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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-08-15 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 15, 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 Ann Palzer, Commissioner Dale Trippler, Commissioner Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Nick Carver, Assistant Building Official Steve Kummer, Civil Engineer Kathleen Juenemann, City Council Liaison C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Yingling added H. 2. an update on Fish Creek. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the aqenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Johannessen. Ayes - All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Trippler had a correction on page 3; top of the page removing the additional word is--before the word will. And a correction to H. 1. a) changing the date from All!jllE:t 21 to Julv 21. Chair Schreiner requested a word changed in F. 1. ii., 4th bullet, change the word from te to for. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the Julv 18. 2011. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetinq Minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Edmundson Ayes - Chair Schreiner, Commissioner's Edmundson, Johannessen & Trippler Abstentions - Commissioner's Palzer, August 15, 2011 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Mason Sherrill, & Yingling The motion passed. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. New Commissioner Introduction and Orientation a. Environmental Planner, Shann finwall introduced the new ENR Commissioner, Ann Palzer and reviewed the new member orientation packet with the Commission. 2. Wakefield Lake Experimental Storm Water Treatment Basin a. Civil Engineer, Steve Kummer gave the report on the Wakefield Lake Experimental Storm Water Treatment Basin and answered questions of the Commission. b. City Councilmember Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann addressed the Commission regarding the report. The Commission expressed concern about the potential impacts on water chemistry associated with the basin. The Commission indicated they were pleased the watershed district is looking at new ways of treating stormwater. Commissioner Edmundson moved to approve the Wakefield Lake Experimental Storm Water Treatment Basin. Seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill. Ayes - All The motion passed. f. UNfiNISHED BUSINESS 1. Green Building Code Update a. Assistant Building Official, Nick Carver gave an update on the Green Building Code and answered questions of the Commission. The Green Building Code will come back before all of the Commissions and City Council in 2012 for final adoption. 2. Renewable Energy Ordinance a. Environmental Planner, Shann finwall gave the update on the Renewable Energy Ordinance and answered questions of the Commission. b. City Councilmember Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann addressed the Commission regarding the ordinance. The Commission discussed final language needed in the ordinance to ensure birds and bats are protected as much as possible from mortality from large wind turbines. The Commission agreed to add language requiring applicants to install turbine cut in speed strategies where feasible. This strategy and other new technologies to protect birds and bats from wind turbine mortality can be reviewed with each conditional use permit process for large turbines. Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the renewable enerqv ordinance as amended throuqh discussions durinq the ENR meetinq. Seconded by Commissioner Trippler. The motion passed. Ayes - All August 15, 2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS 1. Kathleen Juenemann - City Council Liaison complimented Assistant Building Official, Nick Carver on his work with the Green Building Code. Ms. Juenemann spoke highly about the upcoming Living Streets program that City Engineer, Michael Thompson is working on. Additional information will be coming soon. H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 1. 2011 Working Group/Subcommittee Reports a. Trash Hauling - Commissioner Trippler stated that the city received six responses to the Trash Collection RFP. The Trash Hauling Working Group will evaluate and score the proposals. The City Council will review the group's recommendation on September 26. Both tracks, open and organized trash collection, will come together in November when the City Council will decide which trash collection system to chose, i.e., improved existing system or contracted system. b. Greenways - no report c. Neighborhood Environmental Groups - Randee Edmundson stated that the group assisted with the National Night Out recycling bin distribution. The Commissioners were able to meet with residents and answer questions regarding recycling. The group also distributed information on an upcoming Solar Works in Maplewood event. Ms. Edmundson further discussed the group's plans to create a website on environmental neighborhood groups and to host neighborhood environmental programs in their own neighborhood. 2. Fish Creek - Commissioner Yingling said the City Council has authorized the purchase of 72 acres in Fish Creek. A large donation has been made by 3M to assist in funding the project. City Council Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann briefly discussed ideas of how the rest of the funding can be obtained. 3. Tree Rebate Program - Commissioner Mason Sherrill said the city is still conducting a 50% tree rebate through October. Further information is available through the Maplewood Nature Center. I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Taste of Maplewood (Friday and Saturday, August 19, and 20, 2011) - Staff mentioned the upcoming event and the city's efforts to reduce waste and capture recycling at the event. 2. ShorelandlWetland Ordinance Update - Staff said that Molly Shodeen of the DNR will be present at the next ENR meeting to discuss the state's shoreland rules and offer guidance on the city's shoreland ordinance changes. 3. Gladstone Savanna Master Plan - Staff stated that Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator, is working on the open space master plan for the Gladstone Savanna. The plan will be presented in four neighborhood meetings and reviewed by the Park & Recreation Commission, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission and Heritage Preservation Commission. Staff is looking for representatives to attend the Neighborhood meetings to report back to the ENR. The meetings are August 30, 31, October 18 and November 9, 2011. Commissioner Trippler and Edmundson offered to attend the neighborhood meetings. 4. Maplewood Nature Center Programs - Staff reviewed upcoming Nature Center events. J. ADJOURNMENT Chair Schreiner adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m. August 15, 2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3