HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-26 ENR Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 26, 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 7:02
p.m. by Chair Trippler.
2. ROLL CALL
Randee Edmundson, Commissioner Present
Absent
Deborah Fideldy, Commissioner
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
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Staff requested moving agenda item 7 (Visitor Presentations) ahead of item 6 (Unfinished
Business) since there was a visitor at the meeting.
Commissioner Sinn moved to approve the agenda as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Miller moved to approve the February 25, 2015, Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
5. NEW BUSINESS
Republic Services Annual Trash and Yard Waste Performance Review
a.
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on Republic Services
Annual Trash and Yard Waste Performance Review and answered questions of
the commission.
ii. Dan Jurek, Division Manager with Republic Services, Inver Grove Heights,
addressed and answered questions of the commission.
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Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes
The Commission had the following comments:
Where does the City’s yard waste go?
Mr. Jurek responded that yard waste is brought to the SKB Environmental
o
site in Rosemount where it is recycled into compost material.
Can kitchen scraps be added to the yard waste?
Mr. Jurek clarified that kitchen scraps cannot be placed in the yard waste
o
cart. These can be composted at a Ramsey County yard waste site or in a
backyard compost container.
Do the trash trucks have the capability of weighing trash carts so the City can
begin a weighted pay as you throw method?
Mr. Jurek clarified that the RFID chips in the trash carts only allow the City
o
to monitor trash collection dates/times and cart inventory. The technology
for weighing residential trash carts is not very accurate at this time.
Do all of Republic Services’ vehicles use biodiesel fuel?
Mr. Jurek stated yes. However, the company is moving toward
o
compressed natural gas powered trucks.
The Commission complimented the combined trash and recycling flier prepared by
the City’s trash and recycling haulers this year. It was more convenient to have all
of the solid waste information in one place. Next year it would be beneficial to
have more information on ways to reduce waste.
Commissioner Sinn moved to recommend approval of Republic Services’ 2014 Annual Trash and
Yard Waste Report and 2015 Work Plan for the City’s residential trash and yard waste collection
system.
Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Ayes - All
The motion passed.
This item goes to the City Council on April 27, 2015.
6. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
Jenny Eckman, Environmental Science Specialist, Harambee Community Cultures Environmental
Science Magnet School, 30 County Road B East, Maplewood, addressed the commission. Ms.
Eckman is an educator at Harambee Environmental School in Maplewood. Commissioner
Miller’s children attend this school. Ms. Eckman discussed the school’s environmental programs
and opportunities for community partnerships.
Commissioner Mollie Miller stated there is an opportunity for commission members to volunteer to
judge the Energy Fair at the Harambee Community School on April 30, 2015.
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. 2015 ENR Commission Goals – Implementation Strategies
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report
Chair Trippler asked if the Commission would like to form subcommittees to work on each of the
goals. The Commission agreed and the following subcommittees were formed: 1) Environmental
Education – Commissioners Miller, Sinn, and Yingling; 2) Urban Agriculture – Commissioners
Edmundson and Miller; and 3) Stormwater - Chair Trippler and Commissioner Sinn.
All commission members voted ayes all for the three subcommittees and appointed members.
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Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes
8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Earth Hour – March 28, 2015
Staff played a short video on Earth Hour for the public and the Commission.
b. Spring Clean Up – April 18, 2015, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Aldrich Arena)
Staff discussed the upcoming Spring Clean Up where residents can dispose or recycle
bulky items. It will be held April 18, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The City will be collecting
food for the Second Harvest Heartland food shelf during the event. The Environmental
and Natural Resources Commissioners are encouraged to volunteer during the event.
c. Urban Agriculture Tour – June 25, 2015
Staff stated that an Urban Agriculture Tour is scheduled for June 25, 2015. Further
information about this tour will be forwarded to the Urban Agriculture Subcommittee in the
near future.
d. Maplewood Nature Center Programs
Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs.
For more information contact the Maplewood Nature Center at (651) 249-2170.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Trippler adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
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Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes