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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO PARK COMMISSION MEETING <br />Monday, November 6, 2017 <br />6:30 o'clock p.m. <br />Weed Removal <br />Brenda Johnson asked how the City currently handles buckthorn removal. <br />Meyers indicated the City currently uses poison on the stumps. <br />Brenda Johnson stated she is aware that some other cities have used goats or pigs to eat the buckthorn and <br />pull up the roots. Johnson commented she is wondering if a demonstration could be put together using <br />that method. Johnson stated it would be a more natural way to remove the buckthorn and weeds. <br />Edwards stated Minnetonka has utilized goats in their parks and that he personally owns goats and that <br />they are non -discriminate in what they eat. Edwards stated they will eat buckthorn but that it does not kill <br />the tree. <br />Brenda Johnson stated she was introduced to some hairy pigs and that they ate the roots of the buckthorn. <br />Johnson stated she would like to explore different ways of eradicating weeds without the use of <br />chemicals. <br />Meyers suggested she research it more and provide some information to the Park Commission. <br />Big Island Update <br />Roath noted a steering committee meeting was held just prior to the Park Commission meeting and that <br />they discussed the three -phrases to the Comprehensive Plan. <br />Phase one basically consists of the cleanup of Big Island. At the present time the trails have been all <br />cleared out and mowed and are now visible. There is also a solid container on the island now to store the <br />mower and other equipment. Roath reported Home Depot has agreed to provide some labor and material <br />to upgrade the building near the dock. The building will be scraped and painted and some other minor <br />improvements. <br />Phase 2 consists of creating a master plan outlining everything that is in the original Comprehensive Plan <br />and Management Plan, which included a visitor center and platform. The committee agreed earlier <br />tonight to ask the Council to do a similar thing for Big Island as the Park Commission did for Lurton <br />Park. Roath stated at some point the plan would come before the Park Commission. Roath stated a <br />number of improvements have been completed at this time. <br />Meyers stated in his view it is important to have an overall plan to avoid miscommunication. <br />Roath stated there has also been some progress on the 501(3)(c), which would allow the City to pursue <br />some grant money for the consultant or other items. <br />Meyers suggested the Park Commission have a work session specifically to discuss possible grants. <br />Meyers noted the February work session is to discuss the Comprehensive Plan and that part of the <br />Comprehensive Plan discussion would be to review and lay out the trails, with any possible connections <br />being noted. <br />Brenda Johnson and Beth Olson indicated they would be interested in helping lay out the trails. <br />Page 9 of 11 <br />