The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2011-12-19 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION December 19, 2011 7 p.m. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: a. November 21,2011 5. New Business a. 2012 Recycling Work Plan and Recycling Program Update b. Bartelmy-Meyer Area Street Improvements (Living Streets Design Concept) 6. Unfinished Business 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Commission Presentations 9. Staff Presentations a. Reschedule January and February ENR Commission Meetings Due to Holidays (Proposed Dates: Thursday, January 19 and Thursday, February 16) b. Trash Collection System Analysis Update c. Maplewood Nature Center Programs 10. Adjourn Agenda Item 4.a. MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 21,2011 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 7:00 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 Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Yingling Creek under Commission Presentations. Commissioner Trippler Seconded by Ayes - All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Yingling had a correction to page 2, the first bullet point, second sentence, it should read the TCLP test determined that watef-is contaminants are not leaching into the groundwater from this site. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the October 17. 2011. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetinq Minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Edmundson. Ayes - Chair Schreiner, Commissioner's Edmundson, Johannessen, Mason Sherrill, Palzer & Trippler Abstention - Commissioner Yingling The motion passed. November 21, 2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Annual Sustainability Report a. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the speaker Amir Nadav with the Great Plains Institute. Mr. Nadav is on the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Steering Committee. Mr. Nadav gave a report on the Minnesota Greenstep Cities program. The program has been in place for one year now. There are currently 31 Minnesota cities that are participating. Maplewood was one of the first to sign up for the program. The Steering Committee reviewed Maplewood's best practices to date and were very impressed. During the League of Minnesota Cities annual conference in June, the Steering Committee presented the Mayor with the "Step Two" award. This award represents the City's completion of 8 of the required 16 best practices. Mr. Nadav presented the "Step Two" award to Chair Schreiner and thanked the City for their efforts. Ms. Finwall gave further details on the City's annual sustainability report, including accomplishments by the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission, Green Team, and Sustainable Operations Work Groups. Another important aspect of Sustainability is education, which the City does its Nature Center and quarterly environmental newsletter called Seasons. No action was required on the report. December 12, 2011. presented to the City Council on F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Gladstone Savanna i. Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor gave the presentation on the Gladstone Savanna and answered questions of the commission. The commission discussed the use of pervious pavers being integrated into the design. It was determined that if it was too cost prohibitive, the City should at least use them in small areas as a demonstration site for educational purposes. The commission also recommended that the play ground have natural elements to it, with the use of nature-themed, interactive play equipment. G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 1. Commissioner Yingling gave an update on Fish Creek. Commissioner Yingling stated that because of the efforts of city staff securing grants and funds from the watershed district the project is 75% funded. By the end of 2014 the city will have to payoff the cost of the purchase of Fish Creek to the Conservation Fund. I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Trash Collection System Analysis Update i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an update on the trash collection system analysis. The City Council will decide on an organized trash collection system or improvements to the existing system at their November 28, 2011, City Council meeting. The organized trash collection includes a five-year city-wide residential contract for trash collection with Allied Waste Services. Improvements to the existing system include November 21, 2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 increased enforcement, increased licensing fees, limiting the number of licenses, etc. To notify residents of the upcoming meeting and the draft contract, post cards were sent to residents. The Allied contract will save the typical household 50% on their trash bills. It is an estimated savings of $1.6 million city wide for the five-year contract. 2. Maplewood Nature Center Programs a. Lead Naturalist, Ann Hutchinson gave a short presentation on upcoming Maplewood Nature Center programs. She also discussed the 2012 Calendars from Friends of the Maplewood Nature Center. Profits from the calendar go to projects that support Maplewood. 