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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-11-21 ENR Minutes 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 Present Present Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Yingling added an update on Fish Creek under Commission Presentations. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the aqenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. 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 water iE: 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 through its Nature Center and quarterly environmental newsletter called Seasons. No action was required on the report. The report will be presented to the City Council on December 12, 2011. 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. November 21, 2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 Improvements to the existing system include 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