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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-16 ENR Minutes January 16, 2014 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 16, 2014 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 Chair Johannessen. 2. ROLL CALL Randee Edmundson, Commissioner Present Deborah Fideldy, Commissioner Present Judith Johannessen, Chair Present Ann Palzer, Vice Chair Present Cindy Schafer, Commissioner Absent Dale Trippler, Commissioner Present Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Alan Kantrud, City Attorney Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist City Council Liaison Present Kathleen Juenemann, City Councilmember 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Yingling asked to move 5.b. - Maplewood Recycling Program to 5.a. ahead of other business due to Willie and Greg Tennis having to leave early. There was also a commission presentation and staff presentation added at the end of the meeting. Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the amended agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the December 16, 2013, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All The motion passed. January 16, 2014 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 25. NEW BUSINESS a. Maplewood Recycling Program i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the item. ii. City Attorney, Alan Kantrud addressed and answered questions of the commission on the proposed letter of understanding for the roll out of recycling carts. iii. City Council Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann addressed the commission. iv. Greg Tennis, Tennis Recycling addressed and answered questions of the commission. v. Willie Tennis, Tennis Recycling addressed and answered questions of the commission. 1) Recycling Cart Distribution and Management Plan The commission discussed aspects of the proposed letter of understanding which outlined details of the recycling cart roll out; in particular the commission expressed concern over Tennis’ proposal to automatically roll out 65 gallon carts to single family residential properties. It would have been nice to offer the residents a choice. Greg and Willie Tennis stated that they rolled out 65 gallon carts in Hastings a few years ago. They asked the Hastings residents to try that size for three months, prior to switching to a smaller size. A majority of the residents ended up keeping the 65 gallon cart, thus creating more recycling storage and an increase in recycling rates. That is the goal of rolling out the larger carts. The commission convinced Greg and Willie Tennis that they should allow residents to switch cart sizes twice before a $25 fee is charged. City Attorney Kantrud stated that he would modify the letter of understanding with that language. Tennis will roll out their standard brown cart with orange lids. On top of the lid will be the materials that can be recycled. They will continue to monitor participation by the drivers and will not install RFID chips in the carts. 2) 2014 Draft Work Plan The commission stated their concerns regarding the Tennis Sanitation 2014 draft work plan and how the materials could be improved including adding additional information on how Tennis will work with staff to promote business and church recycling and target nonparticipating residents. The final work plan will come back to the commission for approval in February, along with the 2013 annual report. b. Election of Chair and Vice Chair i. Environmental Planner Finwall gave the report on election of chair and vice chair. Commissioner Trippler moved to nominate Ann Palzer as Chair for 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All Chairperson Johannessen moved to nominate Commissioner Trippler as Vice Chair for 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All The motion passed. Newly elected Chairperson Palzer took over the chair responsibilities at this point of the meeting. c. 2014 Goal Setting i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on 2014 Goal Setting. ii. Lead Naturalist, Ann Hutchinson addressed the commission regarding the 2014 goals for the Maplewood Nature Center. January 16, 2014 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3iii. Natural Resource Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor addressed and answered questions of the commission. iv. City Council Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann addressed the commission and suggested that two members from the ENR Commission write an article for the Seasons newsletter to inform residents about what the commission has been working on. The commission discussed goals for 2014 which include completion of the tree ordinance amendments and updates to the City’s ordinances to eliminate barriers and promote urban farming. Additionally, the commission would like to work more closely with the City’s recycling contractor on education. To begin, the commission would like to schedule a tour of their facility. Another ordinance which might need to be updated in 2014 is the Mississippi River Critical Area ordinance once the state rules are complete. Staff will bring the goals back to the commission in February to discuss how best to implement those goals. d. Tree City USA Update i. Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor gave a power point presentation on Tree City USA and answered questions of the commission. ii. Lead Naturalist, Ann Hutchinson answered questions of the commission. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Tree Ordinance (To Be Continued at the February ENR meeting) 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS Councilmember Juenemann reminded the commission that Earth Hour is scheduled for the end of March. She stated that it would be a good idea to have commissions interact more. As an example, the ENR and Human Rights Commissions could work together regarding diversity and community gardens. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Free Government Cable: Commissioner Trippler stated he had been contacted by Maplewood residents regarding the subject of recycling carts and had asked residents if they had been watching the discussions at the city meetings. He stated residents were unaware that they could watch the meetings on the government channel for free. Commissioner Trippler wanted to remind people that your cable company is required to provide a free cable connection to watch the government channel 16. For more information contact your cable provider. Staff stated they will make sure that information is put in an upcoming newsletter. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District – Citizen Advisory Committee Nomination – Environmental Finwall stated that Maplewood resident, Mark Gernes has been nominated for the watershed district’s Citizen Advisory Committee. Mr. Gernes works for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, served on the City’s Open Space Committee, and assisted the City with drafting of our wetland ordinance. b. Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Community Confluence - Natural Resource Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor discussed a gathering Thursday, January 30, 2014, at the Maplewood Community Center from 6:30 – 8 p.m. The gathering is intended to get public comment on the watershed district’s projects over the next few years. More information can be found at the Ramsey-Washington Metro-Watershed District website at www.rmwd.org. January 16, 2014 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 4c. Nature Center Programs Lead Naturalist, Ann Hutchinson presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs. For more information contact the Maplewood Nature Center at (651) 249-2170. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chair Palzer adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.