2012 Calendars were provided to board and commission members. J. ADJOURNMENT Chair Schreiner adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m. November 21, 2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3 Agenda Item 5.a. AGENDA REPORT TO: FROM: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner Bill Priefer, Recycling Coordinator Tennis Sanitation LLC 2012 Draft Recycling Work Report December 15, 2011 for the December 19 ENR Commission Meeting SUBJECT: DATE: INTRODUCTION Tennis Sanitation LLC was awarded Maplewood's recycling contract in the fall of 2010 for service beginning January 1, 2011. The contract runs for a period of three years (ending 2013). Maplewood's contract with Tennis requires them to submit an annual work plan and annual report. The work plan is required by the end of each year and outlines key priorities for system improvements. The annual report is required by January 31 of each year and is reviewed by the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission and City Council. The report includes the approved work plan and specifications on items such as total quantities of recyclable materials collected, quantity of process residual disposed of, log of resident education tags and complaints. DISCUSSION This is the first year of the Tennis recycling contract. In order to ensure adequate collaboration on the proposed work plan, staff is bringing the draft plan to the ENR Commission for review and comment. 2012 Work Plan Highlights . Recycling Education and Communication: o Develop education material that will assist in educating the public on recycling including annual flyers (English, Hmong, and Spanish), oBi-monthly City newsletter articles, o Improvements to City and Tennis recycling web pages, o Contest to name recycling trucks and the Tennis "Skunk", o Work closely with multi-family locations to hand-out recycling information, discuss do's and don'ts, go over recycling data and develop ideas to increase recycling efforts,and o Assist City with creating and installing public space recycling signs. . Cart Pilot Project: o Pilot project on a portion of the City's day-certain Wednesday recycling route (213 residents). o Project to examine if the use of 30-gallon recycling carts instead of the City's 16- gallong bins to determine if recycling participation and rates increase. o Recycling carts will be supplied at no charge to residents or City. o Final report generated as a part of 2013 year-end report. RECOMMENDA TION Review the 2012 Draft Recycling Work Plan and offer feedback and direction on the plan and the City's recycling program. Attachment: 1. Tennis Sanitation LLC 2012 Draft Recycling Work Plan 2 Attachment 1 City of Maplewood Recycling Work Plan 2012 Presented by: Tennis Sanitation F or: City of Maplewood Draft 2012 Work Plan 2012 Maplewood Recycling Work Plan Attachment 1 The work plan for 2012 involves increased and improved recycling education for single family, multi-family, and public space recycling. Also implement a cart pilot project to determine if the use of curbside carts will increase recycling rates. 1) Recycling Education and Communication - Single Family and Multi-family Tennis Sanitation will develop education material that will assist in educating the public on recycling informa- tion. This will include: A) Publishing flyers and newsletters in English, Hmong and Spanish languages with the assistance of the City of Maplewood. B) Publish recycling information in City News and "Maplewood Monthly" bi-monthly. C) Publish recycling information via the City website with hyperlink to Tennis. D) Publish recycling information via the Tennis website with hyperlink to City. E) Publish additional information regarding environmental benefits of the residents recycling efforts. Ex ample: (how many trees were saved). F) Assist the city with creating and installing signage or other educational materials for your new recycling in the parks program. G) Naming our recycling trucks by giving the skunk a name and painting the chosen name on each re- cycling truck. Create a contest to have the residents vote on 'lun" names for the skunks. H) Contact each multi-family location to hand-out recycling information, discuss do's and don'ts, go over recycling data and develop ideas to increase recycling efforts - which may include additional sign- age and information in various languages. 2) Cart Pilot Project - Tennis Sanitation will provide the following comparison study of the usage of carts versus bins for recycling services. Tennis will develop and manage the following pilot project by implementing the following: A) Tennis will conduct the pilot project on a portion of the City's day-certain Wednesday recycling route from Beam Avenue to Co Rd 0, and from Walters Street to Hwy 61 (213 residents) with a separate truck. Weights will be monitored separately as well. This area was chosen because our team felt this "residential neighborhood" had the consistent recycling participation and volumes. B) January, February and March we will collect data using recycling bins. C) April, May, June, July, August and September data will be collected using recycling carts. D) October, November and December we will collect data using the recycling bins. E) Throughout the pilot program a separate report will be generated monitoring the recycling volumes and the participation. We will also compare recycling pilot data to existing recycling data. F) Tennis will provide the recycling carts at no cost to the City of Maplewood. Residents who will be affected by program will be notified by Tennis. G) A final report of the pilot study will be then generated as a part of the year-end report for 2013. authorization IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties agree to the 2012 Maplewood Recycling Work Plan. Tennis Sanitation City of Maplewood x x Authorized signature Date: Authorized signature Date: Draft 2012 Work Plan Agenda Item 5.b. AGENDA REPORT TO: FROM: DATE: Environmental & Natural Resources Commission Steven Love, Assistant City Engineer Jon Jarosch, Staff Engineer Bartelmy-Meyer Area Street Improvements, City Project 11-14, Living Streets Design Concept December 7,2011 for the December 19, 2011 ENR Commission Meeting SUBJECT: Introduction The Maplewood Public Works Department received authorization from the City Council to proceed with the preparation of a feasibility study for the Bartelmy-Meyer Area Street Improvements, City Project 11- 14. The streets associated with this project are generally located southeast of Stillwater Road, west of Sterling Street, and north of Minnehaha Avenue (see Project Location Map). These