July 2022

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

July 13, 2022  7 PM

Remote Meeting

Present: Lily, Ninja, Jessica, Megan, Ann, Niels, Ric, Barb L, Barb A., Jolene and Karen

Minutes

Motion by Barb A and seconded by Ann to approve the June 2022 minutes. The minutes were approved.

Registrar

Lily said there are 5 vacant plots. The parasitic wasps will be delivered by Friday. She described the proposed lock on the gate at the entrance. The group talked about who might need to get access including Shorewood Heights workers delivering leaves and removing compost, grounds workers, and gardeners with disabilities. Lily said we will have to work with these groups. The committee discussed having a contact posted, such as the registrar's email for those who have questions about the locked gate. The Fire and Police Departments will add their own lock and will have access.

Lily also brought up households who have a half plot in addition to whole plots and how they should be counted for workdays. She also mentioned that the GOC has fines for erecting unauthorized structures and allowing unleashed pets in the gardens and that we should post these fines on a sign.

Jolene mentioned that making disability accommodations could be difficult for the Gardens as the gardens are not accessible.

Garden Worker Report

Megan reported that the cart parts are expensive and she will send an email with the cost. The committee can comment before the purchase.  Ric said we could make our own handles with his tubing bender.  We could have a cart repair party.  Karen said she would bring her saws-all. Some wheelbarrows are needed for Eagle Heights.  

The water is off and the plumbers have been called.  

Megan would like to make the tree island near FH King a workday priority for this week.  It will be hot and a workday in the shade is a good idea.  The committee agreed.  There is a large tree at the end of the 600’s which is a problem.  Lily and Megan will check on it.  

Hiring a Garden Worker

Jolene said the prospective garden worker decided not to take the job.  We will probably not be able to hire a garden worker through Human Resources until next year. Discussion ensued about how many garden workers we want to hire and when. Jolen suggests we try hiring in November for next year.  After much discussion, the committee decided to try to hire two more garden workers.

Backflow Valves

Karen suggested we buy a backflow valve for the entire line instead of the backflow preventers on each spigot.  This would save time for the garden worker checking to see if all the backflow preventers are present.  A few years ago this was suggested.  The UW plumber would have to do the work.  

Motion by Ann and seconded by Barb L to have backflow preventers installed on the main line no to exceed $1000.  Motion passed.

Lead Paint

After discussion the new rule will read “Please be careful not to bring old lead painted items into the gardens.”

Parking

Discussion ensued about the parking being often full.  Jolene said there were some parking lots redone at Eagle Heights and that could be the problem.  The work is now finished.

Motion by Barb A and second by Ann to adjourn.

Submitted by Karen and Barb , subject to correction by the Garden Committee