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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-05-18 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCESCOMMISSION Monday,May 18, 2015 7p.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:April 20, 2015 5.New Business a.Park Master Plan Presentation b.NPDES Phase II and MS4 Permit, 2014 SWPPP Annual Report c.Resolution of Appreciation for Commissioner Edmundson 6.Unfinished Business 7.Visitor Presentations 8.Commission Presentations a.Community Solar Gardens (Commissioner Sinn) b.Harambee Community Cultures/Environmental Science School –Minnesota Departmentof Education Green Ribbon School Award (Commissioner Miller) 9.Staff Presentations a.Spring Clean Up Summary b.Waterfest–May 30 c.Community Garden Tour –June 18 d.Maplewood Nature Center Programs 10.Adjourn Agenda Item 4 MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday,April 20, 2015 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called toorder at 7:03 p.m.by Chair Trippler. 2. ROLL CALL Randee Edmundson, Commissioner Present Deborah Fideldy, CommissionerPresent Mollie Miller, Vice Chair Present Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present Tom Sinn, Commissioner Present Dale Trippler,Chair Present Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Steve Love, Assistant City Engineer 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Edmundson added8.b. under Commission Presentations to make an announcement. Commissioner Yinglingmoved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by CommissionerSinn. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES CommissionerPalzermoved to approve the March 26, 2015, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by CommissionerMiller. Ayes – Chair Trippler, Commissioner’s Edmundson, Miller, Palzer, Sinn & Yingling Abstention – Commissioner Fideldy The motion passed. April 20, 2015 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes 5.NEW BUSINESS Amendments to the Stormwater Management Ordinances and Standards: a. i.Erosion and Sedimentation Control (Chapter 18, Article III) ii.Stormwater Management(Chapter 18, Article VII) iii.Sewers (Chapter 40, Article II) iv.Maplewood Stormwater Management Standards Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner,introduced the item and turned the presentation over to Steve Love, Assistant City Engineer. Steve Love, Assistant City Engineer,gave the Stormwater Management Ordinances and Standardspresentation and answered questions of the Commission. The Commission discussed the following: Who dothe ordinancesand standardsapply to? Mr. Love explained they apply to all Maplewood residents and businesses and anyone doing projects affecting water quality in Maplewood. The City should consider using the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s definition for best practices. The ordinance should include information on fines for noncompliance. The new ordinance adds the term “City Engineeror designated staff person.”The ordinance should include a definition of City Engineer or designated staff person to ensure the designated staff personis qualified in stormwater management. The term “the City may send a letter”should be changed to “the City shall send a letter.”This is important for code enforcement. Two Commissioners handed in their draft ordinances with minor revisions including grammarand spelling changes, etc. CommissionerSinnmoved toapprovethe amendments to the Stormwater Management Ordinance and Standards with minor revisions as outlined during the Commission’s review. Seconded by CommissionerYingling.Ayes –All The motion passed. TheCity Council will hold a public hearing prior to adoption of the Stormwater Management Ordinances and Standards. 6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. April 20, 2015 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes 8.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS Partners in Energy Update: a.Commissioner Millergave a presentation on the Partners in Energy –Energy Action Plan. The City Council will approve the plan on April 27, 2015. Announcement: b.CommissionerEdmundson announced her resignation from the ENR Commission. She will be serving as a Peace Corps member with a position in Africa. She reflected on her time on the Commission and remarked that two of her favorite things to work on were the renewable energy ordinance and the chicken ordinance. 