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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-16 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, March 16, 2020 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road B East 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: a. December 16, 2019 b. February 26, 2020 5. New Business a. Environmental Priorities Work Session 6. Unfinished Business 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Commissioner Presentations 9. Staff Presentations (oral reports) a. Century College Climate Action Fair—April 8 b. Spring Clean Up —April 18 C. Earth Day—April 22 d. All Parks Clean Up —April 25 e. Maplewood Nature Center Programs 10. Adjourn Agenda Item 4.a. MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 16, 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 Absent *on leave until May/June 2020 Mollie Miller, Vice Chair Absent Candace Okeson, Commissioner Present Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present Ted Redmond, Chair Absent Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Buttleman moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Okeson. Ayes —All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Okeson moved to approve the October 21, 2019, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Ayes —All The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Solid Waste Management Ordinance and Standards i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on Solid Waste Management Ordinance and Standards and answered questions of the Commission. The Commission discussed the following details regarding the proposed ordinance amendments: December 16, 2019 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes • Hours of collection — 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., instead of as stated in the contract. • Multi-family recycling — requiring that all multi-family properties have recycling through the City's contractor and allowing for recycling dumpsters in addition to carts. • Payment of fees —adding language that details how the recycling fee is added to residential water bills. • Small business and church recycling —allowing for recycling dumpsters in addition to carts, adding language that details how small businesses and churches can opt into the City's recycling program. • Organics —adding language about food scrap recycling. • Licensing —amending the auto liability coverage amounts. The ordinance amendments will come back to the ENR Commission in January for final review. b. 2019 Annual Reports i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the 2019 Annual Reports. 1. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission 2. Sustainability 3. Solid Waste The Commission offered comment and feedback on the reports. The final reports will be included with the overall Community Development Department, which will be available during the State of the City event on January 15 and presented to the City Council on January 27, 2020. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS Two visitors came forward to say hello to the ENR Commission. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Reschedule January and February 2020 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetings (Tuesday, January 28 and Tuesday, February 25th, 2020) b. January 2020 Election of Chair and Vice Chair—Staff to email a reminder to the commission. C. 2020 Goal Setting Discussion d. Holiday Light and Extension Cord Recycling - December 2, 2019—January 31, 2020 at the City Hall and Public Works building entrances. Recommendation was to start it a week earlier, prior to Thanksgiving. e. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Vacancy—One Vacancy December 16, 2019 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes f. Maplewood Business Awards Program — Environmental Sustainability— Business Awards will be announced January 151H g. 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 8:20 p.m. December 16, 2019 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Agenda Item 4.b. MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2020 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 Redmond. 2. ROLL CALL Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Present Joe Gould, Commissioner Absent * on leave until May/June 2020 Mollie Miller, Vice Chair Present Candace Okeson, Commissioner Present Ann Palzer, Commissioner Absent Ted Redmond, Chair Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Staff added item 9 d. - March 16 ENR Commission meeting. Commissioner Redmond Miller moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Buttleman. Ayes —All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The December 16, 2019 ENR Commission meeting minutes have been tabled until the March meeting to ensure a voting quorum on the minutes. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Election of Chair and Vice Chair Commissioner Redmond nominated Commissioner Miller to be Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Buttleman. Ayes —All The motion passed. Commissioner Redmond nominated Commissioner Okeson to be Vice Chair. Seconded by Commissioner Buttleman. Ayes —All The motion passed. February 26, 2020 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Chair Miller took over for the remainder of the meeting. b. 2020 Work Plan and Environmental Priorities i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall discussed the 2020 Work Plan and Environmental Priorities with the ENR Commission. The Commission discussed the following: • Work Plan o Climate Adaptation Plan —The grant through the MPCA only covers the climate adaptation piece of the plan. The City needs to establish a means for completing the Climate Mitigation process. • Environmental Priorities o Partner with the Nature Center on the Pollinators by the Yard program. o More community engagement in environmental issues. o Work session with Nature Center and City Council to discuss Environmental Priorities. o Review how meetings are held. Suggest every other month holding a work session instead of a formal meeting. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Solid Waste Management Ordinance and Standards i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the Solid Waste Management Ordinance and Standards and answered questions of the commission. The Commission discussed the following: "Ar, • Can the City require that all small businesses and churches be covered by our residential recycling program? o That was not written into the new 5-1/2 year contract with Tennis Sanitation. Also, Tennis does not have the capacity to take that on at this time. They will be offering recycling dumpsters in addition to 95 gallon recycling carts to small businesses and churches. We will work with Tennis to promote that new opportunity, with the goal of opting into the recycling program as many small businesses and churches as we can. • Why do we limit opting into the recycling program to small business and churches? o It would allow for other non-profit organizations. But we can't accommodate large businesses in the residential program. Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the Solid Waste Management Ordinance and Standards as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Buttleman. Ayes —All The motion passed. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. February 26, 2020 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Spring Clean Up—April 18, 2020 at Aldrich Arena from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. b. Earth Day—This year is the 501h Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2020 C. Maplewood Nature Center Programs: For more information contact the Maplewood Nature Center at (651) 249-2170 d. March 16, 2020, ENR Commission Meeting —There are no formal items to go before the ENR Commission in March. So staff will coordinate a work session with the Nature Center. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chair Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. February 26, 2020 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Agenda Item 5.a. ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Meeting Date March 16, 2020 REPORT TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission REPORT FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner PRESENTER: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner AGENDA ITEM: Environmental Priorities Work Session Action Requested: ❑ Motion ✓ Discussion ❑ Public Hearing Form of Action: ❑ Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Contract/Agreement ❑ Proclamation Policy Issue: The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission ordinance outlines the Commission's duties and responsibilities to include: The Commission shall establish environmental priorities for the city in partnership with the City Council and recommend changes or new policies that control, protect, preserve, and enhance the City's environmental assets. Recommended Action: Review the 2020 work plan and environmental priorities and be prepared to discuss with representatives of the Nature Center and Natural Resources. Fiscal Impact: Is There a Fiscal Impact? ✓ No ❑ Yes, the true or estimated cost is $0 Financing source(s): ❑ Adopted Budget ❑ Budget Modification ❑ New Revenue Source ❑ Use of Reserves ✓ Other: n/a Strategic Plan Relevance: ❑ Financial Sustainability ❑ Integrated Communication ❑ Targeted Redevelopment ✓ Operational Effectiveness ❑ Community Inclusiveness ❑ Infrastructure & Asset Mgmt. Outlining environmental priorities will allow the ENR Commission to operate effectively by setting an agenda and schedule for the year, and assisting the City in meeting its environmental and sustainability goals. Background ENR Commission Duties and Responsibilities In order to protect, preserve and enhance the environment of the City of Maplewood, the ENR Commission will: 1 1. Establish environmental priorities for the city in partnership with the City Council. 2. Recommend to the Community Design Review Board, Planning Commission and City Council changes necessary to existing policies, operating procedures and ordinances that control, protect, preserve and enhance the city's environmental assets. 3. Actively participate in and support the mission and goals of the Maplewood Nature Center and Neighborhood Preserves by promoting environmental awareness through educational programs, communications and co-sponsored activities. 4. Proactively promote greater use and appreciations of the city's environmental assets. 5. Review the role of other city groups and how they might assist, support and advise the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. 6. Sponsor environmental projects to enhance, repair, replace or restore neglected or deteriorating environmental assets of the city. 7. Develop educational programs and materials that foster the mission to the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission. 8. Develop and promote the use of"sustainable practices" for city policies and procedures. City Council Strategic Priorities The Maplewood Strategic Plan serves as the community's roadmap and is used to prioritize initiatives, resources, goals, and department operations and projects. The strategic plan is a big- picture document directing efforts and resources toward a clearly defined vision. The Commission should review the strategic priorities outlined in the plan prior to creating a work plan and environmental priorities for 2020. 1. Community Inclusiveness: Strive to create a community that is engaged, tolerant, and compassionate about everyone. To further build a community that embraces and respects diversity and that uses different perspectives and experiences to build an inclusive and equitable city for all. 2. Financial Stability: Maintain a positive financial position by balancing revenues and expenditures for operations, debt management, and capital investments. Provide quality city services at a level that reflects community values and that are supported by available resources. 3. Infrastructure and Asset Management: Provide safe, efficient, sustainable, cost-effective, and well-maintained roads and transportation systems. Build, maintain, and manage capital assets to preserve long-term investment and ensure uninterrupted support services. 4. Integrated Communication: Create a long-term vision that reflects our community identity and effectively communicates a consistent, broad-based message and brand through a variety of mediums. 5. Operational Effectiveness: Create a culture that is built on trust, conveys clearly identified goals and expectations, and is focused on the city's long-range mission and vision. Value 2 organizational efficiencies which are based on performance measurement, accountability, and best practices. 6. Targeted Redevelopment: Guide residential development by leveraging resources to expand the tax base but also create housing options that meets the diversity of the community. Promote commercial development through the green building code and innovation that supports business growth. 2020 Work Plan Following is a list of items which will require review by the Commission in 2020: 1. Solid Waste Ordinance and Standards 2. Trash and Recycling Annual Review 3. Annual Stormwater Permit 4. Climate Adaptation Plan 5. Climate Mitigation Plan 6. Mississippi River Critical Area Ordinance 7. Zoning Updates Environmental Priorities Natural Resources and Open Space Updates Emily Dunlap, Natural Resources Coordinator, will be present during the Environmental Priorities work session to give an update on this year's Natural Resources and Open Space projects as follows: 1. Tree Sale: The second annual tree sale is currently underway. Maplewood residents can purchase up to two trees for their yard for $40 a tree. Pickup dates are: • Saturday, May 16, 9 am to 12 pm • Monday, May 18, 5 pm to 7 pm 2. Emerald Ash Borer: a. Grant: We recently received an Emerald Ash Borer Community Forest Response Tree Planting Grant for $30,000 of funding over two years. The grant is administered through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and funding is provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. b. Management: Emerald Ash Borer management continued this winter, with 125 tree marked for removal on boulevards and in parks. Due to delays, 85 were removed this winter and the remaining trees will be finished in the fall. 3. Tree Inventory: Continue to update the tree inventory using Cartegraph and explore options for updating the 2011 inventory. 4. Priory Preserve: Complete improvements for Priory Preserve including boardwalks, updated entry and kiosk, and restoration. 3 5. Friends of Mississippi River: Build partnerships with local non-profits to enhance the Mississippi Park Connection and Friends of the Mississippi River. Begin to partner on projects at Fish Creek, Applewood, and Carver Preserves. Maplewood Nature Center Update Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist, will be present during the Environmental Priorities work session to give an update on the Nature Center's goals for the year as follows: 1. Capital Improvements: Implement the capital improvement items indicated in the Nature Center Master Plan starting with boardwalk, bridges, and north stair repair and replacement. 2. Pollinators by the Yard: Implement first phase of the "Pollinators by the Yard" Lawns to Legumes Neighborhood Project Grant received from the Board of Water and Soil Resources. The award amount is nearly $40,000. 3. No Child Left Inside: Implement the Department of Natural Resources No Child Left Inside Grant. 4. Continue to fundraise for the Nature Center: 5. Nature Explorers Fund online donations (see flyer) 6. Friends of Maplewood Nature 501c3 non-profit Group. 7. Nature on Tap Program and fundraising event at Crooked Pint- on April 17 (see flyer) 8. Coordinate with Public Works on Nature Center Maintenance needs such as parking lot repair, and building and trail improvements. 9. Support Parks and City Special Events including Celebrate Summer Events, and Halloween. 10. Implement one additional easy interactive low tech exhibit that rotates seasonally. 11. Apply with Audubon to get the Nature Center listed as an Important Bird Area. 2040 Comprehensive Plan Following are the environmental goals and action items adopted in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan that the ENR Commission could coordinate with Natural Resources and the Nature Center: Natural Resources 1. Develop and implement a Maplewood Tree Plan to cover boulevard trees, park trees, woodlots, and forests. Local Food Access Actions 1. Integrate community gardens into public housing developments and create incentives for community gardens in affordable housing developments that receive public assistance. 4 2. Explore partnership opportunities to provide education and skill development for families around healthy food selection and preparation. 3. Collaborate on equipment-lending libraries and seed and seedling programs to support garden efforts of families. 4. Identify and educate on options for testing of soil of contaminants to ensure new gardens are safe. 5. Modify land use policies to support pollinators through city ordinance and city operations/maintenance. 6. Review management of locally owned public land, and take steps to increase its contribution to pollinator health. Attachments None 5