ITEM 5.1 MinnMed(i
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MINNESOA
DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Request for
City Council Action
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
REQUESTOR:
MEETING DATE:
Parks & Recreation
Parks and Recreation Director Demant
January 8, 2018
PRESENTER(s)
REVIEWED BY:
ITEM #:
Parks and Recreation Director Demant
City Administrator Flaherty
5.1
AGENDA ITEM DETAILS
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is recommending developing a natural resource programs utilizing the $20,000 contribution from
MinnMed that would incorporate edible gardening, pollinator gardening, a rain barrel program, and
developing and implementing an Emerald Ash Borer management plan.
ARE YOU SEEKING APPROVAL OF A CONTRACT?
ISA PUBLIC HEARING REQUIRED?
No
No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION :
The City of Otsego received a $20,000 contribution from Minnesota Medical Solutions to support local
investments in public education and parks. In October, 2017 the City Council directed staff to structure a
program utilizing this contribution with a focus on natural resource education and management.
After reviewing several options, staff is recommending the following program to be implemented in 2018:
1. Edible Landscapes:
a. Using the example of the City of Duluth's program, the City would purchase up to 10 trees
and identify three parks to begin the edible landscape program. Each park would have
identification signage that would explain the program, identify the trees, and encourage
residents to assist with the program (i.e. adopt an edible landscape). The University of
Minnesota provides ample information on apple trees and other fruit trees best suited for
our growing zone.
b. Budget:
i. Trees $3,600
ii. Signage/ Information $900
iii. TOTAL $4,500
2. Pollinator Gardens:
a. Develop a pollinator education program, and promoting it on our website and program
guide.
b. Identify parks and other areas where pollinator gardens would be installed and
maintained.
c. Create a garden that educates the community on the Mayor's Monarch Pledge. This would
aid with meeting the required criteria for the City to continue to participate with this
program.
d. Create educational programs offered throughout the year (free or discount).
e. Make materials available for people to establish their own pollinator gardens.
f. Budget
i. Program Materials $2,000
3. Rain Barrel Program:
a. CROW (Crow River Organization of Water) offers a rain barrel program each year to
residents within its district. Rain barrels can capture and store runoff from small to
medium size rain events. The water that is captured in the barrels can then be used to
water flowers, landscape areas or irrigate lawns in between rain events.
b. In 2017, barrels were being sold for $55 each; the CROW staff anticipates that the price will
remain the same in 2018.
c. CROW buys and has delivered about 345 barrels each year to sell to residents.
d. Otsego would offer this program to its residents at a discounted rate and advertise through
the View.
e. Using the parks and recreation department's program registration software, residents
would be able to purchase barrels on-line.
f. Barrels will be delivered to a centralized location, possibly Hutchinson, staff would then
pick up Otsego's barrels for residents to pick up at a pre -determined day and time.
g. Rain barrel information and education would be included with the on-line information on
pollinators and edible landscapes.
h. Budget
L Discounted program for rain barrels: $900 ($10 resident discount per barrel with an
anticipated purchase of 35 barrels total, City would purchase an additional 10 barrels for
City use or future sales).
4. Emerald Ash Borer and other invasive species Education and Resources:
a. In 2009, EAB spread to Minnesota, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture ratified a
quarantine area of a number of Minnesota counties, including Hennepin, that placed
restrictions on the use, movement and transport of ash wood material.
b. In January 2017, the City of Maple Grove received confirmation from the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture that EAB was present in Maple Grove.
c. When EAB invades an area there is a characteristic lag period where populations are too
small to kill trees and typically too small to detect. However, EAB populations eventually
grow to a "tipping point" where population growth accelerates and tree mortality occurs
rapidly.
d. Otsego would create a EAB management program that would include:
L Creating a management plan that would include the following:
1. Inventory of City trees in boulevards and parks.
2. Create and begin a replacement and implementation plan for those ash
tree located on City property.
3. Provide residents access to trees through the Wright County Soil and
Water Conservation District Tree program.
4. Construction of a gravel bed tree nursery.
e. Budget:
i. Gravel Bed Nursery (Including Trees) $ 4,000
Budget Summary:
Edible Landscapes 1 $4,500
Pollinator Gardens 1 $2,000
Rain Barrel Program 1 $900
EAB Education & Gravel Bed establishment 1 $4,000
Intern/ staffing for creation of programs andI $6 000
establishment and maintenance of
landscaping and gardens
Funding for 2019 project continuation I $2,600
and/or contingency for 2018 projects
TOTAL 1 $20,000
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
• NSA
POSSIBLE MOTION
PLEASE WORD MOTION AS YOU WOULD LIKE IT TO APPEAR IN THE MINUTES:
Motion to approve developing a natural resource program utilizing the $20,000 contribution from
MinnMed that would incorporate edible gardening, pollinator gardening, a rain barrel program, and
developing and implementing an Emerald Ash Borer management plan.
BUDGET INFORMATION
FUNDING: BUDGETED:
Fund #215 — Vireo Health Donations I No