September 2021

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

September 8, 2021 7 PM

Remote Meeting

7:00 Present: Lily, Ninja, Niels, Ann, Jolene, Jessica, Rosemary, Coleen, Barb L, Karen and Megan.

Jessica started the meeting.

Minutes  Motion by Ann and seconded by Lily to approve the August 2021 minutes. The minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

Lily said there are a number of plots open and volunteers have been clearing the plots.  Maps of the gardens have been updated.  The workday thistle patrol has worked out well.

Plot 1301 was eliminated but needs to be reinstated.  The boundaries need to be well marked to protect the nearby waterline.

Some gardeners have emailed concerning the pending no birdhouse policy.  These gardeners have houses with small entrance holes that are used by wrens.  Sparrows cannot fit into wren houses.  We should speak to the Preserve about having wren houses. 

Rhonda has 6 and 8 foot wooden benches to donate to the gardens.  After discussion it was decided that both benches go to University Houses since there's not a need for them in the Arbor Garden.

Jessica says there have been some requests to get a smaller  style of cart along with the larger ones.  The larger carts are too big for some people to handle.  Discussion ensued.  The committee agreed and Rosemary volunteered to check out different cart styles including a muck bucket cart.

There was also discussion about replacing entirely or repairing a waterline.  Discussion ensued.  We have the parts to replace more water lines.  Replacement of the lines is better than repairing an aging system.  

Lily will provide an update of the long range planning group at the next meeting.

Garden Worker Report 

Megan said there has been a northern and eastern border thistle patrol which has been making progress.  Andy will start the 700 retaining wall next week.  Andy and Niels fixed the share shelf at University Houses.  There have been lots of water leaks.

The garden workers are trying to organize as many workdays on the weekends as possible.

Andy will be leaving his job in October.  When should we hire another garden worker?  After discussion, it was decided to post the position in December and interview candidate in Janurary.  We will announce soon that we will be looking for a garden worker. Jolene said this is a second job and not a self-sustaining job.  In the winter there are hardly any hours.

Coleen asked if it was possible to get at recycling bin at the gardens.  Lily will check with UW Physical Plant to see if it is possible.

Motion by Lily and seconded by Niels to adjourn.

Adjourned at 7:45 by Jessica

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee