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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-18 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 18, 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 7:03 p.m. by Chair Palzer. 2. ROLL CALL Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Present Mollie Miller, Commissioner Absent Ann Palzer, Chair Present Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present Ryan Ries, Vice Chair Present Tom Sinn, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner City Council Liaison Present Kathleen Juenemann, City Councilmember 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Staff requested to take a photo of the Environmental Commission at the end of the meeting. Commissioner Ries moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Sinn moved to approve the July 17, 2017, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Buttleman. Ayes – Chairperson Palzer, Commissioner’s Buttleman, Redmond & Sinn Abstention – Commissioner Ries The motion passed. Commissioner Sinn moved to approve the August 21, 2017, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. September 18, 2017 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Seconded by Commissioner Ries. Ayes – Chairperson Palzer, Commissioner’s Buttleman, & Sinn Abstentions – Commissioner Redmond & Commissioner Ries The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS None. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Comp Plan 2040 – Resiliency Chapter Review i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the Comp Plan 2040 - Resiliency Chapter Review and answered questions of the Commission. ii. Environmental Commissioner, Ted Redmond, Pale Blue Dot LLC, gave a presentation to the Commission regarding the Solar Potential Study and answered questions of the Commission. iii. Candace Okeson, Maplewood resident and newly appointed ENR Commissioner (beginning October 2017), addressed the Commission regarding solar energy. iv. City Council Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann, addressed the Commission. The ENR Commission discussed the energy goals for the Resiliency Chapter and recommended the following: 1. The City follow the state energy goal guidelines of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 20 percent of the City’s 2015 baseline levels by 2050 (an 80 percent reduction). a. The City establish interim goals every 5 to 10 years to assure City emission reductions track against the primary goal outlined above, and to adjust policies and strategies as needed. b. The City’s first interim goal is to reduce City-Wide greenhouse gas emissions to 80% of 2015 Baseline levels by 2025 (a 20 percent reduction). c. Future interim goals will be established by the City at the completion of the first interim timeframe. 2. Obtain a minimum of 50 percent of all electric energy from renewable sources by 2040. a. This goal projects a minimum of 20 percent in on-site solar PV generation within the City. b. The balance of renewable energy requirements would be met through Xcel Energy’s 31.5 percent renewable portfolio requirement. c. A sub-goal of achieving 34 percent (5.5 on-site solar PV by 2022), and 44 percent (15 percent on-site solar PV) by 2030. 3. Adopt a Climate Action and Adaptation Plan that includes goals and implementation strategies for dealing with the effects of climate change. September 18, 2017 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 4. Modify the City’s operating procedures and annual budgets to implement the Climate Action and Adaption goals. The Comp Plan Subcommittee will meet in early October to review the local foods section of the Resiliency Chapter. The draft local foods’ goals and the overall draft Resiliency Chapter will then be presented to the ENR Commission during the October meeting. The Comp Plan Steering Committee is scheduled to review the draft Resiliency Chapter in November. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS City Council Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann, addressed the Commission about the Rice Street - Larpenteur Avenue Gateway Corridor. The cities of Maplewood, Roseville and St Paul are creating a vision plan for the Rice Street-Larpenteur Avenue Gateway Corridor. Throughout 2017 the cities will be cooperatively developing a vision for the short-and long-term future of the area. The purpose of the project is to understand and respond to barriers, challenges, benefits and opportunities associated with changes in land use, access, transit services, and other facilities around key nodes in the corridor; and identify potential redevelopment sites throughout the study area. A final vision plan for the area should be complete by December 2017. For more information visit the Rice-Larpenteur website at www.riceandlarpenteur.com. 7. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 8. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Terms and Appointment i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall said the three-year terms for Commissioner Sinn and Miller will end September 2017. The City Council will review those reappointments the end of September or early in October. Mary Henderson resigned from the Commission in early 2017, creating a vacancy on the ENR Commission. Candace Okeson was recently appointed to fill that vacancy. Her first meeting will be Monday, October 16, 2017. b. Update on Maplewood Community Center Solar Panels i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an update on the removal of the solar panels at the Maplewood Community Center. YMCA’s lease of the building with the City of Maplewood required the City repair the roof. The solar panels will be placed in storage until it has been determined if they can be put back on the roof. ii. City Council Liaison, Kathleen Juenemann, explained that the panels no longer have a warranty, and the cost to reinstall them might not be financial feasible. But the City is looking at all alternatives at this time. iii. Maplewood Resident, Kevin Berglund, addressed the Commission about the Maplewood Community Center solar panels and other matters. c. Update on Community Solar Garden Subscription Agreement i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an update on the Solar Garden Subscription Agreement with Geronimo Energy. The original date of completion was December 31, 2017 but the City was asked to sign an extension to the agreement in the event of unforeseen weather issues. The extension date is April 30, 2018. d. Update on Rush Line i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave an update on the Rush Line. The Rush Line is a proposed bus rapid transit line that will run from Union Depot in St. September 18, 2017 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Paul to Forest Lake, generally following the Vento Trail through Maplewood. The corridor has been identified but there are additional studies that will take place over the next few years. Once the City is involved in the station area planning, the ENR Commission may be asked to review environmental issues. e. Fall Clean Up Campaign – Four Weeks in October i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall discussed the Fall Clean-Up Campaign. Throughout the month of October the City’s contracted trash hauler, Republic Services, will be offering reduced-price curbside bulky item collection. To schedule curbside collection, contact Republic Services at 651-455-8634. f. Nature Center Programs i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall presented the upcoming Nature Center Programs. For more information contact the Maplewood Nature Center at 651- 249-2170. The ENR Commission will take a group photo after the meeting is adjourned. 9. ADJOURNMENT Chair Palzer adjourned the meeting at 8:57 p.m. September 18, 2017 4 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes