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Council approves habitat‑management grant application and commits up to $5,000 match to replant prairie
Summary
Council approved applying for a habitat management grant to restore prairie and meadow areas on the Green Belt loop and committed up to $5,000 as a city match. Staff recommended soil testing after reed canary grass reemerged and suggested contractor assistance for replanting.
City staff briefed council on a habitat management grant opportunity to restore prairie plantings on the Green Belt loop and at Meadow Lane. Staff said the prairie area that had performed well last year died this year for an unknown reason; reed canary grass reemerged and staff recommended killing the area and replanting. Staff recommended soil testing to investigate possible causes related to runoff or other site conditions.
Council supported applying for the grant and authorized up to $5,000 in city matching funds. Staff noted the match would come from the open space budget and that contractor Country Landscapes and local partners (named Rhett and Ben Hershey during discussion) could provide labor and planting services. Staff emphasized the grant would allow a coordinated restoration tying Meadow Lane and the trail loop together rather than isolated work.
Council approved the grant application with the $5,000 city match and directed staff to proceed with application and soil testing as part of project development.
