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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-11-16 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCESCOMMISSION Monday,November 16, 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:October 19, 2015 5.New Business Galilee Lutheran Church Community Garden Concept Plan –1958 Rice a. Street b.Promoting Civility in Public Meetings and Parliamentary Procedures 6.Unfinished Business 7.Visitor Presentations 8.Commission Presentations 9.Staff Presentations(oral reports) a.Tree Ordinance Update–November 23 City Council b.Community Solar Garden Collaborative Update c.Urban Agriculture –Zoning Review Update d.Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Position Update e.Nature Center Programs 10.Adjourn Agenda Item 4 MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday,October 19, 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 to order at 7:03 p.m.by Chair Trippler. 2.ROLL CALL Mollie Miller, Vice ChairPresent Ann Palzer, CommissionerPresent Ryan Ries, CommissionerPresent Tom Sinn, CommissionerPresent Dale Trippler, ChairPresent Absent Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Nick Carver, Building Official & Interim Environmental and Economic Development Director City Council Liaison Present Kathleen Juenemann, City Councilmemberpresent until 7:10 p.m. 3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Palzermoved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by CommissionerMillerAyes – All The motion passed. 4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Sinn stated his name was omitted from the vote to approve the July20, 2015 ENR Commission meeting minutes and should be added. Chairperson Trippler stated in 5. c.,third line of the paragraph, Mollie Miller’s name was reflected twice. CommissionerSinnmoved to approve the September 21, 2015, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by CommissionerMiller.Ayes – All The motion passed. October 19, 2015 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes 5.NEW BUSINESS a.Resolution of Appreciation for Deborah Fideldy i.Environmental Planner, ShannFinwall gave the reportandthe resolution of appreciation for ENR Commissioner Deborah Fideldy. Chairperson Tripplermoved toapprove the resolution of appreciation for Deborah Fideldy. Seconded by CommissionerMiller.Ayes –All The motion passed. 6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS a.Urban Agriculture–Zoning Review i.Environmental Planner, ShannFinwall gave the report on Urban Agriculture– Zoning Review and answered questions of the commission. ii.City Council Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann addressed the commission. iii.Building Official, Nick Carver addressed and answered questions of commission. The ENR Commission reviewed the staff report and supporting documents and had the following comments and feedbackfor the Urban Agriculture Subcommittee as they move forward with the zoning review: Review whether placing all of the urban agriculture language in one area is more efficient that interspersing it throughout the Citycode. Review the chicken ordinance to see if changes are needed. Allowing community gardens on right of way or easements. Pesticide use. Sale of produce. St. Paul Urban Agriculture ordinance is a good place to start the review. City Councilmember Kathleen Juenemann stated that she has reviewed the Urban Agriculture issue briefly with the City Council during a workshop. She wanted the ENR Commission to know that the feedback she received from the City Council was positive and she is excited to see the results of the study. Commissioner Miller recommended the Urban Agriculture Subcommittee continue their zoning reviewwith guidance as outlined above. Seconded by CommissionerSinn.Ayes –All The motionpassed. 7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS a.Pollinator Policy Forum –October 22 October 19, 2015 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall discussed the upcoming Pollinator Policy Forumwhich is scheduled for October 22, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center. The forum is hosted by Representative Leon Lillie and moderated by Representative Rick Hansen. b.Strategic Materials and Resource Recovery Technologies Tour –Wednesday, October 28, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall mentioned the strategic materials tour which will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2015. The ENR Commission and City Council have been invited to attend the tour. The ride share van will leave City Hall at 4:30 p.m. Thefirst tour of Strategic Materials will begin at 5 p.m. The second tour at Resource Recovery Technologies will begin at 6:30 p.m. The ride share van will be back at City Hall by 8 p.m. The tour was arranged by Tennis Sanitation and Republic Services as part of their 2015 Work Plans. c.Tree Ordinance Update –November 9 City Council Workshop i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall stated the tree ordinance will be heard at thecity council workshop on November 9, 2015 at 5:30p.m. d.Community Solar Garden Collaborative Update i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an updateon the Community Solar Garden Collaborativeand the next steps in the process.There were 31 organizations that had submitted letters of intent to the Metropolitan Council for the Community Solar Garden Collaborative. The Metropolitan Council has released the request for proposals and has received five proposals by the deadline. Those proposals are currently under review. Once released to the organizations, there will be 30 days in which to review and submit interest in the solar garden subscriptionopportunity.The Metropolitan Council will be hosting a webinar which will review the proposals. The Community Solar Garden subcommittee hasbeen invited to the webinar. Additional details will follow. ii.Building Official, Nick Carver answered questions of the commission. e.Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Master Water Stewards i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an update on the Ramsey- Washington Metro Watershed District Master Water Stewards. The courses begin January 19, 2016 and are held locally every other Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. through July 12, 2016.The watershed district is covering the cost of the courses. The ENR Commission might be interested in this course as stormwater management was one of their 2015 goals. Contact staff for further information. f.Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Ballandby, GreenCorps Member i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an update on Joe Ballandby, GreenCorps Member who has moved onto a new endeavorworking with a youth outreach program in Utah.The ENR Commission had requested staff draft a resolution of appreciation for Joe’s service with the City assisting with and promoting the City’s energy goals. Chairperson Trippler moved to approve theresolution of appreciation for GreenCorps Member, Joe Ballandby. The motion passed. g.Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Position Update (oral report) October 19, 2015 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes i.Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall said she will get further information on when interviews will be held for the vacancy on the ENR and on the status of Chairperson Trippler’s reappointment application. h.NatureCenter Programs i.Environmental Planner, ShannFinwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs. For more information visit the Nature Center’s webpage at www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/960/Nature-Centeror contact themat (651) 249-2170. 10.ADJOURNMENT Chair Trippler adjourned the meeting at 8:15p.m. October 19, 2015 4 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes Agenda 5.a. MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner DATE: November 12, 2015 for the November 16 ENR Commission Meeting SUBJECT: Galilee Lutheran Church Community Garden Concept Plan – 1958 Rice Street Introduction Representatives of Galilee Lutheran Church are proposing to create a community garden in the vacant property located at 1958 Rice Street. The property was the previous site of Zittle Landscaping and was recently purchased by the St. Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS). SPRWS is willing to lease the land to the church for the community gardenfor an undetermined amount of time.Galilee Church, which is located directly across the street from the property, will be the fiscal agent, sign the contract, andunderwrite the liability insurancefor the community garden. Background Urban agriculture is one of the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission’s 2015 goals. Over the last few months the Commission has been conducting a study of the City’s ordinances and policies to make recommendations that will remove barriers and promote urban agriculture, while ensuring no negative impacts to surrounding properties. The ENR Commission will bring the recommendations to the Planning Commission in an upcoming meeting. The community garden proposal represents one of the barriersin the City’s zoning code to urban agriculture. The property is zoned Business Commercial. The City’s zoning code does not specifically permit or prohibit community gardens. Public uses, however,are allowed in all zoning districts with a conditional use permit.In addition, parking lots must be constructed of hard surface. The cost of the conditional use permit and the hard surface parking lot can prove cost prohibitive to a non-profit organization proposing a community garden. Discussion What is Urban Agriculture? Urban agriculture is the practice of growing, processing, and distributing fresh food by people living in urban areas. Urban agriculture includes a wide range of activities related to food, including community gardens, farms, farmer’s markets and more. 1 What are the benefits of Urban Agriculture? Following are some of the benefits of promoting urban agriculture in the City: Foodaccess Health, public safety Community building Education Environment Civic engagement Bridge urban-rural divide Local economic development Community Garden Concept Plan Galilee Lutheran Churchhas submittedan outlineand site plan of their proposed community gardens(Attachment1 and 2).The concept planshows158 garden plotsthat are 16’ x 20’ in area.There is a Manage A wetland onthe property, which requiresa 100foot bufferaccording tothe City’s wetland ordinance.Thegarden plots are shown outside ofthe buffer area. Fifteen parking spaces willbe designated on the existing Class5 parking area(previouslya driveway and parkingfor ZittLandscaping).Water will be suppliedfroma wellon the McCarron’s Pub propertylocated to thenorthof the property. McCarron’s Pub willbe installing city water servicesand the privatewellwillbe available,and can be used,for irrigation purposes.It appearsthat the proposal callsfor the removal ofsometrees.The applicants shouldbe aware that removal of significanttreesonthesite willrequire treereplacement according to theCity’s tree preservation ordinance.Agarden shed is proposed in the center of the site, along with fencing aroundthe entiregarden area. Recommendation Representatives from Galilee Lutheran Church and other organizations involved in the community garden will be present during the Planning Commission meeting to give a presentation of their community garden concept plan. The Planning Commission should review the community garden concept plan and offercomment and feedback. Attachments 1.Galilee Lutheran Church Community Garden Outline 2.Galilee Lutheran Church Community Garden Site Plan 2 Attachment 1 Subject: November Board Agenda Item - Proposed Community Garden on Rice Street We represent a group of organizations and citizens interested in creating a community garden on 1958 Rice St. This 12+ acres of vacant land located north of Roselawn and south of 36 was recently purchased by the St Paul Regional Water Service. (see map).They have no current plans for the land and they have agreed to lease the land to us for an undetermined length of time, for use as a community garden, with the understanding that when they need the land we will no longer have access to it. This property is located at the intersection of 3 major cities and thus has the unique opportunity to benefit the residents of not only of Maplewood but Southeast Roseville and St. Paul. A community garden will have minimal adverse environmental effects and infact will maximize the preservation of the nearby riparian zone. It would not change the existing character of the surrounding area. Nor would it create excessive additional costs for public facilities or services. I am sure you are aware of the many benefits of a community garden. They not only provide food for the gardeners but they can bring people together from a wide variety of backgrounds. Community gardening is recognized by many police departments as an effective community crime prevention strategy. As you may be aware, within blocks of this property there are many apartment buildings with a diverse population including many Hmong and Karen immigrants. Many of these people were subsistence farmers who now have very limited access to land. For many ofthem having access to land would not only provide food but also provide a form of stress release that any gardener knows can only come from working in the dirt. This piece of land historically was Zittel’s Greenhouse so its seems appropriate to allow thecommunity to garden there until the Water Board has a defined use for the property. Our hope is that by starting these discussions now, we can have all the necessary pieces in place so that gardening can begin in the spring of 2016. We have begun to build a strong and diversified coalition of supporters for the garden including Arrive Minnesota, the Karen Organization of Minnesota, Interfaith Action of Greater St Paul and Galilee Lutheran Church. Galilee Church, which is directly across the street from the property has agreed to be our fiscal agent, to sign the contract and to underwrite the liability insurance. There are a number of other churches in the area that are supportive of this project as well. We also have spoken to George Sonnen, the owner of McCarrons Pub which is the business directly adjacent to the property. He has no objections and in fact has generously offered to allow us to use his well for water, as long as he gets connected to city water, which he anticipates happening prior to next summer. The garden would be managed by a Committee. There would be an elected Garden Coordinator to oversee the project in its entirety, a Treasurer to handle the money generated by fundraising and the plot rental fee (if there is one, TBD), and a Garden Steward who would be in charge of general maintenance of the garden and to make sure that all the gardeners are maintaining their individual Attachment 1 plots. Of course, all costs for the community garden project would be covered by the Garden Committee and the gardeners. We anticipate having an gardening agreement that all gardeners would be required to sign. Our gardeners will be not be allowed to use chemicals. We will use compost to enrich the soil. We have done soil tests and the soil is safe for gardening. We do not plan on building any permanent structures. We will need a storage shed for tools but it will be a temporary structure such as an 8x10 utility shed that can be purchased at the local hardware store and that one finds in many backyards. It is very difficult to estimate the number of cars that the garden will generate. We know from speaking with other people who run community gardens that most gardeners do not show up at the same time. Many of the gardeners carpool, and they come at all hours of daylight, so they are spread out through the day. Harvest Gardens in Maplewood (on Hazelwood and Cty Road C) told us that even with 1152 gardeners the most cars at any one time they have is about 35 and that generally happens a few weeks in the spring when everyone is planting their gardens. Generally there are much fewer cars. Since we are proposing a garden with only 150 plots, we don’t expect to have more than 10 gardeners at any one time. The Rice Street garden would be drawing on people from the neighborhood so we suspect that many will walk and because it is on a bus line, some may take the bus. Therefore, the garden will have virtually no effect on the traffic on Rice Street. There is a signal light at Roselawn where people walking to the garden can cross. We have included a map of the property and our current proposed design. This of course is a very rough draft that will be finalized with the approval of the City of Maplewood as well as the SPRWS. As you can see we are a well-organized group of interested neighborhood residents committed to the creation and continued upkeep of a community garden in this community. Thank you in advance for allowing us to speak at the November Board meeting about our proposed community garden project on the SPRWS property at 1958 Rice St. We look forward to presenting this exciting opportunity to you. Respectfully, Ron Peterson (member of Galilee Lutheran Church across from the site) ronald.peterson1@mac.com, 651 483-2394 or 612 799-0818 Pastor Dana (pastor of Galilee Lutheran Church dnelson.galilee@gmail.com, 651 499-6769 Katheryn Schneider, St Paul citizen and gardener, katheryn.l.schneider@gmail.com, 651 485-3856 Attachment 2 RICE ST Agenda Item 5.b. MEMORANDUM TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission FROM: Karen Haag, Director Citizen Services DATE: October 15, 2015 SUBJECT: Promoting Civility in Public Meetings and Parliamentary Procedures Introduction The Cityof Maplewood currently has eight active advisory groups categorized as commissions and boards. Commission and board members are volunteers who are appointed by the City Councilandserve at the pleasure of the CityCouncil. Background During the April 27, 2015 CityCouncil meeting, Council appointed the CityClerkposition to serve as the parliamentarian for CityCouncil meetings. At the July 27, 2015 Council meeting, the Council adopted changes to Section 9 of their “Policy and Procedures Manual for CityCouncil and Council Meetings” that pertains to rules of civility for our community. The Council has also directed that these guidelines (rules) of civility should be followed not just at CityCouncil meetings, butfor all at all meetings under the jurisdiction of the CityCouncil(i.e. boards, commissions, tasks force meetings, etc.). The Council also hopes that the community will abide by these rules when attending CityCouncil meetings. Following is Section 9 of the CityCouncil Policy and Procedures Manual for CityCouncil and Council Meetingsas it has been adopted: RULES OF CIVILITY FOR THE CITYCOUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OUR COMMUNITY Following are rules of civility the Cityof Maplewood expects of everyone appearing at Council Meetings, elected and appointed officials, staff and citizens. It is hoped that by following these simple rules, everyone’s opinions can be heard and understood in a reasonable manner. We appreciate the fact that when appearing at Council meetings, it isunderstood that everyone will follow these principles: Speak only for yourself, not for other Councilmembers or citizens - unless specifically tasked by your colleagues to speak for the group or for citizens in the form of a petition. Show respect during comments and/or discussions, listen actively and do not interrupt or talk amongst each other 1 Be respectful of the process, keeping order and decorum. Do not be critical of councilmembers, staff or others in public. Be respectful of each other’stime keeping remarks brief, to the point and non-repetitive. Also, the Council has directed that staff liaisons act as a parliamentarian for their respective boards and commissions. The parliamentarian is versed in parliamentary procedures and provides explanations to situations and questions that may arise that are covered by Roberts Rules of Order. The parliamentarian also supports the Chair in maintaining order and adhering to rules established by the CityCouncil in how the meetings are to be conducted. The parliamentarian adheres to and enforces policies and procedures to ensure that there are no violations of the Open Meeting Law. The rules of order are meant to create an atmosphere where the members of the body and the public can attend meetings that are conducted efficiently, fairly and with participation of the governing bodyand public alike. It is the duty of the Chairto cut off discussion that is too personal, attacking, loud or interruptive. This duty may also be exercised by the parliamentarian. For example, if there is a motion on the floor and discussion begins that is not germane to the matter at hand, a point of order may be raised to call the vote or to return to discussing the matter at hand. Or, clarifications of a vote may be recommended so that the record is clear(i.e. friendly amendments, withdrawing second motions, etc.). Agenda Page 15 of the current Commission Handbook states the following: An agenda for each meeting of a Citycommission is prepared by the staff liaison in consultation with the chair. Theagenda outlines the topics or items of business that will be introduced, discussed, and acted upon at each meeting.Agendas must be available at the CityClerk’s office at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.Agenda items are to always have an accompanying report. Placing Items on the Agenda A commissioner may request an item be considered on a future agenda and, upon consensus of a majority of thecommission, staff will prepare a staff report if formal commission action is necessary. In review of meetings we have found that the Commission has added items to the agenda under New Business without a report or prior notification.This item should have been added under Commission Presentation for discussion and then placed on a future agenda for information and a vote.Items are not be added to the agenda during a meeting unless they are extremely time sensitiveexcept for under “Commission Presentations”.Items that are under Commission 2 Presentations are items that do not require a vote.It is rare that the CityCouncil adds to their agenda. A member of the public may request an item be placed on a future agenda during public comment or through othercommunications with commission members, and upon consensus of a majority of the commission; a staff report willbe prepared and approved by the CityManager or his/her designee, in this case the staff liaison. Individuals attending meetings, outside of those that are invited to speak to an item that is on the agenda, should speak during Visitor Presentations. Visitors are to direct their comments to the Chair, not to staff. Visitor Presentation is not a time of debate, but rather atime that visitors can bring items to the Commission for future discussion and possible agenda items. Recommendation This report is provided for informational purposes and will be revisited upon completion of the 2016 Board and Commission Handbook. 3