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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-15 ENR Minutes (2) MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 15, 2019 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 Acting Chair Palzer. 2. ROLL CALL Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Present Joe Gould, Commissioner Present Mollie Miller, Vice Chair Absent Candace Okeson, Commissioner Absent Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present Ted Redmond, Chair Absent Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Meg Hannasch, Sustainability Intern Maplewood Nature Center Representatives Present Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist Carole Gernes, Naturalist Oakley Biesanz, Naturalist 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Buttleman moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Gould. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Gould moved to approve the June 17, 2019, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Buttleman. Ayes – Acting Chair Palzer, & Commissioner Gould Abstention – Commissioner Buttleman The motion passed. July 15, 2019 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Maplewood Nature Center Master Plan i. Maplewood Nature Center Lead Naturalist Ann Hutchinson and Naturalist Carole Gernes, introduced themselves and gave the report on the Nature Center Master Plan. Ann Hutchinson reported that the Maplewood Nature Center’s vision is to be the City’s hub for environmental education, natural resources management, and stewardship. The master plan takes a comprehensive look at the Nature Center’s operations and facilities, and suggests updates or additions to programming. It addresses maintenance and operations of the Nature Center and works to ensure that the facilities are not only adequate, but positioned to meet the demands of the next 20 years efficiently and effectively. The plan includes implementation strategies to make sure that future investments are grounded in a strategic vision for the Nature Center. Commissioner Buttleman moved to recommend the Maplewood Nature Center Master Plan to the city council. Seconded by Commissioner Gould. Ayes – All The motion passed. b. Environmental Purchasing Policy i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the environmental purchasing policy presentation and answered questions of the commission. ii. Sustainability Intern, Meg Hannasch gave the environmental purchasing policy presentation. The Commissioners reviewed the environmental purchasing policy and had the following comments:  Include a statement of support, something that describes how the policy works.  The policy should include some sort of metrics to determine if improvements are being made.  Consider adding details on buying local. Sustainability Intern Hannasch states that the Environmental Purchasing Policy will go back to the Green Team for additional review and updates. Once the updates are complete, the Green Team will work with City management to conduct an education campaign for City staff on the updated policy. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. July 15, 2019 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. GreenStep Cities – Step 5 Award Congratulations to the City of Maplewood for achieving the Step 5 GreenStep Cities award. b. Outreach Opportunities – 2019 Park and Recreation Events City staff presented the upcoming Parks and Recreation events planned in the City. These events offer an opportunity for the ENR Commission to do environmental education and outreach. c. Solar Power Hour – July 18, 2019 This will be held at the MCC from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Heritage Room. d. National Night Out – August 6, 2019 National Night out is coordinated with the police and fire department. The ENR Commission is invited to attend one or more National Night Out parties to do environmental education and outreach. e. State Fair EcoExperience – August 29, 2019 Maplewood has been invited to participate in the Eco Experience to display our clean energy actions. ENR Commissioners are asked to volunteer for a three hour shift during the event. f. Maplewood Nature Center Programs For more information contact the Maplewood Nature Center at (651) 249-2170. 10. ADJOURNMENT Acting Chair Palzer adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. July 15, 2019 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes