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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-04-14 Beautication CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting April 14, 1975 - 11 :30 A.M. Present: members - Bauman, Wallace, Rankin, Mauer, Higdem, Matheson, Conger ex officio members - Williams, Collins guests & visitors - Doug Erdman, Boise Greenbelt Cooridnator; Mike Barrett, Mel Wilhelmsen The meeting was called to order in the Council Chambers by Chairperson Bauman. Minutes of the meetings of February 10, 1975 and March 10, 1975 were approved as written. Vacancy on Commission - Val Wallace moved that the name of Mel Wilhelmsen be submitted to the City Council for appointment to fill the unexpired term of Lou Ann Epochs. Seconded by Jerry Mauer. Passed. Communications - A letter from Starr Farish announced an open meeting concerning Caldwell residential sidewalks will be held on April 16, 1975 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Two members of this Commission will be asked to serve on one of two sidewalk committees to be established. Chr. Bauman, Jerry Mauer, and Shirley Conger will attend this meeting. A letter from David Thompson, State Trails Coordinator, announced an organizational meeting of Idaho Recreation Trails Association for all non-motorized trails will be held the evening of April 16, 1975 at the Boise Library. Purpose will be to coordinate local projects into a statewide system of trails. Mel Wilhelmsen will attend. Parks & Recreation Commission - Bobbie Rankin reported that Art Collins would like this Commission to present a recommendation on the Dixie Drain Project. Bobbie was appointed permanent liason person to the Parks & Recreation Commission. Weed Control - Report of the weed meeting held on March 19, 1975 and attended by Gwen Reed was given by Charleen Matheson in Gwen's absense. The meeting consisted of input and discussion of opinions. The majority present seemed to feel the worst spots in town are undeveloped areas owned by developers. Report of the Weed Seminar held on April 3, 1975 and attended by Chr. Bauman follows: Eugene Ross, Idaho Weed Control Office Reasons for wanting to control weeds in urbanizing areas 1. Source of seed 2. Potential fire hazard 3. Disease potential as a habitat for rodents 4. To reduce irritants to the many persons who suffer from asthma, hay fever and other allergic responses such as skin rashes The laws in Idaho provide for elimination of noxious weeds such as Canadian Thistle, Morning Glory, White Top, Scotch Thistle In the city we also have many nuisance weeds such as Puncture Vine and Quake Grass Nuisance weeds in the cities produce great economic loss to agriculture because of their seed potential. Often involved is undeveloped land which is not being farmed, planned for subdivision, adjacent to farm land. Unless the cities and counties enact their own nuisance weeds ordinances, /14‘ we have only voluntary citizen cooperation. CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting - April 14, 1975 Page 2 /'") Weed Control - Report of Weed Seminar (continued) R. Sonnenberg, Pest-Go Company Stressed the fact that nuisance weeds from areas awaiting development within the city are providing the seeds which travel via wind, water, birds, animal and human feet, and cars to agricultural land, producing great economic loss. He also mentioned esthetic reasons for controlling weeds, and health reasons. Spraying should be done at the proper time. Jonas Lee, Lee Spraying Service Factors to consider for best weed kill included finding out exactly which weeds you are dealing with and the proper timing for maximum weed kill, as'well as the right chemical for that particular weed. Weeds should be killed when they are 6-8 inches tall, and young, before they have pollinated. Weed seed is stronger than almost every other seed so that hoping they will be forced out is not realistic. Types of chemicals were discussed: 1. Contact chemicals, such as 2-4-D 2. Quick-kill chemicals, often used with fire, very poisonous to people and animals 3. Sterilant - May eliminate all growth of all vegetation so one must know what plans for the land are. Should only be used on areas you wish nothing to grow on for at least 2 years. Sterilants travel. Some have been known to travel underground as well as with water runoff so they are potentially dangerous pto any adjacent trees and vegetation. 