fan. So that's, and I talked with the Army Corps and the BWSR and the 432 00:37:58,520 --> 00:38:05,020 DNR, and asking about our restores work, about critical connections, and they said, 433 00:38:05,020 --> 00:38:07,160 You do know that's the best. 434 00:38:07,820 --> 00:38:11,720 They each said that of the three agencies I spoke to. 435 00:38:12,200 --> 00:38:14,620 So that holds a lot of weight with me, 436 00:38:15,580 --> 00:38:23,500 and I would go pretty far to make sure that they got a chance to continue 437 00:38:26,140 --> 00:38:32,140 because I have a lot of faith in what they've done for us in the past. 438 00:38:32,140 --> 00:39:01,340 And their integrity, the DNR uses Jason Hussfeth around the state to find rare plant sites and other jobs that you run into, he ran the native plant society in Minnesota for quite a few years, especially mainly it was in the Metro, but we remember it for a long time and went to all the events. 439 00:39:02,140 --> 00:39:10,400 So I just have a long, I've had my or the work that critical connections has done. 440 00:39:10,880 --> 00:39:16,600 So not to say that these are not other good people and maybe some of them have already worked 441 00:39:16,600 --> 00:39:25,180 done some work here in blame. So yeah, I just hope we, you know, we take those things into consideration. 442 00:39:25,880 --> 00:39:31,840 Yeah, critical connections is recognized as being the leading expert in the field and we have a 443 00:39:31,840 --> 00:39:38,160 long history with them and there would be no learning curve. They're very invested in this site. 444 00:39:39,560 --> 00:39:46,040 So, yeah. So, no, thank you for all your feedback. It's good to hear and take notes and 445 00:39:46,040 --> 00:39:51,500 incorporate what we can to move forward in the process. Part of this will include we're writing 446 00:39:51,500 --> 00:39:58,160 into what our contracts are. Our people look like eventually is annually throughout that monitoring 447 00:39:58,160 --> 00:39:59,660 period. 448 00:40:00,980 --> 00:40:10,200 I've got 10 years written down as what I'm going to shoot for, is to have two annual updates from that consultant to the NRCB. 449 00:40:10,520 --> 00:40:18,340 So we'll kind of have that built-in, so that they're giving you an update on how their spring monitoring goes, and then an update in the fall on how that growing season has gone. 450 00:40:18,680 --> 00:40:23,780 So we're building that in to make sure that they're here in this room and staying in contact with you with their efforts. 451 00:40:23,780 --> 00:40:27,260 What do you look at when you are considering 452 00:40:28,180 --> 00:40:30,700 direct expertise? How do you judge that? 453 00:40:31,000 --> 00:40:35,760 We require us to submit a portfolio of their staff and their experience 454 00:40:35,760 --> 00:40:38,360 as one of the biggest things that we weigh into. 455 00:40:38,780 --> 00:40:41,200 If you're looking at a very standard civil engineering project, 456 00:40:41,680 --> 00:40:43,740 you can go buy the numbers a lot more 457 00:40:43,740 --> 00:40:46,780 because we know historically there are four different 458 00:40:46,780 --> 00:40:49,540 six different companies that are going to do the job just fine. 459 00:40:49,880 --> 00:40:52,120 When you look at something like this and are more complicated 460 00:40:52,120 --> 00:40:56,000 of projects when it comes to buildings, like the ban show we're looking at or when it comes to 461 00:40:56,000 --> 00:41:02,380 you an environmental services like this. You look a little bit more at that staff and that knowledge 462 00:41:02,380 --> 00:41:07,280 and their ability to perform a job to hire standard. And especially hearing the feedback from you 463 00:41:07,280 --> 00:41:12,720 as well, that's something that will highlight in that review and involve you in as well. I took a look 464 00:41:12,720 --> 00:41:26,060 but Jason Huss, but that's a report from 2014, and it was amazing, it was amazing detail. 465 00:41:30,380 --> 00:41:39,620 And total knowledge of what plants and plant communities and what the change had been, you know, from the, 466 00:41:39,620 --> 00:41:47,020 comparing not only not only inventory, but comparing from the condition of the previous 467 00:41:47,020 --> 00:41:54,600 condition. So I was very impressed. So I hope that we are going to see reports like that 468 00:41:54,980 --> 00:42:00,680 from other from the other consultants we look at to see what their work product 469 00:42:00,680 --> 00:42:04,840 look like or when they report the progress of the restoration. 470 00:42:06,740 --> 00:42:15,500 Definitely. And I will bring up to here's our approved 2023 budget. And when we look at this 471 00:42:15,500 --> 00:42:21,940 contract, we have $75,000 a year for the next five years budgeted. If we're still facing 472 00:42:21,940 --> 00:42:26,260 the difficulties two years from now that we're facing now, getting some of this fund to respond, 473 00:42:26,760 --> 00:42:30,720 I just wanted on your radar. That is something we might need to bump up this line item when 474 00:42:30,720 --> 00:42:32,200 come to our budget review. 475 00:42:32,920 --> 00:42:35,660 In the past, we haven't exceeded that 75,000. 476 00:42:36,320 --> 00:42:40,880 This year going back and forth with consultants, we'll see where we land it and then just 477 00:42:40,880 --> 00:42:47,420 something to be on your radar, that line item in the future, we might need to take a deeper 478 00:42:47,420 --> 00:42:51,680 look at and see if that's getting us where we want to go or if we need to be investing a little 479 00:42:51,680 --> 00:42:54,360 more heavily to see their response that we need to see. 480 00:42:59,470 --> 00:43:00,290 Thank you. 481 00:43:03,620 --> 00:43:05,360 Any other discussion on that? 482 00:43:06,700 --> 00:43:14,940 And if anything comes to you in the middle night, just email me and let me know, because I will incorporate any feedback from you guys into that draft for your review. 483 00:43:23,780 --> 00:43:25,040 For the scene at the, 484 00:43:27,410 --> 00:43:29,730 all right, it's next we have updates. 485 00:43:30,770 --> 00:43:32,330 Chair, Raffordee members of the board. 486 00:43:33,310 --> 00:43:41,390 First on our updates list on your agenda, here's the update from the City Council merger discussion on March 6th. 487 00:43:41,390 --> 00:43:46,550 They really didn't get to talk to it about it barely at all, like very, very 488 00:43:47,470 --> 00:43:56,950 boat-noth. So, at this point, we are going to continue forward. They actually appointed last night 489 00:43:56,950 --> 00:44:05,310 to the NRCB board for the next year, Doddy McKinley, Kristen Jeanette, Sarah Philippi, 490 00:44:05,310 --> 00:44:11,730 Mary Jo Truchon, and a new board member, Ken Anderson, who will be joining us next month. 491 00:44:12,630 --> 00:44:16,790 And the mayor also appointed Gene Rafferty as the chair. 492 00:44:17,070 --> 00:44:18,370 So that was. 493 00:44:18,370 --> 00:44:19,350 Relations dean. 494 00:44:19,590 --> 00:44:28,210 And we also have three other members that will be invited to be adjunct members at this point. 495 00:44:29,110 --> 00:44:31,330 So those letters should be going out. 496 00:44:31,330 --> 00:44:35,570 So the folks that I just mentioned, you will be receiving a letter from our clerk's office. 497 00:44:36,110 --> 00:44:39,350 Here are the next few days, or by I'm guessing Monday at the latest. 498 00:44:40,130 --> 00:44:45,590 And then those adjunct members will also receive a letter if they would so choose to be 499 00:44:45,590 --> 00:44:47,630 those adjunct members for this year. 500 00:44:47,790 --> 00:44:54,450 And then Ken will come on next month and be sworn in, along with the other members that I mentioned. 501 00:44:55,030 --> 00:44:56,590 So that actually just happened last night. 502 00:44:56,590 --> 00:44:59,970 So, I want to make that known in there. 503 00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:12,820 And yeah, so at this point, we will continue to operate separately. There may be a joint meeting down the line, but those members have been basically at large members. 504 00:45:13,300 --> 00:45:29,360 McKinley, Jeanette and Philippe and Mary Jo, you are a ward three and Ken Anderson is ward two. So that was a point of last night. So yep. So we'll see where goals there will be a future discussion from the council is what we've been told. 505 00:45:30,780 --> 00:45:37,560 continue discussion on a potential merger or not, so that will be because we know that really 506 00:45:37,560 --> 00:45:42,880 wasn't talked about it at all. They just didn't have time at their workshop. So, questions on it? 507 00:45:43,020 --> 00:45:57,080 Yeah, I want to ask about the adjunct members. So, why are they adjunct members, why three, what's the, what's the, we just, we haven't had any adjunct members. 508 00:45:57,080 --> 00:45:59,680 So I don't know if this is a new structure to me. 509 00:45:59,800 --> 00:46:01,940 The only adjuncts we've had have been our youth members 510 00:46:01,940 --> 00:46:03,500 that we've had in the past. 511 00:46:03,680 --> 00:46:06,220 So are these youth members, like we've had in the past, 512 00:46:06,460 --> 00:46:09,680 are they residents, or why are they adjunct? 513 00:46:10,620 --> 00:46:10,980 I don't know. 514 00:46:10,980 --> 00:46:13,900 Board member, Jeanette, they basically the mayor 515 00:46:13,900 --> 00:46:16,160 wants to make sure that they are included. 516 00:46:16,400 --> 00:46:18,080 And if they want to be a part of the board, 517 00:46:18,120 --> 00:46:22,620 this is a good time for them to learn and get to know the board 518 00:46:22,620 --> 00:46:25,660 as an adjunct member, because there's seven positions 519 00:46:25,660 --> 00:46:32,980 that were appointed for this. Did they apply? They did. Okay. Yes. So they applied. 520 00:46:34,260 --> 00:46:39,880 Just like Ken Anderson and the three others applied. Okay. They selected Ken Anderson as the new 521 00:46:39,880 --> 00:46:47,460 member and then are still going off for the other three folks at junk members. I have three down here. 522 00:46:47,460 --> 00:46:48,760 That's four, right? 523 00:46:49,140 --> 00:46:53,620 No, Ken is actually the fourth is what I have on my list. 524 00:46:53,720 --> 00:46:58,240 I'll share names because I wrote them down 525 00:46:58,240 --> 00:47:00,720 from the council meeting. 526 00:47:01,680 --> 00:47:04,100 Okay, I just have three on the council minutes. 527 00:47:04,660 --> 00:47:06,940 Yeah, but no, that's maybe somebody 528 00:47:06,940 --> 00:47:08,360 bowed out. 529 00:47:08,740 --> 00:47:10,780 Or they might have been appointed somewhere else. 530 00:47:10,840 --> 00:47:12,100 That could be too so. 531 00:47:12,360 --> 00:47:13,880 But yeah, let's, we'll, we'll chat about it. 532 00:47:13,880 --> 00:47:15,780 I'm excited to have a month. 533 00:47:15,780 --> 00:47:19,720 bring them on. Let's let's get the party started here. 534 00:47:20,000 --> 00:47:26,480 Yeah, I get fresh energy and I guess I just stood still like the board was at 10 when I started 535 00:47:26,480 --> 00:47:32,560 and I I don't understand you know I don't remember that ever being a discussion to reduce it so 536 00:47:32,560 --> 00:47:37,960 we it seems like we have empty space and lots of lots of room at the table so I just didn't 537 00:47:37,960 --> 00:47:43,420 understand why we were having edge-unk members instead of full members if we have community members who 538 00:47:43,420 --> 00:47:48,360 interested in being in taking an active role, I would sure like to welcome them with open arms. 539 00:47:48,680 --> 00:47:52,380 And maybe we should ask the mayor that. I mean, that'd be something to talk to your, 540 00:47:52,420 --> 00:47:59,200 you'll soon have a new city council wrap. Yeah, to talk to you know, and let's let's ask. 541 00:47:59,300 --> 00:48:05,440 I think it was my understanding that we reduced a number because we didn't have applicants to fill those positions. 542 00:48:05,640 --> 00:48:12,740 But if we do have a big tent, we had 10 when I started and it was we had some great 543 00:48:12,740 --> 00:48:14,980 conversations and accomplish some great things. 544 00:48:16,000 --> 00:48:20,700 The mayor, the few years ago, just added some people on. 545 00:48:20,800 --> 00:48:25,040 The original structure, the original structure was seven people. 546 00:48:25,100 --> 00:48:30,360 The original structure was, while they changed in 2005, so seven people. 547 00:48:30,660 --> 00:48:33,320 And that's the way it was, but he just added some on. 548 00:48:33,320 --> 00:48:37,780 OK, because in the description that we talked about last month, it's in the minutes. 549 00:48:38,580 --> 00:48:42,400 That was the original structure from 2005 on was seven people. 550 00:48:42,400 --> 00:48:52,320 No, there's no, from 2000 it was there were more people, but then he reduced it to in 2005 match the other board. 551 00:48:52,620 --> 00:49:03,500 Yeah, so it really would be up to the mayor in the city council to decide how many four members there should be in the value like we're just saying but each district each 552 00:49:04,700 --> 00:49:07,940 Council district has two and then a chair. 553 00:49:08,440 --> 00:49:10,140 That was for every board. 554 00:49:17,700 --> 00:49:18,000 All right. 555 00:49:19,080 --> 00:49:21,300 And to piggyback off of that, 556 00:49:22,480 --> 00:49:27,560 with poor member pannings addition to onboarding. 557 00:49:27,640 --> 00:49:28,780 Yes, we did. 558 00:49:30,120 --> 00:49:30,980 We do have the binder. 559 00:49:31,840 --> 00:49:35,540 And if somebody actually, we have the binder folder, 560 00:49:36,320 --> 00:49:38,600 but we have the table of content. 561 00:49:38,600 --> 00:49:45,520 So if anybody has their binder I just need to I just want to double check. I just don't know 562 00:49:46,100 --> 00:49:52,600 So basically we have a folder that it says board, you know the board binder and there's all 563 00:49:52,600 --> 00:49:57,440 There's the table contents and the seating chart, but I don't see any 564 00:49:58,140 --> 00:49:59,980 Oh, there's all kinds of information 565 00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:02,780 I see the table of contents, what they are. 566 00:50:05,120 --> 00:50:09,320 And it may need all of them may need update it. Yes. And well, yeah, I 567 00:50:09,320 --> 00:50:14,000 would see the budget. Yeah. And I think that I see what they are and some will be the same. But, yes, there's 568 00:50:14,000 --> 00:50:20,000 definitely some that are going to need updating for sure. So I will probably follow up with you board 569 00:50:20,000 --> 00:50:24,620 members net to get that. And then I just want to see because they might just be named something different, 570 00:50:24,780 --> 00:50:29,980 but they're just not in that folder that I see. I'll probably follow up with you. And I'll probably follow up with 571 00:50:30,640 --> 00:50:36,460 grab that at some point just because yeah because we do have a new member starting and then I can 572 00:50:36,460 --> 00:50:44,440 update all those and Sarah I don't believe ever got one when she started no she did not I 573 00:50:44,440 --> 00:50:51,860 think you just feel less of a number of the board if you don't have all so much there is and then 574 00:50:51,860 --> 00:50:59,960 there's our management plan which was that's part of it that was part of it that was part of it 575 00:50:59,960 --> 00:51:07,080 We're agreeing at a cost of $13,000, which was the most fantastic price when that went 576 00:51:07,080 --> 00:51:14,840 out to bid, and they did a wonderful excellent job, but then they used so much volunteer, 577 00:51:15,480 --> 00:51:21,760 they have so much volunteer input on their projects and such expert people who are willing 578 00:51:21,760 --> 00:51:22,540 to donate. 579 00:51:22,540 --> 00:51:31,840 So that was, I remember the cost, and $13,000, and then what they got gave us was a fantastic 580 00:51:31,840 --> 00:51:36,580 management plan, and we haven't looked at it ourselves for a while. 581 00:51:37,060 --> 00:51:43,400 Data used to religiously keep us, you know, looking at the management plan, so there you go, 582 00:51:43,580 --> 00:51:43,720 Jane. 583 00:51:43,940 --> 00:51:45,480 I haven't looked at mine for a while. 584 00:51:46,420 --> 00:51:47,140 I know where it is. 585 00:51:47,180 --> 00:51:48,240 So I think it's important. 586 00:51:48,240 --> 00:51:53,820 And there are other things that have been added since, and other ideas, like the way we 587 00:51:53,820 --> 00:52:00,380 should be managing like this when Jason found those endangered species, endangered species, 588 00:52:00,600 --> 00:52:03,600 and told us that it's merely a matter of mowing. 589 00:52:04,740 --> 00:52:09,680 So that should definitely be added to our, and then the opportunity that there were three wet 590 00:52:09,680 --> 00:52:15,880 land pieces that were left over from development up in the northeast, like Sinton Cove, 591 00:52:15,880 --> 00:52:25,880 Yes. And those pieces can also just be managed by mowing and properly. And so that I think 592 00:52:25,880 --> 00:52:31,980 would be very worthwhile for us to add that to our management plan. So yes, we should have a little 593 00:52:31,980 --> 00:52:34,280 appendix to our Bible. 594 00:52:36,400 --> 00:52:43,100 So add some new books to the Bible. Would it be, what if we got together to 595 00:52:43,100 --> 00:52:48,840 do that, like a small workshop, a little workshop, you know, to make some all the history 596 00:52:48,840 --> 00:52:49,560 is there. 597 00:52:49,780 --> 00:52:53,440 I was just thinking of the 10 parcels that are listed, there's a story behind each 598 00:52:53,440 --> 00:52:53,800 one. 599 00:52:54,340 --> 00:52:58,920 And sometimes it's because a developer wanted to unload it because he couldn't build 600 00:52:58,920 --> 00:53:00,280 anything on it. 601 00:53:00,500 --> 00:53:05,420 And we're like, wow, this is, and it has these great plants on it, and it's doing great 602 00:53:05,420 --> 00:53:06,420 things for our water. 603 00:53:06,860 --> 00:53:12,600 I mean, I think that's valuable history too, especially as we look forward to new parcels 604 00:53:12,600 --> 00:53:15,140 that may be coming available to us. 605 00:53:15,540 --> 00:53:18,880 I think that a lot of that preservation of open spaces 606 00:53:19,620 --> 00:53:23,000 just as much of a hot button topic as ever before. 607 00:53:24,420 --> 00:53:27,380 So, yeah, what would you think of that, 608 00:53:27,600 --> 00:53:31,140 should we throw on some possible dates? 609 00:53:36,220 --> 00:53:37,600 How do we do that, Jean? 610 00:53:38,040 --> 00:53:38,460 What do you think? 