9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS Spring Clean Up –April 18, 2015: a.Staff thanked Commissioners Edmundson,Yingling, andTripplerfor assisting with the Maplewood Spring Clean Up.Staff stated there were 307 vehicles attending the clean up on Saturday. A complete summary of attendance and items collected will be brought back to the Commissionnext month. Waterfest –May 30: b.Staffstatedthat Waterfest is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2015, from 11:00 –4:00 p.m.at Lake Phalen in St Paul. The City of Maplewood is one of the sponsors.TheENR Commission will havea booth.The Environmental Education Subcomittee met to discuss this year’s booth, which will focuson compositing and will be called “Garbage to Black Gold –Can You Dig It?” c.Maplewood Nature Center Programs: Environmental PlannerFinwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs. For more information contact the Nature Center at (651) 249-2170. d.All Parks Clean Up –Saturday, April 25, 2015: Environmental Planner Finwall reminded the Commission that the Park’s Department will hold their annual All Parks Clean Up on Saturday, April 25, 2015. 10.ADJOURNMENT Chair Trippler adjourned the meeting at 8:21p.m. April 20, 2015 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes Agenda Item 5.a. MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM: DuWayne Konewko, Maplewood Parks and Recreation Director Jim Taylor, Maplewood Parks Manager DATE: May 8, 2015 SUBJECT: Maplewood Parks System Master Plan Introduction Maplewood City Staff spent the last two years working with residents, businesses, City Council, Parks System Plan Task Force, Parks and Recreation Commission, and our consultants to create a Parks System Master Plan that reflects the input of our residentsand business community. The plan will set forth a vision for the next twenty years by providing recommendations, strategies, and tools to assist the City, its stakeholders, and many partners to ensure that Maplewood’s Parks System is at top-quality well into the future. Background The creation of this planbegan in February of 2013 andtook two years to complete. Phase I of the process included a thoroughengagement of Maplewoodresidents, businesses, and parks and recreation users to obtain all inputthat could influence the plan. Upon completion of Phase I, City Council adopted these findings in January of 2014. In March of 2014, City Council authorized staff to begin Phase II and enter into a contract with Hoisington Koegler Group for the completion of the Maplewood Parks System Master Plan. This phaseincludedthe findings from Phase Iand usingbenchmarking datato conduct a system wide evaluation to compare Maplewood’s current parks system against standards from the National Parks and Recreation Association and best practices from other communities. In 2014, staff identified one of their goals as becoming a CAPRA (Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies) accredited agency. This goal has also been identified within the plan and will be a tool we can use to help achieve this accreditation. The main overarchinggoal of the planning processwas to educate and raise awareness about the importance of parks and recreation in Maplewood and to ensure that future investment in the system meetsthe needs of the community. Staff feels this was accomplished through the extensive community process. The creation of this plan has been aninterdepartmental effort with staff from the City. Representatives from all departments have worked with the planning team throughout the process. The expertise that each of them brought was instrumental in the creation of this plan. In Januaryof 2015,the Parksand RecreationCommission and the City Council both adopted the Parks System Master Plan.To find additional information on the process and a copy of the full plan visitour website at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/parks. Recommendation No recommendation at this time. Attachments 1.Executive Summary Attachment 1 PARKS & RECREATION SYSTEM PLAN A great parks and contributes to a great community recreation system When people talk about the places they love in a city, parks are typically at the top of the list. Parks Nature Center, and park activity buildings is needed. are a source of civic identity and pride, and are also Taking care of the existing system is the number one essential to the physical, economic, environmental, and social health of the City of Maplewood and its Updating recreation offerings so the system remains residents. fresh, exciting and relevant in light of changing Today, the City of Maplewood has an enviable demographic and recreation trends is also important. parks and recreation system. The system is known Trails are currently high demand facilities that appeal for its leadership in sustainability and diverse to all ages; climate change and environmental recreation options. Fifty parks and preserves serve awareness are making sustainability more important as neighborhood anchors and provide places for than ever before; a more diverse population is community gathering, athletics, and respite, while the creating demand for culturally relevant activities; and Community Center and the Nature Center are hubs public expectations for high quality city facilities have for programming.steadily risen over time. The parks and recreation system is transitioning It is an exciting time for Maplewood’s parks and from a developing system into a mature system, recreation system. The strong foundation of parks, which presents new challenges. At the core of future issues is the need for extensive park revitalization resident priority on taking care of the existing system, and reinvestment. System-wide replacement of and changing demographic and recreation trends aging park facilities such as playgrounds, courts, offers the opportunity to revitalize the community’s parks system for the next generation of Maplewood residents. JANUARY 2015 System Master Plan Executive Summary 1 E The purpose of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan is to guide reinvestment in and reinvigoration of the parks and recreation s for the next generation of Maplewood residents recommendations and associated strategies. Recommendations do not include every possible action, but highlight those needed to achieve the future vision. Plan recommendations are organized into 5 topic areas: parks and recreation facilities trails natural areas and greenways programs arts and culture To help create a vibrant community that embraces diversity, cele culture, values health and wellness, and promotes stewardship of Guiding Principles 2 Executive Summary E C I P & R OMMUNITYNPUT ARKSECREATION C S ITIZENURVEY A goal of the planning process was to vision for parks and recreation. To that end, over 800 residents participated in the process during 2013-2014. Community input included: K F: EYINDINGS Improvements Most Desired at Parks Near Home Restrooms 45% Park security lighting 32% Picnic tables/benches 30% Drinking fountains 28% Shade structures 28% Picnic shelters 27% Natural areas 26% Trails 24% Parking 21% Playground equipment 21% 20% Sidewalks Park entrance signs 16% 16% Bike racks 14% Increased accessibility Sand volleyball courts 13% 10% Basketball courts 10% Tennis courts 9% Horseshoe pits 7% Pickle ball court 4% 11% Other None chosen 12% JANUARY 2015 System Master Plan Executive Summary 3 E Parks and Recreation Facilities Taking care of the existing system is the highest community prio in and upgrading parks and facilities. Essential is creation and management plan. This will allow the City to anticipate and pri facilities at the end of their functional life-cycle. Improving basic amenities such as restrooms in community parks a benches, and updated signage in all parks is important for creat Community gardens, a tuj lub court, pickelball, and adding a dis of newer recreation facilities desired by residents. Reinvestment in parks throughout the city, so that all residents parks with relevant recreation activities is a high community pr S P C IGNATUREARKSONCEPT Sidewalk / trail to be built in 2015 Proposed pedestrian/bike connection Existing pedestrian/ bike connection Existing regional trail Enhanced landscaping connecting parks 4 Executive Summary E 1 P/B N P I FIGURE E EDESTRIANICYCLEETWORKRIORITYMPROVEMENTS §¦¨ 694 Sunset Legacy Ridge Park Park Playcrest Park Joy Park Maplewood §¦¨ Heights Park Silver 694 Lake UV Hazelwood Park 61 Gervais Lake COUNTY ROAD C Kohlman Park Harvest Park Four Seasons UV Park 36 UV Keller Sherwood 36 Regional Park Park Timber Park Maplecrest City Hall ParkCampus & Community Robinhood Park Center Edgerton Park Flicek Park Roselawn Park FROST AVE Veteran's Hillside Memorial Kenwood Gloster Park Western Park Park Park Phalen Lookout Hills Park Wakefield Regional Park Park Park LARPENTEUR AVE E §¨ ¦ Nebraska Park 694 Lake Sterling Oaks Park § ¨¦ Phalen 35E Geranium Park Beaver Lake Gethsemane Park Lions Park 3M Lake §¨ ¦ Tanner's 94 Lake Battle Creek Lake Afton Heights Park Battle Creek Regional Park Pedestrian/Bicycle Network Priority Improvements Crestview Park Vista 2013-2016 Project Mailand Park Hills Park Planned CIP Project (No Time/Funding) §¨ ¦ 494 £ 61 Missing Segment Applewood Park Pig's Eye Lake Priority Project Corridors Pleasantview Existing Pedestrian/Bicycle Network Park Carver Lake City Preserve £ 52 City Park £ 10 Regional/County Park [ 01 Miles JANUARY 2015 System Master Plan Executive Summary 5 E Trails The popularity of trail based activities such as walking and biking continues to grow. Trails bring the park system closer to every resident, offer transportation alternatives, and support a healthy, active population. The Master Plan recommends continuing to develop a priority network of north- south and east-west connections throughout the community as well as enhancing connections beyond Maplewood. Priority projects will make the existing system more functional by completing missing segments. The Nature Center, Natural Areas, and Greenways Maplewood residents place a high value on environmental health. The Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments will continue to exemplify environmental leadership through education, demonstration, design, maintenance and operations in parks and preserves. The city’s 15 preserves will continue to be the foundation of the protected open space network. These areas will be the focus of habitat restoration and natural resource management efforts while allowing for some passive recreation. The Nature Center will continue to be the community hub for environmental stewardship and nature-based programming. 