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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-10-21 ENR Minutes October 21, 2013 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 21, 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 7:01 p.m. by Chair Johannessen. 2. ROLL CALL Randee Edmundson, Commissioner Present Judith Johannessen, Chair Present Ann Palzer, Vice Chair Present at 7:20 p.m. Cindy Schafer, Commissioner Present Dale Trippler, Commissioner Present Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Trippler added 8.a. to discuss a Minneapolis Star and Tribune newspaper article called Saving the Great North Woods. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Edmundson. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the September 16, 2013, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Edmundson. Ayes – Commissioners Edmundson, Palzer, Schafer, Trippler, & Yingling Abstention – Chair Johannessen The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Wetland Buffer Waiver for the Maplewood Fire Station No. 1 (McKnight Road South of Minnehaha Avenue) i. Environmental Planner Finwall gave the report on the wetland buffer waiver for the Maplewood Fire Station No. 1. October 21, 2013 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2The commission had the following questions or comments on the wetland buffer waiver:  Will 3M still construct the trail around the wetland? If so, the ENR Commission would like another opportunity to review the trail plans since the Fire Station and 3M Research Center property were both part of the mitigation strategies for the initial trail. Both of those properties are being developed and not available for mitigation.  Is the trail still a semi private trail versus a public trail now that it will be constructed so close to the Fire Station?  For safety the applicant should consider moving the southern driveway further south to line up with the road across the street. This would unfortunately require the removal of several large trees but would create a safer exit.  The Commission expressed support for the condition that plugs be planted in the rainwater garden rather than just seeding.  The Commission inquired about the Green Building Code and requested that the building department give them an update on the new code. The Commission would also like a tour of the City’s first Green Building once it is complete. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the wetland buffer waiver for the Maplewood Fire Station No. 1 (McKnight Road South of Minnehaha Avenue) with the following conditions: 1. After grading and planting of the site the applicant must install city approved wetland signs at the edge of the approved wetland and creek buffer that specify that no building, mowing, cutting, grading, filling or dumping be allowed within the buffer. The signs must be placed every 100-feet along the edge of the buffer at a minimum. The placement of these signs must be verified with a survey to ensure proper placement. 2. Maintenance of the native wetland buffer plants to ensure establishment within a three-year period. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All Commissioner Trippler stated that he approved the wetland buffer waiver because it involves minimal grading into the buffer in order to meet the grades of the 3M trail. The motion passed. This item goes to the city council on October 28, 2013. b. Resolution of Appreciation For Carol Mason Sherrill i. Environmental Planner Finwall gave the report on the resolution of appreciation for Carol Mason Sherrill who resigned from the Commission. Ms. Mason Sherrill served on the Commission and the Committee for almost ten years. Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the resolution of appreciation for Carol Mason Sherrill for her years of service on the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Trippler. Ayes – All The motion passed. October 21, 2013 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Tree Policies – Updates to Tree Ordinance and Policies i. Environmental Planner Finwall gave the update on the tree ordinance and policies. The commission had the following questions or comments on the tree ordinance:  The ordinance should include the word shall, not should.  Specimen trees – we should review the measurement requirements for specimen trees.  There should be language which encourages people to keep dead trees for habitat, but ensure the trees are removed if they pose a safety hazard.  The definition of caliper inches and diameters are not consistent and creates confusion about measurement of trees.  Is the term significant natural feature used anywhere else in the ordinance?  Is 15 days enough time to allow an applicant to appeal staff’s decision on a woodlot alteration permit?  The escrow section says the City will release the money once the trees are planted, but our ordinance requires that the trees be maintained for two years.  We should add language about emergency tree removal and licensing after storms. Staff will make the changes to the tree ordinance. In November the Natural Resources Coordinator will be present to begin discussing the diseased tree section of the ordinance. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Newspaper Article on Saving the Great North Woods Commissioner Trippler discussed an article in the October 21, 2013, Sunday Minneapolis Star and Tribune newspaper. The article discusses the impacts climate change will have on our northern forests. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Updates on the Maplewood Recycling Program 1) Ramsey County Public Innovation Grant The City of Maplewood was awarded a $100,000 grant to cover the cost of recycling carts. Review of the final grant agreement and the City Council approval will take place November 28, 2013. October 21, 2013 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 4 2) Composite Study Commissioner Yingling discussed the recycling composite study which took place Saturday, October 12, 2013. Tennis collects recyclables for one week and then sorts them to determine the percentage of recyclables collected in each category. b. Nature Center Programs i. Environmental Planner Finwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs. For more information contact the Nature Center at (651) 249-2170. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chair Johannessen adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m.