611 00:53:39,100 --> 00:53:40,800 I mean, there's open meeting laws, 612 00:53:40,940 --> 00:53:42,800 so that's why I'm looking at you all 613 00:53:42,800 --> 00:53:45,120 because, you know, come on over to my house, 614 00:53:45,120 --> 00:53:47,920 but we have to get the material to get other first. 615 00:53:48,640 --> 00:53:50,300 I mean, we all grab our binders. 616 00:53:50,500 --> 00:53:53,160 I can look through mine of what I would suggest. 617 00:53:53,160 --> 00:53:57,500 And I can select crime based send you the management plan. 618 00:53:57,880 --> 00:54:00,340 I mean, I have that in the files. 619 00:54:00,980 --> 00:54:01,680 It's just a PDF. 620 00:54:02,260 --> 00:54:05,160 Hopefully it's not too big, it's just send us an email. 621 00:54:05,700 --> 00:54:08,160 But regardless, when I update those binders, 622 00:54:08,220 --> 00:54:11,420 I think that's a good time where we can even sit down, 623 00:54:11,500 --> 00:54:13,860 even if it's after a meeting to discuss it 624 00:54:13,860 --> 00:54:18,580 And just, you know, see if there's things that should be added, you know, like that 625 00:54:18,580 --> 00:54:23,700 Loch Ness piece, and Megan actually has an update on that coming up here too. 626 00:54:24,560 --> 00:54:30,440 So, you know, I'd love to see added to that a list of some of the endangered plants that 627 00:54:30,440 --> 00:54:35,220 have been discovered within Blaine, some of these rare bird sightings. 628 00:54:35,600 --> 00:54:41,060 I mean, there are things that are, I'm not a birder, but I know people who are, who get really 629 00:54:41,060 --> 00:54:48,680 Just hearing these things and how cool is it that we have in here in plain that somebody had the foresight to set that aside 630 00:54:48,680 --> 00:54:52,460 So we don't have it all asphalt some day, right? 631 00:54:55,140 --> 00:54:56,940 I'll get off myself back 632 00:54:58,200 --> 00:54:59,960 So all great ideas like for sure 633 00:55:01,700 --> 00:55:08,510 All right, the next one is the summer program, so I have this bigger. 634 00:55:10,270 --> 00:55:14,470 I usually, you know, the, I can't figure it out. 635 00:55:22,720 --> 00:55:26,660 Yeah, usually I was able to just click double click on it and it popped up. 636 00:55:27,260 --> 00:55:34,540 But we are partnering again with Wargo Nature Center to do some a couple bird hikes in May. 637 00:55:34,540 --> 00:55:41,940 And then also growing green hearts. She's changed it to growing green yoga because she wanted to add the yoga component to it 638 00:55:42,320 --> 00:55:45,520 Just to hopefully spur on more folks to come out 639 00:55:45,520 --> 00:55:53,660 So those those classes are all listed and registration began March 6th for all those classes. So people can register right now 640 00:55:54,520 --> 00:55:58,040 Well, there we go and I came up a little bigger. So maybe this will show a 641 00:55:58,720 --> 00:56:00,360 Little bigger for me 642 00:56:08,520 --> 00:56:20,240 Okay, so that's the top one is the bird hike that we do with the Wargo Nature Center staff, the natural's there, and then the other classes are with growing green hearts. 643 00:56:22,730 --> 00:56:31,770 So those are all listed. So very reasonably priced and that's on purpose. We want to get as many people out there as we can to experience the plain wet land sanctuary. 644 00:56:31,770 --> 00:56:46,630 So, exciting and again, hopefully we'll just continue and Heidi is just keeps trying to be as creative as possible to get awesome classes out there, so we're excited to always partner with her and the work on HR Center. 645 00:56:47,090 --> 00:56:48,550 She does. She's fantastic. 646 00:56:49,350 --> 00:56:55,470 I want to compliment you on the red connect. I grabbed the wrong one, but I love this publication. 647 00:56:55,470 --> 00:57:11,470 And I love that we're going to be in it more, I hope, and the only thing that I hope I see next year is this beautiful job of birthday, but then I'd love it if you could like. 648 00:57:11,470 --> 00:57:15,610 the cover this back cover and half and say, May is wet land. 649 00:57:16,650 --> 00:57:21,710 And I'm not asking, I think Sarah was terrified that I was going to have some kind of a big 650 00:57:21,710 --> 00:57:27,650 singing dancing celebration, but that is what I had in mind. 651 00:57:27,990 --> 00:57:35,410 It was more get out there, events that we could involve people with. 652 00:57:35,410 --> 00:57:42,590 So that was that was fine hope that maybe next year we can 653 00:57:43,530 --> 00:57:45,890 Because it's the same thing investing your neighborhood 654 00:57:45,890 --> 00:57:47,710 Get back to the earth, make a difference. 655 00:57:47,710 --> 00:57:51,010 That was for Liz big for earth month and may as well. 656 00:57:51,570 --> 00:57:54,710 And there can be images between. 657 00:57:54,830 --> 00:57:56,170 Oh for sure. Overlap. 658 00:57:57,150 --> 00:58:02,570 But I think that wetlands do such a great job of many, many things. 659 00:58:02,570 --> 00:58:10,450 And that's a very unique resource and valuable resource that we have here in Blaine that I think not enough people know enough about 660 00:58:10,450 --> 00:58:19,350 And I'm a great supporter birthday not trying to co-opt anything. I just think that we we really have 661 00:58:19,350 --> 00:58:26,070 And yes, we have these resources of Blaine and it would be and this publication is gorgeous. It's it's beautiful 662 00:58:26,070 --> 00:58:30,570 So I just want to see more of our 663 00:58:30,570 --> 00:58:37,530 stuff as we go along. And maybe we're not suggesting enough things, you know, it's a great 664 00:58:37,530 --> 00:58:43,230 addition and it marries those two marry each other very well and can be added to the page 665 00:58:43,230 --> 00:58:49,070 very easily. So that's just a spacing that are awesome communications team puts together this 666 00:58:50,150 --> 00:58:55,950 awesome reconnect for us and they are great with just that's their expertise in their wheelhouse. 667 00:58:55,950 --> 00:59:00,410 So they are very good with adding things on there. 668 00:59:00,410 --> 00:59:02,650 So that's an easy thing to add for sure. 669 00:59:02,970 --> 00:59:05,370 And it's a great idea for sure. 670 00:59:06,430 --> 00:59:06,490 So. 671 00:59:06,790 --> 00:59:07,550 Well, thank you. 672 00:59:08,910 --> 00:59:11,170 And on the Earth, they subject real quick. 673 00:59:11,350 --> 00:59:13,830 We do have Earth, they so basically, 674 00:59:13,990 --> 00:59:20,310 our residents can come on and basically select the park 675 00:59:20,310 --> 00:59:22,050 that they want to just come on to the website. 676 00:59:22,050 --> 00:59:30,610 it's just plain mn.gov forward slash earth day and we had last year, I think we had 23 different 677 00:59:30,610 --> 00:59:38,390 cleanups people signing up for them and they can pick a park pond, rain garden so it was I think 678 00:59:38,390 --> 00:59:43,830 that was our highest year we've had so far so people are really in Walters actually donated $500 679 00:59:43,830 --> 00:59:50,630 so kudos to them for earth day this year which is awesome so then you just come on and you can register 680 00:59:50,630 --> 00:59:58,490 you're clean up and we provide gloves, bags, a lot of just the essentials to get your 681 00:59:58,490 --> 00:59:59,930 clean up going and then. 682 01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:10,100 Our public works staff will come around if there's more than a normal amount of garbage they'll come up and pick it up that following Monday and they would just ask that they type the bag. 683 01:00:10,700 --> 01:00:23,200 So it's been a great program. People are very invested in their parks that they live by and it's really neat to see and we love doing this event every year and it's fantastic. 684 01:00:23,880 --> 01:00:31,320 So when you click on the link, does it show which parks have been floated like there's a in my name 685 01:00:31,320 --> 01:00:37,940 hood, London park is somebody is somebody out there, you know. Yes, and I got to find how we get to that. Yes. 686 01:00:38,340 --> 01:00:43,160 Because our GIS actually added this or maybe that's it could be a adopt a park. 687 01:00:43,340 --> 01:00:48,580 I think it's a adopt a park. I think they do so earthy. I don't think there's a map but a adopt a park. 688 01:00:48,580 --> 01:00:56,080 there's it shows a map of which parks have already been adopted. Oh, and then, yes, so that is, 689 01:00:56,440 --> 01:01:00,600 but in earth, earth, because it's just a year to year, because we just don't know who's going to, 690 01:01:00,600 --> 01:01:05,900 you know, decide to do an event there, you know, there's different neighbors that do it. But 691 01:01:05,900 --> 01:01:10,980 adopt a park, our JAS department did put that map together, and it's cool so you can click right 692 01:01:10,980 --> 01:01:15,460 on there. You can see it's it's color to different color if there's someone that's already adopted it 693 01:01:15,460 --> 01:01:17,680 managing taking care of it for us. 694 01:01:17,860 --> 01:01:19,960 And then is there a way to get in touch with that person? 695 01:01:20,140 --> 01:01:22,880 Say if I, again, London Park in my neighborhood, 696 01:01:23,160 --> 01:01:24,100 if I were to get it. 697 01:01:24,100 --> 01:01:25,380 It is on the site. 698 01:01:26,040 --> 01:01:27,320 Let me try to find it. 699 01:01:27,320 --> 01:01:28,540 You know, I'll send something out. 700 01:01:28,800 --> 01:01:31,120 I will dig around, down that I know that it's there. 