PRSR HANDOUT #1 10-12-2011t1t~1c~'u~ ~
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
Chris Leeseberg, Park Planner
October 12, 201 I
Hillside Park Power Line Easement
Rodney Schxeifels and I met with Patrick Carlson-Great River Energy (GRE) Land Rights
Consultant, Harold Virchow-Can's Tree Seance, Rich Omdahl-Dirttulrx, and Sue Seeger-Dirtwirx
and two other individuals on Tuesday October 11, 2011.
The purpose of the meeting was to look at the concerns members of the volunteer group
Dirtwirx had with the clearing of trees and undergrowth in the GRE 150-foot wide easement
that travels through Hillside Cits~ Park. Sue Seeger and Rich Omdahl presented an
agenda/letter they drafted that indicated what they believe is substantial property damage to
the park and their proposed solutions. I clarified with the group that this document was not
from the City of Elk River.
All in attendance walk the perimeter of the easement to look at specific concerns and to get
feedback from GRE and Caxr's.
It was questioned why the "mowing" of vegetation/undergrowth happened to run beyond
the easement lines in several locations. Staff expressed that this was the greatest concern, as
the easement line was defmidve. GRE and Carr's were going to look into why it happened.
When asked about the trees that were removed on the easement line ox outside of the
easement, it was stated that they figured the trees were leaning into the easement and/ox
were dead. Carr's makes judgment calls on the amount to trim when the trees axe leaning
into the easement. If most of one side of the tree was to be trimmed, they would remove
the entire tree. Without knowing what the condition/location/status of the questionable
trees was, it is difficult know if they indeed should have been removed. There were several
trees that appeared to be sought after regardless of their proximity to the easement.
Carx's was also going to look into the whereabouts of a large piece of flagstone that was left
next to a trail fox future use in the park that was no longer there. They indicated that if they
could not find it, they would replace it with another stone.
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Several larger rocks were spray painted with pink paint which the volunteers felt were
excessivel}' painted. I questioned why they were painted and was told that all of the rocks on
a job site axe painted so the mower operator can see the hazards to avoid hitting them. This
is so they do not injure someone or damage the expensive equipment. The volunteer group
indicated they wanted the rocks cleaned. I told GRE and Caxr's that the city would not
require them to clean the rocks, as it was part of doing the job safety, but if they wanted to
that was their decision.
There are a few areas that were mowed too wide and several trees that need to be answered
fox, but aside from the visual shock of all of the vegetation/undergrowth being removed
from easement line to easement line, the site was in a good/clean condition.
PO~EAEO e/r.
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Meeting agenda re:
NERC compliance clearing under the Great River Energy transmission lines at Hillside
City Park in Elk River.
Problem:
The portion of thejob that took place in Hillside Park was obviously mishandled
resulting in substantial property damage to the park.
The easement was exceeded unnecessarily in numerous spots, and it can be
mathematically proven the removed trees posed no threat to the lines.
The park itself was left in deplorable condition after the work was completed.
There is evidence of malicious damage done to the park.
The guidelines set out in Great River's own vegetation management policy as shown on
their own website was notfollowed,nor was the procedure outlined in the letter GRE
sent to affected land owners.
It is vividly apparent attempts were made to conceal some of the wrong-doing that
occurred at this worksite. A substantial clean-up effort was also launched post-
complaint, that I'm confident would not have taken place were this jobsite not about to
receive a great deal of unwanted scrutiny. Work had been completed for several days,
yet within an hour of receiving our call; Mr. Carlson had Carr's back on site, with a full
crew, attempting to clean up the park.
On Monday a larger log-hauling truck and one worker we also on site all day finishing
cleaning up and moving a few insubstantial logs from the numerous piles of very large
logs stacked near the boundary of the park, and on the adjoining property owner's land,
and for some reason lining part of the trail with them. (?)
Proposed Solution:
GRE spends a great deal on community outreach and environmental branding. This
poorly handled job has caused irreparable damage to a public park, because I00 year old
trees can not be replaced. That probably isn't the image a company like GRE would like
to portray. Hillside City Park has been vandalized, and is entitled to some sort of
restitution. All of the park users are very upset with this situation.
We feel the park deserves a reforestation initiative sponsored by GRE put into effect to
supply the park with an agreed upon number of trees per year, for an agreed upon number
of years (to be negotiated with the City of Elk River). This initiative will be publicized
with signage within the park to the effect of, "This tree donated as part of GRE's Hillside
Park reforestation initiative 2012" at GRE's expense.
We also propose a cash donation to the park to help compensate for the wrongly removed
trees (to be negotiated by the city).
We would like the copious amount of bright pink paint used to deface rocks throughout
the park cleaned off, and also the large piece of flagstone, approx 24" long by l6" wide
by 3" thick, (trail building materials) taken from alongside the trail near the work zone
replaced.
This is an opportunity for GRE to reestablish good will with the City of Elk River and
satisfactorily resolve this problem. This unfortunate situation is, currently, as small and
contained as it will ever be. The many, many park users are very upset and demanding
something be done about it. /
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We appreciate the responsiveness shown by arlson to our concerns, and
eagerly await them to be addressed completely.
Rich Omdahl
Trail Steward -Hillside Park
Dirtwirx- Trail Boss
Sue Seeger
Dirtwirx -Dirt Boss