HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-13 PACKET 04.D. REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL � AGENDA
MEETING 8�j #
DATE ��� � Q
PREPARED BY Parks and Recreation Zac Dockter
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT HEAD
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COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST:
Consider authorizing staff to accept the River Oaks Scenic Overlook grant from the Friends of
Mississippi River in the amount of $8,200.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize staff to accept the River Oaks Scenic Overlook grant from the Friends of Mississippi
River in the amount of $8,200.
BUDGET IMPLICATION $0
BUDGETED AMOUNT
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION
❑ PLANNING
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
❑ PUBLIC WORKS
� PARKS AND RECREATION
❑ HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
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SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
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DATE
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REVIEWED
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$4,500
ACTUAL AMOUNT
APPROVED
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MEMO/LETTER:
RESOLUTION:
ORDINANCE:
ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
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City Administrator
DENIED
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Overlook Grant.doc
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To:
From:
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Date:
Subject:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director
July 24, 2014
River Oaks Scenic Overlook Restoration Grant
Introduction/Background
In November of 2012, the Parks Commission and City Council placed on file the River Oaks
Park Natural Resources Management Plan. The plan presents site analysis and
recommended management practices for the 2.1 acre natural area located just south of the
River Oaks Golf Course. Since acceptance of the plan, the City has been seeking grant
opportunities to implement the recommendations of the plan.
River Oaks Scenic Overlook provides fantastic views of the Mississippi River while also being
part of a site that was identified as containing "high biological diversity" by the MN Department
of Natural Resources. The designation comes from the presence of remnant dry bedrock bluff
prairie. However, invasive species growth such as buckthorn and sumac increase the threat
for loss of this native prairie with each passing year.
For these reasons, the Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is offering the City a grant
opportunity through funding from the State of Minnesota's Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage
Grant program to begin protecting and restoring the site to its native vegetation. FMR is
offering $8,200 in funding towards the completion of the first two years of the management
plan which includes invasive species eradication, control of non-native grasses, seed
collection/disbursement, ecological evaluations and prescribed burning. The City would be
responsible to provide monetary contributions of $4,500 along with $850 of in-kind
contributions (labor, equipment). Funds would be derived from the Park Trust Fund for park
development purposes.
As part of the grant process, FMR and the City would be reaching out to neighbors of the
property to partake in the efforts. The bluff prairie extends north and south of the public
property. Engaging these property owners in the process would provide much value by
preserving these native features beyond park boundaries. A meeting with these individuals
would likely take place at a fall Commission meeting where the process and opportunities can
be discussed.
Staff Recommendation
Authorize staff to accept the River Oaks Scenic Overlook grant from the Friends of Mississippi
River in the amount of $8,200.
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The foIlo�ving �asks and budget (Table 5) ar based on known costs and project
needs at the tiinne o�the restorarion agreement. All parties, priaz to implemen�ation,
will agree upon additianal future taslzs. Work unrts are shown on Map in Figure 15.
'I'�€�le �.
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N a� u,l �, > m
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Yr Activity .
�reeding bird surveys
0,1, June and ecological
2, 3 evafuations. 2.1 $3,400
�a��r Confrol farge exotic
winter, woody brush plants and
early other undesirable native
1, 2 �pr�ng• wood brush. 2.1 $3,200
Control non-native
Summer grasses (smooth brome,
, Fafl Kentucky bfuegrass, .
1, 2 reed canar rass . 1,5 $300
Engage neighbors with
� 2 Any bluff prairie. $1,500
Spring, Conduct prescribed
2, 3 Fall burns 1.9 $1,OQ0
Summer FolEaw up control of
, fall �xotic br�ESh (resprouts}
2, 3 and herbaceous weeds. 2.7 $500
Summer Seed collection on b(ufF
2 , Fal) prairie. 0.5 $100
Broadcast seeding of
Spring, �ative prairie seeds,
� p(anting of native
herbaceous plugs, and
2, 3'` lantin of native shruf�s. 1.6 $2,600 "
SUBTOTAL $12,60p �
4 .
thru
10 �.ong-term Management 2.1 $3,900
1
thru TOTAL �pifial restaration plus
10 long-term mana ement $'l6,500
Frier2ds of �he Mississippi River 5Q River Clttics Park NRIVIP
Figure 1G. Target Plant Communities at the River Oalcs Parl� P��o�3erty.
Each unit has a labeled acreage associated with it. Communities are shown in DNR code
(see map legend for code key)
uPs1A = So. Dry Savanna
`'.. � parcols_w�sh
�:i,5ou
200 100 0 200 Feet
Friends of the Mississippi River 38 River Oaks Park NRMP