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MINUTES <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />APRIL 27, 2015 <br />dredging of the creek as well as the installation of St. Paul Water <br />Department pipes. The Director indicated that the School District <br />originally purchased this property as a possible location for a middle <br />school, and then eventually sold it to the City. He noted that many of the <br />trees within the wooded area are of poor quality. <br />Keis asked if the reforestation plan was a concept at this time with no <br />specific timeframe for completion. He also asked if the $5,000 donation <br />would cover the cost of the reforestation. Sanders indicated that there was <br />no timetable established for the reforestation and also indicated that <br />$5,000 would not cover the cost. The Direction indicated that there is an <br />additional $5,000 in the Capital Improvement Budget for this project. <br />With the donation and the Capital Improvement Budget and the use of <br />volunteers, the cost of the project should be covered. Sanders agreed. <br />Torkelson asked if the current tree cover would inhibit the growth of the <br />small saplings and whether the saplings would be protected from damage <br />by wildlife. Sanders indicated that there is some light penetrating the <br />wooded area and with some clearing, the trees would be placed in the best <br />locations possible. He indicated that the saplings will need to be watered <br />and would need some protection from deer. Torkelson asked if those costs <br />are part of the budget. Sanders replied that maintenance would be covered <br />under the Parks Department Budget. The Director indicated that after the <br />roots take hold, the trees would not be watered. Sanders indicated that <br />some tree loss is to be expected because of the small trees. <br />Keis asked how the parking situation was at the 2014 Canadian Days <br />Celebration. Dean Hedlund reported that approximately 75 parking spots <br />were lost when the house across from the park was sold. Hedlund <br />provided a diagram of the parking layout that was used in 2014. He also <br />submitted a document detailing Canadian Days parking needs for <br />Committee members, vendors, sponsors, etc. He noted that he took the <br />City Engineer's parking diagram and laid out the 2014 parking and was <br />able to get a few more spaces than the City Engineer had estimated. These <br />spaces were marked in the park to keep the parking as organized as <br />possible. Hedlund reported that for 2015 he would be putting together a <br />CAD plan for the parking which will include benchmarks in the park that <br />can be used from year-to-year to lay out the parking plan. Hedlund also <br />reported that for the 2014 celebration a shuttle was hired to transport <br />people back and forth to additional parking in Pioneer Park. Hedlund <br />reported that the shuttle was not advertised as well as it could have been <br />and the plan is to promote this off-site parking and shuttle better for 2015. <br />Hedlund reported that in addition to the shortage of parking in Spooner <br />Park, there is a pinchpoint at the entrance/exit area off of Eli Road for the <br />on-site parking caused by the location of the horseshoe pits. Hedlund <br />reported that the plan for 2015 is to wing it, document the CAD parking <br />plan, promote the shuttle, and hopefully improve the pinchpoint problem. <br />3 <br />