HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-16 ENR Packet
AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION
Thursday,January 16,2014
7 p.m.
Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall
1830 County Road B East
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Agenda
4. Approval ofMinutes:
a.December 16, 2013
5. New Business
a.Election of Chair and Vice Chair
b.Maplewood Recycling Program
1)Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan
2)2014 Draft Work Plan
c. 2014 Goal Setting
d.Tree City USA Update
6.Unfinished Business
a.Tree Ordinance (To Be Continued February 2014)
7.Visitor Presentations
8. Commission Presentations
9. Staff Presentations
a.
Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District – Citizen Advisory Committee
Nomination
b.Maplewood Nature Center Programs
10. Adjourn
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
7:00 p.m., Monday,December 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 calledto order at 7:00
p.m.by Chair Johannessen.
2. ROLL CALL
Randee Edmundson, Commissioner Present
Deborah Fideldy, CommissionerPresent
Judith Johannessen, Chair Present
Ann Palzer, Vice Chair Present
Cindy Schafer, Commissioner Present
Dale Trippler, Commissioner Present
Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resource Coordinator
Ms. Finwall said Councilmember Juenemann, liaison to the Commission,could not be present
this evening but wanted to thank the Commission for their hard work in 2013.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Tripplermoved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Seconded by CommissionerPalzer. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CommissionerTripplermoved to approve the November 18, 2013, Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission Meeting Minutes as submitted.
Seconded by CommissionerEdmundson. Ayes – Chairperson Johannessen,
Commissioner’s Edmundson,
Palzer, Schafer, Trippler,
& Yingling
Abstention – Commissioner Fideldy
The motion passed.
December 16, 2013 1
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
5. NEW BUSINESS
a.New Member Orientation
i.Environmental Planner Finwall introduced and welcomed the newest
Commissioner, Deborah Fideldy. Environmental Planner Finwall reviewed the
new member orientationhandbook.
6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a.Tree Ordinance
i.Natural Resource Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor gave the report on the Disease Tree
portion of the Tree Ordinance and answered questions of the Commission.
The Commission had the following questions/comments:
Is there money in the tree fund to assist property owners with diseased trees?
The appeal process is a good idea but the cost should be reduced from $5,000 to
$2,500.
Under the removal of infected trees it states that a nuisance tree must be abated
within a specified time not less than 5 days from the date of mailing such notice or
from the date of service. This wording should be revised. .
Staff stated that is something that should be changed in the ordinance. Currently
homeowners are given seven days. However, it has been City policy to allow 30 days
to remove a tree with Dutch elmdiseaseand until February to remove trees with Oak
wilt.
Does it make sense to list each diseasefor trees since more diseases are on the
way? Maybe itis more important to clarify infestations or diseases that are fatal.
Staff stated that the definition of diseased trees needs to be expanded. It is staff’s
preference, however,to list the three diseases since we are updating the ordinance at
this point in time. If the definition does a better job of clarifying the epidemic diseases,
that will helpwith any future infestations.
How does a resident know what species or size of tree to planton a lot that is covered
by trees that might be lost to disease?
Staff indicated it is wise to work with an arborist.
The model ordinancerecommends sending people to jail for not cutting down their
diseased trees - that seems extreme. If there is any penalty at all it should be the City
chargingthe homeowner for the cost to cut down the tree.
The City should establish a fund for residents that do not have the money to pay for
the removal of diseased trees.
It is important that the City notifyresidents when the City will be inspecting trees for
disease on their property.
Staff indicated that the City publishes an article on disease tree inspection in the April
newsletter. When the tree inspector comes to the home they put a flyer on the door
December 16, 2013 2
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
indicating they were inspecting. The inspectortries to educate residents and help
them understand the problem with tree diseaseswhen out in the field.
Maplewood resident, Scott Creerof Haller Woods addressed the Commission. He
said that he lives in a heavily wooded lot. He has several elm trees that were affected
by Dutchelmdisease.It is not difficult to take down the tree, but it isa burdento
transport thediseasedtreeto the appropriate compost site. He questions the
requirement for removing diseased trees in a heavily wooded lot. He believes that if
you remove healthy trees that are close to diseased trees that will stop the spread of
the disease,not removing trees that are already diseased.He requested that the City
review the research on removal of diseased trees to ensure an effective strategy,
rather than placing the burden on the property owner.
Can a property owner burn a diseased tree on site verses transportingit?
