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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-07-18 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 18, 2016 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 7:05 p.m. by Chair Miller. 2. ROLL CALL Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Present Mary Henderson, Commissioner Absent Mollie Miller, Chair Present Ann Palzer, Commissioner Absent Ryan Ries, Commissioner Present Tom Sinn, Vice Chair Present Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Buttleman moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Sinn. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Ries moved to approve the June 20, 2016, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes – All The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. GreenStep Cities – Step 4 Award i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the GreenStep Cities Step 4 Award. Maplewood received the highest recognition in the GreenStep Cities program during the June League of Minnesota Cities conference in St. Paul. Step 4 is awarded to cities that begin to measure their sustainability best practices. The GreenStep Cities program coordinators are now designing the final recognition in the program – Step 5 – which will challenge cities to show improvement in the sustainability measurements. More July 18, 2016 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes information can be found on the City’s GreenStep Cities webpage at www.maplewoodmn.gov/greenstepcities b. City of Maplewood Greenhouse Gas Assessment – Presentation by Ted Redmond, Co-Founder of Pale Blue Dot, LLC. i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the item and the presenter Ted Redmond. ii. Co-Founder of Pale Blue Dot, LLC, Ted Redmond, gave the presentation on the greenhouse gas assessment and answered questions of the commission. The GreenStep Cities – Step 4 metrics require that a City measure its city-wide and city- operation GHG. In 2016 Ted Redmond, co-founder of Pale Blue Dot, LLC, and a resident of Maplewood, donated his services to the City to complete a GHG baseline assessment. For additional information visit the City’s website at http://www.ci.maplewood.mn.us/1639/Greenhouse-Gas-Assessment 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Urban Agriculture – Zoning Review i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the update on the Urban Agriculture Zoning Review and answered questions of the Commission. The Commission discussed the following:  Maximum number of chickens should be based on the size of the lot, with an overall maximum of 30 to 50 chickens.  Change the requirement for 100 percent neighborhood approval to a majority of neighbor approval.  Backyard beekeeping - add language that promotes backyard beekeeping with some regulations including a definition of bees and the location of the hive from the property line.  Aquaculture – change the language to allow aquaculture in the M-1 zoning district. Look into laws regarding the release of invasive species into the waterways. Staff will bring further information back to the commission. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS th Glenn Olson, Vice Chair on the North St. Paul Environmental Commission, 2027 – 17 Avenue East, North St. Paul, addressed the Commission. Mr. Olson stated North St. Paul completed Step 3 in the GreenStep Cities program. Mr. Olson said he was curious how the ENR Commission in Maplewood operates so he decided to attend a meeting and hopes that the two commissions can work on projects together in the future. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. National Night out – August 2, 2016 Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall explained that National Night Out is scheduled for nd Tuesday, August 2. The Commission is invited to join staff while attending National Night Out parties to educate and promote Maplewood’s environmental programs. In July 18, 2016 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes particular, staff will be visiting parties to promote the upcoming Energize Your Congregation! Energy Challenge. b. Solar Garden Subscription Agreement Update The City Council approved the community solar garden subscription agreement. With the agreement, Maplewood will advance its renewable energy goals and will see a savings of $201,707 in rebates to our electric bill over a 25 year time period. The community solar garden is proposed to be constructed in Scandia, Minnesota. The garden is scheduled to be complete by early next year. c. Nature Center Programs Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs. For more information visit the Nature Center’s website at www.maplewoodmn.gov/nc. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chair Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. July 18, 2016 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes