HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-17 ENR Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
7:00 p.m., Monday, July 17, 2017
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 Palzer.
2. ROLL CALL
Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Present
Mollie Miller, Commissioner Present until 8:35 p.m.
Ann Palzer, Chair Present
Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present
Ryan Ries, Vice Chair Absent
Tom Sinn, Commissioner Present
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Miller moved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Sinn. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Miller requested an amendment to the minutes on page 2, item 8 a. adding
“Commissioner Miller stated that the commission should also consider recommending the city
sign onto the Compact of Mayors, which is a global initiative to reduce emissions.”
Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the June 19, 2017, Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission meeting minutes as amended.
Seconded by Commissioner Miller. Ayes –All
The motion passed.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Overview
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an overview of the 2040
Comprehensive Plan. The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission will
review Chapter 3 Sustainability (now called the Resiliency Chapter) and Chapter 7
Natural Resources. The Commission should make recommendations on changes
or new language for the chapters by October. The Commission’s
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recommendations will then be forwarded to the Comprehensive Plan Steering
Committee. The draft Comprehensive Plan is scheduled for completion in early
spring, at which time it is forwarded to the Metropolitan Council and surrounding
communities for review. The final plan must be adopted by the end of 2018.
Environmental Planner Finwall indicated that Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor
would be present during the August Commission meeting to review the Natural Resources
Chapter. That chapter was developed with the assistance of ecologists from Applied
Ecological Services. Much of that chapter is still relevant.
The Commission created a Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee to be made up of three
Commissioners that will review and research the new Resiliency Chapter.
Commissioners Miller, Redmond, and Sinn were appointed to the subcommittee. The
subcommittee will present research and findings and offer draft language for review by the
full Commission.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Urban Agriculture – Zoning Review
i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the update on the Urban Agriculture.
During tonight’s meeting the commission will finalize the review of crop agriculture
and begin discussions on direct consumer sales.
The ENR Commission finalized their review of crop agriculture and began discussions on
direct to consumer sales. Staff will bring back changes to the Commission for review and
approval. The urban agriculture zoning review is scheduled to be complete by the end of
the year.
7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None present.
8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Emerald Ash Borer Update
The ENR Commission reviewed a plan in 2011 which was adapted by the City Council.
The Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor will be addressing the ENR
commission in August to give an update on the Emerald Ash Borer policy and be looking
for input from the ENR Commission.
b. Capital Improvement Plan - Tuesday, July 18, 2017, 7 p.m.
During the Planning Commission Meeting there will be a public hearing about the CIP
Plan. The City Council will make the final decision on the CIP in December 2017.
c. National Night Out – Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Tuesday, August 1, 2017, from 5 to 9 p.m. is National Night Out. Many neighborhoods
throughout Maplewood will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties,
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cookouts, mini carnivals and visits from police and fire personnel. Contact the Maplewood
Police Department or visit the website at www.maplewoodmn.gov click on the National
Night out image for information on how to participate. If there are any volunteers contact
staff.
d. Master Water Stewards – Tuesday, August 8, 2017
The master water stewards is recruiting the next cohort of stewards. The fresh water
society developed the master water stewards program in 2013 to equip citizens with the
knowledge and skills needed to improve water quality at the grass roots level. You
volunteer 50 hours of community service in the initial year of certificate, at least 25 hours
each subsequent year and attend 8 hours of continuing education to maintain the
certification. Go to the website www.masterwatershedstewards.org for more information
on this program.
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 Palzer adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m.
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