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<br />(separately) the plan in place for 8:00 a.m. the next morning. Again, the results of the <br />discussion were shared and compared. The remainder of the Hugo tornado video was <br />viewed. <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER <br /> <br />Mayor Ramsey called the regular City Council work session to order at 7:07 p.m. and <br />announced that the Emergency Management Exercise was completed. <br /> <br />TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION <br /> <br />2) Topsoil Ordinance <br /> <br />Assistant City Engineer Himmer reminded Council that when the topsoil ordinance was <br />brought for introduction in January, Council expressed concerns that the ordinance was <br />not strict enough in regards to organic content and made some suggestions for revisions <br />to the specific soil composition. At that time, Council asked for a discussion regarding <br />the soil composition to be brought to a work session and that soil samples should be <br />reviewed at that time as well. <br /> <br />John Enstrom, a supplier of top soil, was in attendance to offer his opinion and answer <br />Council's questions. <br /> <br />Bags of soil samples were passed around and a test/demonstration was performed by <br />adding water to the soil in jars to document how the soil absorbed the moisture. A list of <br />suppliers of top soil, their location, and their cost for the soil specification Council <br />desired was disseminated. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued relating to the cost of different soil specifications, what specs seemed <br />better than others, the difference between screened and unscreened soil, the amount/depth <br />of topsoil needed/recommended, the use of peat dirt, sand and clay content, the supply <br />and demand of the certified topsoil, the certification process and who does the certifying. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated there has to be an educational piece to this policy so people <br />know the criteria ahead of time. <br /> <br />Upon inquiry, it was stated that the ordinance contained language re screening the soil- <br />Councilmember Look felt that should be removed. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued relating to natural and prairie grasses and that there is flexibility in <br />commercial areas with City Council approval. <br /> <br />Mr. Enstrom suggested that the City change its requirements for sod and allow planting <br />of grass - Councilmember Dehen stated that the EPB could look into grass versus sod. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session - April 7, 2009 <br />Page 2 of7 . <br />