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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-18 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 18, 2012 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chair Edmundson. 2. ROLL CALL Randee Edmundson, Chair Judith Johannessen, Vice Chair Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Ann Palzer, Commissioner Bill Schreiner, Commissioner Dale Trippler, Commissioner Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Present Absent Absent Present Present Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Steve Kummer, Civil Engineer Steve Lukin, Fire Chief 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Yingling added 9.a. - Fish Creek Update. Commissioner Schreiner moved to approve the aqenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Johannessen. Ayes - All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Commissioner Schreiner moved to approve the April 16. 2012. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meetinq minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes - All The motion passed. b, Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the Mav 21. 2012. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meetinq minutes as submitted. June 18, 2012 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 Seconded by Commissioner Johannessen. Ayes - Chair Edmundson, Commissioner's Johannessen, Trippler & Yingling Abstention - Commissioner Schreiner The motion passed. 5. PUBLIC HEARING a. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II and Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit 2011 Annual Report i. Environmental Planner, Shann finwall introduced Maplewood Civil Engineer, Steve Kummer to give the presentation ii. Maplewood Civil Engineer, Steve Kummer gave the presentation and answered questions of the commission. Chair Edmundson opened the public hearing. John Schmall, 2750 Chisholm St., North St. Paul, addressed the commission. Mr. Schmall expressed concern about the missing sidewalk section on the east side of White Bear Avenue, north of Goodwill, south of Bachmans, which goes over Kohlman Creek. There is a sidewalk in front of Goodwill, but then it ends at Goodwill's northern property line and does not extend further to the north on that side of the street. The issue is with the safety of pedestrians and bikers as they continue north beyond the creek. The sidewalk ends, but there is a manmade trail which crosses the creek section. That trail is very close to the edge of the slope down to the creek. Staff indicated that the section of White Bear Avenue mentioned by Mr. Schmall is County land. At present there are no plans for extending that sidewalk section. The City was able to get Goodwill to install the new section of sidewalk because they redeveloped that site. Nonetheless, the City will review the situation and at a minimum place signage and/or fencing in the area where there is a safety issue until a sidewalk and more permanent resolution to that crossing is addressed. Chair Edmundson closed the public hearing. The Commission had the following comments about the report: . Has the City ever considered the use of porous curb along new streets? . How effective are stormwater erosion control structures around catch basins during construction? . The Phalen Stewards are proposing a leaf sweeping campaign this fall to remove leaves from the street and around storm sewers. How can the Stewards determine when the City will be sweeping the streets in that area? Staff had not considered porous curb along new streets, but it was something they will look into. It might be difficult to treat the soils under just the section of the curb to allow for water infiltration, when the rest of the street is highly impacted with Class 5 for preparation of the pavement. Stormwater erosion control structures are very effective if maintained properly. The City does sweep streets in the fall to remove leaves and debris. The Stewards should work with the Street Crew in the fall to determine their schedule. June 18, 2012 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 Environmental Planner Finwall stated this was the last evening for Maplewood Civil Engineer, Steve Kummer. He has accepted a position with the DNR. The commission thanked Steve Kummer for his years of dedication and hard work at the City of Maplewood and wished him well in his new position at the DNR. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. East Metro Public Safety Training Center and Marshlands (Century Ave and Highway 5) - Review of Project i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave a brief introduction. ii. Consultant, SEH, Vadnais Heights, Ron Leaf addressed and answered questions of the commission. iii. Maplewood Fire Chief, Steve Lukin addressed and answered questions of the commission. The Commission had the following comments: . It is good news that the Fire Training will only use Class A foam rather than other foams with harmful chemicals. . Will there ever be any type of chemical training - perhaps a propane drill? . Will there be a basement in the training building? . Will there be deconstruction of vehicles on the site? . Can you explain why the City held the formal ground breaking for the facility before the entire City approvals were in place? Fire Chief Lukin indicated that there would not be any type of chemical training on the site. No basement is proposed in the training building. Training will include deconstruction of vehicles, but that will take place on a concrete slab. The ground breaking was ceremonial in nature and was scheduled to work with the schedules of the political leaders involved. The Governor was originally scheduled to attend, but then changed his schedule to be in China that week. This item will be heard by the City Council on June 25, 2012. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. 