HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-19 ENR Minutes
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 Chair Present
Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present
Ryan Ries, Commissioner Present
Tom Sinn, Commissioner Present
Dale Trippler, Chair Present
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 Councilmember present until 7:10 p.m.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Palzer moved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Miller Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Sinn stated his name was omitted from the vote to approve the July 20, 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.
Commissioner Sinn moved to approve the September 21, 2015, Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission meeting minutes as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
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5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Resolution of Appreciation for Deborah Fideldy
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report and the resolution of
appreciation for ENR Commissioner Deborah Fideldy.
Chairperson Trippler moved to approve the resolution of appreciation for Deborah Fideldy.
Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Urban Agriculture – Zoning Review
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall 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 feedback for 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 City code.
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
review with guidance as outlined above.
Seconded by Commissioner Sinn. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None present.
8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
None.
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9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Pollinator Policy Forum – October 22
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall discussed the upcoming Pollinator Policy
Forum which 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. The first 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
the city council workshop on November 9, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.
d. Community Solar Garden Collaborative Update
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an update on the Community Solar
Garden Collaborative and 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
subscription opportunity. The Metropolitan Council will be hosting a webinar which
will review the proposals. The Community Solar Garden subcommittee has been
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 endeavor working 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 the resolution of appreciation for
GreenCorps Member, Joe Ballandby.
The motion passed.
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g. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Position Update (oral report)
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. Nature Center Programs
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall presented the upcoming Nature Center
Programs. For more information visit the Maplewood Nature Center’s webpage at
www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/960/Nature-Center or contact them at (651) 249-2170.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Trippler adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
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