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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Parks & Recreation Commission <br /> <br />FROM: Bryce Shearen, Parks & Recreation/Community Services Manager <br /> <br />DATE: April 26, 2019 <br /> <br />RE: Thunder Bay & Westwind Park Update <br /> <br />As you are aware, Xcel Energy clear-cut most of the vegetation underneath its transmission lines <br />along the Thunder Bay Westwind Park corridor in the winter of 2018. They have since returned <br />and performed more clearing at two areas that were originally left untouched behind Leeward <br />Way. Xcel has also sprayed these areas twice to kill off regrowth of the vegetation that they <br />removed. <br />Back in December, staff met with representatives from Xcel Energy and Nicole Menard of the <br />U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to tour the area so that Ms. Menard could work on putting together <br />a landscaping plan for the corridor. She put a very nice plan together over the winter and addressed <br />the corridor in sections so that we could prioritize areas and spend available funds over time if <br />necessary. The priority maps have been included with this memo. The areas ranked 1.1 to 1.4 are <br />the highest priority and the areas ranked 5.1 to 5.2 are the lowest priority with the other rankings <br />in between. <br />Ms. Menard has put together a plan with a mix of many different grasses, wildflowers, and <br />pollinators. She also included detailed instructions on preparation of the various sites, planting <br />techniques, and maintenance of the areas going forward. <br />Xcel Energy has stated that it will take responsibility for areas 1.1 to 1.4. Those areas are on Xcel- <br />owned property and had very intense invasive species and thick vegetation growing on them. They <br />will be treating it one more time this summer to kill off regrowth and have pledged $2000 for seed <br />to be used in the area in October. <br />The City has budgeted $25,000 for restoration of the corridor in 2019. Staff will continue <br />communication with Ms. Menard and Xcel and will use the budgeted funds on the next most <br />prioritized areas. It is unknown at this time how far the funds will go but staff will provide <br />updates to the Commission as the project progresses.