6 Executive Summary E 2 P P C FIGURE E ROPOSEDRESERVELASSIFICATIONS §¦¨35E §¨ ¦ 694 Prairie Farm Sunset Joy Preserve Legacy Ridge Preserve Park Park Playcrest Park Joy Park Maplewood §¨ ¦ Heights Park 694 Silver Kohlman Creek Hidden Marsh Preserve Lake UV Preserve Hazelwood Park 61 Gervais Fisher's Corner Lake Preserve COUNTY ROAD C Kohlman Park Spoon Lake Harvest Park Four Preserve Seasons UV Park 36 UV Keller Sherwood 36 Regional Park Park Timber Park Maplecrest City Hall Park Campus & Trout Brook Community Robinhood Park Preserve Edgerton ParkCenter Flicek Park Roselawn Park FROST AVE Veteran's Gladstone Savanna Hillside Memorial Kenwood Gloster Park Western Park Park Park Phalen Lookout Hills Park Wakefield Regional Park Park Park LARPENTEUR AVE E Priory Preserve Community and Neighborhood Preserves §¨ ¦ Nebraska Park Jims Prairie 694 Lake Sterling Oaks Park Preserve § ¨¦ Phalen 35E The Master Plan differentiates between Community Preserves and Neighborhood Preserves. Beaver Creek Preserve Geranium Park Beaver Community Preserves are integrated, multi-purpose areas set Lake aside for preserving natural resources, connecting people to Nature Center Preserve Gethsemane Park nature, and providing educational programming and historic Lions Park each preserve’s ability to accommodate natural resource-based 3M Lake recreation opportunities such as play areas, sitting areas, picn shelters, paved trail networks, community gardens, educational §¨ ¦ Tanner's 94 programming, and camping. Lake Battle Creek Neighborhood Preserves will continue to be areas set aside for Lake Afton Heights Park the preservation of natural resources and connect people with Battle Creek Regional Park nature. Recreation is limited to low impact activities such as nature study/observation, bird/wildlife watching, walking/hiking Crestview Park Preserves Vista Mailand Park Hills Park Existing Preseve Trails §¨ ¦ Applewood 494 £ Preserve 61 Applewood Park Proposed Preserve Trails Pig's Eye Lake Community Preserve Pleasantview Park Neighborhood Preserve Carver Lake Carver Preserve City Parks £ 52 Fish Creek Regional/County Park Preserve £ 10 Park Service Areas 01 [ Miles JANUARY 2015 System Master Plan Executive Summary 7 E Arts and Culture The arts enhance livability, bring diverse groups of people together, celebrate history and heritage, contribute to economic vitality, enhance learning in classrooms, raise awareness of environmental and social concerns, and bring beauty and meaning to the built environment. Maplewood’s arts and cultural programming will grow and evolve organically over time. The City will expand partnerships to foster arts, develop arts programs, and integrate arts into infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, and picnic shelters. Programs Recreation is an essential component of a healthy, vital community. Recreation programs are pursued for enjoyment, health, skill development, enrichment, socialization, entertainment, physical recreation and demographic trends mean programs need to constantly evolve. It is an exciting time for programs in Maplewood. Future recommendations focus on community-building events like 5K runs and concerts, updating multipurpose buildings in parks to bring more programs to neighborhoods, and emphasizing outreach to diverse population groups. 8 Executive Summary E Implementation If an additional $100 were available for City parks, preserves, trails, and recreation facilities, how respondent households would Realizing Maplewood’s vision for parks and allocate the funds recreation will take time, dedication, and Improve existing neighborhood & additional funding. The City already invests community parks $31 new capital projects and ongoing operations Other and maintenance. Funding for the system $8 Improve comes from a variety of sources, including existing preserves allocation from the general fund, grants, $11 partnerships, and volunteers. Adequately Development of new facilities reinvestment and reinvention will be essential $15 Develop new preserves, trails to realizing plan recommendations. Phasing & recreation of improvements will not occur overnight, but Acquisition of open areas in forest space adjacent to preserves Maplewood Nature $10 Center will be dependent on priority needs, available $8 funding, and staff time. Source: 2014 Parks & Recreation Citizen Survey For More Information Please contact the Maplewood Parks Recreation Department 651.249.2120 JANUARY 2015 System Master Plan Executive Summary 9 E Agenda Item 5.b. MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM: Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Steven Love, Assistant City Engineer DATE: April 4, 2015 SUBJECT: NPDES Phase II and