4. Fumigants - Have a shorter period of sterility. Art Collins reported a problem in the definition of weeds is currently being worked on by the City Attorney. He requested input to his office on blight areas observed by Commission members. Chr. Bauman will work with Art Collins on radio spots emphasizing weed control. Project Priority - Chr. Bauman appointed Val Wallace and Jerry Mauer to prepare a list of priorities of. future projects utilizing minutes of previous Commission meetings and discussions with Retail Merchants Association and Chamber of Commerce as resources. This list is to be presented at the regular May meeting. Spring Clean-Up - Val Wallace and Jerry Mauer were appointed to begin work immediately on this project. Septic Tank Discharge Workshop - A meeting regarding the results of a study of septic tank systems discharging to areas of high groundwater in Boise Valley and conducted by Canyon Development Council, Ada Council of Governments, and the Corps of Engineers will be held on April 23, 1975 in the CDC Conference Room at 1051 South 7th Street. Mary Higdem will attend. Wastewater Facilities Plan for Nampa-Caldwell - Final discussion meeting of this plan will be at 7:30 on May 7, 1975 at Boone Science Center. Chr. Bauman and Mary Higdem will attend. Chr. Bauman attended the previous meeting and will submit her personal recommenda- tion that definitely Nampa and possibly Caldwell should begin planning for land treatment disposal of sewage rather than the other four alternatives, all of which end up in our waterways. CALDWELL BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION Regular Meeting - April 14, 1975 Page 3 Community Development Needs - Art Collins announced two public meetings, April 21 and April 28, 1975 at 4:00 for the purpose of establishing priorities of Community Development Needs as a step toward the construction of a senior citizen center in Caldwell. Tenth Street Cooperative Planning Meeting - Mary Higdem will check with Mr. Kantola on the progress of discussions. Comprehensive Trails Plan - Charleen Matheson presented a proposed recommendation for the development of a Comprehensive Trails Plan for the City of Caldwell. After considerable discussion and clarification, Charleen Matheson moved that the Commission approve the following recommendation to be presented to the City Attorney for final drafting: The Caldwell Beautification Commission makes the following recommendations regarding a long-range plan for Greenways, Bike/Pedestrian Ways, and/or other Trails for the City of Caldwell: 1. That a Comprehensive Plan for Greenways, Bike/Pedestrian Ways, and/or other Trails be designed to be included in Caldwell's Comprehensive Plan; 2. That the Canyon Development Council Planner be designated responsible for the accomplishment of Trails and Greenways Plan, and that included in said Plan should be the designation of agency to be responsible for the implementation of said Plan; 3. That City Staffs and Commissions .designate a representative to serve in an advisory position to the planning consultant and that these should include: Caldwell Beautification Commission, Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works Department, Engineering Department, Police Department, Parks and Recreation Commission, Traffic Safety Commission, Sidewalk Committee; 4. That the City of Caldwell annually budget funds to be used for implementation of the Trails and Greenways Plan, utilizing other sources of funds whenever possible; 5. That until this Plan is ready for adoption, only those permanent improvements for bike and pedestrian trails be undertaken which will complement the over-all system and which are deemed most needed. Seconded by Bobbie Rankin. Passed. Special MeetinE - A special meeting is scheduled on April 29, 1975 at 3:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers for the purpose of voting on the final draft of the above recommendation and will preceed a special meeting on that same day at 4:00 P.M. with the Mayor for the purpose of communicating our thoughts to he and the Council. Dixie Drain Project - Shirley Conger reported on a meeting she and Mary Higdem had with Mel Lewis concerning current status of the project. Preliminary inventory of ownership has been completed. The City Attorney is drawing up an agreement with Pioneer Irrigation and this agreement is on the adgenda for the April 15, 1975 Council meeting. Mr. Lewis recommends no further action until the legal agreement has been completed. Proposed recommendations on this project were discussed. The final draft of this Is" 1 recommendation will be circulated to Commission members prior to the Special meeting on April 29, 1975 and will be voted on at that meeting. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 P.M. Shirley Conger Secretary