701 01:01:31,320 --> 01:01:31,780 I'll look. 702 01:01:32,260 --> 01:01:34,780 But I'm thinking, if there's an orphan park, 703 01:01:34,900 --> 01:01:38,240 maybe we can, you know, I'm thinking about what I can do. 704 01:01:38,460 --> 01:01:41,500 I'm not putting something yet another thing on staff. 705 01:01:42,100 --> 01:01:43,920 But, you know, through Facebook or whatever. 706 01:01:45,160 --> 01:01:48,940 I'll send something out to the board because it, yeah, it's actually a lot of people. 707 01:01:50,020 --> 01:01:52,000 What the GS department did with the map. 708 01:01:52,100 --> 01:01:53,880 I mean, it is really neat. 709 01:01:54,040 --> 01:01:56,780 Yeah, and you can click and you see the person's name. 710 01:01:57,240 --> 01:02:00,040 Yeah, it's really all, I'll send that out to the board. 711 01:02:00,380 --> 01:02:03,680 In May, we're launching a similar adopt upon program, 712 01:02:03,900 --> 01:02:07,240 which will have a similar map where you can adopt storm water puns, 713 01:02:07,360 --> 01:02:09,000 either in the parks or in your neighborhood. 714 01:02:09,000 --> 01:02:13,720 yet another opportunity to marry Earth Month and Wetland. 715 01:02:14,340 --> 01:02:17,300 It will be a perfect opportunity to loop in Wetland month. 716 01:02:17,380 --> 01:02:21,820 I have a couple other volunteer events that are going to occur in May that I think we can 717 01:02:21,820 --> 01:02:26,060 kind of circle an narrative on as well that I'll get into a little bit. 718 01:02:27,860 --> 01:02:30,500 Spring is almost here. We've got a lot going on. 719 01:02:30,620 --> 01:02:31,900 Okay, get rid of that snow. 720 01:02:33,140 --> 01:02:35,740 Yes, we hope it goes down into the ground, right? 721 01:02:35,740 --> 01:02:45,320 All right, sure after your next item on our updates is the bad houses with Eagle Scout 722 01:02:45,320 --> 01:02:53,000 to E.J. Jeanette, and I just basically, we board member Jeanette and I've been discussing 723 01:02:53,000 --> 01:02:56,080 where a good spot would be. 724 01:02:56,460 --> 01:03:02,740 We've kind of, I think, settled on somewhere within the island of the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary, 725 01:03:02,740 --> 01:03:07,280 So I just kind of pulled up this map and the aerial of that. 726 01:03:08,060 --> 01:03:13,140 So and if you have specific recommendations, we are open to them. 727 01:03:13,500 --> 01:03:21,360 Our main concern is that they're placed so that they are far enough from trees so they're not shaded 728 01:03:21,360 --> 01:03:29,620 because they do need to be in direct sunlight so they heat up and that they are not in the way of the trail. 729 01:03:29,620 --> 01:03:36,360 that will connect from the southern part on the island there also I think it's 730 01:03:36,360 --> 01:03:42,140 important they talked about having two two houses on a pole yes be careful not 731 01:03:42,140 --> 01:03:47,580 to put one house right above another because they go back to back that's better 732 01:03:47,580 --> 01:03:51,200 so they're directly back to back at the top of the pole you know what they do 733 01:03:51,200 --> 01:03:56,300 before they enter their house right no no they're they're the same level back to 734 01:03:56,300 --> 01:04:01,120 We don't want that impacting the house underneath. 735 01:04:02,580 --> 01:04:06,480 They're very clean, they don't want their house to be soiled, 736 01:04:06,680 --> 01:04:10,480 so they take care of that as they're entering, so. 737 01:04:13,120 --> 01:04:17,000 Yeah, so board member Jeanette, AJ and I will be working on that. 738 01:04:17,000 --> 01:04:19,240 Here very soon as soon as we are able, 739 01:04:19,540 --> 01:04:25,060 but I know I believe AJ is working on basically just constructing them. 740 01:04:25,640 --> 01:04:30,420 He is cutting plywood as we see. 741 01:04:31,420 --> 01:04:37,180 And then the city will provide signs that we will actually be putting on the pulse. 742 01:04:38,420 --> 01:04:43,660 Once they're up and completed as an education piece, so people know what they are, because 743 01:04:43,660 --> 01:04:44,540 not everybody does. 744 01:04:45,180 --> 01:04:45,280 So. 745 01:04:45,280 --> 01:04:45,580 Right. 746 01:04:46,140 --> 01:04:46,340 Yep. 747 01:04:46,340 --> 01:04:48,800 He is hosting a couple of work days with his scout troop. 748 01:04:49,000 --> 01:04:55,040 The first one is on Sunday, so yeah, anything that could make the snow melt back 749 01:04:57,260 --> 01:04:58,920 We're all in favor of that. 750 01:04:59,080 --> 01:04:59,980 We're all waving the white flag. 751 01:05:00,380 --> 01:05:01,660 We're done with winter. 752 01:05:05,290 --> 01:05:11,530 All right, at this point, I'm going to turn it back over to Megan for the April speaker. We kind of touched on a little bit, and then she's got another one. 753 01:05:12,090 --> 01:05:18,270 Yeah. And yeah, we touched on this, oops, I restarted. We touched on this a little bit earlier. 754 01:05:19,470 --> 01:05:27,050 But as of last month, Patrick and Ben had both confirmed they were available, and it sounds like as a board we still want to move forward with that, which is what I wanted to hear today. 755 01:05:27,050 --> 01:05:36,750 So Nate and I will follow up with them this week and get that fully scheduled and confirmed for our April meeting and like I said otherwise for April 756 01:05:37,410 --> 01:05:43,250 We'll be giving another update on those RFPs and and receive comments if we're at a point to do so 757 01:05:43,850 --> 01:05:48,610 Like I said we're still working on the timing and that that might have to occur over email just to keep the process moving 758 01:05:48,610 --> 01:05:51,350 But you guys will be kept in the loop on that 759 01:05:52,070 --> 01:05:56,010 Okay, this is a public meeting. So we hope the public would 760 01:05:56,010 --> 01:06:02,290 know about it and come. If they want to know something about wetlands, I don't know how to make that happen myself, 761 01:06:04,490 --> 01:06:04,510 but 762 01:06:04,510 --> 01:06:09,270 if anybody's watching here tonight, then 763 01:06:09,270 --> 01:06:15,550 to let them know if they want to come to our April meeting, there will be two good speakers on wetlands, but maybe there would be a way 764 01:06:15,550 --> 01:06:18,670 that's something that could be shared on social media. 765 01:06:18,830 --> 01:06:24,330 Yep, I would expect we could work with our communications team to get something shared on social media, saying, 766 01:06:24,330 --> 01:06:28,590 know, at our regular NRCB meeting, there'd be a great opportunity to come and get 767 01:06:28,590 --> 01:06:32,670 educated or come and find something new. You've seen the reconnect and what they're 768 01:06:32,670 --> 01:06:36,850 capable of doing and they're wonderful at it. So I think that's something we can 769 01:06:36,850 --> 01:06:40,210 probably work with that about you. Making notes. 770 01:06:43,020 --> 01:06:46,600 Our next item is an update last 771 01:06:46,600 --> 01:06:54,300 night at Council Workshop. Our community standards department brought forward a 772 01:06:54,300 --> 01:07:00,060 mobile may discussion to kind of feel at the council. I know that this board had recommended 773 01:07:00,060 --> 01:07:05,520 last year and expressed some interest in having some kind of program. And we heard quite 774 01:07:05,520 --> 01:07:11,100 a bit of feedback from residents as well saying, hey, is going to do a normal may. And it kind 775 01:07:11,100 --> 01:07:14,720 of came to the council to late last year to do anything so we're getting ahead of it this year. 776 01:07:15,460 --> 01:07:20,370 And like I said, it came from community standards. I've been involved a little bit just in kind of 777 01:07:20,370 --> 01:07:24,790 how other cities are doing it and how it might work best here. 778 01:07:25,330 --> 01:07:28,510 The council did recommend that we move forward with 779 01:07:29,610 --> 01:07:34,330 adopting a no-mo-may resolution at our next council meeting, which would allow 780 01:07:34,330 --> 01:07:37,870 for residents to blame to participate in no-mo-may. 781 01:07:38,450 --> 01:07:42,150 Typically, once our weed regulation is typically once grass or 782 01:07:42,150 --> 01:07:46,210 weeds reach a certain height, you can't get tagged by our weed inspectors 783 01:07:46,210 --> 01:07:48,170 and you have exponent of days too low. 784 01:07:48,170 --> 01:08:09,170 So, if you sign up for no moment, kind of the intent is that during the month of May, if we did receive a complaint, you know, we aren't going to follow through with that citation until later on in June, to kind of allow for those spring kind of flowers and that understory to grow up and provide a little bit more pollinators for the B population here. 785 01:08:09,850 --> 01:08:15,390 So on the slide, I just have some of the information direct from that council meeting. 786 01:08:15,590 --> 01:08:19,730 I was not in attendance last night, but you know, we chat with our staff today and it seems 787 01:08:19,730 --> 01:08:20,930 like we're moving forward. 