Green Space Advisory Commission

GREEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Meeting Date: April 5, 2021 Location: Zoom Meeting Called To Order: 5:15 p.m. Adjourned: 6:45 p.m. Next Meeting Date: Monday, May 3, 2021 5:15 p.m. ZOOM MEETING ROLL CALL: NAME PRESENT ABSENT Ann Omura X Annie Russell X Bill Hoss X Carrie Coyne, Chairperson X Ginger Garrett X Jerry Pinkner X Laura Jordan X Lynnda Greene X Pam Bliss, Council Liaison X Tessa Wasserman X Yvonne Steingruby, Staff Liaison X + Michelle Clemens (staff), Stacy Arnold (Deer Creek Watershed Alliance), Josh Ward (MO Department of Conservation) A reminder was given to those participating via ZOOM that the meeting was being recorded. Remarks of Visitors: Stacy Arnold from the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance and Josh Ward from the Missouri Department of Conservation were attending the meeting to present suggestions related to conservation for the proposed Douglass Hill Development. Highlights of their presentation included: *The Deer Creek Alliance has already sent a letter to the City regarding the need for conservation, etc. *Zoning codes regulate land use and can include forestry, flood plains, rural, residential, etc. *Ordinances can include tree preservationi and protection, weed ordinances, etc. *A management plan can be developed to establish strategies for reaching conservation and sustain- ability goals. *Current trends are to restore natural areas and protect wildlife and natural habitat. *MSD also has cities develop “green” infrastructure at a basic level, but it is very minimal. *A reasonable goal for a city would be to develop a plan and policies to incorporate the protection of natural resources. It starts with protecting what is already in place and then expand upon that base. A nature inventory can be performed to determine what is currently on-site. *Webster Groves could lead the way with a sustainable and ecological development by implementing a solid plan prior to the start of any development. *Douglass Hill is a private development but will still have to follow ordinances that are in place. *The City already has an ordinance in favor of the Watershed Alliance in relation to the watershed areas in the City. This could help with the Douglass Hill development. Councilmember Pam Bliss commented that the City Council is not yet in a position to hold public forums on the development project as they still do not have all of the plans, study results and reports. It is taking longer than expected to receive some of the information. After everything is received, Council will then look for input. She will pass on to Council the information discussed at this meeting. There are numerous resources the Alliance and Department of Conservation have that the GSAC can use to help bring perspective to City Council in relation to the proposed development. They have a Master Plan that can be a reference, as well as other suggestions. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the March meeting were approved as written. Old Business: Future Trees of Distinction Program/Public Trees Update: No update at this time. Future Webster Tree Walks: It was agreed that we will include a tree walk with the Arbor Day event. The walk through Blackburn Park will take place at the end of the ceremonies. Mark Gruber has agreed to host the walk. Tessa will contact Mark Halpin to determine his availability in hosting another tree walk in the fall, perhaps at Larson Park again. Arbor Day Planning: This event will take place at Blackburn Park on Tuesday, April 27, 2021. The program will begin at 5:30 pm. It will include the planting of 200 trees (prior to the ceremony) in recognition of Missouri’s Bicentennial and the presentation of the Trees of Distinction and Tree Steward awards. The 2020 winners have been carried over to this year. Tree planting will begin by 3:00 pm and GSAC members were encouraged to help out. Ginger will take care of having Scouts in attendance for the flag ceremony. Other program highlights will include the Mayoral Proclamation for Tree City USA. Following the ceremony, there will be a Tree Walk through the park. The maximum number of people for the walk will be 30 people and advanced registration can be made online. Carrie will put together a flyer for the event. Tessa Wasserman suggested the GSAC plant a memorial tree prior to the event in honor of past GSAC Chairperson Richard Fitzgerald. All GSAC members were in favor of this suggestion. There will be a brief dedication of the tree, with his wife being invited. There will be another memorial tree planting done as well for a different organization. The tree dedications will be added to the event program. Volunteer Projects: There are currently just a few private volunteer projects scheduled, in addition to Arbor Day. Landscaping Preferred Planting List: Yvonne is working on developing a list of preferred plantings for future contractors and as a source of information for residents. It will be a list that emphasized “plant THIS instead of that” approach. Once the list is developed it will be placed on the City’s website, etc. The list has to be neutral in regard to promoting a specific business, etc. Laura Jordan was asked to send the GSAC the list of plants she has put together and it can be discussed at the next meeting. Staff Updates: Yvonne Steingruby Yvonne recently met with Erica (Goats on the Go) regarding possibly bringing in goats to eat the honeysuckle in a public area in the City. Forty goats can eat approximately an acre per week. Yvonne has to be sure to meet all the logistics with MSD, obtain City Council approval, notify nearby homeowners, etc. The company installs a temporary solar-powered electric fence to keep the goats in place. We would be a pilot program so would receive a reduced goat rental fee. Goats would be used for approximately one week. Yvonne also asked GSAC members get the word out that the department is still seeking seasonal workers. We are having a hard time getting staff hired. Council Update: Pam Bliss *A reminder to vote tomorrow was given to the GSAC. A proposition regarding a use tax is on the ballot. *The Planning Commission is beginning their multi-family planning regulations discussions. NEXT MEETING: Monday, May 3, 2021 5:15 p.m. ZOOM MEETING ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.