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Elk River Public Library Board <br />January 26th, 2021 <br />Page 4 <br />removed last summer. The second part of the discussion should be <br />around plants for the rain garden that were discussed at the last <br />meeting and the continued involvement of the master gardeners with <br />the library and grounds. <br />• Chair Dreissig asked Ms. Olson and Ms. Lewis about moving the <br />planters to a different location. Options were either closer to the <br />butterfly garden or north of the raingarden closer to the library. For <br />watering purposes closer to the library would be most convenient. <br />Ms. Schake also pointed out that right outside the community room <br />would be safe and convenient for the kids. Ms. Lewis runs the Junior <br />Master Gardner program with the library. <br />• Mr. Sevcik agreed that closer to the building would be better as far as <br />grounds maintenance is concerned. He said that that most important <br />thing is that the boxes do not block a sprinkler head. He said he was <br />not concerned about the extra weeding. Ms. Schake pointed out that <br />where the boxes had previously been in the middle of the parking <br />lots was not safe for the kids due to proximity to cars. She also <br />mentioned that based on the walk through she, former Chair <br />Keifenheim and the master gardeners had in the fall, the south side <br />of the building and the butterfly garden would also be unsafe due to <br />kids needing to cross the parking lot. It was suggested that the board <br />decide on whether the master gardener program continue to be <br />supported and then the box location could be determined later. The <br />board agreed that they did want to continue to support the program. <br />■ Ms. Schake said that there is a cost to replace the garden boxes. Ms. <br />Olson said that the master gardeners are looking at purchasing 2 foot <br />by 14-inch corrugated metal and cedar boxes. The total cost would <br />be $500. The master gardeners are asking that the city share half of <br />the cost. Mr. Sevcik said that would not be a problem since there is <br />about $3,000 in the current landscaping budget for the library. <br />Moved by Commissioner Keifenheim and seconded by Commissioner Hegarty <br />for the Elk River Library Board to continue to support the Junior Master <br />Gardener program with the library and in doing so, the master gardeners and city <br />staff can determine the location of the new garden boxes and share in the cost at <br />50% for the City and 50% for the Master Gardeners. Motion carried 5-0. <br />c. Continue discussion and decide on request to replace plants in the <br />raingarden from Ms. Dietz and Ms. Stombaugh in October. <br />Commissioner Keifenheim explained that a few years ago she <br />remembered that the library had spent $2,000 on the garden and <br />when it got dry everything in it died. The board asked Mr. Sevcik if <br />parks maintenance had time to water and do a lot of maintenance on <br />the library gardens. Mr. Sevcik confirmed his staff do not have the <br />time to dedicate extensive support for the gardens with everything <br />else they have to maintain. The board discussed the need for a plan <br />10 V E0E1 1r <br />AWRY <br />