788 01:08:21,630 --> 01:08:25,590 Anyone who does want to participate will need to register, we're working on what that looks 789 01:08:25,590 --> 01:08:26,210 like. 790 01:08:26,810 --> 01:08:29,490 And then if you want to print out your own sign, you can do that. 791 01:08:29,710 --> 01:08:34,270 This year we didn't budget any money for the city to buy signs, so it's something the council 792 01:08:34,270 --> 01:08:36,370 will discuss during our budgeting process. 793 01:08:36,370 --> 01:08:38,630 After we see the interest, we got this year. 794 01:08:38,770 --> 01:08:42,650 If that's something they want to incorporate into a budget next year to grow that program. 795 01:08:43,510 --> 01:08:48,830 So this kind of be our low cost trial run to allow it and see how many people want to participate. 796 01:08:49,670 --> 01:08:53,090 And with that budget, it would look like to expand the program next year. 797 01:08:53,810 --> 01:09:01,090 So it all kind of moved pretty fast because we need to get that resolution done in April to allow it to be published by May. 798 01:09:01,690 --> 01:09:06,350 So I wanted to at least bring it to you now and let you know that we are moving forward. 799 01:09:06,350 --> 01:09:11,750 something there. And then the city, as well, we've got a couple of our open spaces highlighted. 800 01:09:12,410 --> 01:09:17,090 Lockness is one of them. Laddy Lake and Hidden Ponds are three that we will not be 801 01:09:17,090 --> 01:09:23,430 mowing. During May, though all three of those spaces, we know we have some really good variety 802 01:09:24,030 --> 01:09:29,270 of plant communities, so there'd be our best sites to kind of let go, because it's a trialier for 803 01:09:29,270 --> 01:09:34,950 us too. I'm on how that's going to look. And then we do have the site just outside of City Hall, 804 01:09:34,950 --> 01:09:40,330 kind of where people park when we have our events that site between City Hall and 805 01:09:40,330 --> 01:09:45,690 those condos just do the south or east. We'll be letting that remain long 806 01:09:45,690 --> 01:09:49,290 throughout May. That one we normally leave a little longer as well just because of 807 01:09:49,290 --> 01:09:53,830 the nature of the site. We're not programming that as Parkland and that has a 808 01:09:53,830 --> 01:09:57,710 really if you've driven by in the spring before we have to moat for parking it's got 809 01:09:57,710 --> 01:09:59,970 pretty nice kind of wild flower need of bed through there. 810 01:10:00,000 --> 01:10:10,200 That we'd like to let go as long as we can. And it has the side benefit. We don't, our public works doesn't get a lot of their seasonal staff until June. So, they're all for it. 811 01:10:10,380 --> 01:10:19,220 Yeah, there's a lot of good reasons. Yeah, they'd like to leave more spaces. This is our compromise on our trial year and then hopefully we can kind of grow the program over the next year. 812 01:10:20,020 --> 01:10:21,380 I'm sure you'll give us a report. 813 01:10:22,580 --> 01:10:27,380 I'm excited to see our numbers so we'll be sharing the word communications just 814 01:10:27,380 --> 01:10:31,140 on today we're moving forward so they're starting to draft plain-specific messaging 815 01:10:31,140 --> 01:10:35,620 for us to start starting out there and sharing on social media and that different events. 816 01:10:37,600 --> 01:10:40,780 So that was exciting to see some support for that. 817 01:10:42,560 --> 01:10:47,140 Our next one is also me for some more volunteer opportunities and they had some good classes 818 01:10:47,140 --> 01:10:47,600 earlier. 819 01:10:48,260 --> 01:10:54,500 One of the things I just got emails today on is North Town Library, does some education 820 01:10:54,500 --> 01:10:56,980 outreach for what land month in the month of May. 821 01:10:57,800 --> 01:11:02,360 One of their librarians and their staff, their reserves, all the display cases throughout 822 01:11:02,360 --> 01:11:07,480 the library for different wetland focus, education materials and kind of marketing. 823 01:11:08,260 --> 01:11:12,080 So I'm working with them to get some information about the bling wetlands sanctuary and one of 824 01:11:12,080 --> 01:11:13,940 those display cases at North Town. 825 01:11:14,560 --> 01:11:21,120 So we've got some old information and I've got to check it down and see if it's still relevant if it needs updates so you might get an email from me 826 01:11:21,980 --> 01:11:26,940 Just to review some information before we make a public in those display cases so 827 01:11:27,540 --> 01:11:32,820 As far as I know those goes live right first May but I'll let you know when I have confirmation 828 01:11:34,000 --> 01:11:35,040 Thank you for doing that 829 01:11:35,740 --> 01:11:38,700 Yeah, yeah to get opportunity we've partnered with them in the past 830 01:11:38,700 --> 01:11:47,020 They've done with the watershed a kind of a significant restoration project around the pond there kind of on the east north side of the parking lot 831 01:11:47,020 --> 01:11:52,900 And they've been doing buffer restoration and some native planting work. It's kind of how we got in contact with them. 832 01:11:53,120 --> 01:12:00,900 So hopefully that'll look nice. We've got some cool wet land cores. The watershed has that are pretty popular to put on display too. 833 01:12:00,900 --> 01:12:07,180 Well, there's stuff from the interpretive signs too, so even just displays that would be like 834 01:12:07,180 --> 01:12:13,160 nice printouts or, you know, displayed with information from the interpretive signs. 835 01:12:14,520 --> 01:12:23,260 Board of Members, Janet, Rebecca and I had have brought printouts to in the past over to the 836 01:12:23,260 --> 01:12:28,360 library that they have displayed. So great idea. Yes, we have done that and remember we used our 837 01:12:28,360 --> 01:12:31,980 and yeah, brought them over there, and yeah, they still very well. 838 01:12:32,700 --> 01:12:37,720 And that's a no-cost thing to develop, which is a cost of printing it, which we can do in 839 01:12:37,720 --> 01:12:37,980 health. 840 01:12:38,220 --> 01:12:38,680 That's a great idea. 841 01:12:43,630 --> 01:12:46,490 A few other updates, great river greening. 842 01:12:46,910 --> 01:12:50,930 We've mentioned them a bunch of times tonight, but they are managing the grant for us in the 843 01:12:50,930 --> 01:12:52,530 Southern Blaine Wetlands Sanctuary. 844 01:12:53,050 --> 01:12:57,250 We have a couple private events that they've been scheduling in there, and we're working 845 01:12:57,250 --> 01:12:58,850 on getting a public event schedule. 846 01:12:58,850 --> 01:13:13,750 either late May or early June is kind of a good time frame to do a plant, of some milkweed and then some of our private events are more knocking back some willows that we're trying to manage and doing some spring over seeding as well. 847 01:13:14,290 --> 01:13:18,870 So just an update there. Once we do schedule a public event that's something I'll share with you guys. 848 01:13:18,870 --> 01:13:25,750 Normally they're on Saturdays, we're trying to do a B count last fall and into this spring too 849 01:13:25,750 --> 01:13:30,730 But with the drought we aren't seeing flowers in the Southern portion 850 01:13:30,730 --> 01:13:33,470 We've so much re-canary grass that it's really competitive 851 01:13:34,010 --> 01:13:38,210 So we've had to pull out on a couple different B oriented events there 852 01:13:38,210 --> 01:13:42,390 So we're kind of re-orienting how we're gonna program and want different events 853 01:13:42,390 --> 01:13:47,130 And I feel more successful this year there. It would be fun to run and run 854 01:13:48,870 --> 01:13:54,210 If anybody wanted to set it up, I'm afraid I don't have time to set it up myself, but I 855 01:13:54,210 --> 01:14:02,330 didn't find out if there are any rusty patch bees because they should be in blame and our 856 01:14:03,130 --> 01:14:10,020 ACD has conducted a, might be finished with the round of grants we had for putting in 857 01:14:11,190 --> 01:14:17,130 Polynator Gardens on the route of where the rusty patch has been identified. 858 01:14:18,650 --> 01:14:26,130 So, you know, I bet there could be interest in that if it would be fun to do it. 859 01:14:27,010 --> 01:14:28,370 It was definitely our goal. 860 01:14:28,570 --> 01:14:32,310 It was to try and key in some of the work they were doing with some of, 861 01:14:32,610 --> 01:14:35,890 there's a lot of available grant funds out there for Rusty Patch. 862 01:14:36,430 --> 01:14:38,470 Just with the drought that we have had, 863 01:14:38,690 --> 01:14:41,070 we don't have the habitat where our grant covers 864 01:14:41,070 --> 01:14:44,410 to do the B population tracking that we were kind of hoping to do. 865 01:14:44,410 --> 01:14:53,540 So we're continuing on restoration, so hopefully in the next year to we see that and we're able to program something like that is it's a perfect spot to get some research done. 866 01:14:54,090 --> 01:14:54,630 Cool. 867 01:14:56,730 --> 01:14:57,810 Very cool. 868 01:14:58,170 --> 01:14:59,970 On a sort of real. 869 01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:07,260 Related, yet unrelated note. We still have the opportunity to seek sponsorship for our interpretive 870 01:15:07,260 --> 01:15:10,600 science. I believe we have, is it one or is it two, that? 871 01:15:11,760 --> 01:15:22,400 Oh, there's three now. I feel like it is an opportunity for the new Rusty Bumblebee to sponsor a sign 872 01:15:22,400 --> 01:15:27,700 that has information about pollinators. All that would be great. I mean, I don't know where 873 01:15:27,700 --> 01:15:33,860 out as a brand new business and blame, but if that's, I feel like that's an ask that is just waiting 874 01:15:33,860 --> 01:15:41,200 to happen. Do they have a do they have a mascot? Yeah they do they've got a logo that's yeah. 875 01:15:41,500 --> 01:15:50,020 Rusty. How about these? Really? She had a tip chart just set out for her patrons to contribute towards 876 01:15:50,020 --> 01:15:56,320 an interpretive sign. Yes. So you have the, you know, what would go on the sign for the rest of 877 01:15:56,320 --> 01:16:00,680 That will be, we could post it in their business while they raise money for it. 878 01:16:00,860 --> 01:16:06,180 Well, I was thinking we have the signs that we have existing signs that don't have sponsors yet. 879 01:16:07,460 --> 01:16:12,260 So, and we do talk about pollinators on those existing signs. 