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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-19 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION Thursdav, January 19, 2012 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. December 19, 2011 5. New Business a. Election of Chair and Vice Chair b. 2012 Goal Setting 6. Unfinished Business 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Commission Presentations 9. Staff Presentations a. February 13, 2012, City Council Meeting - Approval of Bartelmy-Meyer Area Street Improvements (Living Streets Design Concept) b. Reschedule February ENR Commission Meeting Due to Holiday (Proposed Date Thursday, February 16) 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, December 19, 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 Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Steve Love, Assistant City Bill Priefer, Recycling C. APPROVAL OF Staff added 1.4. - Opening. Commissioner Edmundson .1. - Phalen Stewardship Gathering on January 5, 2012. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the aqenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes - All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the November 21. 2011. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetinq Minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Trippler. Ayes - All The motion passed. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. 2012 Recycling Work Plan and Recycling Program Update December 19,2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 a. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the update on the 2012 Recycling Work Plan. b. Willie and Greg Tennis, owners of Tennis Sanitation, LLC, addressed the Commission and discussed the 2012 Maplewood Recycling Work Plan, recycling education and communication with Maplewood residents, and the cart pilot project proposed in 2012. c. Recycling Coordinator, Bill Priefer addressed and answered questions of the Commission regarding the recycling program. The Commission asked several questions and made comments regarding the proposed 2012 Work Plan: o Tennis should consider using a 65 gallon cart in their pilot project. o Who will pay for the carts in the pilot project? Willie Tennis clarified that the carts would be offered to the residents at no cost to them or the City. o The County reports that Maplewood has one of the lowest participation and rate volumes in the County. Willie Tennis indicated that they think this is due to the use of recycling bins rather than recycling carts. o Tennis should consider targeting education to homes who do not participate. Willie Tennis indicated that would be a good project for the 2013 Work Plan. o Where does Tennis Sanitation bring all of its plastic (#1 through #7)? Willie Tennis clarified that they bundle the #1 through #?. and sell it to a broker, and the #6 and #7 are bundled separately. The brokerJ!lkes out the #1 through #3 and then sells the rest. Willie Tennis indicated that .itWould be beneficial for the residents and the Commission to have a list of \ll!h~re thel>rgducts go and what they are recycled into. The Commission agreed. Mr. Priefer updated the Commission on the recycling program since it became his responsibility about eight years ago. Mr. Priefer indicated that the transition between Eureka Recycling and Tennis Sanitation, from the dual stream to single stream recycling, was very smooth thanks to assistance from both companies. The Commission thanked Mr. Priefer for his hard work on the recycling program over the years; particularly his work getting the multi-family homes involved in the City's recycling program and his work promoting recycling during the National Night Out and other events. 2. Bartelmy-Meyer Area Stt~~llfnprovements (Living Streets Design Concept) a. Assistant City Engineer;Steve Love addressed and answered questions on the Bartelmy- Meyer Area Street Improvement (Living Streets Design Concept). b. Administrator, Cliff Aichinger, Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District addressed and answered questions of the Commission. c. Landscape Ecologist, Barr Engineering, Minneapolis, Fred Rozumalski, addressed and answered questions from the Commission. The Commission asked questions regarding the proposed Living Streets Design Concept: o Will the City use only native trees in the street projects? Mr. Rozumalski stated that they would use a variety of trees, not just native trees. o There was a pipeline leak south of Maryland Avenue years ago, will this be a concern? City Engineer Love indicated that there are still test wells in many locations. The street project will not be impacted by the past pipeline leak. o The City should focus closely on the northern entrance to the Nature Center to make stormwater and aesthetic improvements in that location with the street project. The Commission expressed support for the Bartelmy-Meyer Area Street Improvements and the Living Streets Design Concept. The Commission thanked the watershed district for the December 19,2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 opportunity to implement the Living Streets Design Concept in Maplewood through the award of the grant. F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 