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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-18 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 18, 2011 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road BEast A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chair Schreiner. B. ROLL CALL Bill Schreiner, Chair Randee Edmundson, Vice Chair Judith Johannessen, Commissioner Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Dale Trippler, Commissioner Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Present Present Absent Present Absent Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner City Council Liaison Present: Kathleen Juenemann C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Staff suggested changing the order of Unfinished Business having the Renewable Energy Ordinance before the Shoreland/Wetland Ordinance. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the aqenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Edmundson. Ayes - All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the June 20. 2011. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetinq Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Johannessen. Ayes - All The motion passed. E. NEW BUSINESS None. July 18, 2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Renewable Energy Ordinance i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an update on the Renewable Energy Ordinance and answered questions of the commission. ii. ENR Liaison and City Councilmember, Kathleen Juenemann addressed the commission and discussed changes proposed to the ordinance. The commission reviewed the following changes to the ordinance: . Allow wind turbines in residential zoning districts with neighborhood consent. . Require that all commercial wind turbines requiring a CUP come before the ENR Commission in addition to the Planning Commission and City Council. . Placement of wind turbines should be clarified for commercial turbines, some businesses might not have a rear or side yard. . Minimum setback for a wind turbine to residential should be the height of the turbine plus 25 feet. . Colors allowed on wind turbines should have the minimal impacts on birds and bats. . Commercial wind turbines should be equipped with a shut off mechanism during high bird migration periods. The commission approved the changes and requested the ordinance be brought before the commission one last time to review research on the proposed shut off mechanisms. 2. ShorelandlWetland Ordinance i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the Shoreland/Wetland Ordinance and answered questions of the commission ii. ENR Liaison, City Councilmember, Kathleen Juenemann addressed the commission. Staff reviewed major changes made to with the State's draft Shoreland Rules. Staff will invite a representative of the Minnesota DN R to speak to the commission on the draft rules and how Maplewood should proceed with our Shoreland ordinance update. G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS 1. Barbara Swan, 2932 Lake Boulevard, North St. Paul. Ms. Swan expressed concerns with the proposed trail improvements near the wetland in Joy Park. Ms. Swan presented pictures of debris and activities taking place near the wetland. She is concerned these activities may increase with a trail in the area and also about environmental impacts the trail will have on the wetland. Members of the commission asked questions of Ms. Swan and suggested that a trail in the area might actually bring in visitors that would be there to appreciate the wetland and nature, which could alleviate the undesirable activities currently taking place. They also mentioned that the trail meets the city's wetland ordinance as a public trail within the buffer and that the Watershed District and City staff reviewed the trail and are taking measures to mitigate any negative impacts. The Commission suggested that Ms. Swan also take up her concerns with the Parks Commission also. The City Council is will review the Joy Park improvements on August 8, 2011. July 18,2011 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 1. 2011 Working Group/Subcommittee Reports a) Trash Hauling - The Trash Collection RFP drafted by the Trash Hauling Working Group was approved by the City Council on July 11, 2011. Proposals are due August 19, 2011. A pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for August 21, 2011. b) Greenways - Commissioner Schreiner asked if property lines were surveyed prior to the Beaver Creek restoration project. He noted that there were areas of sod that were killed with the weed spraying associated with the project. He asked staff to consult with the Natural Resource Coordinator on this matter. c) Neighborhood Environmental Groups - The group is focusing on creating a website and flyers to give people resources to start a neighborhood environmental group. I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Chicken Ordinance Update - The chicken ordinance was adopted by the City Council on July 11, 2011. It will go into effect once it's published on August 3, 2011. 2. Recycling in the Parks Update - The County has delivered the rest of the recycling bins for the parks. All Maplewood parks will have recycling bins within the next few weeks. Results of the first year of recycling in the parks will be brought back to the Commission for review early next year. 3. Commission Appointments - One opening is available on the ENR Commission. City Council interviews with the applicants will be held Monday, July 25, 2011. 4. City Dump Update - At the last ENR meeting the city dump was discussed. There is funding in the budget for assessments of the Response Action Plan that was approved by the MPCA years ago. Since the original Response Action Plan is over ten years old, City staff will schedule a meeting with MPCA representatives to discuss next steps in completion of the plan. 5. National Night Out (Tuesday, August 2, 2011) - Staff invited Commissioners to help distribute recycling bins and environmental literature to National Night Out parties. Commissioners Mason Sherrill, Edmundson, and Johannessen volunteered to assist. 6. Taste of Maplewood (Friday and Saturday, August 19 and 20, 2011) - The Taste of Maplewood will be held at Goodrich Park on August 19, 4 to 10 p.m. and August 20, noon to 10 p.m. Staff has met with vendors to discuss reduced waste and recycling at the event. 7. Maplewood Nature Center Programs - Staff mentioned some of the upcoming programs held at the Maplewood Nature Center. You can find more information on the city website or by calling 651-249-2170. J. ADJOURNMENT Chair Schreiner adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m. July 18, 2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3