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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 2, 2015 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />ROLL CALL <br />The Orono Park Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: <br />Chair Rick Meyers, Commissioners Brenda Johnson, Sarah Lindahl, Paul Pesek, and Julie Ruegemer. <br />Representing Staff were Public Works Director/City Engineer Adam Edwards and Recorder Jackie <br />Young. Council Member Lizz Levang was present. <br />Chair Meyers called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. <br />APPROVAL OF MINUTES <br />Meyers requested the minutes be corrected as follows: Page 1, Item 2, "Meyers noted the pavers are <br />permeable," Page 10 under New Business, a volleyball court could be constructed on the sandy beach at <br />Summit Park; and on Page 11, the epoxy coating would be at Navarre Park <br />Approval of September 8, 2015, Park Commission :Meeting <br />Pesek moved, Johnson seconded, to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2015, Park <br />Commission meeting as submitted. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. <br />PRESENTATIONS <br />2. Angela Isackson — Three Rivers Parks — Woodlot Management and Invasive Plants <br />Angela Isackson, Invasive Species Coordinator, stated her position was created three years ago to deal <br />with the invasive species at the various parks through the metro area. Examples of invasive species <br />include garlic mustard, buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, and wild parsnip, which have an impact on the <br />ecology, recreation, and economics. Isackson noted invasive species will tend to remain green much <br />longer than other plants, which makes them easy to identify at this time of year. <br />Isackson displayed pictures of the various invasive species found in the local parks. Isackson noted the <br />various types of invasive species tend to take over various areas and do not allow other natural woodland <br />plants to grow. Wild parsnip causes a skin reaction consisting of skin burning and blisters, which is a <br />public health hazard. Wild parsnip has been confirmed at Baker Park and is a matter of time before it <br />starts spreading in the Metro along highways and county roads. Isackson noted wild parsnip has been <br />found along County Road 6 and off the Luce Line Trail. It tends to spread as a result of mowing and is <br />eliminated through controlled burns, spraying, and early mowing. <br />Isackson stated there are two types of buckthorn; common and glossy buckthorn. At one time buckthorn <br />was widely planted throughout United States but it is now classified as a restricted noxious weed in <br />Minnesota. Buckthorn competes with native plants, contributes to erosion, and serves as a host to pests. <br />Garlic mustard is a biannual and forms a dense cover, reduces native soil, and impacts the mycorrhizal in <br />the soil. <br />Isackson stated Oriental bittersweet is just starting to spread through the United States and at the present <br />time is located mostly on the eastern coast. The plant was introduced for ornamental purposes and is <br />often mislabeled as American bittersweet. Once the vine becomes larger, it can kill or damage trees and <br />shrubs and makes trees more likely to drop branches during wind and ice storms. In addition, the vines <br />Page 1 of 9 <br />