Staff indicated that trees affected with Dutch elmdisease needto be debarked, but
could then be cut up and used as firewood. Trees affected with Oak wilt, however,
need to be chipped. If the resident can’t afford removal of the tree, there is an option
that the tree can be cut up and covered with plastic, with a trench into the soil. But
that is also something that is challengingfor a property ownerto docorrectly.
Staff will bring the Tree Ordinance back to the Commission in January.
7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None present.
8.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
Fish Creek Update –
a.Commissioner Yinglingstated that as of December 11, 2013,the
City of Maplewood is the proud owner of Fish Creek. This would not have happened
without the hard work of City staff to raise resident awareness and get people involved.
She is very proud of the City and congratulated Ginny Gaynor and DuWayne Konewko
and thanked all of the contributors.
9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a.Update on the Maplewood Residential Recycling Program - E
nvironmental Planner
Finwall stated that on December 9, 2013, the City Council authorized a four-year contract
withTennis Sanitation beginning January 1, 2014. The contract requires that the
contractor supply recycling carts for the City’s recycling program.
b.Reschedule the January 20 and February 17, 2014, ENR Commission Meetings due
to Martin Luther King Day and President’s Day Holidays. Proposed dates –
Thursday, January 16, 2014 and Thursday, February 20, 2014.
Staff will follow up withan e-mail to Commissioners in order to reschedule the meetings.
c.Maplewood 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 8:35p.m.
December 16, 2013 3
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
MEMORANDUM
TO:Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
Election of Chair and Vice Chair
SUBJECT:
DATE:
January 8, 2014for the January 16 ENRCommission 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 2013, the Environmental
and Natural Resources Commission elected Commissioner Johannessen to be the chair and
Commissioner Palzer to be the vice-chairof the Commission.During the January 16ENR
Commission meeting the Commission should appoint commissioners to serve as chair and vice-
chair for 2014, and vote on those appointees.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:
Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
SUBJECT:
Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan
DATE:
January 10, 2014, for the January 16 ENR Commission Meeting
INTRODUCTION
OnSeptember 9, 2013, the City Council authorized a contract with Tennis Sanitation, LLC, for
continued recycling collection services. The contract contained language that would allowthe
City to convert to the collection of recyclables with carts (eithercontractor-supplied or City
purchased carts) instead of recycling bins any time during the term of the contract.
On November 25, 2013, the City Council authorized the conversion of the City’s recycling
program to the collection of recyclables in contractor-supplied carts. During the January 16,
2014, Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission meeting, the Commission will
review and approve a Recycling Cart Distribution andManagement Plan.
DISCUSSION
The attached Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan includes cart specifications and
details on the City-wide cart roll out. Highlights of the plan include:
1.Cart Sizes: The current plan is to roll out 65 gallon carts to all single family homes and
32 gallon carts to all townhomes and manufactured homes with curbside recycling.
2.Cart and Lid Color: While there is no language in the contract that would allow the City
to specify cart color, the City should have an opportunity to review the specifics of this
detail. Tennis’ standard color for recycling carts is a brown cart with an orange lid. The
City’s trash carts are all black. Standard recycling colors are blue.
3.In-mold labels: Recycling carts represent an opportunity for the City to educate its
residents about recycling. As such, the carts supplied to the City should contain in-mold
labeling which details recyclables collected in the City’s recycling program.
4. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): Tennis doesn’t currently use RFID technology in
their recycling system. However, they have discussed the possibility of converting to this
system in the future. As such, the City should have an opportunity to discuss the details
of RFID tags being included in the carts and future RFID readers in the trucks.
5.Bin Collection and Recycling: The current plan is to have Tennis collect all existing
recycling bins from property owners that no longer want them. The bins will be recycled
as part of the City’s recycling program.
6.Cart Size Changes: The current plan allows cart size changes after a three-month trial
period with the cart rolled out initially. After which time the property ownercanrequest a
cart size change (either a65 or 32 gallon cart), with up to one cart size change per year
(except for new property owners). Property owners who request recycling cartchanges
more than onceper year will be charged a fee which will be billed to the property owner
by Tennis.
RECOMMENDATION
Review the attached Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan and offer comment and
feedback. The Plan will be included as part of a Memorandum of Understanding which will
serve as an attachment to the 2014-2017 recycling contract. The Memorandum of
Understanding will be reviewed and approved by the City Council onFebruary 3, 2014.
Attachment:Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan
2
City of Maplewood
January 16, 2014
Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan
City of Maplewood
Recycling CartDistribution and ManagementPlan
City Responsibilities
1)Number and Size of Carts –
a)Give the approximate number of carts needed in the City’s recycling program.
