FOLM Board Meeting
Tuesday 3/7/23
Fish & Game Club – 7:00 p.m.
Members Present: Grant Carstons, Joni Elliff , Darin Hofer, David Holcomb, Tony Host, Luke Northwall, Gary Woods, Marge Shoemaker
Members Absent: Tom Braddy, Ron Tekippe
Guest: Gavin Campbell
Vice President Tony Host called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Approval: Minutes of FOLM Annual Meeting 10/12/22: Correction: Roundup used on Lotus spraying. Unanimously approved.
Financial Report: (attached) Currently about $21,000 from Fishing Derby funds available for Lake improvement issues. As a courtesy, former Fishing Derby Committee members should be consulted regarding use of funds.
Lake water level concerns: The tube is open.
The City may close the tube for 24 hours in order to inspect Mosquito Creek’s levee seepage…no date has been determined.
Lake is down because ground water and river levels are low. River is down about 4 feet. Spring snow melt and rain should help all. Water clarity may be affected with increased flow from Mosquito Creek tube. Be patient.
Forestry issues and other concerns/projects: Grant has submitted a controlled burn plan. A small test burn may happen this year…probably between Indian Creek and the levee on the north side of the river boat ramps. Successful burn will be encouraging.
Crews are clearing downed trees and removing volunteer and invasive species such as cedar and olive trees.
Spring Lotus spraying may be done by drone…less expensive. Previous spraying has been helpful.
The City is expanding levees between along the Missouri River from Longs Landing north and east to Indian Creek.
The Stump: Darin has requested FOLM help find a way to “beautify” a tree stump near the South Shore entrance/bicycle path. He hopes a carving/sculpture would reflect the nature of the Park to the Public and the City.
Luke and David volunteered to find a professional artist to do the sculpting. Joni and Marge will promote a design contest as part of Membership renewal and Clean–Up publicity.
Clean-Up Days: Spring: Sunday, May 7, 2023, 1:00 p.m. Fall: Saturday, September 30, 2023, 10:00 a.m. Both will meet at Playground. Joni and Marge will work on permanent signs suitable for both Clean-Up Days.
Calendar:
Spring Clean-Up: first Sunday in May. 1:00 p.m. Meet at Dream Playground. Spread out from there as directed.
Fall Clean-Up: last Saturday in September. 10:00 a.m. Meet at Dream Playground. Spread out from there as directed.
Annual Meeting: Second Wednesday in October. 7:00 p.m., Fish & Game.
Board meetings: as necessary…probably quarterly depending on need.
Other business:
Efforts will be made to contact the group (Steve Klein?) from Treynor that expressed interested in planting trees near/around campground.
Improvements at Playground: Gary suggested Basketball Court hoop(s)/Pickle Ball Court near Dream Park might be attractive (positively) by older visitors. Suggestion: Merry-go-round; safety-straps on swings. Mulch for Playground base plus stockpile for future use as needed.
Tony will research milkweed seed balls to hand out at Clean-Up Days and to support and ongoing Milkweed for Monarchs project. Similar seed project might also be of benefit for pollinators such as bees and birds. Possible family/youth draw for Clean-Up Day.
DNR Projects:
Fence removal and brush clean up; Boy Scout/Youth camp area; Fence on north side of Park; Fishing levee sites; Cedar & Locus removal; Swimming Beach picnic tables; Ramps & docks; signage at entrances, directive signs; use cedars for fish habitat.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
