Laserfiche WebLink
It, <br />MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, January 28, 2008 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. • <br />(3. NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY— DAVIDTHILL,HENNEPINCOUNTY <br />DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, Continued) <br />Thill indicated that it is. Thill illustrated the areas of open water, forests, and grassland throughout the <br />City. The results of the natural resource inventory covered a total of 2,549 acres. These remnants <br />represent eighteen distinct natural community types (eight forest types, one woodland type, two <br />shrublands types, four herbaceous wetland types, and one upland grassland type), as well as areas of <br />open water consisting of lakes and ponds. Within Orono, 50 oak forest remnants were documented <br />totaling 369 acres and ranged in size from 0.5 acres to 47.7 acres. Thill reviewed the map illustrating <br />the natural areas with potential for rare species. <br />Thill noted his handout has a section listing recommendations for a series of conceptual natural <br />resources /open space corridors throughout the area. The open space corridors are meant to be a <br />guideline for cities to help preserve and enhance those areas. Thill explained the Department of <br />Environmental Services utilizes a GIS -based database and map to help identify potential restoration <br />sites and their priority rankings. For each site, the GIS -based database provides guidance on what plant <br />community should be restored, where it can be restored most successfully and cost effectively. <br />White stated it would be interesting to find out whether the lands that the suggested corridors are located <br />over are privately owned or city - owned. <br />Thill stated he can break that information out for the City if they so desire <br />McMillan asked whether Mr. Thill would have a list of recommendations that the City could follow in is <br />designating certain natural resource corridors. <br />Thill stated a list would need to be developed but that there are a number of options that the City could <br />look at to preserve a particular area or corridor. Thill indicated that most cities go with a voluntary, <br />incentive driven plan to encourage residents to preserve and enhance their natural resources. Thill noted <br />that Orono's Natural Resource Inventory is on the Department of Environmental Services' website and <br />would be helpful in answering their questions. <br />McMillan noted that Orono is now 80 percent developed and inquired whether there are any <br />recommendations the City could provide to the residents on how they could remove invasive species <br />that are found in this area and how to properly restore the natural vegetation. <br />Thill suggested targeting specific areas or corridors. Thill noted Hennepin County has a number of <br />grant programs available to cities to help offset the costs of the removal of invasive species and that <br />generally the grants are given to cities if the area they are targeting is protected. Thill stated Big Island <br />would qualify as one of those areas. Thill recommended the City contact him personally if they have <br />any questions. <br />DONATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS <br />4. ACCEPT DONATION <br />Moorse stated the Orono Police Department has received four $100 Streicher gift cards from an ' • <br />anonymous donor. Moorse indicated these gift cards would be used to purchase equipmentluniforms for <br />officers in the Police Department. <br />PAGE 2 of 8 <br />