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<br />Councilmember Dehen explained the vehicles have to be inoperable for the City to take <br />action. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen expressed concern regarding the definition of acceptable <br />prairie restoration and item J. She noted her neighbors have grasses that exceed the one <br />foot in height listed that is screening their electric box, and it is nice landscaping. She <br />would not want to discourage people from using native landscaping materials in an <br />orderly fashion because it does not meet this definition. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated he talked with Police Chief Way and ParkslUtilities <br />Supervisor Riverblood about the scenario he envisioned with prairie grass, which is that <br />more people will utilize it to save water and conserve energy. This is addressed in <br />5.08.04 6). His concern for future enforcement is the defmition, and in whose eyes it is <br />an acceptable prairie restoration project; the homeowner's or the City's. One person <br />could say that their weeds are a beautiful restoration project. He had asked Mr. <br />Riverblood about possible problems where there may be a dispute over someone that <br />wants to keep their bed of weeds that really is not a restoration project. Mr. Riverblood <br />had said they need to defme what a prairie restoration project is. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen pointed out that all grass exceeding one foot in height is <br />excluded by this ordinance, and there will be a lot of homeowners with their landscaping <br />in violation of this ordinance. <br /> <br />City Attorney Goodrich suggested removing the word 'grass' from the definition. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator Nelson suggested changing the name of the definition to <br />'acceptable prairie landscape' . <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated half of his yard is groomed and half of it is natural by <br />choice. It is natural, and looks nice. He questioned how to distinguish between it <br />looking nice in one yard and someone's grasses coming on to their neighbor's lawn. He <br />suggested there may be a distinction between urban and non-urban. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec pointed out he lives in a rural area and oWns about 3 ~ acres with wildlife. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen explained his purpose was not to try to push this through, and he <br />sees that there needs to be discussion. They need to address the weed complaints, but not <br />. let that rule everything such as prairie restoration. He suggested tabling this aspect of the <br />definitions and having that discussion. <br /> <br />Interim City Administrator Nelson indicated she would like to get through the concerns <br />tonight and would then suggest tabling adoption ofthe ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig noted the only time he has heard about weeds is with urban lots <br />that are not being taken care of in neighborhoods. They may need to more carefully <br />clarify that position. <br /> <br />-198- <br />