HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-2010-08-09Natural Areas Commission
Minutes
August 9, 2010
Present: Alison Fromme, Anna Salter, Todd Miner; Ron Herring, Robert Wesley
Also Attending: Wade Wykstra, BPW; Roxy Johnson, Watershed Coordinator; Dan Hoffman, City
Attorney; Ilana Trombly; Six Mile Creek Ranger
Discussion about request for camping by Dale Bryner of Earth Arts on South Hill, below the South Hill
Recreation Trail. Should camping be allowed on more regular basis by permit? Is this part of the
larger conversation about making swimming legal? As no quorum at beginning of meeting the issue was
bumped to Board of Public Works. Todd will get back to Earth Arts.
Anna working on signs for kiosks regarding invasives. She will be organizing another volunteer day soon.
Talked to Jean Gray, City forestry technician, about mowing. Mowing was done. She have been very
responsive. Explore your watershed series still going on. Roxy volunteered to do her walk /talk once
again.
Ranger report by Ilana Trombly (see write -up).
Discussion about overall Six Mile Creek swimming, access, etc. Thirty years ago less problems with
behavior. Change in drinking age leading to more drinking by underage youth? What is liability? Will
water work in next year or two deter illegal actions? Are crowds getting more unruly? According to
Ranger Trombly, who has been around 4 -5 years, says there are more folks. However, the rangers' job
description and role has changed to more educational and less enforcement; now they don't try to
prevent, they just warn. In the past some rock throwing (none this year). City is supposed to provide
guard training for rangers, but it isn't happening.
More people creating more environmental damage (root compaction, branches snapped off, soil
erosion, etc.)
Break -ins of cars at Giles Street parking.
Do we go more the State Park route? Harden trails, landscaping, fencing, life guards, etc.? Six Mile isn't
Wilderness. We have this discussion (illegal swimming, etc.) every year and seem to much time
discussing this.
Lifeguards probably won't work as water turbidity too great (couldn't see victims).
Cameras at 30 foot dam or parking lot? Would that deter law breakers?
Could future water bills help cover costs for keeping the water source clean?
Motion passed unanimously to ask the mayor to send letter to YouTube asking that Six Mile cliff
jumping videos betaken down. Alison will forward to Mayor
Minutes from July 12 approved with addition of YouTube letter discussion, Ilana Trombly being present,
and Todd Miner's name spelled correctly.
Approved that Joe McMahon will serve as Chair in Alison's absence until January.
Finger Lakes Land Trust interested in purchasing parcel adjacent to Six Mile Natural Areas. They asked
City to help. There will be field visit Monday Aug. 16 11 am at property. Contact FLLT for more info.
Area not currently prioritized area for protection, should NAC promote this as priority?