3M Trail Concept Plans - Exemption to Wetland Ordinance for Semi-Public Trail Within the Wetland Buffer i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the item. Ms. Finwall stated that the wetland ordinance allows staff to waive the requirements of the buffer requirements in the wetland ordinance for the construction of a semipublic trail within the wetland buffer. Because of the size and scope of the 3M wetland trail and boardwalk project, however, staff is also requesting review and comment by the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. The feedback received will be used to finalize conditions of approval for the project. ii. Chuck Evans, Damon Faber Associates, addressed and answered questions of the commission. iii. Civil Engineer, TKDA, Darren Schwank, addressed and answered questions of the commission. June 18, 2012 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3 The Environmental and Natural Resources stated that staff should ensure 3M implements all mitigation strategies discussed during the meeting when issuing the permit for the trail including: GPS Technoloqv The design team has utilized GPS technology to align the proposed trail, minimize disturbance due to grading, and avoid mature trees. Buckthorn Removal The wetland is invaded by buckthorn on the west and north edges. Removal of invasive buckthorn would benefit the local plant life. Expand Delineated Buffer Opportunities exist around the perimeter of the wetland to enlarge the delineated buffer and compensate for the trail's surface area. Infiltration Basin to Pretreat Existing Parking Lot Runoff A surface parking lot south of the wetland currently discharges stormwater into the pond with no pre-treatment or rate control. An opportunity exists to intercept this runoff and create a new infiltration basin improving water quality in the wetland. Oak Savannah Reforestation Native Bur Oak and Northern Pin Oak trees adorn portions of 3M Center. Open land west and north of the wetland provides an opportunity to plant new Oak trees ensuring that these native species continue to be a part of this Minnesota landscape. Aquatic Plant Enhancement Working with the local Watershed District, the design team could provide aquatic plant enhancements to key areas around the wetland edge to enhance habitat and improve water quality. Commissioner Trippler expressed concern over the proposed trail. He didn't think the 3M trail would qualify for a waiver to the ordinance as he doesn't feel that it is a semipublic trail. 3M is not allowing the public to use the trail, therefore it should not be deemed semipublic. The rest of the Commissioners were supportive of the trail as it would allow thousands of 3M employees and visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with the wetland and open up opportunities for environmental education and stormwater and environmental improvements based on mitigation requirements. b. Old Maplewood Dump Site Clean Up i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the old Maplewood dump site clean up. ii. Consultant, SEH, Ron Leaf addressed and answered questions of the commission. The Commission had the following comments: . How much fill will be brought to the site from Gladstone Savanna? . Has the fill been tested? . Does the RAP require a liner prior to filling? . Concern was expressed about methane gas? . Will there be a record attached to the property notifying future owners that this was an old municipal dump? Staff and consultant indicated that there are 20,000 yards of fill to be moved from the Gladstone Savanna. That fill has been tested. Eight thousand yards will be moved to the Maplewood Dump and the remainder will be moved to the East Metro Training Facility. June 18, 2012 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 4 The property will remain owned by the City and guided as open space. Staff will look into recording documentation with the County that it was a municipal dump. Commissioner Yingling moved to recommend approval of the wetland buffer waiver request and the response action plan for the Maplewood Dump Site cleanup efforts. Seconded by Commissioner Trippler. Ayes - All The motion passed. A public hearing is scheduled for July 16, 2012, with the Planning Commission. Final review by the City Council is scheduled for August 13, 2012. 8. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. 9. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Fish Creek Update - Commissioner Yingling Commissioner Yingling stated the Fish Creek gathering on the bluffs had to be postponed due to bad weather. The hope is to reschedule the event for September or October 2012. 3M Corporation's Foundation donated $100,000 towards the purchase of the Fish Creek parcel. 10. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Update on Solid Waste Management Ordinance and Standards The summary publication and license fees go to the City Council for review on June 25, 2012. The ordinance will be law once published in the Maplewood Review, tentatively scheduled for July 4. Staff stated that of the 9,195 trash mailers that were sent out 67% of those were returned. The final cart order was sent to Otto on June 15, 2012. Allied Waste Services will deliver the carts starting September 10, 2012, until the end of September. b. Turf Parking Update The turf parking ordinance will go to the City Council for a first reading July 9, 2012. The Environmental Commission's review of the ordinance was not required, but staff wanted to make the commission aware that the City was proposing this update. The Commission expressed support for the new ordinance which allows overflow parking areas to be constructed of a reinforced turf to allow for infiltration of water. c. Maplewood Nature Center Programs Staff spotlighted programs held at the Maplewood Nature Center, for more information call 651-249-2170. 11. ADJOURNMENT Chair Edmundson adjourned the meeting at 9:54 p.m. June 18, 2012 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 5