MS4 Permit, 2014SWPPP Annual Report Introduction As part of Maplewood’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, the City of Maplewood is required to prepare an annual report detailing the progress made in the previous year toward satisfying the requirements of the permit. Part of this process is soliciting public commentonthe City’s 2014Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)annual report. The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission will hold a public hearing to allow for public comments on the City’s 2014SWPPP annual report. Background A 1987 amendment to the federal Clean Water Act required implementation of a two-phase comprehensive national program to address pollution from stormwater runoff. This program was named the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Since 1991, NPDES Phase I regulated cities with populations of 100,000 or more. NPDES Phase II took effect in 2003, regulating cities with populations of 10,000 or more. Maplewood is among a group of approximately 220 entitiesin Minnesota listed as a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under theNPDES Phase IIpermit. The State of Minnesota regulates the disposal of stormwaterby a State Disposal System (SDS) permit. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) administers both NPDES and SDS permits in Minnesota. In turn, the MPCA regulates cities and other public entities through its MS4permit. The MPCA typically reissuesthe MS4 permit once every five years. All MS4 cities are required to submit for coverage each time the MS4 permit is reissued. In 2013 the City of Maplewood applied for coverage under the new MS4 permitand was issued coverage on March17, 2014. TheMS4 permit application requires the city to develop a SWPPP. The MPCA has established six minimum control measures (MCM) the SWPPP must address. They are: MCM 1 - Public Education and Outreach MCM 2 - Public Participation and Involvement MCM 3 - Illicit Discharge, Detection and Elimination MCM 4 - Construction Site Storm Water Runoff Control MCM 5 - Post-Construction Storm Water Management MCM 6 - Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Maplewood’s SWPPP defines the Best Management Practices (BMPs) thecity intends to use to minimize pollution from stormwater runoff for each of the six minimum control measures. 1 As part of theMS4 permitapplication process the City was required to review the new MS4 permit and to make necessary changes to bring the City’s SWPPPinto compliance with requirements of the new MS4 permit. The following is a list of the primarychanges to the City’s SWPPP: Update city ordinances related to stormwater management, illicit discharge, and erosion control Update the MaplewoodStormwater Management Standards (MSMS) Create Enforcement Response Procedures (ERPs) related to the 6 MCMs Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to the 6 MCMs Review and update documentation procedures related to the 6 MCMs Create unique identification numbers for all of Maplewood’s outfalls Submit apond inventory to MPCA Create a facilities inventory list and BMP’s for all city facilities that have the potential to impact stormwater Discussion The City’s SWPPP isavailable for public viewing at the Public Works Department front counter and is also posted on the City’s websiteat www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/stormwater. An advertisement for the public hearing and the plan viewing was posted on May 6 and May 13, 2015prior to the public comment period. Staff has prepared a draft of the City’s annual report, will make a short presentation on the SWPPP, and will report on progress madetoward meeting the MS4 permit goals in 2014. Following the presentation, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission will formally open the meeting floor to public comment. When all comments have been received, staff will address those comments, incorporate the comments, and then finalize the report for submittal to the MPCA. No comments havebeen submitted to the Public Works Department at the time this report was written. Recommendation Staff recommends the Environmental and Natural ResourcesCommission providecomments and open the meeting floor to public comment on the City’s2014 SWPPP annual report. No further action is needed. City staff will compile and address public comments and incorporate them in the final 2014 SWPPP report submittal to MPCA. Attachments 1.Full Maplewood SWPPP can be viewed at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/stormwater 2 Agenda Item 5.c. MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner DATE: May 13, 2015 for the May 18 ENR Commission Meeting SUBJECT: Resolution of Appreciation for Commissioner Randee Edmundson Introduction Commissioner Randee Edmundson has beena member of the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission for five years and two months, serving from February 8, 2010 to April 20, 