HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Packet 6.9.2025City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
AGENDA
Monday, June 9, 2025
6:30 p.m.
A.CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL:Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) ____ Georgiana May ____
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) ____ VACANT
Adam Keester ____ VACANT
Sophie Nagel ____
Staff Liaison Lynch ____
Council Liaison Mielke ____
GreenCorps Member Siebert ____
C.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
D.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. May 12, 2025
E. NEW BUSINESS
1.CamerAn Bailey – Urban Agriculture Coordinator, Ramsey County
2.Community Park Landscaping
3.Garden Tours
F.INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report
2.Council Liaison Report
G.ADJOURN
Next regular meeting date: July 14, 2025
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, May 12, 2025
6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) _ X __
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) _X_ Sophie Nagel __X__
Pedro De Filippo Vannucci _X_ VACANT
Adam Keester _A_ VACANT
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _X_
GreenCorps Member Siebert _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion passed by consent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. April 14, 2025
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the April 14, 2025 minutes. Motion passed
by consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Sustainability Fair Update – Olivia Siebert
GreenCorps Member Siebert gave an overview on the outcome of the Sustainability Fair
that was held on April 26, 2025. Ultimately it was a huge success. There were several
takeaways regarding larger signage, a volunteer meeting prior to the event, and snack
availability. Siebert has created a document outlining her process for planning the event
and the different organizations she contacted, who responded/attended, who dropped out
at the last minute, and the vendors that were used for paper shredding, textile recycling,
and e-waste recycling for Staff and Commissioners to utilize for the event next year.
2. Energy Action Plan Update
Staff Liaison Lynch gave an update on the progress GreenCorps Member Siebert has
made on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan since the beginning of her service
term. Outreach to residents, renters, and landlord has been completed but should be
considered an ongoing task. She asked for Commissioners to look through the
implementation plan and, should they feel strongly about any task/goal, to consider
taking that on. She explained this would need to be continued by Commissioners and
Staff with GreenCorps Member Siebert’s service term coming to an end in August.
3. Tree Update – Olivia Siebert
GreenCorps Member Siebert performed a demonstration of the resident tree map she has
created for the website. This is intended as a way for residents to map their front and back
yard trees (outside of the boulevard), share a picture, and possibly a story about the trees.
She stated the goal is to have the map live on the website by the Spring Together event
this weekend, May 17, 2025. It will be shared with residents there and a QR code will be
handed out to encourage residents to look at the map and hopefully fill it out.
4. GreenCorps Projects Discussion
GreenCorps Member Siebert explained to Commissioners about the current status of the
program. AmeriCorps funding has been cut so she is no longer an AmeriCorps member,
but the State of Minnesota will provide funding for the GreenCorps program through the
end of June at least, and hopefully through the end of the term in August, pending the
state budget. With the cut in funding, the education funding she would receive from the
program has been prorated for the time served under AmeriCorps and health insurance
will end at the end of May.
As her term begins to wrap up in August, she and Staff Liaison Lynch have requested
small project ideas from Commissioners for her to complete before then. Council Liaison
Mielke suggested a pollinator lawns and garden tour for residents around the end of
June. Chair Mercer-Taylor also discussed the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District
and their tire program, and another Commissioner mentioned the Cap Region Watershed
District’s rain garden program.
F. Information and Announcements
1. Staff Liaison Report – None.
2. Council Liaison Report – None.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: June 9, 2025
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota
__________________________
Item Urban Agriculture, CamerAn Bailey
Description CamerAn Bailey is here to discuss the following:
1. Share the county’s strategic priority and plan for advancing food
security & urban ag (“Food Security Strategic Plan”)
2. Share the core policy directives to develop urban ag in the county.
3. Share resources the County currently has available, and share the work
plan for the year (see attached flyer for brief overview)
4. Learn what the commission is interested in, what’s most relevant and
pressing for the city, and what we can work toward together.
Budget Impact None.
Attachment(s) - Urban Agriculture Digital Flyer
- Food Security Strategic Plan Handout
Action(s)
Requested
Staff requests the Commission discuss the pressing matters in food security
throughout the City and potential ways to partner with the County.
Meeting Date June 9, 2025
Agenda Item E-1
Attachment See below.
Submitted By Hannah Lynch, Community
Development Coordinator
Food Security Goal: To build a more resilient food system for all residents, especially those who are most
vulnerable to food insecurity, such as our racially and ethnically diverse communities.
Urban Ag Goal: To facilitate easy access and use of resources for emerging, existing, and future urban
growers to improve public health and wellness.
Priority Implementation Actions for 2024
1. Engagement. Map the ecosystem of resources & needs for Urban Ag within, and outside, Ramsey
County by engaging with community-based organizations & leaders, government, industry, and
institutions.
2. Land Access. Identify long-term, internal opportunities for agriculture land.
3. Policy & Planning. Provide “Urban Ag & Food Security” technical assistance to government
partners in support of the 2050 Comprehensive Plan Regional Policy Plan.
4. Convening. Inaugural “Urban Ag Summit” event and launch Urban Ag Steering Committee
5. Structure. Create a “local food economy” framework with community, institutions, and industry
6. Communications. Update and manage the “Urban Ag & Community Gardens” webpage and
relevant datasets
Book time with me at this link
Urban Agriculture Coordinator
CamerAn J. Bailey,
Office of Deputy County Manager,
Health and Wellness Service Team
CAMERAN.BAILEY@CO.RAMSEY.MN.US
651-358-8336
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota
__________________________
Item Community Park Landscaping
Description As the plans for the remodel of Community Park moves forward, it is time for
the Environment Commission to look at the landscaping plans proposed and
provide feedback on the suitability of the plants chosen.
Budget Impact None.
Attachment(s) - Community Park Landscaping Plans
- Overview and Analysis of Community Park Plants – Olivia Siebert,
GreenCorps Member
Action(s)
Requested
Staff requests Environment Commission review the plans and provide
commentary on the suitability of the plants chosen.
Meeting Date June 9, 2025
Agenda Item E-2
Attachment See below.
Submitted By Hannah Lynch, Community
Development Coordinator
EGGGGGGGGE10000983.761002A GPS10001980.44treeline B10002982.38treeline10008982.72treeline10009982.59treeline10010982.77treeline10011983.36treeline10012983.90treeline
10013983.76treeline10014984.14treeline10015982.99treeline10016981.51treeline10017981.63treeline ESTRIM:983.55N 12 RCP979.95INV:W979.95INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:HHHHHHHHSRIM:988.47N981.77INV:S981.77INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:20"6"4"10"6"4"25"7"11"E6"5"7"8"3"7"15"6"13"3"12"13"STRIM:984.07E 15 RCP980.07INV:W 15 RCP980.07INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:STRIM:986.02W 15 RCP981.08INV:N 15 RCP981.28INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:TNH ELEV: 991.04SRIM:987.74E981.19INV:SW981.39INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:SRIM: 986.90W978.48INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:STRIM:985.95S 15 RCP981.55INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:TNH ELEV: 989.36SRIM:984.91W976.46INV:E976.56INV:INV:INV:INV:INV:HHHHHHE7"6"6"6"6"7"7"7"7"15"12"FDC6"6"9"6"7"7"10"14"13"12"14"10"11"11"9"8"4"12"12"10"12"12"13"6"10"13"13"6"12"14"12"27"5"8"10"10"11"13"10"15"16"12"13"Swamp White Oak2" Cal B&B2Northern Acclaim® Honey Locust2" Cal B&B3Swamp White Oak2" Cal B&B2Autumn Gold Maidenhair Tree2" Cal B&B5Swamp White Oak2" Cal B&B1Northern Acclaim® Honey Locust2" Cal B&B1SCALE IN FEET0H:965
FDC12"Prairie Dropseed#1 CONT.7Prairie Dropseed#1 CONT.7PowWow Wild Berry Coneflower#1 CONT.5Black-Eyed Susan#1 CONT.5Prairie Dropseed#1 CONT.7Mesa Yellow Blanketflower#1 CONT.3Purple Coneflower#1 CONT.5Invincible Hosta#1 CONT.5Black-Eyed Susan#1 CONT.5Walker`s Low Catmint#1 CONT.8Prairie Dropseed#1 CONT.10Northern Acclaim® Honey Locust2" Cal B&B1Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac1.5" Cal B&B3Mesa Yellow Blanketflower#1 CONT.3Walker`s Low Catmint#1 CONT.6Northern Acclaim® Honey Locust2" Cal B&B1SYMBOLQTYBOTANICAL / COMMON NAMECONTTREES7 GINKGO BILOBA `AUTUMN GOLD` TM / AUTUMN GOLD MAIDENHAIR TREE2" CAL B&B6 GLEDITSIA TRIACANTHOS INERMIS `HARVE` / NORTHERN ACCLAIM® HONEY LOCUST 2" CAL B&B5QUERCUS BICOLOR / SWAMP WHITE OAK2" CAL B&B3SYRINGA RETICULATA 'IVORY SILK' / IVORY SILK JAPANESE TREE LILAC1.5" CAL B&BPERENNIAL5 ECHINACEA PURPUREA / PURPLE CONEFLOWER#1 CONT.5 ECHINACEA PURPUREA `PAS702917` TM / POWWOW WILD BERRY CONEFLOWER #1 CONT.6 GAILLARDIA X GRANDIFLORA 'MESA YELLOW' / MESA YELLOW BLANKETFLOWER #1 CONT.5 HOSTA X `INVINCIBLE` / INVINCIBLE HOSTA#1 CONT.14 NEPETA X FAASSENII `WALKER`S LOW` / WALKER`S LOW CATMINT#1 CONT.10RUDBECKIA FULGIDA `GOLDSTRUM` / BLACK-EYED SUSAN#1 CONT.GRASSES / SEDGE31SPOROBOLUS HETEROLEPIS / PRAIRIE DROPSEED#1 CONT.PLANT SCHEDULESCALE IN FEET0H:965
Trees
Ginkgo biloba ‘Autumn Gold’
Non-native but well adapted to Minnesota, attractive urban tree.
From GINKGO - GINKGO BILOBA | The UFOR Nursery & Lab:
Where it grows:
Prefers moist, well-drained soils. It is tolerant of dry sights with occasional droughts, alkaline and clay
soils. This tree is very tolerant of road salts and the urban landscape.
How it’s used:
The ginkgo makes for an excellent shade tree in
your yard or parks. It is also suitable to use in the
boulevard due to its resistance to road salts and
urban pollution. Ginkgos require very little pruning
once established.
Autumn Gold ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba ‘Autumn
Gold’): non-fruiting male with uniform conical
habit becoming broader with age. Outstanding
yellow color in autumn.
Problems:
No serious insect or disease problems. Usually
slow-growing, especially in its early years. Female
trees produce messy seeds.
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis ‘Harve’ (Northern Acclaim)
Fruitless, thornless cultivar with good cold hardiness for Minnesota’s climate.
From Northern_Acclaim.pdf:
Description: A medium to large spreading upright
pyramidal tree selection of thornless honey locust with
greater winter hardiness than the standard available
cultivars in the nursery trade. Introduced by North
Dakota State University, Northern Acclaim® is seedless
and maintains attractive bright green foliage during
the summer months changing to golden-yellow in the
fall.
Fruit: This cultivar is seedless (fruitless); it does not produce the
pods associated with female honey locust plants. Light
Preference: Full sun exposure. Soil Preference: Well drained soils,
pH adaptable and tolerant of higher pH soils. Has shown good
drought tolerance.
Ornamental Attributes: The pyramidal to upright spreading
growth form combined with the thornless and seedless attributes
and greater cold hardiness make Northern Acclaim® a valuable
addition to the tree selections list for use in the central and
northern US and southern Canada where adapted. Landscape
Attributes: Northern Acclaim® is an urban tolerant, turf friendly
and drought tolerant selection. Minimum leaf litter, making
autumn cleanup unnecessary. Uses for this cultivar are in
landscape, boulevard, and parks plantings where an attractive
hardy ornamental tree is desired. Resistant to canker disease.
Quercus bicolor
Native oak tree, good in wet areas.
From BICOLOR OAK - QUERCUS BICOLOR | The UFOR Nursery & Lab
Bicolor oak is a medium height tree but could reach heights of 65' at maturity. It has a rounded top and
an open crown. Known for having an attractive bark that is thick, and deeply irregularly divided by
fissures into broad ridges. The bark is a grayish-brown on the trunk while the bark on the twigs is ragged
and often peeling.
