HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-12-21 PACKET 04.C.City of
Cotta Grove
Minnesota
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From:
Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director
CC:
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
Date:
December 12, 2011
Subject: River Oaks Scenic Overlook Natural Resources Management Plan
Introduction
Cottage Grove continually identifies access to the Mississippi River a top priority forthe community.
This vision is supported in such documents as the Comprehensive Plan (2010) and Recreation Facility
Needs Study (2005) just to name a couple. Although public river access is currently limited, since 1989
the city has had ownership of a unique parcel in the River Oaks neighborhood entitled the River Oaks
Scenic Overlook.
Background
The River Oaks Scenic Overlook has terrific panoramic views of the Mississippi River Valley. To the
south one can see the Hastings lock and dam, and to the north are views of the main river channel and
Grey Cloud Island. As the title of the parcel indicates, the site provides these valuable scenic overlook
views but does not have direct access to the river as it is separated by steep bluffs and railroad
property.
The bluffs encompassing the River Oaks Scenic Overlook property are identified in the Natural
Resources Inventory (1998) as perhaps the "best quality dry- bedrock bluff prairie in the City of Cottage
Grove ". The prairie occurs on this southwest facing slope and includes a diverse base of true native
prairie grasses and forbes. Two rare species of Illinois tick -foil (state threatened) and long- bearded
hawkweed (state special concern) were also identified during the field survey. The resources plan
further identifies an invasion of woody shrubs and trees such as buckthorn, honeysuckle and sumac as
disturbance indicators. These invasive species appear to be growing rapidly and are putting the native
plants at a high risk of loss. Due to the mentioned disturbances coupled with a lack of infrastructure to
access the site, public accessibility and maintenance of the overlook has been nearly non - existent.
In the fall of 2011, staff spent time reviewing the site and identified some serious concerns with the
increased spread of invasive species. As such, staff worked with the Friends of the Mississippi River to
identify partnering opportunities to manage the property for both its natural resources and to provide
improved accessibility to the general public. As an initial step in that process, almost all grant funded
restoration and enhancement projects must have an ecological and restoration management plan. This
plan in its entirety is anticipated to cost $3,285 of which the FMR has graciously offered to grant
$1,385. The city would be responsible for cost- sharing in the amount of $1,900.
The 2012 budget identifies Park Trust Fund expenditures of up to $15,000 to be used towards master
planning of parks. The expenditure portion of this project would be derived from those available funds.
Staff Recommendation
Authorize staff to execute an agreement with the Friends of the Mississippi River to develop a Natural
Resources Management Plan for the River Oaks Scenic Overlook for a cost to the city of $1,900.
River Oak Scenic Overlook Panoramic
November 2011
Friends
of the
Mississippi
River
36ONRobatStroo� Swte
400 • SmtPatiL
MN 55101 •651/222 -2193 • Fax 651/
222 -6005
December 12, 2011
Mr. Zac Dockter & Mr. John Burbank
City of Cottage Grove
8635 W. Point Douglas Rd.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Dear Zac and John,
First of all I want to thank you both for meeting with Karen and me out at the River Oaks Park
site. The park is small but the views are incredible. As I explained on our site visit, one of the
things that needs to be in place before LCCMR or LSOHC funds can be utilized at the park is a
Natural Resource Management Plan. Here is the exact wording in a LCCMR document:
Overall Restoration Project Requirements
Restoration and enhancement projects must have an ecological restoration
and management pion that is consistent with the highest quality conservation
and ecological goals for the restoration site. The pion should give consideration
to factors such as soil, topography, geology, and other relevantfactors that
would provide for the best chance for long-term success of the restoration. The
plan should include a timetable for implementing the restoration, identify long-
term maintenance and management needs of the restoration and how they will
befrnanced, take advantage of the best available science, and include innovative
techniques to achieve the best restoration.
Expenses associated with developing a NRMP for the River Oaks Park site are estimated at
$3,285.00. FMR can bring $1,385 to the project and we would ask the City of Cottage Grove to
contribute $1,900.00. The following table presents information on the tasks and their costs
associated with developing a NRMP for this 2.15 -acre park. If you have any questions after
reviewing this budget please contact me.
