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MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
7:00 P.M.
1. CALL TO ORDER
Acting Chairperson Bryan called a meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources
Commission to order at 7:03 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Emma Broadnax, Commissioner Present
Rebecca Bryan, Acting Chairperson Present
Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Absent
Mollie Miller, Commissioner Present
Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present
Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Palzer moved to approve the September 19, 2022, ENR Commission
agenda.
Seconded by Commissioner Miller Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of the August 15, 2022, ENR Commission minutes.
Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the August 15, 2022, ENR
Commission meeting minutes.
Seconded by Commissioner Broadnax Ayes – Commissioners Broadnax,
Bryan, Palzer, Redmond
Abstain – Commissioner Miller
The motion passed.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Wetland Buffer Waiver, Xcel Energy, 1555 Century Avenue North
Environmental Planner Finwall presented the report.
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Brian Sullivan of Xcel Energy updated the Commission on the new wetland buffer
plantings and tree replacement plans.
Mary Newcomb, 2600 Montana Avenue, had the following questions and
comments:
Appreciate the changes made to the wetland buffer and tree mitigation
plans.
What is the depth of the detention pond? (Brian Sullivan stated that he
would check on the depth of the pond.)
Is Xcel Energy concerned that wildlife will get stuck in the pond? (Brian
Sullivan stated Xcel Energy would consider a fence around the pond.)
Significant trees on the west side of the pond should be preserved.
(Brian Sullivan stated that 17 significant trees will be preserved on the
west side of the pond.)
The Commissioners had the following questions and comments:
What will spill into the detention pond and how? (Brian Sullivan clarified
that the detention pond is designed to capture any natural gas that spills.
This would be a very rare situation, but is needed for emergency.)
Overall the Commission feels better about the level of detail that has
gone into the revised wetland buffer and tree mitigation plans.
What about wildlife in the detention pond? (Brian Sullivan stated he
would review the depth of the pond and Xcel Energy would consider a
fence around the pond.)
Commissioner Redmond made a motion to recommend approval of the wetland
buffer waiver for the expansion of Xcel Energy’s gas plant at 1555 Century
Avenue North.
Seconded by Commissioner Palzer Ayes All.
The motion passed.
Kirstin Serslund of Xcel Energy introduced herself to the Commission, thanked
them for their review and approval of the project, and requested that the project
be expedited so Xcel Energy can begin as soon as possible.
Environmental Planner Finwall stated that the project will go to the City Council
on September 26, 2022, for final review.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS
None
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9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
Environmental Planner Finwall updated the Commission on the following:
a. Harvest Park Native Seed Garden – Seed Harvesting Program (Tuesday,
September 27, 6 to 7 p.m.)
b. Resilient Cities and Communities – City/County Climate Action Conference
(October 6)
c. Reschedule October 17, 2022, ENR Commission Meeting Due to Staff Conflict
(Suggested Dates Tuesday, October 25 or Wednesday, October 26)
10. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Broadnax made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Commissioner Redmond Ayes – All
The motion passed.
Acting Chair Bryan adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
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