Bicolor oak has a simple leaf growing in an alternate pattern
and are 5" to 6" in length. They are often crowded toward
the ends of twigs in clusters. They are broad at the middle
(pear-shaped) and wedge-shaped at their base. Often wavy
and indented along their margins and a dark glossy
green above with a grayish and fuzzy color on the
underside. The leaves have brown fall color. The nut
or acorn has a length of about 1". This acorn is enclosed for
about one-third of its length in a thick, narrow cup or cap.
Often found growing in pairs on slender dark brown stalks
that are 2" to 4" long.
Where it grows:
Easily grown in an average or medium to wet acidic soils, tolerant of alkaline conditions. The bicolor oak
is tolerant to dry sites that experience occasional drought. Moderately tolerant of road salts. Best suited
for full sun.
How it’s used:
Best suited as a shade tree specimen, grown in a yard or park. Good trees for wetter or low sites. Can be
messy due to its acorn production. Can also be difficult to transplant and establish.
Ecosystem services:
The acorns of the oak are used as a food source by small and game mammals. Used by songbirds and
migrant birds as well.
Where it is native to:
Native to the eastern United States. Common in river
bottoms in the extreme southeastern corner of
Minnesota. In natural areas bicolor oak rarely grows as
far north as St. Paul. It has been used as a park and
boulevard tree in the Twin Cities Metro. In Minnesota,
the wild bicolor oak is a special concern species due to
the destruction of its natural habitat in the flood plain of
the Lower Mississippi.
Problems:
Generally, a durable and long-lived tree, but can be susceptible to a large number of potential diseases
and insect pests. Common problems are anthracnose, canker, leaf spot, rust, blight, galls, caterpillars,
borers, leaf miners, oak lace bug, and oak mite. Susceptible to chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves while
the veins remain green) when soils are not properly acidic.
Syringa reticulata ‘Ivory Silk’
Attractive tree lilac, native to Japan, suited to an urban landscape, flowers in spring.
From JAPANESE TREE LILAC - SYRINGA RETICULATA | The UFOR Nursery & Lab:
The Japanese tree lilac grows to heights of 30’ tall and 20’ wide with an oval-rounded crown. Reddish-
brown peeling bark, similar to cherry bark, is attractive on younger branches. The bark gradually turns
gray with age. Leaves are simple and grow in opposite pairs on the stems. They are ovate in shape with a
rounded base. The leaves are dark green in the summer with little color change in the fall. Its best
ornamental feature is its showy, fragrant, creamy white flowers which bloom in upright panicles to 12”
long in late spring to early summer (later than most other lilac species). Flowers give way to loose
clusters of brown capsules that persist into winter.
Where it grows:
Prefers moist, well-drained soils. The tree lilac will tolerate dry sites, alkaline soils, and road salts. This
makes it well suited as an urban landscape tree.
How it’s used:
Widely used in the urban landscape around Minnesota in
parks, boulevards, and residential lawns. Often planted
under powerlines or other trees because of their short
stature.
Ecosystem services:
Its many flowers will attract pollinators such as
butterflies and hummingbirds, along with other insect
pollinators.
Where it is native to:
Native to Japan, but well adapted to Minnesota.
Ivory Silk Japanese tree lilac (Syringa
reticulata ssp. reticulata 'Ivory Silk'): More compact (20
to 25 feet high); flowers profusely and begins to flower at
an early age
Problems:
Good resistance to powdery mildew, scale, and borers. Bacterial blight and leaf spots are possible.
Plants
Echinacea purpurea
Technically not native but common prairie species with beautiful color.
From Echinacea purpurea (Eastern Purple Coneflower): Minnesota
Wildflowers & Minnesota Seasons - eastern purple coneflower
A native of eastern moist to mesic prairie, Eastern Purple
Coneflower is the species typically found in the nursery trade and
many colored variants are becoming more common. It can make
for thick showy stands in the garden but is subject to aster
yellows, a phytoplasma spread by leafhoppers that affects a large
number of herbaceous species and causes stunting and yellowing
of the foliage and blasting of the flower heads. Affected plants
should be pulled and can be left in the garden as they pose no risk
to healthy plants after uprooting. Eastern Purple Coneflower is not native to Minnesota, but is common
in roadside plantings, both urban and rural, as well as increasingly a garden escapee.
