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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 /> Carter 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. Carter 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. Carter stated at some point the plan would come before the Park Commission but that a number of <br /> 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 /> Carter 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 />