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MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 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 7:04 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Emma Broadnax, Commissioner Present
Rebecca Bryan, Acting Chairperson Present
Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Present
Mollie Miller, Commissioner Present
Ted Redmond, Commissioner Absent
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Miller moved to approve the October 25, 2022, Environmental and
Natural Resources Commission agenda.
Seconded by Commissioner Broadnax Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Approval of the September 19, 2022, Environmental and Natural Resources
Commission minutes.
Commissioner Broadnax moved to approve the September 19, 2022,
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes.
Seconded by Commissioner Broadnax Ayes – Commissioners Broadnax,
Bryan, Miller
Abstain – Commissioner Guell
The motion passed.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Resolution of Appreciation for Ann Palzer
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Environmental Planner Finwall presented the report. Ann Palzer is resigning
from the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission after serving 11
years on the Commission.
Commissioner Miller made a motion to recommend approval of the resolution of
appreciation for Ann Palzer.
Seconded by Commissioner Guell Ayes - All
The motion passed.
b. Wetland Conservation Act Delegation – Capitol Region Watershed District
Environmental Planner Finwall presented the report.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission had the following
questions:
Will the City’s wetland ordinance and wetland buffer requirements still
apply to the wetlands in the Capitol Region Watershed District portion of
the City? Staff indicated the City’s wetland ordinance would still apply.
The City’s wetland buffers are more restrictive than Capitol Region
Watershed District.
Commissioner Miller made a motion to recommend approval of the Wetland
Conservation Act Delegation – Capitol Region Watershed District
Seconded by Commissioner Broadnax Ayes - All
The motion passed.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Climate Action Financing and Project Priorities Final Report
Environmental Planner Finwall presented the report. The Climate Committee
(Green Team and the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission)
researched opportunities for climate project priorities within City operations to
include: 1) climate mitigation plan; 2) city facility rooftop solar; 3) city fleet study;
4) electric vehicle charging stations feasibility study and install. Additionally, the
Climate Committee has been researching climate-funding strategies. Staff
discussed three examples including St. Louis Park, Edina, and Minneapolis who
use excess budget, development fees, and franchise fees to fund climate project
priorities.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission had the following
comments:
The City should consider doing an RFP for electric vehicles.
It might be a good idea for the Commission to set up a solar
subcommittee for more technical review.
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The option to reinvest savings from our Community Solar Garden
Subscription Agreement or other savings would likely be the easiest
option for climate funding if possible.
Using franchise fees for climate actions seems to work in other cities.
Maplewood should research how that might work in our City.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission tabled the item for more
research on climate funding strategies.
Environmental Planner Finwall indicated she would meet with the Finance
Department to discuss the item and bring back more detail.
7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS
None
9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
Environmental Planner Finwall updated the Commission on the following:
a. September 26, 2022, City Council Meeting – Update on Xcel Energy Natural Gas
Plant Wetland Buffer Waiver: The item was approved by the City Council.
b. November 14, 2022, City Council Meeting – Resolution of Appreciation for Ann
Palzer and Renewable Energy Ordinance: Acting Chair Bryan agreed to present
the resolution at the City Council meeting.
c. November 21, 2022, Environmental and Natural Resources Meeting and
Thanksgiving Holiday: Staff will send an e-mail with proposed rescheduled
dates.
d. Update on Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Vacancies: There
are two vacancies on the Commission. The City advertised in the September
Maplewood Living, and again via social media in October. Once there are
applicants, the City Council will interview and appoint the two vacancies.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Guell made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Commissioner Broadnax Ayes – All
The motion passed.
Acting Chair Bryan adjourned the meeting at 8:10 p.m.
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