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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-16 ENR Minutes September 16, 2013 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 16, 2013 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Palzer. 2. ROLL CALL Randee Edmundson, Commissioner Present Judith Johannessen, Chair Absent Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Present Ann Palzer, Vice Chair Present Cindy Schafer, Commissioner Present Dale Trippler, Commissioner Present Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Schafer requested a change to include her as absent during the July 15 meeting and include Commissioner Mason Sherrill as present. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the July 15, 2013, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill. Ayes – Vice Chair Palzer, Commissioners Mason Sherrill, Trippler & Yingling Abstentions – Commissioners Edmundson & Schafer The motion passed. September 16, 2013 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 25. NEW BUSINESS a. Tree Policies - Updates to Tree Ordinance and Policies Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the update on the tree ordinance and policies and answered questions of the Commission. The Commission discussed several aspects of the tree ordinance and policies as follows:  Licensing: The city should consider requiring all licensed tree care specialist to have a certified arborist on staff. It costs $250 to become a certified arborist. The city could also consider a tiered licensing system where certain companies could do certain types of work.  Tree budget: The city should fund trees in the general budget and not depend on the money that comes in from developments that are unable to plant all of their required replacement trees on their property.  Citizen tree care: The University of Minnesota Master Gardener Program and Tree Care Advisors are trying to train citizens to prune and water trees. This would be a good program for the City of Maplewood to participate in if we begin planting boulevard trees.  Heritage trees: o The city should consider greater protection of heritage or significant trees, or perhaps allow for additional incentives for developers that preserve those trees. One way to allow for greater protection is by requiring that these trees be measured differently to include the crown spread and height, in addition to the diameter. o The Maplewood Nature Center has a heritage tree program. o There needs to be a cost analysis to see if saving a heritage or significant tree makes economic sense over removing a tree that could be past its viable lifespan over the planting of new trees and preserving of other healthy trees.  Storms: There should be an allowance for tree companies to work in the City after a tornado or other storm that has downed trees.  Tree diversity: The city should ensure that the tree plan that is eventually created after the ordinance updates includes information on tree diversity.  Other ordinance changes: The tree ordinance is hard to understand and should be written so people can understand and follow it.  Commissioner Mason Sherrill said we need to get the ordinance in compliance with the living streets policy, the right of way, boulevards and citizen pruners and citizen waterier can be a part of all that. Staff will continue to refine the language in the ordinance and bring back additional information for review. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. September 16, 2013 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 37. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. September 9, 2013, city council meeting update – Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance, Maplewood Residential Recycling Program, Fall Clean Up Campaign, Commission Appointments Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave a brief update on the items heard at the September 9, 2013, City Council meeting.  Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance – the City Council adopted the ordinance.  Maplewood Residential Recycling Program – the City Council authorized a two-year extension to Tennis’ recycling contract. The contract continues the City’s recycling program with recyclable collection in recycling bins, but has language that would allow the City to convert to carts (either City purchased or contractor supplied) any time during the term of the contract.  Fall Clean Up Campaign – in lieu of a fall clean up event this year the City will be partnering with Allied Waste/Republic Services to offer bulky item pick up at 50 percent off the contracted price during the second and third weeks in October.  Commissioners Ann Palzer and Ginny Yingling were reappointed to another three-year term. Commissioner Mason Sherrill’s term also expires at the end of September, but she has chosen not to continue on with the Commission. Commissioner Mason Sherrill has been on the Commission for the last ten years and her knowledge and service had been appreciated. The open Commission position will be posted, with an appointment taking place later in the year. b. Commission Appreciation Event – September 26, 2013 Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall said an invitation was sent out to all Commission members for an appreciation event at the Maplewood Community Center on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Please RSVP by September 20. c. Maplewood Nature Center Programs Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs. For more information contact the Nature Center at (651) 249-2170. 10. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Palzer adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.