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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-15 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 5:30 P.M., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 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 5:32 p.m. by Chair Trippler. 2. ROLL CALL Mollie Miller, Vice Chair Present Absent Ann Palzer, Commissioner Ryan Ries, Commissioner Present Tom Sinn, Commissioner Present Dale Trippler, Chair Present Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Miller moved to approve the November 16, 2015, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Sinn. Ayes – Chair Trippler Commissioner’s Miller, Ries & Sinn Abstention – Commissioner Yingling The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Fish Creek Master Plan Update i. Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, gave the update on the Fish Creek Master Plan and addressed and answered questions of the Commission. December 15, 2015 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Updates to the Fish Creek Master Plan Include:  Addition of parking and a shelter building on the south side of Fish Creek.  Amenities near Carver Avenue.  Programmed camping area on County land to teach camping skills (not open camp rentals).  Minor adjusts to the trail based on standards to ensure accessibility.  Deed restrictions require 62 acres of the site to remain as conservation land (does not include eight acres near Carver Avenue). The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is open to receiving a proposal that includes a building or shelter for nature programming in the former home site on Henry Lane. Commissioner Yingling moved to approve updates to the Fish Creek Master Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Ayes – Chair Trippler, Commissioner’s Miller, Sinn & Yingling Abstention – Commissioner Ries Commissioner Ries abstained from voting because he works for Ramsey County Parks. The motion passed. b. Pollinator Resolution i. Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor, gave the report on the pollinator resolution. There are four main actions in the proposed resolution.  The City shall undertake its best efforts to become a pollinator-friendly City by undertaking best management practices to protect pollinators on public lands within the City.  The City shall develop a policy for the use of insecticides and utilize best practices to limit the use of systemic insecticides on city property including insecticides from the neonicotinoid family and will request commercial applications are free of systemic insecticides including neonicotinoids.  The City shall undertake its best efforts to plant native plants and plants favorable to bees and other pollinators in the City’s public spaces.  The City shall undertake its best efforts to communicate to Maplewood residents the importance of creating and maintaining pollinator-friendly habitat and will encourage residents and businesses to use pollinator-friendly practices. Commissioner Yingling moved to recommend approval of the pollinator resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. December 15, 2015 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Tree Ordinance Update The first reading is scheduled for December 14, 2015. The second reading is scheduled for December 21, 2015. b. State of Maplewood Mayoral Address January 14, 2016, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center c. Community Solar Garden Collaborative Update The Metropolitan Council is still under negotiations with contractors of the community solar gardens. d. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Position Update The City has advertised to fill the open positions. e. 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 6:28 p.m. December 15, 2015 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes