HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-27 ENR Minutes
February 27, 2014 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Thursday,
February 27, 2014 Rescheduled from February 20, 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 7:01 p.m. by Chair Palzer. 2. ROLL CALL Randee Edmundson, Commissioner Absent Deborah Fideldy, Commissioner Present Judith Johannessen,
Commissioner Present Ann Palzer, Chair Present Cindy Schafer, Commissioner Absent Dale Trippler, Vice Chair Present Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Absent Staff
Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resource Coordinator 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Johannessen Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Trippler moved to approve the January 16, 2014, Environmental and
Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Fideldy Ayes – All The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Maplewood Recycling Program
– Tennis Sanitation’s 2013 Annual Report and 2014 Work Plan i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report and answered questions of the Commission. ii. Willie and Greg
Tennis, owners of Tennis Sanitation, addressed and answered questions of the Commission. They stated that the data reflects that recycling tonnage and participation has increased
and residual rates have decreased in the
February 27, 2014 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 last three years since they have taken over the City’s recycling contract. They expect this
to continue to improve, especially with the roll out of recycling carts in March. The Commission gave comments and asked questions of staff and Tennis Sanitation on the recycling
report and work plan as follows: It would be beneficial if the font on the tables were increased to make it easier to read. Is Styrofoam considered a residual? o Willie Tennis
indicated that it currently is considered a residual as there is no market for recycled Styrofoam. There seems to be a lack of recycling in many neighborhoods, especially rental
units. This seems to suggest a lack of education to tenants to make them aware of what can and can’t be recycled. The Commission is looking forward to a tour of Tennis’ facility.
It is also a good idea to have the tour videotaped for a future Spotlight on Maplewood cable television show. The Commission stated that the items outlined in the work plan,
including cart distribution, non- or low-participating education, business and church recycling opt in, and recycling education were good goals to achieve in 2014. The Commission
thanked Tennis for their report. Environmental Planner Finwall stated that this item will go to the City Council on March 10, 2014. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. 2014 Goals – Implementation
Strategies i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the 2014 goals and implementation strategies report and answered questions of the Commission. The Commission discussed ways
to implement the 2014 goals as follows: The tree ordinance will be finalized by the full Commission and should be complete by June. A subcommittee should be formed to continue
the review of urban agriculture, which includes a review of the City’s ordinances to remove barriers and promote urban agriculture. Environmental education will concentrate of
recycling, in particular the tour of Tennis’ recycling facility and a recycling workshop. The goals and implementation strategies will be outlined in the Commission’s annual review
report, which will be complete for the Commission’s review in March. b. Tree Ordinance i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall discussed the tree ordinance and answered questions
of the Commission. ii. Natural Resource Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor addressed and answered questions of the Commission. The Commission discussed various language changes and clarifications
with staff to clean up the tree ordinance. Staff will make the changes and bring this back to the Commission in April.
February 27, 2014 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF
PRESENTATIONS a. Earth Hour (Saturday, March 29, 2014) i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall shared information about Earth Hour. Earth hour is a global movement uniting people
to protect the planet. Earth hour brings together communities from across the world celebrating a commitment to the planet by switching lights off for one designated hour between
8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Turning off lights is a symbol, but the event encourages an interconnected global community to share the opportunities and challenges of creating a sustainable world.
More information can be found at www.earthhour.org . b. Maplewood Nature Center Programs Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall presented the upcoming Maplewood 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.