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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 1 019 <br />