Echinacea purpurea ‘PowWow Wild Berry’
Coneflower variety with pink-purple flowers.
From Echinacea purpurea 'Pas702917' POWWOW WILD BERRY - Plant
Finder:
POWWOW WILD BERRY is a purple coneflower that features large, deep
rose-purple flowers in a floriferous bloom from late spring to late
summer, sometimes with additional sporadic bloom until frost. It typically
grows in an upright clump to 2-3' tall and to 1-1.5' wide on sturdy, well-
branched stems that do not need staking. Each flower (to 3-4" diameter)
features downward-arching, overlapping, deep rose-purple rays which
encircle a large orange-brown center cone. Narrow-ovate leaves (to 6”
long) are medium green. POWWOW WILD BERRY is a 2010 All-America
Selection (AAS) winner.
Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Mesa Yellow’
G. aristata is a North American native to Minnesota, crossed with G. pulchella (native to northern
Mexico and southern US). They are crossed to create blanket flower.
From Gaillardia Mesa Yellow F1 | All-America Selections & Gaillardia × grandiflora - Plant Finder:
A short-lived perennial, easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils
in full sun. Prefers moist, organically rich soils that drain well but tolerates
some dry soils. Performs poorly in unamended, heavy clay soils. Many hybrid
cultivars may be grown from seed. For those that can, sow seed directly in
the garden after last frost date or start seed indoors 4-6 weeks earlier. Set
seedlings out after last frost date. Space plants 12-18” apart depending on
size. Deadheading spent flowers is not necessary but will tidy the planting
and may encourage additional bloom. If flowering declines in summer,
consider cutting back plants to encourage a fall bloom. Seed strains will self-
seed in optimum growing conditions if flowers are not deadheaded.
The first F1 gaillardia from seed delivers a more uniform plant with more
flowers than other varieties. This vigorous drought, wind, and rain resistant
plant won’t get loose and floppy. Attractive neatly mounded plants reach 16 to 18 inches tall and spread
20 to 22 inches in full sun. Bright yellow 3-inch daisy-like flowers won’t fade.
First year flowering perennial (to zone 5) blooms in spring 120 days from sowing seed.
Mesa Yellow is also the recipient of the Fleuroselect Gold Medal award for performance in European
trials.
Hosta x invincible
Glossy green hosta variety.
From: Hostas | UMN Extension & PlantFiles Pictures: Hosta 'Invincible'
(<i>Hosta</i>) by jody
Hostas are a popular ornamental herbaceous perennial in the United
States and are in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). They are native to
China, Japan, Korea, and Far East Russia, and comprise 22 species and over 2000 cultivars.
Hostas can survive in deep shade and can be planted in large masses for reliable color and texture in the
garden. They are adaptable to many sites, and are generally easy to grow even for inexperienced
gardeners.
Nepeta x faasseni ‘Walker’s Low’
Nonnative catmint, attractive purple flowers, favorite of pollinators.
From Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low' (Catmint, Faassen’s Catnip, Walker's Low, Walker's Low Catmint)
| North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low' - Plant Finder &
Nepeta xfaassenii ‘Walker’s Low’ – Wisconsin Horticulture
Walker’s Low catmint is an herbaceous perennial in the Lamiaceae
(mint) family. It originated in west Asia and is a hybrid plant, the
result of a cross between Nepeta racemosa and Nepeta nepetella. It
was first cultivated by Faassen Nurseries in the Netherlands and
named for a garden called Walker’s Low.
Walker’s Low catmint thrives in full sun and dry, even rocky, soil. If
planted in the south, it may do better with some afternoon shade
and may be bothered by humidity. In ideal conditions, it may grow
as high as 2 feet with a spread of 18 to 36 inches. This plant can be
divided in the spring and will not take over a garden bed, unlike
most plants in the mint family.
‘Walker’s Low’ has aromatic, gray-green to silvery foliage and produces profuse soft lavender-blue
flowers over a long period from early summer through fall. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are
attracted to the flowers.
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’
Black eyed susan variety.
From Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' - Plant Finder &
Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii 'Goldsturm' (Black-Eyed Susan
"Goldsturm', Coneflower 'Goldsturm', Goldsturm Black-Eyed
Susan) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Rudbeckia fulgida is a herbaceous perennial native to the eastern
United States which occurs in both dry and moist soils in open
woods, glades and thickets. An upright, rhizomatous, clump-
forming, free-blooming coneflower which typically grows to 3' tall,
often forming colonies in the wild. Features daisy-like flowers (to
2.5" across) with yellow rays and brownish-purple center disks.
Prolific bloom production over a long mid-summer to fall bloom
period. Oblong to lanceolate, medium green foliage. Good cut
flower. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and other insect
pollinators. Birds eat the seeds.
Var. sullivantii, commonly called Sullivant's coneflower, is native to swamps, shorelines, fens and sedge
meadows from New York to West Virginia west to Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas.
Sporobolus heterolepis
Prairie dropseed is a fine ornamental prairie grass native to Minnesota.
From Sporobolus heterolepis (Prairie Dropseed): Minnesota Wildflowers & Sporobolus heterolepis -
Plant Finder
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun.
Tolerates wide range of soils, including heavy clays. Prefers dry, rocky
soils. Good drought tolerance. Slow-growing and slow to establish.
May be grown from seed but does not freely self-seed in the garden.
Sporobolus heterolepis, called prairie dropseed, is a clump-forming,
warm season, perennial grass which typically occurs in prairies,
glades, open ground and along railroads in parts of the central and
western United States and southern Canada. Fine-textured, hair-like,
medium green leaves (to 20” long and 1/16” wide) typically form an
arching foliage mound to 15” tall and 18” wide. Foliage turns golden
with orange hues in fall, fading to light bronze in winter. Open,
branching flower panicles appear on slender stems which rise well above the foliage clump in late
summer to 30-36" tall. Flowers have pink and brown coloration but are perhaps most noted for their
unique and noticeable (some may say pungent) scent that has variously been described as resembling a
combination of coriander, popcorn, honey, sunflower seeds, and melted wax. Tiny rounded mature
seeds drop to the ground from their hulls in autumn giving rise to the descriptive common name.
Prairie Dropseed is found throughout Minnesota's prairie
regions and is widely adapted to soils ranging from dry and
sandy and rock outcrops to low, wet mesic habitats. It is
long-lived, forming large, readily recognizable low mounds
of fine, dense, hair-like leaves, though it doesn't
necessarily stand out in mixed vegetation. Its open
spreading panicles are so airy, you can walk right by them
and hardly notice. However, in late summer to early fall
when many native grasses are turning reddish brown, its
golden color is highly visible. All these characteristics make
it highly ornamental and it's become quite popular in
more formal residential landscapes. Prairie Dropseed is
also one of the most fragrant grasses, from small glands at
the base of branches.
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION
City of Falcon Heights, Minnesota
__________________________
Item Garden Tours
Description Commissioner Keester and Council Liaison Mielke have proposed a garden
tour event, scheduled for Saturday, July 19 from 9-noon. This is the same date
as the Lawns to Legumes Garden tours.
They would like to feature pollinator lawns, pollinator gardens, rain gardens,
and vegetable gardens, and invite the hosts to share what they have learned.
Staff will be working to include articles in the newsletter to recruit lawn and
garden tour hosts, create social media posts to recruit lawn and garden tour
hosts, create articles and social media posts to promote the lawn and garden
tour, create a map of lawns and gardens on the tour, and potentially create
signs for hosts to place in their yards.
Staff would like Commissioners to assist with promoting the event at the July
17 Ice Cream Social which will take place from 5-7 PM, with location TBD
(either Community Park or City Hall).
Current three hosts have signed up: Ron and Ingrid Eggert (Simpson), John
Robertson-Smith (Roselawn), and Commissioner Keester (Albert).
Budget Impact None.
Attachment(s) N/A
Action(s)
Requested
Staff requests Environment Commission discuss the Garden Tour, the potential
for hosting if applicable, and the availability to assist with promoting the event
at the Ice Cream Social.
Meeting Date June 9, 2025
Agenda Item E-3
Attachment N/A
Submitted By Hannah Lynch, Community
Development Coordinator