Green Space Advisory Commission

GREEN SPACE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Meeting Date: May 3, 2021 Location: Zoom Meeting Called To Order: 5:15 p.m. Adjourned: 6:15 p.m. Next Meeting Date: Monday, June 7, 2021 5:45 p.m. LARSON PARK 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) A reminder was given to those participating via ZOOM that the meeting was being recorded. Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the April meeting were approved as written. Old Business: Douglass Hill Proposed Development Councilperson Pam Bliss mentioned that the City Council had just received the Development Strategy report, which includes project feasibility, financials, potential impacts, etc. Council has not yet met regarding this as they are still reviewing it. The project proposal has been submitted and the Planning Commission is reviewing that as well. The proposal has been posted on the City’s website and there is a model of the project at City Hall. The Development Strategy / Feasibility Study will also get posted on the website at some time. Staff feedback will include Yvonne Steingruby, Park Superintendent, who can provide input on green space impact, etc. The GSAC can get involved when more is known about the project and after City Council has had time to review it. The GSAC should be thinking about how they can respond if given the opportunity, what feedback they can provide, etc. Pam Bliss said she has mentioned to City Council that the GSAC is interested in providing input when the time is appropriate. Trees of Distinction Program Update: All agreed that the Arbor Day event held last month was very nice. It was suggested that the GSAC take photos now of potential future Trees of Distinction nominees, while the trees are flowering or leafing out. This would make a better representation of the tree rather than in the winter months. Carrie mentioned that she has not had time to devote to the Future Trees of Distinction program and hopes to be able to work on it soon. Future Webster Tree Walks: The tree walk held after the Arbor Day ceremony was led by Mark Gruber, who did a great job. Mark mentioned he could potentially host another walk in June if dates could be worked out. We could return back to Larson Park to see the trees now that there are leaves out as a comparison to how it looked on the winter walk. Mark suggested, however, that the next walk be held at Southwest Park. There is a large ash tree there and the walk could incorporate talking about the emerald ash borer, efforts to save the trees, etc. Several dates were suggested and Tessa will check to see when Mark is available and let everyone know. We could also have a sign-up for the walk posted on the Green Keepers website. It was suggested the GSAC come up with other arborists or tree care companies that would be interested in hosting future tree walks. Landscaping Preferred Planting List: Yvonne is looking for landscape links as a source of information for residents regarding appropriate plants in this area. References and links work better than just a list. It will be presented as a “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. Carrie will try to pull together everyone’s suggestions and email the final list to GSAC members before it’s posted. NEW BUSINESS: Community Days Parade Discussion was held regarding whether or not the GSAC would like to participate in the Community Days Parade, which will be held at 10 a.m. on July 3rd. There is no parade theme this year. It was mentioned that the Sustainability Commission had suggested in 2019 that they may want to partner with the GSAC on a parade entry. No parade was held in 2020. Someone would need to contact them to see if they would still be interested in doing so this year. The GSAC was encouraged to think about it and we can decide at the June meeting whether to participate or not; if so, then will we have a float or just walkers, will there be give-aways, etc. MISCELLANEOUS: Janis and Richard Schweitzer, residents who live near McKee Park, are looking for volunteers next weekend if anyone is interested in helping them weed, install new plantings, paint a hopscotch grid, etc. COUNCIL UPDATE: City Council will be voting on the proposed text amendments to zoning in the A4 district. It is hoped this will result in a more diverse community with various housing options. This is just a text amendment, not a zoning change. NEXT MEETING: Monday, June 7, 2021 5:45 p.m. LARSON PARK ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m.