streets are listed in the approved 2012 - 2016 Maplewood Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) as a proposed project for the 2012 construction season. The feasibility study is currently being prepared by the city's project consultant, Kimley-Horn and Associates. Staff is seeking input from the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission on a Living Streets Design Concept. Background The general nature of the proposed improvements for the Bartelmy-Meyer neighborhood includes the reconstruction of the streets with new concrete curb and gutter, replacement of the pavement and supporting base materials, installing a new storm water management system (i.e. storm drains, piping, and rain gardens), sanitary sewer upgrades, replacement of existing water main, and proposed sidewalk construction on certain streets. Streets are typically reconstructed to an even width closest to the existing width. The existing streets range from 24-feet to 30-feet wide. At a neighborhood meeting held on September 29, 2011 a number of concerns were raised by residents in the project area. These concerns, along with information on storm water quality requirements, are listed below. . Drainage issues within the neighborhood o Residents discussed drainage issues in the neighborhood and a specific problem at the intersection of Bartelmy Lane and 7th Street both in the road and on the adjacent property. . Sidewalk location o Residents discussed which streets would best be served by sidewalks in order to provide a safe area for pedestrians. . Traffic speed o Residents commented on the high speed of traffic traveling down Bartelmy Lane and Mary Street to and from Stillwater Road and Minnehaha Avenue. . It was also noted that this route was highly used by pedestrians. . Storm water volume reduction requirements o City is required to reduce volume of runoff by 1" over the impervious areas. o Federal requirement to reduce pollutants before reaching lakes and wetlands. o Requirement is generally met through the creation of rain water gardens, reduction of impervious areas, and underground treatment systems. . The current condition of the existing tot-lot at Gethsemane Park o Residents discussed the poor condition of the Gethsemane Park tot-lot. o Residents would like the park to be a safe, fun place for their children/grandchildren to play and for the community to gather. Proposed Improvements Following the neighborhood meeting, city staff has been working closely with the local watershed district and consultant staff to revise the proposed design to address these resident concerns. Since this meeting, the City of Maplewood has also been presented with a unique opportunity to partner with the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District on this project. This partnership allows the City of Maplewood to be the recipient of a one-time grant (comprised of matching funds from the Clean Water Fund Grant and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District) to fund improvements that will promote the benefits of a living streets concept. The benefits from the living streets concept include the following: . Improved storm water quality / reduction of storm water quantity . I mproved pedestrian and bicycle safety . Slow existing traffic speeds . Enhancement of the urban forest These types of improvements will also address many of the concerns heard from the residents at the September 29, 2011 neighborhood meeting. The revised design (see Street Layout - Concept Drawings) includes an increase in rain gardens and boulevard trees, addition of sidewalk on all streets, and narrower street widths. The attached images represent the concept of the revised design. Streets in the neighborhood would be narrowed to 24-feet with parking limited to one side. A boulevard area would separate the sidewalk from the street and would contain rain gardens and trees. A 4-5 foot wide sidewalk would be placed on one side of the street. City staff would coordinate with residents on the species of trees placed in their boulevards. A number of rain garden planting options would be available to residents as well. City engineering staff has also been coordinating with the City Parks Department to include the replacement of the playground equipment at Gethsemane Park as part of the neighborhood reconstruction project. Schedule The following is an outline schedule for the proposed project: . January 2012 - Accept Feasibility Report . February 2012 - Public Hearing / Authorize Preparation of Plans and Specifications . March 2012 - Assessment Hearing / Award of Contract . May - September 2011 - Construction RECOMMENDATION Staff is requesting the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission provide input on the proposed Bartelmy-Meyer Area Street Improvement Projects. Attachments: 1. Project Location Map 2. Street Layout Concept Drawings Attachment 1 W I-- Ul LJ 0::::: <C 2 Z .-J \fJ z o o z o o ~@ W Y:: <C .-J . I-- Ul ::r:: I-- ~IJI ~] M\CHP.El IN >- 2 .-J W I-- BRAND 0:::: <C m AVE .<'. ~v' ~ ~ . l\ll\N!A'\S ~ e- ! 'ethsemane ..;;;. Gethsemane Pork ~, -::J Pork 7th /:! &:; :ASE ST. ! Maplewood Nature Center . I-- Ul ST. G Z .-J 0:::: ^"<V o . I-- Ul BUSH AVo::::: w >- w 2 5; w ~ (f) W 0::: U )-- cr::: <C ? @ I E. MINNEHAHA AVE r--: U) rff4 (68) ~ STREETS INCLUDED AS PART OF FEASIBILITY STUDY NO SCALE ~ Bartelmy Meyer Area Streets Feasibility Study Area Map City Project 11-14 r:1WORKSIENGILlB!STREETSIAutoCAD Flles,dwa,CIP 20 12.dwa OJI ~ .~. . ::u.~ nt 2 iF~~~ D-o;::l.~ ~(i}~~ cv :;: 3 .... Cl.- 0 ~ r- ~?~~ lP::5;-< 0 ~ 5' !.!; !a m::l J;> 1 ~. ~ m n ~&r~g ~. ~ ~ ~ ::.~ 3 u a < o 3 o ~ ~ ~ C> '" N o ~ ~ ...., 0 m I Ii j ~ ~ m m 0 a x x ~ " u u ". " ~ ~ " 0 . ro ~ ~ ~ n ~ ~ ro c " 0 0- m ro c ;S " < 0 . ro a ~ . 0 ~ u S ~ Attachment 2 Existing Street Edge Bituminous Roadway Concrete Curb and Gutter Street Trees Right-of-Way Rlglrt.o<...y ~i Sidewalk Rainwater Garden Public Art Component