880 01:16:14,260 --> 01:16:17,900 Our economic development specialists should have a contact for them. 881 01:16:17,900 --> 01:16:20,420 I know she was working with them throughout their opening process. 882 01:16:21,500 --> 01:16:25,460 So I can talk to her tomorrow and see if she's able to provide me someone to get into contact 883 01:16:25,460 --> 01:16:27,640 and see if that's something they'd be interested in discussing? 884 01:16:29,820 --> 01:16:31,560 How do some field work work? 885 01:16:31,560 --> 01:16:34,260 Yeah, if I need to go over there and 886 01:16:34,260 --> 01:16:36,820 that's how might be more effective than me sending an email to you. 887 01:16:37,580 --> 01:16:37,680 Yeah. 888 01:16:38,540 --> 01:16:39,840 I actually haven't been there yet. 889 01:16:43,290 --> 01:16:45,050 All right, and then my last volunteer update, 890 01:16:45,050 --> 01:16:48,570 is I'm working with ACDI just at Carrie Taylor the other day 891 01:16:49,090 --> 01:16:51,710 about getting some garlic mustard poles on our calendar. 892 01:16:52,050 --> 01:16:55,110 We had some good luck last year with a couple different volunteer groups, 893 01:16:55,290 --> 01:16:56,330 scouting groups. 894 01:16:56,330 --> 01:17:02,750 And I know ACD has indicated they've lately had a lot of really good turnout for garlic mustard 895 01:17:02,750 --> 01:17:03,110 polls. 896 01:17:03,650 --> 01:17:04,790 It's family-friendly. 897 01:17:05,090 --> 01:17:10,470 It's not challenging to tell what garlic mustard is and we have a lot of it in our open spaces. 898 01:17:11,870 --> 01:17:15,930 So we're working on getting a couple of events and like the second, third, we kind of 899 01:17:15,930 --> 01:17:21,190 may on our calendar and getting kind of some advertising out for that kind of on top of 900 01:17:21,190 --> 01:17:29,110 day, some specific polls there, because it's a problem. And many of our open spaces, 901 01:17:29,490 --> 01:17:33,090 Pioneer Park is a pretty hard, at the moment, is one we're looking at highlighting. 902 01:17:34,270 --> 01:17:41,950 It's in the Well and Thanks for joining me. I missed the volunteer supervisor training for 903 01:17:41,950 --> 01:17:52,270 Great River Greening again this year. But they said, if we had eight people, they would do a 904 01:17:52,270 --> 01:17:58,250 But I just feel like there's enough people who would like to get involved and sometimes that's hard 905 01:17:58,250 --> 01:18:04,090 They don't have enough of the volunteer supervisors that have been trained to go out and 906 01:18:04,090 --> 01:18:07,330 Monitor a garlic mustard poll 907 01:18:08,410 --> 01:18:15,130 I don't know it's it's something if we had a friends of blane open space that could be something we'd sponsor 908 01:18:24,560 --> 01:18:28,780 That's a nonprofit organization so we have to be separate from our board. 909 01:18:30,180 --> 01:18:30,780 Yeah. 910 01:18:30,780 --> 01:18:34,800 I don't know about that because nobody can show me where that is. 911 01:18:35,160 --> 01:18:36,580 We'll talk after that. 912 01:18:36,580 --> 01:18:37,000 All right. 913 01:18:37,340 --> 01:18:38,620 It isn't written anywhere. 914 01:18:41,520 --> 01:18:42,020 Maybe not. 915 01:18:42,080 --> 01:18:42,600 I don't know. 916 01:18:44,220 --> 01:18:51,860 My next update is just quick regarding Pioneer Park because in February the board did recommend 917 01:18:51,860 --> 01:18:54,660 in that council where you visit the item, so I just made 918 01:18:54,660 --> 01:18:55,980 and I wanted to let you know that Jerome 919 01:18:55,980 --> 01:18:58,020 to bring that to the March Sixth Workshop. 920 01:18:58,980 --> 01:19:00,420 So if any member of council requests 921 01:19:00,420 --> 01:19:02,080 to be placed out of future workshop, 922 01:19:02,240 --> 01:19:05,800 we will let you guys know when that is 923 01:19:05,800 --> 01:19:07,540 and what we're preparing for that. 924 01:19:07,780 --> 01:19:08,780 But that's our update right now. 925 01:19:09,000 --> 01:19:10,280 And we did Nate, I believe, 926 01:19:10,520 --> 01:19:13,380 has an update on some a true removal project 927 01:19:13,380 --> 01:19:15,900 that is currently going on in Pioneer Park. 928 01:19:15,920 --> 01:19:17,480 I just started this week. 929 01:19:18,340 --> 01:19:28,420 Yes, so last week we sent out that letter that was attached in your second to your agenda. 930 01:19:28,740 --> 01:19:30,980 I'll just pull it up here. 931 01:19:32,320 --> 01:19:38,400 So this was sent to all the residents surrounding the park about the tree management. 932 01:19:38,800 --> 01:19:39,680 That's being done. 933 01:19:39,760 --> 01:19:45,240 So basically 30 feet on each side of the trail of any dead fall disease trees. 934 01:19:45,240 --> 01:19:48,780 They're basically our public work staff is going in there. 935 01:19:49,060 --> 01:19:57,500 They started last Thursday and then got pulled off because of snow and also on Friday and I know they're back at at this week. 936 01:19:58,340 --> 01:19:59,360 We haven't received any 937 01:20:00,000 --> 01:20:06,420 Phone calls or anything from residents that receive the letter, so I think the understand it's kind of 938 01:20:06,420 --> 01:20:11,740 we're managing the park and you know, keeping up on it or trying to keep up on it. So obviously our largest park. 939 01:20:12,900 --> 01:20:20,840 So yeah, so that's just the public work staff puts up signs and stuff, but it's just during their work hours of 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 940 01:20:20,980 --> 01:20:27,740 but just want to let the board know on that, but that should definitely help that out, and then they're also going to be adding 941 01:20:27,740 --> 01:20:32,540 wood chips to all the wood chip trails in there too, because I know they were starting to, I know 942 01:20:32,540 --> 01:20:38,140 the last time we were out there when we went and visited, it was in need of some sprucing up or 943 01:20:38,140 --> 01:20:46,240 adding some wood chips. So those will be added. If not, probably not, as they take down some of the 944 01:20:46,240 --> 01:20:52,460 the dead trees, but they're going to pile up a pile of wood chips and then spread it once the snow 945 01:20:52,460 --> 01:21:08,480 leaves. So. So. Yeah. Yes. When. So. Yeah. So just want to bring that to the board's attention that just kind of came up very recently to basically in between since their last meeting. 946 01:21:10,660 --> 01:21:16,560 And then some of the additional items that were, that was brought up by Board Member Panning, 947 01:21:16,700 --> 01:21:23,840 I did add those on there and I do have, I do have the spreadsheet that what we spent, 948 01:21:25,560 --> 01:21:29,220 the actual last expending and if I can make this better, 949 01:21:31,740 --> 01:21:33,840 it's not show up like this before. 950 01:21:47,980 --> 01:21:57,090 interest not shown. Why is that what happened to the interest? Hang on, I get it. 951 01:22:02,560 --> 01:22:03,600 Okay, so this 952 01:22:03,600 --> 01:22:07,160 document I'm just gonna have to start like this for us to have to go down. I don't know why it's 953 01:22:07,160 --> 01:22:16,960 not doing that. So the original bond. This was psyched out. This is it. There we go. Okay, so the original 954 01:22:16,960 --> 01:22:23,280 bond referendum was $3.5 million. So basically these are all the different parcels that were 955 01:22:23,280 --> 01:22:30,180 purchased. And the last one was purchased back in 2009. So I'd probably just not even been here 956 01:22:30,180 --> 01:22:36,040 a year. But yeah, so these are the difference. And I can send this out to the board. If you 957 01:22:36,040 --> 01:22:40,480 guys want this, I can send this out along with that adoptive park information. So I'll send 958 01:22:40,480 --> 01:22:44,560 this to you guys have a copy. But this is basically the different parcels that were purchased. 959 01:22:45,680 --> 01:22:52,960 And let me go down a little bit. It actually exceeds the 3.5. It actually was almost 960 01:22:52,960 --> 01:22:57,720 closer to 3.8 and that's I know there was some interest in there but that's for the interest 961 01:22:57,720 --> 01:23:02,860 what yes so I will I'll send this out just so you guys have it for your records as well what was the 962 01:23:02,860 --> 01:23:10,180 lakes do you have the information on the first purchase the lakes development that was the Oaksavanna 963 01:23:10,180 --> 01:23:21,320 and then I think just east of it was site 7 yep so that but the Oaksavanna was part of the site 7 964 01:23:23,640 --> 01:23:29,860 200 acres or so, what's now are thin, banked. 