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Parks Commission Regular Meeting Minutes March 4, 2019 Page 2 Ms. Laurie Schneider, Executive Director of Pollinator Friendly Alliance, reviewed the 1 background of the organization. She stated their goal is to protect pollinators and explained 2 what pollinators are. Pictures of the various types of pollinator bees were shown. There is an 3 international crisis with pollinators disappearing. Pollinators form the basis of the eco-system. 4 The main cause of the loss of pollinators is pesticides. Neonics were explained by Ms. 5 Schneider. There are 39 pollinator friendly communities in Minnesota. Residents can assist 6 with supporting pollinator resolutions within their community. Three pollinator gardens were 7 installed in three City Parks within St. Anthony. A sanctuary was installed – Butterfly 8 Landing. A best practices summit is held at Silverwood Park. 9 10 Chair Jordahl Redlin asked which City was the first to have a pollinator garden in their city 11 parks and Ms. Schneider stated it was Stillwater. 12 13 Commissioner Bellinger asked how St. Anthony can get involved. Ms. Schneider suggested 14 the City consider passing a resolution. Commissioner Bellinger asked about plant sharing and 15 Ms. Schneider stated there are some garden clubs that do that however they normally provide 16 the plants and have residents assist with the planting. 17 18 C. Pollinator Lawns 19 20 Mr. James Wolfin, Bee Lab Researcher, University of Minnesota provided a PowerPoint 21 presentation “Beyond Pollinator Pathways – Ready and Resilient St. Anthony”. He explained 22 what is done in the Bee Lab. Mr. Wolfin provided an introduction to bee lawns and 23 reconciliation ecology. His project is to remodel the turf lawn. Mr. Wolfin showed the steps 24 for constructing a bee lawn. Selecting a turfgrass was explained. The next step is selecting 25 floral species. The three best flowers are Dutch White Clover, Self Heal, and Creeping 26 Thyme. Mr. Wolfin provided some management practices before seeding. He has found 63 27 species of bees on the bee lawns that have been created in eight parks in Minneapolis. Mr. 28 Wolfin reported on his research as to what bees utilize the different flowers in a bee lawn. 29 30 Chair Jordahl Redlin asked about the enhanced lawns in the Minneapolis Parks and if he 31 assisted in the installation of these lawns. Mr. Wolfin stated he has been working with Mary 32 Lynn Polsher and the land managers. Bee lawns can be seen in Audubon, Willard, and 33 Kenwood Parks. There is signage at Kenwood Park. 34 35 Public Works Director Jay Hartman asked once the bee lawn is established, is it mowed. Mr. 36 Wolfin stated they are mowed to comply with City Ordinances. 37 38 Commissioner Bellinger asked how a lawn is started and is it done by seed. Mr. Wolfin stated 39 there are two different strategies by over seeding an existing lawn. 40 41 D. Minnesota GreenCorp Update 42 43 Ms. Minette Saulog, City of St. Anthony GreenCorp Member for 2018 – 2019 presented a 44 power point update September – February. She reviewed Organics Drop-Off Site, St. Anthony 45 Village Website Updates on Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and Solar Energy, CTV 46