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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-12-17 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 17, 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 7:00 p.m. by Acting Chair Johannessen. 2. ROLL CALL Randee Edmundson, Chair Judith Johannessen, Vice Chair Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Ann Palzer, Commissioner Cindy Schafer, Commissioner Dale Trippler, Commissioner Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Absent Present Present Present Present Present Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner City Councilmember and ENR Commission Liaison Kathleen Juenemann requested that Ms. Finwall report that she was unable to attend the ENR Commission meeting, but wanted to thank the Commissioners for their service in 2012 and wished everyone a happy holiday. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Mason Sherrill added 8.a. under Commission Presentations - Solid Waste. Commissioner Yingling added 8.b. under Commission Presentations - Fish Creek Update. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the aqenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes - All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Mason Sherrill moved to approve the November 19. 2012. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetinq minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Schafer. Ayes - Acting Chair Johannessen, Commissioner's Mason Sherrill, Palzer, Schafer & Yingling Abstention - Commissioner Trippler The motion passed. December 17, 2012 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 5. NEW BUSINESS a. New Member Orientation Environmental Planner finwall gave a brief report on the new member orientation and welcomed Cindy Schafer, the new Commissioner. 6. UNfiNISHED BUSINESS a. Wetland Ordinance Amendments Environmental Planner finwall gave the report on the wetland ordinance amendments and answered questions of the Commission. The following Maplewood residents who live on Wakefield Lake addressed the commission regarding the wetland ordinance amendments. 1. Sharon Sandeen, 1748 Gulden Place, addressed the Commission and gave a brief history and background of her participation in the creation of the existing wetland ordinance. She stated the City Council opted for the alternative buffers for wetlands adjacent lakes because properties adjacent lakes are used differently than properties adjacent freestanding wetlands. In particular, there are recreational opportunities for properties adjacent lakes. Ms. Sandeen recommended that the alternative buffers continue until such time as the City adopts a new shoreland ordinance. Then the wetlands adjacent lakes can be addressed in that ordinance. 2. Steve and Linda Bryan, 1752 Gulden Place, addressed the Commission regarding their experience with the wetland ordinance with a property that has a wetland adjacent a lake. They also recommended that the alternative buffers remain the same. The Commission discussed the ordinance and suggested changes as follows: . There should be an exemption for the construction of boat houses and docks for properties that are adjacent wetlands which are adjacent lakes. . The new language which allows public maintenance of wetlands and buffers for drainage or public safety purposes should include that the area disturbed is replanted with native plants. . The City should consider continuing the alternative buffers for wetlands adjacent lakes until a new shoreland ordinance is adopted. Commissioner Yingling moved to remove the sunset clause from the wetland ordinance. which chanqes the buffer requirements for wetlands adiacent lakes to the same requirements as freestandinq wetlands. Buffer requirements for wetlands adiacent lakes should be dealt with in a revised shoreland ordinance. Additionallv. other chanqes proposed bv staff and discussed durinq the meetinq should be made to the ordinance. Seconded by Commissioner Trippler. Ayes - All The motion passed. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present December 17, 2012 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Solid Waste: Commissioner Mason Sherrill shared a video about a village that was built on an old land fill in South America. b. Fish Creek Update: Commissioner Yingling gave an update on the Fish Creek fundraising event which has been rescheduled for Friday, February 22, 2013, at the Community Center. There will be a pasta dinner and cash bar. You can reserve a ticket by calling 651- 249-2230. Pre-purchase tickets by January 25, 2013, and the cost is $30, after that date the price is $35. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Reschedule January and February 2013 ENR Commission Meetings due to Martin Luther King and Presidents' Day Holidays. Staff suggested alternative dates of Thursday, January 17, 2013, and Thursday, February 21, 2013. Staff will confirm the dates with the Commission via e-mail. b. Maplewood Nature Center Programs: Environmental Planner Finwall reviewed upcoming programs at the Maplewood Nature Center. For more information contact 651-249-2170. 10. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Johannessen adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. December 17, 2012 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3