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/—"s\ Parks&Recreation Commission Minutes Page 5 <br /> November 10,2021 <br /> • YAC Playground Safety Netting. Motion Carried 7-0. <br /> 8. Invasive Species Management <br /> Mr. Hecker shared his report asking if the commission interested in having a <br /> dedicated funding source to contract services to control invasive species. <br /> Commissioner Niziolek stated it is imperative to have a dedicated fund to invest on a <br /> yearly basis to be successful. <br /> Commissioner Anderson shared,we transformed Woodland Trails Regional Park <br /> temporarily by cutting down the buckthorn and if the funding would have been <br /> there,we could have sprayed the buckthorn this year to keep fighting it. <br /> Commissioner Anderson would like the State of Minnesota to declare that <br /> buckthorn is an invasive species to fight it.You can improve the quality of your <br /> native community in a site-specific area even if the neighbor does not. We must do <br /> our part to preserve and protect the lands we have. <br /> �—•\ Commissioner Rathbun would like to know a long-term eradication plan. <br /> Council member Wagner understands the concern and wants to know what the <br /> amount is needed yearly and for how long. <br /> Commissioner Niziolek one thing that would save us is a prescribed burn in the <br /> parks where we can be aggressive to save significant amount of money. Plan by <br /> implementing burn programs to minimize the cost. <br /> Commissioner Anderson stated it is very complicated to name all the nature areas we <br /> have without consulting experts in the area. Stating if we don't put$75,000 to <br /> $100,000 towards Woodland Trials Regional Park next year,we will have lost. <br /> Chair Williams stated if it is in the Parks Operation budget then staff and council <br /> would figure the amount out for invasive species. <br /> Council member Wagner clarified, the commission wants the funding source but <br /> council to determine the source and to bring in a consultant to work out how much. <br /> Commissioner Anderson stated for the sake of timeliness it should be$100,000 and <br /> then look at future funding and leverage Friends of the Mississippi,but they <br /> wouldn't come up to Woodland Trails Regional Park, this partnership has helped in <br /> Philip 11 <br /> NATURE <br />