1. Phalen Stewardship Meeting - Commissioner Edmundson said the Phalen Stewards will be holding their monthly meeting Thursday, January 5, 2012, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1390 Larpenteur Avenue, St. Paul. The Stewards are reviewing ways to improve water quality within the Phalen Lake subwatershed. I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Reschedule January and February ENR Commission Meetings Due to Holidays (Proposed Dates: Thursday, January 19 and Thursday, February 16) a. Environmental Planner Finwall will follow up with the Commission by sending an e-mail asking which dates will work. 2. Trash Collection System Analysis Update b. Environmental Planner Finwall gave the update on the trash collection system analysis. The City Council opted to organize the City's residential trash collection service by entering into a contract with Allied Waste Services. The City Council reviewed Findings of Fact as required by the State Statute on December 12. The new trash plan will begin October 1, 2012. Environmental Planner Finwall thanked the Commission for their work on the project. 3. Maplewood Nature a. Environmental Center. spotlighted two programs at the Maplewood Nature 4. Maplewood Mall Grand Opening a. Environmental Planner Finwall said the Maplewood Mall Grand Opening will be held Saturday, June 23, 2012. The Ramsey Washington Metro Watershed District will be spotlighting the new stormwater improvements which were part of the White Bear Avenue and County Road D road projects. J. ADJOURNMENT Chair Schreiner adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m. December 19,2011 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3 Agenda Item 5.a. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner Election of Chair and Vice Chair January 10, 2012 for the January 19 ENR Commission Meeting The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission ordinance requires that the commission elect a chair and vice-chair to run the meetings each year. In 2011, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission elected Commissioner Bill Schreiner to be the chair and Commissioner Randee Edmundson to be the vice-chair of the Commission. During the January 19 ENR Commission meeting the Commission should appoint commissioners to serve as chair and vice-chair for 2012, and vote on those appointees. Agenda Item 5.b. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner 2012 Goal Setting January 10, 2012, for the January 19 ENR Commission Meeting INTRODUCTION The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission 2011 goals included trash collection system analysis, greenways, and neighborhood environmental groups. The ENR Commission should review those goals and set new goals for 2012. DISCUSSION Status of Goals 1. Trash Haulinq: In 2009 and 2010 the ENR Commission chose the review of the City's trash collection system as one of their top goals. In 2011 the City Council conducted a trash collection system analysis to analyze trash collection systems improvements to the City's open trash hauling system and the feasibility of an organized system. After the study was complete and all findings were made the City Council chose to organize the City's trash collection system with the authorization to execute a contract with Allied Waste Services for city-wide residential trash collection. The Maplewood Trash Plan will begin October 1, 2012. Prior to the roll out in October, the City must educate residents on the new plan, amend its solid waste management ordinance and licensing requirements, conduct a trash cart and service level survey, and purchase trash carts. 2. Greenwavs: The City's 2030 Comprehensive Plan maps out four Natural Area Greenways. Greenways are large contiguous areas of habitat that cross ownership boundaries. They protect and expand ecosystem services and habitat. Because they are large, they have the potential to provide habitat for both generalist and specialist species. These greenways encompass both public and private lands. Preservation of a large portion of the Fish Creek Greenway was a major milestone achieved in 2011 by the City with the assistance of Commissioner Yingling of the greenway subcommittee. Maplewood and its partners raised 75 percent of the $2,160,000 needed to purchase the 70-acre Fish Creek site that is now owned by The Conservation Fund. The City has two years to raise the remaining funds in addition to pursuing grants and foundations to assist in the cost. In 2012 the City will form a Fish Creek Committee that will focus on raising $50,000- $100,000 from individuals and local businesses. The Committee will also plan events that raise awareness of Fish Creek and educate people about the project. 