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Valentine Park Community Garden Approval Copyrig hted February 15, 2021 City of Dubuque Consent Items # 13. City Council Meeting ITEM TITLE: Valentine Park Community GardenApproval SUM MARY: City Manager recommending approval to proceed with a community garden at Valentine Park with community volunteers taking the lead on the project. SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File;Approve DISPOSITION: ATTACHMENTS: Description Type Valentine Park Community Garden Approval-MVM City Manager Memo Memo Staff inemo Staff Memo Public Input RE: Valentine Park Community Garden Supporting Documentation Valentine Park Community Garden Rules Supporting Documentation Valentine Park Community Garden Volunteer Agreement Supporting Documentation Dubuque THE CITY OF � ui-Aseria cih DuB E , . � . , � II � Maste iece on tj2e Mississi i zoo�•zoiz•zois YP pp zoi�*zoi9 TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager SUBJECT: Valentine Park Community Garden Approval DATE: February 10, 2021 Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware requests City Council approval to proceed with a community garden at Valentine Park with community volunteers taking the lead on the project. At their February 9, 2021 meeting, the Park and Recreation Commission unanimously approved recommending to the City Council to move forward with the community garden project. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval. � Mic ael C. Van Milligen MCVM:jh Attachment cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager Dubuque THE CITY OF � All•pmerica Cii� DuB E ��r�,� ,,k�,u�: 1IIII�r Masterpiece on the Mississippi zoi�*zo�9 TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager SUBJECT: Valentine Park Community Garden Approval DATE: February 9, 2021 INTRODUCTION The purpose of this memorandum is to request approval to proceed with a proposed community garden at Valentine Park. BACKGROUND In September of 2020, a citizen group approached the Park and Recreation Commission to propose a community garden at Valentine Park. Jake Kohlhaas, the community contact for the citizen group shared the proposal including the location, size, draft garden rules, and other items. DISCUSSION Based on the positive feedback provided in September by the Parks and Recreation Commission, City staff conducted public engagement for the proposed project. Letters were mailed to surrounding residents of Valentine Park asking for their input. A press release was also issued encouraging the community to provide input. Input was collected by an online survey from January 11ththrough January 31St, 2021, a virtual meeting held on January 20th, 2021 and by allowing community members to call the Leisure Services Administrative office to provide their input. Please see the attached summary of the virtual meeting and the online input survey. The virtual meeting had 7 attendees. The virtual meeting was an opportunity for community members to call in and speak about the proposed garden. The online input survey received 11 responses. There were 3 questions on the survey: 1.) Do you like the idea of having a community garden at Valentine Park? a. yes b. no c. no preference either way 1 2.) Please explain why you chose your answer: 3.) Any additional information you would like to provide: In summary, there was no opposition to the proposed community garden based on all the public input and feedback collected. Staff has been working to respond to any questions or concerns collected during the public engagement process. The Park and Recreation Commission also unanimously approved recommending moving the community garden project forward to the City Council at their February 9th, 2021 meeting. v �.�, -�- . :5�, �, .� -4�,�� .�-�_ �;. � , w�. �, The location of the community � �,�:. '� 3�Y� .-�� ,;:'-. � ;;;�. c°�� . �A. f �� .,. � �� garden can be seen in the �� $ :� s�`� , -. �\ � �� photo to the right. It is located `�� {� � ' 4"�� ..{:.F +�'1 �" .; +1 �� :�,� 4 generally to the west of the � �°��.� � , ,; , >.� • •��. � ��. � � house and sheds that were F, `� 1 ' � 4 ��, n ,, �, �- ,� recentlytaken down. �� '' �'� _ �=�{`• � �" �`' � , . ',� ., R� w 4�'.. .' .� n � �� ' t ': . • .� '. � ,. Steve Fehsal, Park Division �� + _�, .,,„ Manager worked with Barry �_ � � Lindahl, Senior Council to � Y ;;_,:� ;�� x�� ? ''�;_� ,, �: create a liability waiver for the ��` . l V�a� ;"� `� community garden users. A � � ' ° - �� '�' �"' • �� , � �,, draft of the rules created by p�� .+a� � � ' �� ,, �,�! the community group is also ��„�., ' � __ M � attached for your review. �, �Y �; _ �_;�__ - - The citizen led group will be working on fundraising for their project and wish to begin operation of their community garden in Valentine Park this spring if approved. The Parks Department will continue to work with the volunteer group led by Jake Kohlhass to facilitate the work to establish this community garden. ACTION STEP I respectfully request approval to proceed with the proposed community garden at Valentine Park with community volunteers taking the lead on the project after approval. Prepared by Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager Attachments: Input Summary Liability Waiver Draft Rules 2 Valentine Park Community Garden Public Input Summarization I. Public Input Virtual Meeting held on January 20t" from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. via GoToMeeting. Staff present: Steve Fehsal and Kristen Dietz Jacob Kohlhaas 1125 Richards Rd, Dubuque IA 52003 Jake was attending to listen to others and their thoughts regarding the community garden. Jennifer Tigges 4927 Wild Flower Dr, Dubuque IA 52002 Jennifer is attending on behalf of the Park and Recreation Commission and is listening to others and their thought on the community garden. Patrick Prevenas 790 Valentine Dr, Dubuque IA 52003 Pat was attending to listen to others and their thoughts regarding the community garden. Dean Boles 1715 Geraldine Dr, Dubuque IA 52003 Dean is a neighborhood resident and is just listening to others and their thoughts on the community garden. David Elroy 900 Valentine Dr, Dubuque IA 52003 David is attending to listen to others and their thoughts on the community garden. Tricia Borelli 1557 Geraldine Dr, Dubuque IA 52003 Tricia is a neighborhood resident, a friend to Jacob Kohlhaas, and is in favor of the community garden. Tricia is curious as to the water source. Sarah Reicks 835 Kelly Ln, Dubuque IA 52003 Sarah is in favor of the community garden but is curious as to how the scheduling is going to work for maintenance. Sarah also has a concern for deer and hopes a high fence will be installed. II. Valentine Park Community Garden Proposal Community Input Survey Survey was available from January 11, 2021 to January 31, 2021. Valentine Community Park Survey Results � � �Yes � No � No Preference Either Way j Comment gathered from surveys: - It is space that is not really being used for anything else. It would be a good thing to have in our community. - Who will police the gardens? Where will they get in from? What will they do with garden waste? Will there be chemical waste? What will keep them from entering from Cody? Will you be putting up fences? - It would benefit the community - My family visits Valentine park and would love to see a community garden in that spot as we think it would increase the diversity in ways this park is utilized. We imagine seeing an increase in families visiting the park at a time when the benefits of being outside are becoming increasing apparent. It seems like many pros to this project with few if any cons. - This park is at a high elevation so there is a lot of good sunlight for growing things. Right now, the park has ample green space and far too much lawn. If a community garden was located here, the park could be a magnet for city residents who are not property owners and hence are unable to dig a garden. A community garden at Valentine Park could improve the quality of life for residents of the nearby mobile home parks. Thank you for considering this option! It is very good idea!! - I think this would be a great idea! I'm excited to see folks getting together for a common goal. - I live in the area and do not see any harm in a community garden. As long as the garden is kept up and maintained. I Would participate. - gardens are a great use of unused space. Community garden also promote residents in the area getting to know each other. Gardening promotes sustainability, nutrition, physical activity, social interaction, improved brain health, exposure to nature/outdoors. hopefully a water source will be available - water will be needed for the gardens at times- and carrying in water is not feasible. - It sounds like a great idea, but we would probably not participate. I'm taking this opportunity to write with a different suggestion for Valentine Park. This is one of our family's favorite parks because of the bike path that goes all