The total number of carts for single family and townhomes and manufactured homes with
curbside recycling is estimated at 12,180, which include 9,452 single family and 2,728
townhome and manufactured homes. The Contractor currently has approximately 495 –
95 gallon carts rolled out to Maplewood’s multi-family properties without curbside
recycling. The Contractor will continue to supply the multi-family properties with 95
gallon carts as needed, in addition to supplying 95 gallon carts to all small businesses and
churches that opt into the City’s recycling program. (Finalized end of January 2014)
b)Give the size of carts needed in the City’s recycling program.
The Contractor should roll out 65 gallon carts to all single family homes and 32 gallon
carts to all townhomes and manufactured homes with curbside recycling. The Contractor
should continue to roll out 95 gallon carts to all multi-family properties without curbside
recycling and small businesses and churches that opt into the City’s recycling program.
(Finalized end of January 2014)
2)Cart and Lid Color: City to offer direction on cart and lid color. Contractor’s standard color
for recycling carts is a brown cart with an orange lid. The City’s trash carts are all black.
Standard recycling colors are blue. (Scheduled for discussion at the January 16, 2014,
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting)
3)Public Outreach – Continue to conduct public outreach about the new recycling carts, cart
roll out details, and recycling information in the City newsletter and website.(December
2013 through June 2014)
4)Cart Staging Area –Arrange for cart staging areas at City parks or facilities throughout the
City during cart roll out, in coordination with scheduled park and City activities. (Locations
specified by mid-February 2014, staging areas available in March 2014)
Contractor Responsibilities
1)Cost Per Household Per Month – Charge the City $1.75 per household per month until all
recycling carts are delivered to homes, at which point charge the City $2.50 per household
per month per the 2014-2017 recycling contract.
2)Cart Style and Workmanship – Carts supplied to the City must be of good quality with a
minimum of a ten-year warranty as an indicator of workmanship. Carts must contain wheels
and lids. Cart lid to contain in-mold label with a listing and picture of recyclables collected
Page 1 of 3
City of Maplewood
January 16, 2014
Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan
in the City’s recycling program. Design of in-mold label to be approved by the City.
(Supply in-mold label to City for review prior to manufacturing – beginning of February
2014)
3)Cart RFID Tags – Carts must be equipped with RFID tags for future use, and the unique cart
number and address will be accurately placed in a data base as specified by the City.
4)Cart Size and Number – Supply carts in the sizes and numbers specified during the January
16, 2014, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting. (January 16, 2014)
5)Cart and Lid Color – Supply carts in the color specified during the January 16, 2014,
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting. (January 16, 2014)
6)Cart Delivery –Ensure carts are delivered to agreed-upon locations. Current locations under
discussion include Contractor’s facility or parking lots in City parks and/or facilities. (Mid-
February to end of March 2014)
7)Cart Assembly –Assemble carts at agreed-upon locations. Current locations under
discussion include Contractor’s facility or parking lots in City parks and/or facilities. (Mid-
February to end of March 2014)
8)Cart Roll Out Details – Supply the City with details on the dates and neighborhoods for cart
roll out. (End of February 2014).
9)Cart Distribution – Supply the City with details on how, from where, and who will distribute
carts. During cart distribution, Contractor to place an informational flyer about the new carts
and the City’s recycling program in between the lid and the cart. (Mid-February 2014)
10)Bin Collection and Recycling – Collect all existing recycling bins from property owners that
no longer want them. Recycling bins to be placed at the curb and tipped upside down by the
property owner on their recycling day. Contractor to collect the recycling bins at any time
during the 2014-2017 recycling contract and recycle them as part of the City’s recycling
program.
11)Cart Size Changes – Cart size changes for all property owners are allowed after a three
month trial period with the initial cart size delivered. Property owners must retain the size of
recycling cart rolled out to them for three months from the date of initial delivery before a
cart size change request can be made. After which point a property owner can change carts
once a year for free, except for new property owners who can change cart sizes when they
move into the property. A charge of $10 will be billed to the property owner by the
Contractor for cart size changes that exceed one per year.
12)Cart and Cart Part Inventory – Ensure adequate inventory of carts for the City (a minimum of
2 percent excess cart inventory) as well as an adequate amount of spare parts (wheels, lids,
etc.).
13)Cart Storage –Storage of excess inventory of carts and parts to be located at Contractor’s
facility.
Page 2 of 3
City of Maplewood
January 16, 2014
Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan
14)Cart Inventory Control and Reporting – Include a report on inventory, cart switches, damage,
warranty returns, and replacements on the monthly reports.
15)Automated Side Load Trucks – Ensure collection of recyclables is conducted with automated
side load trucks equipped for cart collection, rather than the semi-automated trucks used in
the collection of recycling bins. Trucks must meet all requirements as specified in the 2014-
2017 recycling contract.
16)RFID Readers – Supply the City with details on future RFID readers to be installed in
automated side load trucks.
Page 3 of 3
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:
Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
SUBJECT:
MaplewoodRecycling Program – 2014 Draft Work Plan
DATE:
January 9, 2014 for the January 16 ENR Commission Meeting
INTRODUCTION
Tennis Sanitation, LLC, the City’s recycling contractor, is required to submit anannual work plan
and report.The work plan outlineskey priorities for system improvements. The report includes
data on the City’s recycling program such as totalquantities of recyclable materials collected,
quantity of process residual disposed of, log of resident education tags and complaints.
DISCUSSION
Tennis has completed a draft of this year’s work plan and would like the Environmental and
Natural Resources Commission’s comments and feedback prior to finalizing for the annual
report. The plan includesthe distribution of recycling carts and working with the City on
outreach and education for small business/church recyclingand low and non-participating
resident recycling.
RECOMMENDATION
Review the draft 2014 recycling work plan and offer comment and feedback. The final work
plan will be included as an attachment to the annual report, which is scheduled for review by the
Commission in February.
Attachment:
1.Draft 2014 Maplewood Recycling Work Plan
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Date: ____________ ________ Date:________________
MEMORANDUM
TO:Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
SUBJECT:2014 GoalSetting
DATE:January 10, 2014 for the January 16ENRCommission Meeting
INTRODUCTION
The Environmental andNatural Resources (ENR) Commission’s2013 goals included review of the
following ordinances (updates to tree ordinance to meet the new Living Streets Policy and review
of existing ordinances to eliminate barriers and promote urban agriculture); education (create a
comprehensive approach to environmental education); research (background research needed on
reducing or eliminating plastic bags and lawn chemical use). The ENR Commissionshould review
the 2013 goals and consider setting new goals for 2014.
DISCUSSION
Status of Goals
1. Ordinances: Tree ordinance review and revisions should be complete by spring 2014. The
urban farming subcommittee met once to review issues with existing ordinancesand review
urban farming ordinances adopted by other communities.
2.Education – Nothing formal, but the Commission did promote and participate in events
which help educate the public about the environment.
3.Research – The Commission had a screening of A Chemical Reaction documentaryfilm
and reviewed the City’s Turf Management Plan and pesticide use on parks and public
lands.
Action Items
Following is a list of new and unfinished business the Commission should review in 2013:
1.Tree Ordinance: Continue to review and make revisions to the tree ordinance. This is
scheduled to be complete this spring.
2.Urban Agriculture: There continues to be increased interest in this subject. The
Commission should continue to review existing ordinances and proposes changes that will
help promote and eliminate barriers to urban agriculture.
3. Mississippi Critical Area/Slopes:In 2013, the Legislature restored the Department of
Natural Resource’s (DNR) rulemaking authority after it was put on hold in 2011. The DNR
is revisingthe draft rulesproposed in 2011 to simplify and ensure that key resource
protections are enforceable. The draft rules are expected to becomplete for review in early
2014. Once the rules are adopted, the City will be required to update our Mississippi
Critical Area ordinance.
Events
Following is a list of events to help coordinate the ENR Commission calendarsand to assist in this
year’s goal setting:
Calendar Year – 2014
JanuaryJune
16 (Thursday): Fish Creek Celebration14 (Saturday): National Get Outdoors
16 (Thursday): ENR MeetingWeek
14 (Saturday): Fish Creek Hike
February16 (Monday):ENR Meeting
20 (Thursday): ENR Meeting
July
March9to 13 (Wed. – Sun.): Ramsey Co.Fair
Month of March: Recycling Cart 21 (Monday): ENR Meeting
Distribution
17 (Monday): ENR MeetingAugust
29 (Saturday): Earth Hour 5 (Tuesday): National Night Out
18 (Monday): ENR Meeting
April
September
3 (Thursday): Go Solar Program
19 (Saturday): Park Clean Up15 (Monday): ENR Meeting
21(Monday): ENR Meeting
October
22 (Tuesday): Climate Change Program
with Dr. Mark SeelyWeeks of 6 and 13: Fall Clean Up
22 (Tuesday): Earth DayCampaign
15 (Wednesday): Edgerton Community
25 (Friday): Arbor Day Celebration
Garden Closes
25 (Friday): Edgerton Community
Garden Open House20 (Monday): ENR Meeting
26 (Saturday): Spring Clean Up
November
May3 (Monday): Neighborhood Buckthorn
15 (Thursday): Friends of Maplewood Pick Up Day
4 (Tuesday):Elections
Nature Photo Contest Deadline
19 (Monday): ENR Meeting15 (Friday): America Recycles Day
31 (Saturday): Waterfest17 (Monday): ENR Meeting
December
15 (Monday): ENR Meeting
Nature Center Goals
Each year the Maplewood Nature Center sets annual goals (Attachment1). Because the ENR
Commission and the Nature Center partner in many environmental initiatives, the Commission
should refer to the Nature Center’s 2014 goals prior to setting Commission goals.
Natural Resources Projects
Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator, submitted the following list of key preserve and
natural resource projects to be completed in 2014 for the Commission’s review:
2
Gladstone Savanna – Complete prairie restoration, remove invasive brush.
Fish Creek – Begin prairie restoration, complete management plan.
Priory Neighborhood Preserve – Improve entry and parking, install one boardwalk and
overlook, begin work on restoration demonstration areas.
Spoon Lake Neighborhood Preserve – Develop master plan.
Trees – Complete revisions of tree ordinance; develop neighborhood approach to
managing oak wilt and Dutch elm disease.
Native Plantings - Install native plantings at Prairie Farm’s new parking lot, the former dump
site (trees), and other sites.
Land Management - Conduct land management activities at selected preserves including
prescribed burns, mowing, and invasive species control.
Buckthorn – Remove buckthorn at Joy Park, City Hall, and Vista Hills (residents).
Natural Areas - Evaluate city-owned natural areas that are not in the preserve system and
develop priorities.
Invasive Species:Improve strategies for managing invasive species.
RECOMMENDATION
During the goal-setting session, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission should:
1) review thestatus of the 2013 goals and determine if any of these goals should be carried over to
2014; and 2) determine if the Commission should set new goalsfor 2014. Implementation
strategies for the 2014 goals will be discussed during the February meeting.
Attachment: Maplewood Nature Center 2014 Goals
3
Maplewood Nature Center 2014 Goals
1)Improve safety and efficiency at the nature center through a reg
designating each staff to be responsible for safety of specific areas; and establishing regular
cleanups of problem areas (play area, shed, closets, etc).
2)Increase community awareness of Climate Change through a series of programs and multi-
media education including:
a.STEM grant- to implement with schools outreach
b.Public Programs
nd
i.Climate Change Trends by Climatologist Mark Seeley: April 22
ii.Going Solar Workshop: April 3
iii.Open Space Invasive PlantBlitz
iv.Integrating phenology into our existing programs; include baseline data on typical
emergent and migration dates. ( Firefly, bat, monarch, frog, & pollinator, plant id
programs)
v.Preparation for 2015 Bioblitz
vi.Program introducing the Minnesota Phenology Network a web-based citizen
monitoring program great for families
vii.Nature Center History& tell your stories program as a way to help improve
Neighborhood relations, and collect old phenology records.
viii.Collect and analyze phenology records from nature center.
3)Offer a Public Forum on Community Gardens to encourage more gard
as town homes, churches, schools.
4)Create a PSA about the nature center and what we do; with a slan
and if possible in such a way to include multi-cultural audiences.
5)Offer a Master Naturalist Training (12 week class) (Sept/October)
6)Partner with a Karen, Hmong, or Somali organization to provide 3
opportunities using nature as a framework.
7)Work with Building Operations staff to make necessary Facilityand TrailUpgrades including new
siding, parking lot lights and trail culvert and bridges.
8)Recommend the type of alternative energy vehicle for use at the
9)Brainstorm and implement two new ways to recruit individual volu
so as to increase number involved in these events and organizati
a.Friends board
b.Invasive Plant Patrol
c.Trail guides Puppet shows/preschool
OS monitors reinvigorate!
d.
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:
Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
SUBJECT:
Tree City USA
DATE:
January 10, 2014, for the January 16 ENR Commission Meeting
The City of Maplewood maintains its status as a Tree City USA city. To qualify,a city must meet
four standards establishedby The Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State
Foresters including:
1. A tree board or department.
2.A tree care ordinance.
3.A community forestryprogram with an annual budget of at least $2 per capita.
4.An Arbor Day Observance and Proclamation.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission serves as the tree board for the City of
Maplewood. Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator, will give an update to the
Commission on the City’s Tree City USA status and overall tree program.This review will be
beneficial as the Commission moves forward with its review of the City’s tree ordinances,
scheduled for review again during the February meeting.