March meeting focused on retention
A bio-retention cell is a shallow basin planted with native grasses, trees and shrubs. These cells collect stormwater and hold it for a short period of time, allowing some of the water to be naturally absorbed by the soil. The pollutants in the water are removed through various plant and soil processes and the remaining runoff travels to the city's stormwater system and flows to the Kansas River.
Garden show:
Mary Weaver suggested we set aside $200 for the garden show next year so we would have a little money to work with. Mary Weaver thanked all the volunteers who had helped at the Lawn and Garden Show and thanked Mark Weaver for being chairperson.
Pond tour:
Phil Thompson offered suggestions for the Pond Tour in 2011 that included:
1. Deciding tonight to have or not have the pond tour
2. Having someone in charge of finding 6 ponds
3. Not having any advertising and make contractors pay for their own signs if they want them at the ponds
4. Someone to make flyers, with addresses of ponds on front and map on the back
5. No posters. Just information sheet to be handed out to retailers
Mary Weaver volunteered to get 6 ponds and Mark Weaver will work on the flyers, along with the rest of our group helping. There will be a meeting on April 6 at 7:00 at Bakers Dozen Donut Shop at 21st and McAllister. The more that come the better, as sub committees will be set up for the pond tour.
The pond tour be July 9th and 10th and ticket prices be $5.00.
Other business:
Bob Saathoff told us that Ray Schroeder is working 3 days a week for the city now. Ray wanted to know if TAWGS wanted to sponsor a tulip bed for Tulip Time. The cost would be $100 and our name would stay on the bed until next Tulip time. Sponsorships are sold each year before Tulip Time and the tulips are sold after Tulip Time. With the sponsorships and the tulips sold after, the city about breaks even. Motion carried.
Mary Weaver said after Tulip Time is over, we will start pulling weeds at Old Prairie Town and Bob Saathoff said the lower end of Anna's pond needs to be drained and cleaned. There will be more on this at our next meeting.
Mark Weaver said he got a call from Betty Karnes. She would love to have a pondless water feature in her yard. Several volunteered to help with that. Duane Eberhardt made a motion to do this and Ed Klum seconded. Motion carried. Mark said it would probably take about a half day and that we could probably do this in May or June.
