BEAUTIFICATION AND PARK AREA IMPROVEMENTS TASK FORCE
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NOTE 1: The following recommendations assume that the City of Council Grove retains control of Council Grove City Lake Park (See Governance Task Force).

MOWING AND WEED CONTROL

Course of Action: Each Council Grove City Lake Park (CGCLP) resident shall be responsible for mowing grass and controlling weeds on their lot and the area above their septic system (whether located on their lot or on the "commons area" adjacent to their lot). Lawns/septic systems should be mowed at least monthly or when grass/weeds reach six (6) inches in height, whichever occurs sooner, throughout the growing season. Rationale: Proper maintenance of lawn/septic system grass/weeds will enhance asthetics of CGCLP; help control rodent, insect and reptile populations; and protect septic systems from damage from heavy epuipment (haying machinery).

Course of Action: The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) shall be responsible for mowing/trimming grass and controlling weeds in all CGCLP public areas (including parks, golf driving range, public boat ramp areas, airport). Parks and public areas should be mowed/trimmed weekly throughout the growing season. In addition, the City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) shall be responsible for mowing an eight (8)-foot "collar" on all CGCL interior roads throughout the growing season. Such grass/weed maintenance could be accomplished by City of Council Grove personnel/equipment or by contract between the City of Council Grove and individual(s) or compan(ies). Rationale: Proper maintenance of grass/weeds on CGCLP public areas and interior roads will enhance asthetics of CGCLP; help control rodent, insect and reptile populations; and help promote safety on CGCLP interior roads.

Course of Action: The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) shall embark on a program of noxious weed (bind weed, etc) and "obnoxious" weed (poison ivy, etc) control throughout CGCLP. Rationale: Only through the concerted effort of a single agency can an eradication program be successful and the proper use of chemicals be assured.

TRASH RECEPTACLES AND RELATED ISSUES

Course of Action: In lieu of locating trash receptacles in CGCLP parks and public areas, those using such areas should be encouraged to properly dispose of trash individually by taking it with them when they leave. Rationale: Experience at Council Grove Federal Reservoir would indicate that the availability of trash receptacles would encourage individuals to use them for disposal of "weekend household trash" in lieu of properly transporting it to the Morris County Transfer Station (available at no additional cost to them) or contracting with a local company for trash pick-up service. Also, public area trash receptacles tend to invite vandalism.

Course of Action: The Council Grove Lake Association (CGLA) should form a permanent committee whose members would agree to pick up trash/litter from all CGCLP interior road rights-of-way and from Morris County road rights-of-way within one-half (1/2) mile of CGCLP at least once a month between April and October each year. Rationale: Trash/litter removal from road rights-of-way would enhance asthetics of CGCLP and might encourage CGCLP residents to refrain from littering our roadways.

SIGNAGE

Course of Action: The CGLA shall design, purchase and cause to be installed (in a uniform location on each residence) signs designating the lot number of each residence in CGCLP. There shall be two (2) signs affixed to each residence; one clearly visible from the lake and one clearly visible visible from the road adjacent to the residence. Such signage is estimated to cost between $5000 and $6000. Rationale: Uniform and clearly visible lot identifying signs are necessary to assure emergency personnel (fire fighters, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement personnel) can readily locate each CGCLP residence.

Course of Action: The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) shall purchase, install and maintain signs at the intersections of US 56 Highway and Morris County 1200 and 1300 Roads identifying them as entrances to CGCLP. The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) shall replace (as necessary) and maintain signs identifying Section numbers throughout CGCLP. The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) shall structurally repair and maintain the three (3) existing "entrance" signs at CGCLP. Initial cost is estimated to be between $500 and $1000 with follow-on maintenance estimated to be negligible. Rationale: Proper signage would enhance access to CGCLP.

Course of Action: The CGLA should form a permanent committee to establish and maintain, annually, a flower garden surrounding each of the three (3) existing CGCLP "entrance" signs. With permission from the City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) the CGLA committee should consider painting these three signs (bricks and all). It is estimated that initial (first year) costs for bed establishment and sign painting would be between $500 and $1000 and $100 annually for additional plant materials.

IMPROVE PUBLIC PARKS, BOAT RAMPS AND DOCKS

Course of Action: The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) Lake Caretaker shall maintain all existing public restrooms in CGCLP. Each restroom should be caused to be fully functional and cleaned/supplied on a regular basis (at least weekly). As part of Lake Caretaker's regular duties, service would be provided at no additional cost to City of Council Grove. Rationale: In the past several years, maintenance of public rest rooms has been non-existant and their condition has become reprehensible.

Course of Action: The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) should complete installation of the fish cleaning station in CGCLP and maintain it in a functional condition throughout the "warm months." Cost of providing this amenity would be a likely candidate for some of the funds the City of Council Grove will be required to spend as a result of their entry into the Community Fisheries Assistance Program (CPAP). Rationale: Availability of the fish cleaning station would provide a valuable service to resident and non-resident fishermen and would eliminate the tendency to dispose of fish carcasses back into the lake or along Lake Road right-of-way.

Course of Action: The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) shall maintain a fully functional boat dock adjacent to each of the two (2) public boat ramp locations. Rationale: Availability of a boat dock adjacent to the boat ramp is essential to allow an individual to launch and/or trailer a boat without assistance.

Course of Action: The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) should eliminate or replace the boathouse located in the park area immediately south of Section A. Cost of eliminating the existing boathouse is estimated to be $1000. Cost of constructing/equiping a new boathouse is estimated to be between $15000 and $20000. Rationale: The existing boathouse is non-functional and unsightly. The boathouse should be replaced only if the City of Council Grove feels it is cost effective to have the patrol boat immediately available for use by the Lake Patrol or by a First Responder.

Course of Action: The City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) could designate and identify with adequate signage a public swimming area (suggested site - area at north end of the dam). The swimming area should be provided with at least two (2) floating docks (one at the shoreline and the other anchored in the lake at the outside border of the designated swimming area. Boating shall be restricted in the designated public swimming area. Estimated cost for docks and signage is between $10000 and $15000. Rationale: Availability of public swimming area would primarily benefit non-resident swimmers as most residents would probably prefer to swim from their own lake fronts.

MARINA ON LAKE

Course of Action: If it is determined to be cost effective, the City of Council Grove (See NOTE 1 above) should negotiate a contractual agreement with the owner of the marina on the Council Grove Federal Reservoir for the installation and operation of a floating marina on Council Grove City Lake. Cost of the installation and operation of the marina would be the responsibility of the marina owner with perhaps an annual rental fee to be paid to the City of Council Grove. Rationale: The marina at the Council Grove Federal Reservoir should not be expected to compete with another marina located on Council Grove City Lake. Probably, both would weakened beyond feasability. Availability of a marina on Council Grove City Lake would be a convenience to residents of CGCLP and would probably reduce fuel spillage into the lake.