3. Neiqhborhood Environmental Groups: The neighborhood environmental subcommittee was formed to look at ways to support neighborhoods in taking action to improve their environment. In 2011 the subcommittee discussed the creation of a webpage to be included on the City's website. The webpage will give residents helpful information and resources needed to begin an environmental project in their neighborhood. Additionally, subcommittee members participated in their own neighborhood environmental group programs to spotlight how others can participate in these types of activities. Action Items Following is a list of new and unfinished business the Commission should review in 2012: 1. Solid Waste Manaqement Ordinance: The City must amend its solid waste management ordinance to reflect the new residential trash plan. The ordinance currently allows for any trash hauler to pick up trash from residential properties as long as they are licensed with the City. 2. Shoreland Ordinance/Wetland Ordinance: The wetland ordinance includes alternative buffer requirements for wetlands adjacent lakes. This requirement will expire December 31, 2012, or when the city revises the shoreland ordinance to include regulations for these wetlands, whichever comes first. The City needs to amend its shoreland ordinance to include regulations for wetlands adjacent lakes prior to the sunset of that requirement. 3. Environmental Protection Ordinance (Slopes and Mississippi Critical Area rMCAll: The environmental protection ordinance includes four areas of environmental regulation: tree preservation, wetlands, slopes and the MCA. The ENR Commission has completed updates to the tree preservation and wetland portions of this ordinance, and began reviewing the slope and MCA regulations in 2009. The Commission should complete the review of this ordinance in 2012. 4. Livinq Streets Policv: In 2011 the Living Streets Task Force was authorized by the City Council with representatives from the Planning, ENR, and Business and Economic Commissions, Community Design Review Board, and staff. Based on valuable feedback received from the Task Force, staff is drafting a living streets policy for review by the full Commissions and City Council in 2012. The policy will help guide street reconstruction projects toward improved stormwater quality, traffic calming, improved biking and walking conditions, boulevard tree standards, and minimize construction costs. Events Following is a list of events to help coordinate the ENR Commission calendars and to assist in this year's goal setting: 2 Calendar Year - 2012 January February . 11 (Saturday): Fish Creek Snowshoe Hike March . 29 (Thursday): Invasive Plant Patrol . 31 (Saturday): Nature Center Open House April . 11 (Wednesday): Nature Center Raingarden for Your Yard Series . 19 (Thursday): Nature Center Stories of Fish Creek . 21 (Saturday): Spring Clean Up . 22 (Sunday): Earth Day . 27 (Friday): Edgerton Community Garden Plots Open . 30 (Monday): Nature Center Birding Series Begins May . 4 (Friday): Fish Creek Wildflower Hike . 5 (Saturday): Rain Barrel/Compost Bin Sale . 12 (Saturday): Arbor Day - Tree Planting @ Lions Park Nature Center Goals June . 2 (Saturday): Waterfest . 23 (Saturday): Maplewood Mall Grand Opening Ju/y . 11-15 (Wed. - Sun.): Ramsey Co. Fair August . 7 (Tuesday): National Night Out September October . 1 (Monday): Maplewood Trash Plan Begins November December Each year the Maplewood Nature Center sets annual goals (Attachment 1). Because the ENR Commission and the Nature Center partner in many environmental initiatives, the Commission should refer to the Nature Center's 2011 goals prior to setting commission goals. RECOMMENDATION During the goal-setting meeting, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission should: 1) review the status of the 2011 goals and determine if any of these goals should be carried over to 2012; 2) determine if the Commission should set new goals; and 3) determine how best to implement the goals. Attachment MaplelMlod Nature Center 2012 Goals 3 Attachment 1 Maplewood Nature Center 2012 Goals 1. Work with IT, the Natural Resources Coordinator, Environmental Planner, and Parks and Recreation to improve the Nature Center's, Natural Resources and the Sustainability Web page organization and information. 2. Create public awareness of the Fish Creek bluff lands: a. Co-sponsor and conduct several events with the Friends of Maplewood Nature including o Snowshoe Hike o Stories of Fish Creek o Wildflower Hike o Summer Fundraising Event (Raptor Release, Pledge Walk-a-thon) o Fall Event- Owling/Sunset Fall Color Walk b. Publicize these events in newspapers, on the web, and other media as much as possible. c. Support Great River Greening and SI. Thomas Restoration activities if grants are received. 3. Improve the physical facilities of the Edgerton Park Community Gardens: a. Define space b. Add water infrastructure 4. Work with Ashland Productions and the Special Events Coordinator on a Halloween Special Event at the Nature Center. 5. Improve the Nature Center's grounds and facilities: a. Work with Engineering and Kimberly Horn on the new design of the west side entrance of the Nature Center as part of the Bartelmy "Living Streets" reconstruction project. b. Repair and realign trail in the prairie, and improve short section in the woods. c. Siding and rainbarrel installation. d. Street raingarden improvements- along the Nature Center border streets. 6. Develop and implement solar programs, including a staff and volunteer training session, teacher training session for local area teachers, and a summer family event. Research feasibility of a Nature Center/School District partnership to address education of renewable energy concepts.