June 2024

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

June 12, 2024 7 PM

Remote Meeting

Lily, Alex, Jolene, Pam, Sam, Barb A, Barb L,  Nick, Doug and Karen.

Alex started the meeting.

Minutes  With a motion by Lily and seconded by Barb L, the May 2024 minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

Lily and Malachi coordinated the weed pile move at Eagle Heights .  Shorewood moved it to the Student Farm area instead of offsite, which is good news.  In the future Malachai proposes composting in windrows, which is allowed by Wisconsin DNR.  A proposal is being prepared for approval from both the GOC and the Garden Committee.  These will be long rows on the weed pile concrete covered by tarps on top.  This way soil on the weeds will not be a problem, but part of the solution. The compost would be shared by the Community Garden and the Dining Farm.

The Student Farm purchased a Ride-on mower and says they will teach our Garden Workers how to use it.  It would only be able to be used on the larger main paths.  Jolene says the driving requirement has been removed from the job, so that could be a problem.

Lily said we now have 12 empty plots, but we do have applications coming in.  

There was a dead turkey found on one of the paths at Eagle Heights.  

Lily requests that we change plot F3 and F4S at University Houses. Plot F4S and the southern half of F3 would be combined to make a full plot (renamed F3). The Northern half of F3 would beccome a pollinator garden.  The large walnut tree near it in the Preserve makes it very difficult to grow most vegetables.  The committee agreed.

Lily reported to the Committee that the new team of Garden Workers is good to work with and they make a great team.

Garden Worker Report

Nick said that Pam, Sam and he have been mowing and cleaning up common areas.  University Houses hoses have leaks and there are leaky spigots at Eagle Heights. He is starting to plan for 2 lines up the main path at Eagle Heights.  Nick has been doing the plumbing.

Jolene said that a list of supplies is being prepared for order, including parts for carts.  

Pam said she has been having a couple of workdays a week.  There were 10 truck loads taken from the Weed Pile to the Student Farm area.  Sam said vacant plots need to be cleared.  

Wages and Positions

The wage change for longevity pay has been approved by UW Human Resources.  They want to be sure we have a system in place to review yearly.  In January the wages will need to be reviewed and sent to HR for approval.

UW HR has made a change in the Temporary Employment positions.  All TE positions will now have an end date.  Jolene will ask each year on December 31 if the employee is returning.  

Jolene said the Garden Team is doing exceptional work this year and she appreciates the team's communication.  

Other Items

Lily will be on vacation at the beginning of July.

Barb A said the Arbor rain garden is working and the water is going in the right place.  Doug said the rain garden in 115 is working well too.

Someone suggested that a narrow rain garden could be put down the 500’s row if flooding became a problem.

Motion by Barb L and seconded by Lily to adjourn.

Adjourned just after 8pm

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee