Residents and Cooperative raise yard-compliance, thistle infestation and deer concerns; city asked to consult county and DNR

At the Aug. 12 Skyline City Council meeting, resident Margaret Rengstorf reported an expanding thistle infestation near S. Skyline Drive and relayed advice that eradication could require broad spraying that would also kill perennial gardens and may need multiple treatments.

Janet Nelson, representing the Skyline Cooperative, said the Cooperative has received complaints about that property and 27 additional properties that the Cooperative considers out of compliance with yard standards under Article 13.7-9. Nelson said the Cooperative will notify those property owners by letter, give them 30 days to achieve compliance, and, if there is no response, will hire contractors to do the work and bill the resident.

Nelson also said the deer population has become overwhelming and requested that the City of Skyline inquire with Blue Earth County and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources about conducting a controlled hunt. The minutes record the request but do not show a response or timetable from the council or county.

Nelson reported the Cooperative has 11 residents who had not paid Cooperative dues; she said water service will be turned off if there is no response after a third letter. She said the Cooperative’s newsletter will be issued next week and thanked volunteers for the Night to Unite event. Jennifer Wettergren offered to assemble a new-resident packet and asked whether the city would like to participate in preparing that packet; the minutes do not record a decision on city participation.