Melody Lake A & B, Birchcrest C and Grandview A Neighborhood Roadway Reconstruction

The contractor is scheduled to resume turf restoration rework on Hansen Road and Windsor Avenue on Tues. 9/6. Following this work, additional topsoil will be added to low areas as necessary, including leveling and seeding.

The City has directed the contractor to water the seed daily, per the City’s specifications. This is scheduled to begin on Tues. 9/6.

We encourage residents to help keep the grass moist. See the following post for details.

The contractor began the turf restoration rework on 8/29. After the work occurs in front of your home, we encourage you to assist the contractor by helping keep the grass moist.

The University of Minnesota suggest watering 2-3 times per day, 10-15 minutes per time. for a total of 1” of water weekly, the first three weeks. Followed by every other day watering for a total of 1” of water weekly the following three weeks. Additional information for watering can be viewed here.

Staff will be requesting City Council consider on September 7 a water bill credit of $100 per residential property in the Melody Lake project area.

Thank you.

Since the project area has varying amounts of salvageable grass and varying amounts of weeds that were or weren’t killed by the herbicide, more than one action plan will be implemented. It’s possible two strategies may be needed for one property if varying conditions exist. The contractor plans to begin the fall phase of turf establishment on Monday, August 29. The work could take up to 2 weeks and will include:

1. Areas with weeds not killed by the herbicide
   • Till the soil
   • Seed and hydromulch
   • Watering
2. Areas with weeds killed by the herbicide and have patchy seed
   • Slit seed, to ensure direct seed to soil contact
   • Hydromulch, if necessary
   • Watering
3. Areas with weeds killed by the herbicide and have mostly germinating seed
   • Overseed
   • Hydromulch, if necessary
   • Watering

Additional notes:

• If necessary, topsoil will be added to fill in low spots.
• A liquid bio stimulant with nutrients will be added by the contractor to improve rooting and enhance the seed’s ability to fight stress.
• The City will monitor for germination in September and, if necessary, add more seed.
• Weeds not killed by the herbicide do not germinate after August, but they will drop seeds and remain dormant over the winter. Therefore, in spring 2023 a pre-emergent will be applied by the contractor to help prevent weed germination.
• Staff will be requesting City Council consider on September 7 a water bill credit of $100 per residential property in the Melody Lake project area.
• We encourage you to assist the contractor by helping keep the grass moist.

We’re sorry for the poor conditions and understand the turf restoration process has been lengthy and frustrating.

The weeds are scheduled to be mowed down on Friday, August 5. This mowing will make determining which areas may need a stronger herbicide application prior to reseeding and hydromulching after mid-August and before mid-September. A future mowing may be needed to further mulch the dead weeds.

A licensed contractor will begin applying herbicide to resolve issues with crab grass and other weeds in the City right of way in front of your home beginning in a portion of the project area as early as Wednesday, July 27 and concluding by mid-August for the remainder of the project area north of Grove Street. The contractor will place a notification flag or placard in your lawn soon after the herbicide application. Please remain off the treated area for 48 hours and do not water the treated area for 48 hours.

Following the herbicide application:

• Seeding cannot occur for two to four weeks because the herbicide will prevent germination.
• Seeding will occur after mid-August but before mid-September when the seed has a higher probability of germinating due to cooler temperatures.
• City staff will continue to review the project area after the herbicide application and implement a turf establishment plan, including additional seeding, hydromulching and watering.

If your property has areas where weeds aren’t as prevalent, the contractor will be watering to try to achieve good growth. We encourage you to assist the contractor by helping keep the grass moist. Please visit https://www.bettertogetheredina.org/melodybirchcrest for periodic updates on the subject.

We’re sorry for the poor conditions and understand the turf restoration process has been lengthy and frustrating. The City will continue working with the contractor to ensure the City’s specifications are met, including proper turf growth without significant weeds.

The City is aware that the weeds are still extensive in the north half the project area. The contractor’s spring delays and the hot and dry weather have also not helped the seed germinate. The City has not accepted the turf establishment as final. The City continues to work with the contractor to ensure they establish turf free of significant weeds this summer. The contractor may be chemically treating impacted areas to combat weed growth.

We're sorry for the delay and appreciate your patience.

The turf contractor has applied topsoil, seed and fertilizer to disturbed areas. Tips to help grass grow can be found in this video and briefly summarized below.

• Water - While the contractor is responsible to establish the turf for 90 days, your assistance during this period will help establish the turf more quickly. It is just as important to not over-water the new seed as it is to water the seed. The mulch bed should be moist but not over watered. Continue to water even after grass looks established.
• Fertilize - A commercial fertilizer is applied with the hydroseed. Additional fertilizer and herbicides are not recommended during the initial year of seeding as they can have damaging effects on grass sprouts.
• Mowing - Do not mow new grass until it is 6" high. When grass reaches this height, mow at the highest setting. Cut with this setting for the first few months, even after grass looks established. Do not collect clippings as they help feed the soil while grass develops. Please pass along the mowing recommendations to your lawn care service if you have one.
• Weeding - The contractor is responsible for establishing turf free of weeds. During the initial establishment period, weeding is the responsibility of the contractor, not the residents.
• Preventing Future Weeds - Weeds will likely appear with new grass. Properly watered, mowed and fertilized grass will prevent weeds from gaining a stronghold.

Turf establishment takes time. The City will continue to review the turf in the project area this summer to ensure proper growth.

The Contractor began performing weed removal, seeding, and hydromulching in the areas that only received hydromulch in fall 2022. This work is anticipated to last through the week of 6/13.

Turf establishment is delayed due to mechanical problems with the contractor’s hydro seeder equipment. Shipping delays on replacement parts are not helping the delay either.

It’s the contractor’s responsibility to establish turf free of weeds, so they will need to take care of the weeds as well. The contractor anticipates resuming work in early June.

We're sorry for the delay. We understand the frustration. The City is frustrated at the lack of progress as well. Thanks for your continued patience.

Windsor Ave

• Valley Paving is scheduled to begin removing curb and gutter as well as reclaim the asphalt pavement into a gravel driving surface on 4/25.
• Kusske Construction will begin connecting homes to the temporary water service on 4/25. If you aren’t typically home during working hours, check your front door daily for a notice from Kusske Construction regarding scheduling your temporary water hookup.
• Once homes are connected to the temporary watermain, the new watermain installation will begin. The new watermain installation is anticipated to conclude during the week of 5/2.