2015.Commissioner Edmundson resigned from the ENR Commission on April 20, 2015. Recommendation Approve the attached Resolutionof Appreciation for Randee Edmundson for her years of service on the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. Attachment 1.Resolution of Appreciationfor Randee Edmundson Attachment 1 RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION WHEREAS, Randee Edmundson has been a member of the Maplewood Environmental and Natural Resources Commission for five years and two months, serving from February 8, 2010 to April 20, 2015. Ms. Edmundson has served faithfully in those capacities; and WHEREAS, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission has appreciated her experience, insights and good judgment; and WHEREAS, Ms. Edmundson has freely given of her time and energy, without compensation, for the betterment of the City of Maplewood; and WHEREAS, Ms. Edmundson has shown dedication to her duties and has consistently contributed her leadership and efforts for the benefit of the City. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED for and on behalf of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, and its citizens that Randee Edmundson is hereby extended our gratitude and appreciation for her dedicated service. Passed by the Maplewood City Council on June 8, 2015. ______________________________ Nora Slawik, Mayor Passed by the Maplewood Environmental and Natural Resources Commission on May 18, 2015. ______________________________ Dale Trippler, Chairperson Attest: ________________________________ Karen Guilfoile, City Clerk Agenda Item 8.a. St. Pauls Macalester College to go 100 Percent Solar April 20, 2015 KSTP News Story and Article: http://kstp.com/article/stories/s3771500.shtml Macalester College is joining a solar garden that is expected to reduce its energy costs and help create electricity without using fossil fuels. The 2,000-student private college in St. Paul has signed a 25-year deal with Sun Edison, a California company that is the world’s largest renewable energy development company. “The way we are doing this, it is going to make it possible for a significant amount of non fossil- based energy to be generated in Minnesota,” said David Wheaton, vice president ofadministration and finance at Macalester. Macalester spends about $1.2 million a year to provide electricity for 65 buildings on 53 acres that take up 1.4 million square feet. The total utility bill at Macalester is about $2 million. Macalester will continue to buy its electricity from Xcel Energy, and Xcel Energy credits Macalester for what energy gets created by the solar garden. Macalester pays Sun Edison for the solar energy that gets created. A community solar garden is “a facility that generates electricity by means of a ground-mounted or roof-mounted solar photovoltaic device whereby subscribers receive a bill credit for electricity generated in proportion to the size of their subscription,” according to Minnesota law. The plan is that Macalester will reduce its energy bill by 2/3 in 10 years and half in 20 years, Wheaton said. “We like the fact we are able to, in effect, manage energy costs over a long period of time,” Wheaton said. The rate Macalester has arranged with Sun Edison is fixed through 2040. Last year, the legislature made it possible for organizations and businesses to join what are called solar gardens. Solar gardens are a group of five that pool to generate energy through a developer such as Sun Edison. In this case, the solar arrays are being built near Xcel Energy substations in Dakota County. The solar arrays are expected to be ready for use in 2016. Joining the solar garden is the latest sustainability effort for Macalester; the college is also composting and is working toward producing zero waste by 2020. Macalester classes will be allowed to visit the arrays as well as follow along on a computer to see how much energy is being produced. “This work fits nicely for the work we have already done on campus,” Wheaton said. Agenda Item 8.a. Agenda Item 8.b. nd EMBARGOED UNTIL APRIL 22, 20152:00 pm ET Secretary of Education Names 2015 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools and District and Postsecondary Sustainability Awardees Nominated by Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education April 22, 2015 Managing Director of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Christy Goldfuss joined U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to announce that 4schools, 1district, and1college from Minnesota are among the 2015U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. They are: City of Lakes Waldorf School, Minneapolis, MN Harambee Community Cultures/Environmental Science School, Maplewood, MN Redtail Ridge Elementary School, Savage, MN Rockford Middle School-Center for Environmental Studies, Rockford, MN University of Minnesota-Morris, Morris, MN West St Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan School District 197, Mendota Heights, MN These schools are honored for their accomplishments in the three pillars of the award program: 1.Reducing environmental impact 2.Improving health and wellness 3.Providing effective environmental education In total, across the country, 58 schools and 14 districts were honored for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including civics and green career pathways. In addition, 9 colleges and universities were honored for the Postsecondary Sustainability Award. Duncan and Goldfuss made the announcement at the U.S. Department of Education, in Washington, DC. ompelling examples of the ways schools can help children build real-world skillsets, cut school costs, Ribbon Schools are an inspiration and deserve the spotlight for embodying strong examples of innovative learning and civic engagement. We also are thrilled to add institutions of higher education to the list of Schools are selected by an application process that requires the schools to document their accomplishments in each of the three pillars. The Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education use panels of experts to evaluate the applications and determine state finalists. The applications are evaluated by a national panel to select the awardees.The list of all selected schools, districts, colleges, and U.S. Department of Education - 400 Maryland Ave, SW - Washington, DC 20202 www.ed.gov/green-ribbon-schools - www.ed.gov/green-strides 1 universities, as well as their nomination packages, can be found here.A report with highlights on the 81 honorees can be found here. More information on the federal recognition award can be found here. Resources for all schools to move toward the three Pillars can be found here. Information about the Minnesota application process is available here. U.S. Department of Education - 400 Maryland Ave, SW - Washington, DC 20202 www.ed.gov/green-ribbon-schools - www.ed.gov/green-strides 2 Agenda Item 9.a. MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM: Chris Swanson, Environmental Specialist DATE: May 15, 2015for the May 18 ENR Commission Meeting SUBJECT: Spring Clean Up Summary Introduction The SpringClean Upevent was held on Saturday, April 18, 2015,at Aldrich Arena. The City worked with Tennis Sanitation, LLC, as the main contractor for this event. This memorandum summarizes theattendance and materials collected during the event. Background Clean Up Comparisons Following is a comparison of attendance and materials collected during clean up events since 2012. Year Attendance 2015 201220132014 and # of Spring SpringFallSpringClean Up Spring Clean Up Items CampaignCampaign Collected 307 Attendance260266252312 pickup550333 pickup (# of vehicles) 23.8 Tons Garbage 12.5 tons5.94 tons11.31 tons25.4 tons42.16 tons19.285 Tons /MSW 4.59 tons Demo/Constr31.19 tons28.75 tons7.83 tonsN/A7.36 tons N/A uction 60 Appliances 746411571177N/A (#) 10 Tires (# at 3217182040N/A event) 80 Tires (# from 182192152172152N/A illegal dumping and city vehicles) 78 Electronic 12,398 lbs 6,287 lbs14,695 lbs 64302N/A screens, Waste screens, screens, 9,104 lbs 12 misc. 24,002 lbs electronics Year Attendance 2015 201220132014 and # of SpringFallSpringClean Up Spring Clean Up Spring Items CampaignCampaign Collected Mattresses 41657980102N/A51 Recycled (#) 1,000 lbs Furniture 9,000 lbs6,000lbs6,000 lbs0200 lbs N/A Collected for Reuse 2,195 lbs Carpet 800 lbs4,750 lbs2,315 lbs03,410 lbs N/A Recycled 600 lbs Bicycles 1,250 lbs 1,600 lbs850 lbs 01,800lbs N/A 25 bikes Collected for 54 bikes64 Bikes29 bikes73 bikes Reuse 500 lbs Small 9,000 lbs Engines 42 lbs Food/22 lbs76 lbs/39 lbs0102 lbs N/A Donations $30$50 (Second Harvest Heartland) 50 lbs Medicine –74.5 lbs unwanted, expired, unused Volunteersand Staff Thank you to the volunteerswho donated their time and resources to the Spring Clean Up including Mayor Slavik,Council Members Abrams and Juenemann, and Environmental and Natural Resources CommissionersTrippler, Yingling, and Edmundson.Acknowledgement of Maplewood staff who worked during the eventinclude Maplewood Police OfficerPaul Bartzfor organizingthe medicine collection, the Maplewood Police Reserves for assisting with layout and traffic control,and the Environment and Economic Development and Public Work’sstaff who assisted with the clean up. 2015Fall Clean Up Campaign and 2016Spring Clean Up The 2015Fall Clean Up Campaign will be held throughout the month of October.The City will partner with Republic Services, the City-wide trash collector, to collect bulky items curbside at a reduced rate. The 2016Spring Clean Upeventis tentativelyscheduled for April 23, 2016, at Aldrich Arena. 2 Budget Impact Since 2010 the City has subsidized approximately 60 percent of the disposal cost associated with the drop-off clean up events (an average of $9,000 per event). The cost for the 2015 Spring CleanUpwas $10,376.22. SUMMARY No action is required on this item. 3