May 2024

 Eagle Heights Garden Committee Minutes

May 8, 2024 7 PM

Remote Meeting

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

Ann started the meeting.

Minutes  With a motion by Ron and seconded by Lily, the April 2024 minutes were approved. 

Registrar Update

The gardens were full, but few people have given up their plots.  Lily proposes changing the date for getting a full refund to match the academic calendar.  Some people are not sure if they will garden until after the semester is over.  Discussion ensued.  The committee agreed to change the full refund deadline to the third Friday in May and make the change starting this year.

Weedpile

Lily saw a gardener from the student gardens using our weedpile. The confusion has been cleared up at the GOC meeting and the good news is the Student Farm will take the dirt from the weedpile, which may save us some money.

It was proposed to have an additional 1 hour required weedpile work day for all gardeners with no ability to pay to not do the weedpile workday. After much discussion, it was agreed that we would announce that we are considering this option, but let’s see how things progress with the weedpile this year.  There was a suggestion about having a weedpile ambassador at the weedpile at busy times to help people understand the procedures.  The weedpile ambassador could get workday credit.  When doing every workday, all gardeners on the crew should have a short weedpile education. 

There is also a question about what a stick is.  Are brussel sprout sticks and raspberry canes sticks?  Lily will ask UW Physical Plant about this.  Is there a possibility to get woody material chipped.  Jolene says this is possible by Housing Facilities.  

The present status of the weedpile are that University Houses is mostly done and Eagle Heights probably needs a couple of more work days.

Water

The water is on and there were only minor leaks which Nick is working on.  The main shutoff for Eagle Heights is near 816 Eagle Heights.  There is a backflow preventer at the shutoff on both Eagle Heights and University Houses. 

Excess Supplies at University Houses

After discussion there was a motion by Ann and seconded by Alan to give the green chain link fencing, the sink and shelving at University Houses to SWAP.

Budget Review

Lily requests we have a budget review subcommittee.  The last review was two years ago and we now have more garden workers.  Ann and Barb L agreed to be on the subcommittee.

Electronic Vole Deterrent

Doug agreed to write an informational piece about why they do not work and why we are banning them from the garden. He will share the draft first via email before it is sent out by Lily.

Other Items

There was a request for a hand tamper for paths in individual plots.  After discussion it was decided that a tamper was not in the best interest of the gardens.  Paths in plots are determined by the plot holder at the time and hard packed soil is not necessarily for the next plot user.

A research project for pollinators is requesting to remove some apple blossoms off our trees next year in a project concerning pollinators.  The Committee gave permission, but they will also have to get permission from the preserve.

Longevity Pay for Garden Employees

Jolene proposed giving pay increases to retain employees at the gardens.  The percent increase should be decided every year in January.  Student employees will have to be treated separately due to University rules.  Jolene proposed a 2% raise. Discussion ensued. 4% was proposed and agreed to for the only employee with longevity.  The Registrar has been with the gardens for 3 years.  Jolene said there is a salary cap for every position. 

Motion by Barb L and seconded by Ann to approve a 4% raise to the Registrar backdated for the three years.  Motion approved.

Alex will send an email to Jolene with this information to start the process.

Garden Worker Report

Pam said the University Houses weedpile is almost finished and signs are being added to tell gardeners how to proceed. University Houses has been mowed twice and Eagle Heights needs to be mowed. Nick, Pam and Sam are working things out and will start setting up workdays. 

Nick said new plot markers have been made, bright red with yellow numbers and they will be set out. The water system is being checked for leaks.

Jolene said the mowers were serviced by Housing Grounds and one of the mowers' self propulsion is broken.  Housing Grounds is checking for parts and repair costs.  Ron sent an earlier email about the use of electric mowers.  A good time to have this discussion would be when we had to replace a mower.

Garden forks seem to be in short supply.  Pam is fixing tools and said there are some forks without handles.  At the last meeting, the committee approved $800 for tolls to be bought.

Jolene said the best way to buy tools is to send her the exact thing needed from a local supplier and she will see that it is purchased.

Barb A asked to discuss the great ideas about electric mowers at a future meeting.

Motion by Barb A and seconded by Barb L to adjourn.

Adjourned just after 8pm

Submitted by Karen, subject to correction by the Garden Committee