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'Parks Commission Meeting Minutes May 10, 2004 Page 4 1 issues with Public Works Director Hartman prior to the meeting and reviewed with the Commission. 2 3 VI. OTHER BUSINESS. 4 5 Chair Jindra noted that Commissioner Knudson has done some research regarding the chemicals used to 6 spray in the parks areas. She noted that representatives from Natural Lawn care of America are present 7 this evening to provide the Commission with a brief overview. 8 9 Commissioner Knudson stated that she has also received information regarding the dog waste recycling 10 issues discussed at the last Commission meeting. She provided the Commission with a brochure 11 outlining the various options and equipment for their review. She stated that she invited the 12 representatives from Natural Lawn care of America to review chemical usage on the park grasses noting 13 that this is a serious issue and concern. She stated that in her review she found that the chemical they 14 are currently using, 24D, and stays in the grass for a very long time. She stated that there are other safer 15 alternatives and reviewed with the Commission. She introduced Rick Bolsby of Natural Lawn care of 16 America. 17 18 Rick Bolsby, representative from Natural Lawn of America, stated that his company uses an organic 19 based fertilizer that treats the soil versus surface treating of the grass. He stated that the treatments 20 promote a complex root development and would have fewer problems with weed control. He stated that they use 85% fewer chemicals than the traditional lawn care and reviewed with the Commission. 22 He stated that it is their goal to eventually be 100% organic noting that for some weeds there is no 23 organic solution available. He stated that they make take an initial soil sample to determine the 24 problems and once the determination is made they make the soil healthy again. 25 26 Chair Jindra stated that most of the soil in the parks areas are clay and asked if their treatments would be 27 useable. Mr. Bolsby stated that they use a granular type fertilizer on that time of soil, which is a time- 28 release treatment. He explained that a time -release program leaches deeper into the soil, which in turn 29 encourages the roots to go deeper into the soil. He noted that with clay it does take longer adding that 30 the program would work. 31 32 Chair Jindra asked about the costs. Mr. Bolsby stated that they are typically more expensive than the 33 traditional lawn care adding that in the long run they would have fewer problems and lower 34 maintenance. He stated that once it is under control the areas would use less of the product. He 35 explained that their program adds microorganisms to the soil and then they work to improve the soil, 36 which makes difference in maintenance costs, long-term. 37 38 Chair Jindra asked how long they have been in business. Mr. Bolsby stated that his company has been 39 in business for approximately 15-years. He reviewed their history with the Commission noting that they 40 have had a presence in the Minneapolis area for approximately five years. 41 42 Vice Chair Koehntop asked what they would do to maintain the turf. Mr. Bolsby stated that the primary difference with their service is the customized treatment plans. He stated that every lawn is treated 44 differently. He stated that they would have to test the soil to determine how they would properly 45 maintain the turf and reviewed with the Commission.