HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Natural Resources & Conservation Committee - 11/04/2018Natural Resources Commi ee Mee ng
Mee ng Minutes
April 11, 2018
In A endance: Be y Milizia, Kris n Williams, David Crawford, Lisa Yankowski, Holly Rees and Andrew Noonan
Absent: Laura Williams, Lindsay Bryce
Guests: Holly Kreiner (WNRCD)
6:02 Call to order
Changes to Agenda:
David wanted to add to the agenda a moment of silence for Pat Nowak (6:02-6:03)Holly added the following agenda items:Approval of March 7 minutesApproval of March 21 minutesRequest from Marla Keene to take up view corridor at WheelerAdd Edlund Property Le er under the “On-Going Agenda Items” Comments from the Public: No comments
SB Arbor Day: Holly Kreiner (WNRCD)
Holly introduced herself and her role sa ng that her main focus of work is with water quality right now and that the
previous “Stream Team” was now re-branded as “Re-Think Run-Off”. She is focused on lake and shoreline restora on and
culvert improvement projects. She is solici ng volunteers for May 4 9-12 to help with suppor ng plan ngs for her
riparian buffer project at WVPD Muddy Brook wetland preserve. A er the event there will be a BBQ. Rec and Park to
assist with the grill, Be y to a end from Commi ee to assist. Andrew suggested doing educa on around cks at this
event, encouraging all to check themselves before leaving. Lisa suggested ge ng po ng mix donated from either the
Interval or Gardner Supply. No fica on of this event has been submi ed to TOP by Holly K and once published, Rec and
Park will context it to the community through its media outlets.
Invasive Removal Project: Andrew Noonan (Parks Foreman)
Andrew introduced himself and gave a brief history of his educa on and his back ground. He explained that he had
coordinated with city arborist Craig Lambert as well as invasive enthusiast Mike Bald, to review the current management
plans for invasive removal at home Wheeler and Red Rocks this coming summer. Andrew reviewed that Buckthorn was
the biggest issue and that the project was beyond what volunteer efforts could manage. He detailed that he had
purchased an a achment to the skidder that chews the trunk up to the root and destroys and mulches. He is hopeful
that in me this will break down and feed the soil and that the grasses will outcompete with in and thrive. He is
an cipa ng very li le re-sprou ng. Be y men oned her desire for sheep, but Andrew explained that Sheep and goats
were not selec ve and that we wanted to preserve the na ve species. Andrew explained that Mike Bald would be
looking for assistance from the commi ee in planning a couple of community Weed Warrior events to tackle issues in the
sugar bush. It was suggested that Mike be invited to an upcoming mee ng in May to discuss poten al dates. The VYCC
will be working under the direc on of the WVPD to do two weeks of invasive removal at both Wheeler and Red Rocks this
coming summer, as well as clearing some of the overgrown trails. Tim Learned from WVPD has dropped GPS pins at
loca ons that need work. WVPD will be doing any bridge and puncheon work necessary. Andrew es mates being able to
get about 60% under control in the next two years and 90% under control in the next 5 years at Wheeler. Holly R. noted
that proper management of our Natural Areas takes both monetary and human resources and that this is something the
NRC and various commi ees should aware of as the con nue to account for the current and future inventory of these
assets. It isn’t enough to purchase them, there needs to be a complimentary management plan that is fully funded as
well.
NRC Events:
Green Up Day- May 5 8:00-2:00 (Dave, Be y and Kris n Tabling- shi s?)
Arbor Day- May 4- Be y to coordinate with Craig for Tree USA
See above for dates of Holly K project
Speaker Series Sugges ons:
Charlie N. April 25 Gardening Tips
Holly K May 10 Riparian Buffers/ Re-Think Run Off
Mike Bald June Invasive Species
? July Lawn Care/ mowing height and organic treatments
B&B? August Farming
Elise ? September Trees
? October Bat houses
Update on Themes
Tree Canopy: Paul Connors recent Front Porch Forum pos ng about the mul ple acres being taken down for
private development has spurred the need for some strategic planning where the tree canopy is concerned was
discussed. Commi ee will need to coordinate with Planning Commission at the next Leadership Mee ng to
discuss their desire to look into this. Will need to review current LDR’s, PUD’s, Comp Plan, Tree Studies and
Na onal Standards when proposing poten al policy change. This issue to be taken up further in future work
sessions.
Approval of March 7 Minutes:
Dave mo oned to accept the minutes as presented
Lisa seconded
Minutes unanimously approved
Approval of March 21 Minutes:
Dave mo oned to accept the minutes as presented
Lisa seconded
Minutes unanimously approved
Wheeler View Corridor:
Holly reviewed informa on from Marla Keene who is seeking input on the commi ees’ op on of where the view
protec on line should be from Wheeler Homestead. There is a formed sub-commi ee that will be taking up this issue
that Be y, Lisa and Kris n will sit on. Holly will ask Marla to a end the May mee ng to get more informa on on how she
would like the informa on presented.
Scorecard Edits: The need to postpone further discussion of the scorecard was brought up and the group agreed to takethis on at an addi onal work session planned for May 16. 6:00-8:00pm. This would be in addi on to the originallyscheduled May 2 monthly mee ng.
Possible Execu ve Session:
It was not necessary to go into execu ve session.
Plan Next Agenda: Resolu on for PUD, Marla Keene for Wheeler View Corridor, Mike Bald for Weed Warrior Projects,Finalize Speaker Schedule, Leadership Mee ng Needs
Adjourn:
Kris n mo oned to adjourn
Lisa seconded
Adjourned at 8:13
Next Regular Mee ng: May 2, 2018 6:00-8:00
Next work plan mee ng: May 16, 2018 6:00-8:00
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