around. However, it makes me very concerned that the path crosses the driveway without a very clear sign to let incoming cars know that children may be crossing here. I believe there ought to be a stop sign and/or very clear crosswalk where the path crosses the driveway. - I am excited about this opportunity BOTH because it is instigated by members of the community immediately around the park AND because it sets a precedent which may be extended to other places in the city. Community Gardening is a 'wave of the future'. I am chair of the Dubuque Interfaith Green Coalition, and a number of our churches are actively involved in community gardening and gardening for our food for the needy community resources. The addition of such opportunities throughout the city can be nothing BUT a great addition to the city provided, of course, that there is supervision and resourcing done. And I believe there are plenty of resources to provide both of these! - Would you be proposing a natural landscape, highlighting native plants, showing exotics, a rain garden, or putting through a pollinator garden? Would love to see a beautification process in this area of Dubuque. III. Valentine Park Community Garden Input via phone calls, emails, voicemails in office We received one phone call from a resident who received the letter in the mail and wanted to vocalize their worry that people would walk through the yard and since they live alone, this worries them. This resident also filled out the online survey. No voicemails or emails were received. Valentine Park Community Garden Rules and Expectations Agreement (updated January 20, 2021) I. Rules • The garden is open during regular park hours, March 15 through October 31. • Close gate after entering and secure after exiting. • Notify city staff of vandalism, damage, or illegal activity. • Gardeners are responsible for their own tools and supplies. • Gardeners may grow vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. • Extra produce may be designated for public use either by the gardener or by a garden supervisor if a plot is not being maintained. II. Agreements This garden is a public resource to the citizens of Dubuque even though individuals are seasonally assigned responsibility for their plots.As a full community asset, no discrimination on the basis of any protected class will be permitted regarding access to the garden and registration for plots. • Gardeners will: a. Treat other gardeners and property with courtesy and respect at all times. b. Tend and maintain plots throughout the growing season. c. Keep their plants within assigned plots. d. Maintain the cleanliness of the community garden area. e. Place pulled weeds and spent plants in the compost area. f. Clean out their plot at the end of the season. • Gardeners will not: a. Use non-organic pesticides and fertilizers b. Build or create permanent structures c. Litter d. Plant perennials,trees or shrubs, invasive or aggressively spreading plants (including mint). e. Plant tall plants where they might shade another plot. III. Registration • Registration will be from March 1—April 30. a. All gardeners must have a signed agreement and liability waiver before working in the garden. b. Untended plots will be reassigned on or following May 25tn c. Ripe produce from untended plots will be made publicly available. • Fees: a. (may need fee for mowing and water?) Site Preparation 7.5' deer fencing with 4x4 poles spaced approximately 10' apart and a screen door entry with latch.The image below shows the style of fencing, but the garden will be larger than the one pictured here. - +� �� t �as- � '�.,� , >�'�,��it,�'. �, �' � 1' , •.,��e _.,�-- � � � ` `, �"`� „`„ ;� �' � r .k��' "��-� y : � , x , t ��- x.s- , - '�`�� "a >,:,,:"r�S,''r'Ik:'�,� � � I � �`�� a �..�''"� � � p..� c,.� � ", N?'� -1. � . � �c I' :��"-�� ' __� ..g j ,ay ' .L=.. r�+S•�'-yt � �'SWi` ` � �JKk �i }9'.' � ,J°yA., 1. ��r _ . �_� � � .•;f c r��i�ii�� k .w. 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Y ..{_. \� i�'� P�i t- lY��`'�` " . * �.� �,yd. - '.. . : � , � . � •'�- �. -,M� �:#��a � +, 1-i . . . . Ft"�,` ,y� ,+:K;�r �,Jy �.y.�, � r, . _' � , . �r -,- i _ 6 � .� � r J �}�d '"�� R � .� .. � � � ,. � , �°' ri�t ,r�`�� d}�F�y ��a w ,, dlp s: rt�y'''e,�,� �� `,�' ; �'\ a ;� ,� ��s*�;' � �� a�� '.'.c`��. � s�.. �, f� �.i.,,;�a � - r. `��, �i°:�h.�� x�""�. �`,�. „�;�_, �� , . ��s. . '�$` .:�.�5� s`v4. r�4�. �o� �r,rs',.�.... � '6� . � .. ."� .