965 01:23:30,220 --> 01:23:35,520 But that purchase was connected to the oaks, 966 01:23:37,600 --> 01:23:41,040 to the one you're calling Lake's development. 967 01:23:41,220 --> 01:23:43,320 Those two purchases were together. 968 01:23:45,120 --> 01:23:47,700 Yeah, and that looks like it was like 70 acres. 969 01:23:48,820 --> 01:23:51,200 And when you're saying connected, do you mean they were just 970 01:23:51,200 --> 01:24:01,310 at the same time because the sight and deal, but because the spaces are not connected, but it was 971 01:24:04,300 --> 01:24:11,330 it was one of the developers of the lakes approached us to sell us the wetland peace, 972 01:24:12,240 --> 01:24:20,140 but then Jim Peterson being the Sharpie that he was told us to ask him for the eight acres of oak forest 973 01:24:20,140 --> 01:24:26,320 at the same time, and that would be about what he should have offered us for the, you know, 974 01:24:27,180 --> 01:24:36,440 that should have gave us more value, which he felt we needed. So yes, and it was so nice 975 01:24:36,440 --> 01:24:43,000 to hear this gentleman say, I wanted to save that for my best houses, but maybe everybody should 976 01:24:43,000 --> 01:24:49,060 should have it. So it was amazing, it was, you know, it was an amazing moment for our 977 01:24:49,060 --> 01:24:55,060 committee, and that was our first purchase. So site 7 was our first purchase. Sure. 978 01:24:55,900 --> 01:24:59,640 And we didn't know what we had until Jason came along and told us it was. 979 01:25:00,840 --> 01:25:25,680 What the potential was? Yes, what it was. We knew we had open space. That's as bright as we were. So this was a bond reformer referendum many years ago, 2000, 2000, it's a 23 years ago. Do you think we should talk to Council about a new bond referendum for identifying other spaces? 980 01:25:26,660 --> 01:25:36,030 It seems as though that there is still concern that pockets of open space be preserved. 981 01:25:37,330 --> 01:25:41,970 Or are we really ready to say that's it with ten open space properties? 982 01:25:42,990 --> 01:25:43,730 Maybe we are. 983 01:25:43,770 --> 01:25:46,670 It would be a good question to bring before the council. 984 01:25:49,670 --> 01:25:55,010 I'm sorry, I was way too self involved with small children to even remember how it happens. 985 01:25:55,010 --> 01:25:58,610 What, how did you get this initial referendum going? 986 01:25:58,790 --> 01:26:02,950 I know this is, you had the support of City Council on the mayor and the City Manager. 987 01:26:03,930 --> 01:26:11,150 It took a lot of effort in order to get the political to get this moving, but are we ready 988 01:26:11,150 --> 01:26:23,330 to say, it started with quite a public interest in an open space plan, again, I mean, I've been here 989 01:26:23,330 --> 01:26:27,650 for Golgali, you know, 34 years. 990 01:26:28,510 --> 01:26:35,130 So just how blame has changed is astounding. 991 01:26:35,330 --> 01:26:39,290 And I think I've just had lunch this past week, 992 01:26:39,290 --> 01:26:42,330 the last week with a coworker who's only lived in, 993 01:26:42,530 --> 01:26:43,610 blamed for five years. 994 01:26:44,230 --> 01:26:46,630 And she's like, I can't believe how fast it's changing. 995 01:26:47,310 --> 01:26:49,550 And like, do we have nothing? 996 01:26:49,550 --> 01:26:55,410 Yeah, where your house sits used to be open land at one time, too. 997 01:26:55,550 --> 01:26:58,770 I wish we had more money, too. 998 01:26:59,030 --> 01:27:05,730 I took some real foresight back in 2000 to say, let's invest in this, or this would 999 01:27:05,730 --> 01:27:15,630 all be drained and paved, and so it was really, it came from the 2020 planning committee. 1000 01:27:15,630 --> 01:27:21,390 This was our recommendation to the City Council was to establish an open space. 1001 01:27:21,570 --> 01:27:35,910 Along with all the other work we had, you know, the big folder of work, our main recommendation to the City Council was that we believe we should have an open space plan for the city and trails. 1002 01:27:35,910 --> 01:27:43,390 And we were told, we were really shot down, you told that they wanted 70,000 people in 1003 01:27:43,390 --> 01:27:47,530 Blaine and there would be no room for open space at that point. 1004 01:27:47,810 --> 01:27:53,470 Well, look what we've got, so yeah, so the committee kept on knowing we just called ourselves 1005 01:27:53,470 --> 01:28:01,130 open space 2000 and we marched in the parade with a handmade sign and there was just so much 1006 01:28:01,130 --> 01:28:03,910 support along the way, yeah, we need this, we need this. 1007 01:28:03,910 --> 01:28:12,370 And it was really the people of blame who convinced the council that we needed one needed open space. 1008 01:28:12,730 --> 01:28:22,970 Well, there's now there's 70,000 people and you gotta believe that there's a lot of those 70,000 people that still enjoy and care about open space. 1009 01:28:22,970 --> 01:28:32,310 And there is the 2040 comp plan, which has some action items and goals for natural resource 1010 01:28:32,310 --> 01:28:38,970 management and sustainability, which we need to make some progress on because we're not 1011 01:28:38,970 --> 01:28:41,010 right now here. 1012 01:28:42,310 --> 01:28:44,130 So perhaps there isn't opportunity. 1013 01:28:44,370 --> 01:28:51,950 I mean, if I'm hoping Council and Mayor are hearing from more people than just us that 1014 01:28:51,950 --> 01:28:56,190 sustainability and open space matters in our community, 1015 01:28:58,750 --> 01:29:21,930 because that's, and maybe when the, I don't know when the, you know, I don't know how accountable we are to the 2040 count plan, but when that's reviewed, I've reviewed it and there's, I mean, there's things that I think we as a board could be working on and providing recommendations, but there are things that are outside of our purview, but would be within the 1016 01:29:21,950 --> 01:29:24,650 purview of a sustainability board or commission, 1017 01:29:24,830 --> 01:29:27,350 which is one of the reasons I recommended that 1018 01:29:27,350 --> 01:29:29,210 when we started talking about the merger. 1019 01:29:30,070 --> 01:29:33,250 Because we've got bigger issues than just open space. 1020 01:29:33,670 --> 01:29:35,450 When we think about long-term planning, 1021 01:29:35,650 --> 01:29:37,410 because if we want to keep this community great, 1022 01:29:37,570 --> 01:29:41,510 we're going to need to, it's even more important now 1023 01:29:41,510 --> 01:29:44,750 than it was 20 years ago that we protect and preserve. 1024 01:29:44,850 --> 01:29:47,730 I would love for a free support, 23 years in the future 1025 01:29:47,730 --> 01:29:50,970 to look back and say, well, wow, they were on the ball. 1026 01:29:50,970 --> 01:29:59,970 You know, back in 2024 because by the time we get any action going 1027 01:30:00,460 --> 01:30:13,480 You know, again, every 25 years, there should be a renewal. You take a look at what you have and take assessment of where we've been and where we need to be and what do we need to act on now? 1028 01:30:15,240 --> 01:30:15,980 I'm fired up. 1029 01:30:16,020 --> 01:30:16,660 I think we should do. 1030 01:30:17,020 --> 01:30:18,500 Bring it back to our next meeting. 1031 01:30:18,780 --> 01:30:19,540 We'll see what we can start. 1032 01:30:19,780 --> 01:30:22,000 And I think we should talk to our council reps. 1033 01:30:22,240 --> 01:30:23,340 We should talk to our neighbors. 1034 01:30:25,420 --> 01:30:30,820 Well, in order for the city to bond money like that, it has to be put to a vote of the people. 1035 01:30:31,500 --> 01:30:35,540 So they'd have to approve it and have to go to a vote. 1036 01:30:36,260 --> 01:30:38,020 You do need the support of the council. 1037 01:30:38,260 --> 01:30:38,620 Yeah. 1038 01:30:39,200 --> 01:30:39,480 Yeah. 1039 01:30:40,660 --> 01:30:43,480 If I may, the board can always make a recommendation. 1040 01:30:44,580 --> 01:30:50,900 That staff bring the topic and let council know that the board would like the council to discuss this. 1041 01:30:50,900 --> 01:30:58,740 So the work can always make a recommendation that the Council should discuss the idea of having some sort of bonding platform for acquisition of more open space. 1042 01:30:59,340 --> 01:31:03,660 And we can bring the idea to the next workshop and get feedback or an initial response. 1043 01:31:04,100 --> 01:31:04,440 Great idea. 1044 01:31:05,540 --> 01:31:09,000 I mean, I'm looking at this list of properties that were purchased. 1045 01:31:09,200 --> 01:31:13,320 And I think it's some of these if I remember going back to the history. 1046 01:31:14,080 --> 01:31:16,920 Some of that helped the developers of that area. 1047 01:31:16,920 --> 01:31:20,780 because they wanted to develop a portion of it, 1048 01:31:21,340 --> 01:31:23,980 but then they had this small plant, 1049 01:31:24,820 --> 01:31:27,040 which as if you just want to sell houses, 1050 01:31:27,500 --> 01:31:28,940 or sell a business park, 1051 01:31:29,380 --> 01:31:33,300 or you don't see the value in it, 1052 01:31:33,480 --> 01:31:36,520 but it is so very valuable for our groundwater 1053 01:31:36,520 --> 01:31:41,340 and species, bird animal, plant species. 1054 01:31:42,640 --> 01:31:49,680 maybe just changing also the way we look at management of large spaces. They don't have to be 1055 01:31:50,260 --> 01:31:56,380 manicured. Maybe that's part of what the new vision might be. Because I think it needs to be 1056 01:31:56,380 --> 01:32:03,640 more than just open space acquisition. It's a bigger issue than that. So do we want to do it as 1057 01:32:03,640 --> 01:32:07,280 item for our next meeting. Maybe for our workshop. 1058 01:32:07,700 --> 01:32:08,300 Our workshop. 1059 01:32:10,760 --> 01:32:14,500 I don't know. Gene, you're a leader. We need a workshop for paint. 1060 01:32:15,480 --> 01:32:22,870 All of the for your all one we're going to do. We've had the enlist our staff people to help us. 1061 01:32:24,360 --> 01:32:30,770 Have an hour before meeting. I could do that, sure. I would that go. How would we do something like that? 1062 01:32:30,770 --> 01:32:34,810 We would just pulse up the meeting starts at 6.30 and set us up. 1063 01:32:35,130 --> 01:32:36,050 Yeah, we can do that. 1064 01:32:37,490 --> 01:32:37,930 That's good. 1065 01:32:37,930 --> 01:32:38,790 Let's do that. 1066 01:32:39,770 --> 01:32:40,510 Next month. 1067 01:32:40,870 --> 01:32:42,190 All right. 1068 01:32:42,370 --> 01:32:46,390 And the first one that have to be reminded is me to get here 6.30. 1069 01:32:46,930 --> 01:32:51,690 I need to do some homework. 1070 01:32:51,850 --> 01:32:55,730 I need to read the 2040 plan because if I'm the website, it's on the website. 1071 01:32:58,200 --> 01:32:59,040 All right. 1072 01:33:00,280 --> 01:33:01,900 Is there any more trouble we could make here? 1073 01:33:04,320 --> 01:33:12,200 board chair raffer to get members of the board. Yes, because we still have the friends of the open space, which 1074 01:33:12,200 --> 01:33:22,360 thanks for bringing that to my attention board member panning, because we don't know actually how it even got put up there, because the information sold out dated and wrong. 1075 01:33:22,360 --> 01:33:26,080 not wrong. It's been completed or, you know, 1076 01:33:26,080 --> 01:33:27,480 Jim had two and a half years 1077 01:33:27,480 --> 01:33:29,640 team in there. And Doddy is the chair. 1078 01:33:30,200 --> 01:33:32,080 So if there's something you guys want to put 1079 01:33:32,080 --> 01:33:35,740 in there instead, please provide content. 1080 01:33:35,960 --> 01:33:39,300 I'd be, we'd be happy to put different content in it. 1081 01:33:39,620 --> 01:33:43,660 That's that's still relevant if it's because 1082 01:33:43,660 --> 01:33:47,140 basically it's set in there, they were in the process 1083 01:33:47,140 --> 01:33:50,520 of preparing and preparing and trying to make 1084 01:33:52,720 --> 01:34:00,480 So if there's no, that wasn't, we were trying to make a nonprofit support group. 1085 01:34:00,960 --> 01:34:04,860 Okay, so if there's something different, we want to put on that page. 1086 01:34:05,700 --> 01:34:08,880 I know board member Panning put that out to the board. 1087 01:34:09,360 --> 01:34:15,840 So you guys can look at that and if there is, and we can exchange emails, that's fine. 1088 01:34:15,940 --> 01:34:17,380 I mean, it doesn't need to be a sit down. 1089 01:34:17,380 --> 01:34:22,320 that there's certain things people want on that page instead that's, you know, accurate. 1090 01:34:23,880 --> 01:34:28,100 Because the meeting time was 730. I mean, we don't mean it 730. So I mean, I don't 1091 01:34:28,100 --> 01:34:33,780 know, all that was I was kind of shocked. But we were, we were trying to start a foundation. 1092 01:34:34,520 --> 01:34:38,520 We ourselves were not allowed to. We were discussing how we would do it. And we had some 1093 01:34:38,520 --> 01:34:46,860 interested people. Most of whom died, so it really went away. The concept is great. Spring 1094 01:34:46,860 --> 01:34:59,520 book has fantastic foundation, the Nature Center, and they are great funderators, they're 1095 01:34:59,520 --> 01:34:59,720 There. 1096 01:35:00,000 --> 01:35:27,000 Our open spaces can really use the volunteer support and money raising and you know, when I first started on the sport that we were talking about friends of open spaces and that's, and you folks told me, well, we can't really run it here as long as we're on the board, but you know, if we graduate from the board, that would be, where does that, I cannot find anything that says foundation. 1097 01:35:27,000 --> 01:35:28,440 It's a non-profit. 1098 01:35:29,040 --> 01:35:29,060 Yes. 1099 01:35:29,800 --> 01:35:34,400 Why is the state of Minnesota, you'd have to set it up? 1100 01:35:34,400 --> 01:35:35,780 Find anything on it. 1101 01:35:36,040 --> 01:35:39,820 Malcolm, Malcolm, what's his name? 1102 01:35:39,900 --> 01:35:41,260 So this would be a legal opinion. 1103 01:35:41,620 --> 01:35:44,020 So if I ask for like our environmental treatment 1104 01:35:44,020 --> 01:35:46,800 from a legal thing, I had a bunch of papers, 1105 01:35:47,300 --> 01:35:49,940 which if I could follow up on that. 1106 01:35:50,080 --> 01:35:51,480 I'll see if I can find them. 1107 01:35:51,700 --> 01:35:56,280 But yes, it's a legal foundation non-profit type of thing. 1108 01:35:56,280 --> 01:36:02,440 And Springbrook has a Malcolm talk to me later. 1109 01:36:03,020 --> 01:36:06,480 Yeah, I'll clue you in on what it was. 1110 01:36:07,980 --> 01:36:08,100 OK. 1111 01:36:08,500 --> 01:36:10,540 Yes, so if you guys want to add anything to it, 1112 01:36:10,580 --> 01:36:12,240 we actually turned it off at this point 1113 01:36:12,240 --> 01:36:13,700 because the information's so wrong. 1114 01:36:14,120 --> 01:36:14,620 So you'll see. 1115 01:36:14,640 --> 01:36:15,440 I can't find it. 1116 01:36:15,460 --> 01:36:15,720 Right. 1117 01:36:16,620 --> 01:36:17,580 So that's on purpose. 1118 01:36:18,400 --> 01:36:21,260 But again, it's in that email that Carolyn sent out. 1119 01:36:21,260 --> 01:36:22,520 So please take a look at that. 1120 01:36:23,920 --> 01:36:26,420 There's some different information we want to put on there. 1121 01:36:26,420 --> 01:36:29,260 Um, things we want to add to that we can turn it back in. 1122 01:36:29,400 --> 01:36:33,080 Basically, we just hit with a paint, but we can, I just have not looked. 1123 01:36:33,460 --> 01:36:39,420 Yeah. So, but yes, no, I, I was like, I didn't even know that was there. 1124 01:36:39,700 --> 01:36:41,880 And then when I read him, like, that's all right. 1125 01:36:42,060 --> 01:36:42,600 That's wrong. 1126 01:36:42,840 --> 01:36:44,620 You know, it was just, I was actually kind of laughing. 1127 01:36:45,260 --> 01:36:48,040 So, that is all we have. 1128 01:36:48,240 --> 01:36:50,520 And on the grant, we did not do anything. 1129 01:36:50,580 --> 01:36:54,480 We don't have the capacity to do anything with it at this point. 1130 01:36:54,480 --> 01:36:59,460 we just we do not have the staff time and resources that is doing thing that is a shame that 1131 01:36:59,460 --> 01:37:05,540 that opportunity pass by because I know I had sent it to council and the mayor and city 1132 01:37:05,540 --> 01:37:11,280 manager and I got replies from anti when I got replies from that was that we're enthusiastic 1133 01:37:11,280 --> 01:37:16,860 and we'll look into this and it's disappointing that that couldn't happen somebody has to do 1134 01:37:16,860 --> 01:37:22,460 the work because the thing is that that was for a position for somebody to do this kind 1135 01:37:22,460 --> 01:37:27,820 work. So this is the chicken in the egg kind of problem where we need somebody to do the work, 1136 01:37:27,840 --> 01:37:32,340 but we don't have that person, but we need to apply for a grant to get that person, but there's 1137 01:37:32,340 --> 01:37:37,850 nobody to do the applying. So I don't know how to solve that, but that is next. That is I think a huge 1138 01:37:39,360 --> 01:37:49,080 gap in our city staff is that we need more good people, and we need people that are knowledgeable 1139 01:37:49,080 --> 01:37:57,160 an experienced and passionate about these issues for long-term sustainability and, you know, 1140 01:37:57,500 --> 01:38:03,220 just a couple, you know, who are doing lots of other things, just there's only so much 1141 01:38:03,220 --> 01:38:07,140 any one person can do. So, I'm disappointed. 1142 01:38:09,950 --> 01:38:12,770 We know that you guys are stretched off a thin. 1143 01:38:13,330 --> 01:38:19,230 I mean, every time you do reports on how many things are going on in the city, I just like, 1144 01:38:19,230 --> 01:38:22,610 I don't know how few of you there are doing all this. 1145 01:38:22,870 --> 01:38:26,770 So, you have great enthusiasm and help for us. 1146 01:38:28,770 --> 01:38:30,330 We want there to be more for you. 1147 01:38:30,730 --> 01:38:31,450 So, that's right. 1148 01:38:32,050 --> 01:38:33,350 We just need to clone you. 1149 01:38:34,290 --> 01:38:36,510 That is all the trouble we have at this time. 1150 01:38:38,070 --> 01:38:40,550 That is all we have on the agenda 1151 01:38:40,550 --> 01:38:42,190 unless the board has anything else. 1152 01:38:42,330 --> 01:38:43,590 Is there anything else? 1153 01:38:44,990 --> 01:38:45,910 Motion to adjourn. 1154 01:38:46,970 --> 01:38:47,710 I move. 1155 01:38:47,710 --> 01:38:48,870 I'll second. 1156 01:38:49,610 --> 01:38:49,850 Almost. 1157 01:38:50,290 --> 01:38:50,650 I'm famous.