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MINUTES OF THE , <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING � <br /> Monday,February 11,2013 ' <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. � <br /> (4. DONATION GARDEN, Continued) <br /> Levang stated when they first started the garden, it was basically clay soil and that a substantial amount of <br /> nutrients and mulch have been added to the soil over the past couple of years. This year students from a <br /> variety of schools were invited to help with the garden,which added another dimension to the garden by <br /> providing an education to the students. This past year the garden included sweet potatoes and regular <br /> potatoes. Levang noted they unfortunately lost quite a bit of produce due to a rat problem that resulted <br /> from the use of hay. There were some crops that did not do well, such as zucchini,but that they had a <br /> bunker crop in tomatoes and other vegetables. <br /> As part of this year's garden,the volunteers plan on utilizing soaker hoses that have been donated. The <br /> City of Long Lake last year installed a spigot near the garden,which allowed them to have access to water <br /> close by rather than having to haul it in. Levang thanked the Long Lake Mayor and City Council for <br /> allowing that. � <br /> Levang noted they have approximately$2,000 in their bank account and that some of that money will be <br /> used to purchase additional nutrients for the soil. They have experienced problems with deer jumping the <br /> fence and eating some of the produce. <br /> The core group of volunteers for the garden came from Long Lake, Orono,Independence, and Mound. <br /> Overall 17 volunteers helped out at the garden last year and they donated approximately 615 volunteer <br /> hours. Most volunteers worked at the garden two to three times per week. A number of individuals and <br /> businesses also donated a variety of crops and herbs that were grown as well as flowering plants that were <br /> given away. <br /> Levang stated the donation garden is a very valuable asset to the local community. Levang thanked <br /> Mayor McMillan for installing two blue bird houses and noted that they now the very proud parents of <br /> blue birds. The plan for this coming year is to invite more local churches and community groups to help <br /> with the group as well as add more volunteers. In addition, a master gardener will be helping the <br /> volunteers with the garden this year and a meeting has been scheduled for this Saturday. Another goal is <br /> to partner with other groups who have donation gardens. <br /> McMillan noted two year ago the group experimented with a truckload of milfoil on the garden. The <br /> milfoil was rather stringy so it was hard to work with but once it was put down, it made a nice mat around <br /> the plants. McMillan thanked the donation garden volunteers for all their hard work. <br /> The Orono City Council took no formal action on this item. <br /> 5. BOW-FISHING REGULATIONS—GREG NYBECK,LAKE MINNETONKA <br /> CONSERVATION DISTRICT(LMCD) <br /> Greg Nybeck,Executive Director of the LMCD, addressed the Orono City Council regarding bow fishing <br /> regulations. Bow fishing is not currently a problem on Lake Minnetonka but it is increasing in popularity. <br /> The LMCD is currently working with various local cities on identifying how they interpret bow fishing <br /> and the regulations they have in place. Nybeck noted bow fishing is allowed by state law but regulated by <br /> local ordinances. <br /> Page 2 of 24 <br />