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Park & Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 <br />October, 10th 2007 <br />• Dir <br />ector of Parks and Recreation, Bill Maertz shared that the YMCA has broken <br />ground with a completion date of October of 2008. <br />Mr. Maertz clarified that the projects listed in the 5 pear CIP are not finalized, nor <br />are there sufficient funds available to build these projects due to the downturn in the <br />housing market. The 5-year CIP is a planning document that attempts to balance <br />spending based on projected fee revenue. <br />Mr. Maertz shared that the primary goal of the Ice Arena project would be to <br />improve crown circulation, create a seating area for the concession stand and to <br />address fire code issues related to room capacity. <br />8.1. Discussion Items -Information update on Invasive Species, ie: Buckthorn <br />Gunther Sagan, gave a presentation on the invasive species; buckthorn. This <br />invasive species plant has gotten into the Woodland Trails Park and is spreading <br />quickly and will eventually choke out healthy forest trees. <br />Mr. Sagan shared that it would be beneficial to have a `Buckthorn Busters" Day in <br />area parks to start the process of getting rid of this plant. <br />• Commissioner Anderson encouraged residents to start getting rid of Buckhorn on <br />their own property and asked staff to consider looking into applying for grants to <br />support purchasing the wrenches used to pull this invasive species. <br />8.2.A. Community Events -Downtown Movies Update <br />Elk River Parks & Recreation Director Bill Maertz shared an update on the Movies <br />in the Park. <br />8.2.B. 2008 River's Edge Concert Series <br />Elk River Parks & Recreation Director Bill Maertz shared that the line up for the 2008 <br />River's Edge Concerts Series has been booked and will include new acts and run a <br />few weeks longer. <br />8.3.A. Policy Issues -Orono Pollination Garden <br />Susan Bergstrom received a $500 grant from the University of Minnesota Extension <br />to construct and maintain a pollination garden for teaching purposes and requested <br />permission to plant it at the new Elk River Library. <br />Commissioner Anderson likes the idea of having the garden at the library where it <br />would be less subjective to destruction. <br />• <br />