I look forward to working with you both in developing the NRMP for the park and in restoring
and enhancing the natural resources on the site.
Sincerely,
Tom Lewanski
Conservation Director
River Oaks NRMP Project Budget Table.
2
Associated
Proposed
Activity
Expenses
Project Funding
Amount
Status
Required research
$520
Friends of the
$1,385.00
Secured
for document
Mississippi River
Field work
$650
City of Cottage
$1,900.00
Pending
Grove
Map development
$650
Document
$1,170
development
Partner
$195
consultation
Expenses (travel,
$100
p rinting)
Expense Total
$3,285.00
Funding Total
$3,285.00
River Oaks NRMP Project Budget Table.
2
Memorandum of Understanding Between
Friends of the Mississippi River
And
The City of Cottage Grove
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a partnership between
Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) and the City of Cottage Grove Minnesota for the
purposes of developing a Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) for the River
Oaks Park.
Together, the Parties enter into this Memorandum of Understanding to mutually improve
the habitat of the River Oaks Park. Accordingly, FMR and the City of Cottage Grove
operating under this MOU agree as follows:
I. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
Whereas, the City of Cottage Grove has an interest in improving the habitat values of the
River Oaks Park and providing access to its residents; and
Whereas, FMR has an interest in improving the habitat values of the River Oaks Park;
and
Whereas the staff of FMR have the technical knowledge and experience to effectively
develop a NRMP for and to conduct ecological restoration at the River Oaks Park; and
Whereas, the FMR has been awarded a $1,385 grant that can be utilized for the
development of a NRMP for the River Oaks Park; and
Whereas, The City of Cottage Grove agrees to pay FMR up to $1,900 to complete a
NRMP for the River Oaks Park; and
Therefore, in consultation with Staff from the City of Cottage Grove, FMR, for the total
sum of $3,285 agrees to develop a NRMP for the River Oaks Park.
II. Deliverables
FMR will develop a document (NRMP) that describes the site features and potential for
ecological restoration. Existing natural resource information will include geology, soils,
historic plant communities, plant survey information, and existing land cover as well as
context of the site from a landscape perspective. The ecological conditions will be
described for each land cover, with maps showing locations of exotic and rare species,
and ecological features and concerns. General restoration and management
recommendations will be described for each land cover type, as well as the restoration
potential (relative ease of restoration), priority, and general cost estimate.
III. RESPONSIBILITIES
Each party will appoint a person to serve as the official contact and to coordinate the
activities of each organization in carrying out this MOU. The initial appointees of each
organization are:
Friends of the Mississippi River
Tom Lewanski, DPA
360 North Robert Street, Suite 400
St. Paul, MN 55101
651 - 222 -2193 Ext. 12
tlewanski@fmn org
The City of Cottage Grove
Zac Dockter
Cottage Grove Parks and Recreation Director
8635 W. Pt. Douglas Rd.
Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Phone: 651- 458 -2847
Fax: 651-458-6080
zdockter @cottage- grove. org
The partnering organizations agree to the following tasks for this MOU:
FMR will:
• Develop a NRMP for the River Oaks Park and provide copies of the plan to the
City of Cottage Grove and FMR.
• Consult with staff from the City of Cottage Grove while developing this NRMP.
• Provide one invoice when the NRMP is completed. FMR will invoice the City of
Cottage Grove directly for actual expenses devoted to the project up to the
maximum amount of $1,900.
The City of Cottage Grove will:
• Provide shape file(s) of all of the land included in the NRMP.
• Review and provide comments on a draft version of the NRMP.
• Pay the invoice promptly upon receiving it.
IV. TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING
The term of this MOU is for a period of 1 year. Changes to this MOU must be in writing
and signed by the official contacts from both organizations.
2
Authorization
On behalf of the organization I represent, I agree to fulfill my responsibilities outlined in
this MOU.
Thomas Lewanski, DPA Date:
Conservation Director
Friends of the Mississippi River
Ryan Schroeder Date:
City Administrator
The City of Cottage Grove
Caron Stransky Date:
City Clerk
The City of Cottage Grove