��.;. . . '1, Estimated cost for a 50 x 100 garden (300 feet Compost bin (6'x4'x2.5') of fence) • Corner posts: 4x4x6 (x2) _ $24 • Deer Fence: 7'x 100' (x3) _ $150 • Treated lumber: 2x4x10 (16) _$100 • Posts: 4x4x10 (x28) _$520 o Total: $124 • Screen Door: 32" x 81" (x2) _ $120 • Misc. _$120 o Total: $910 Signage • Posts: 4x4x10: $40 • Treated Lumber: $15 • Plywood: $30 o Total: $85 Garden Management 1. The City of Dubuque contact for the Valentine Park community Garden is: a. Stephen Fehsal, Park Division Manager b. 563-589-4263 c. sfehsal@cityofdubuque.or� 2. Regular maintenance and supervision of the garden will be managed by a group of residents located near the park.The community contact is: a. Jake Kohlhaas b. 312-485-1360 c. Jakekohlhaas@�mail.com 3. Community residents will: a. Maintain contact with city staff concerning the maintenance and management of the community garden. b. Organize and manage registration for garden plots. c. Oversee the general maintenance and cleanliness of the garden. d. Insure all gardeners understand the rules and expectations of the garden. CITY OF DUBUQUE COMMUNITY GARDENING RELEASE AND LIABILITY WAIVER IMPORTANT, READ THIS DOCUMENT IN FULL BEFORE SIGNING! I desire to participate in neighborhood community gardening activities at Valentine Park and I represent, acknowledge and agree that: (A) I am entering into this Release and Liability Waiver (the "Release") freely and voluntarily, without duress, for the benefit of the City, its directors, officers, employees, agents, contractors, volunteers and constituent members, and their respective successors and assigns. (B) My participation is strictly voluntary, and without compensation. In participating in gardening, I am not an employee of City or any of its constituent members (irrespective of whether I may an employee of any such party for other purposes), and I will not represent myself as such. I understand that City does not carry or maintain any health, medical, or disability insurance coverage, for gardening participants, and that I am expected to carry my own personal health insurance. (C) I am aware that gardening often involves physical labor, lifting and other strenuous activity. I am in good health and physically able to perform this type of work. I am also aware that gardening will be conducted in environments that may be inherently dangerous or hazardous, and that this entails certain risks, including (but not limited to) accidents, bodily injury, illness or death, damage to property or other loss. (D) My participation in gardening is entirely at my own risk, and I assume all risk and responsibility for any property loss or damage, bodily injury (including death), personal injury, or illness that I may sustain as a result of my participation, including related medical costs and expenses. To the fullest extent permitted by law, on behalf of myself, my successors and assigns, I release and forever waive, and hold City, its officers and employees harmless from, all claims, causes of action, liability and damages that I now or hereafter have with respect to any property loss or damage, bodily or personal injury, illness or death that may result from or arise in connection with my participation in gardening. (E) I will at all times fully observe and abide by all policies and procedures established by City with respect to gardening. Any questions about the policies and procedures will be resolved by the Park Division Manager, whose decision I will respect as final. (F) In the event of any emergency, I authorize the provision of any first-aid or medical treatment deemed necessary for my immediate care from any licensed hospital or medical personnel, and I will be responsible to pay for all such services. I release and forever discharge City from liability for any and all claims arising on account of any such treatment or services. (G) I have the right to discontinue participation in gardening at any time and for any reason, in my sole discretion. If I choose to do so, I will notify the Park Division Manager of my decision as soon as possible. (H) City shall have the right to use, for any legitimate purpose, any and all photographic images and video or audio recordings provided to them of any gardening activities, including those in which I am depicted, and I waive all rights to compensation by reason of such use. VOLUNTEER: IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, Primary Contact: Print Name: Relationship: Telephone: Signature: Alternate Contact: Relationship: Date: Telephone: