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Home My WebLink About2020-07-20 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, July 20, 2020 7:00 p.m. Held Remotely Via Conference Call Dial 1-888-788-0099 When Prompted Enter Meeting ID: 968 7454 6813 No Participant ID, Enter # When Prompted 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: a. May 18, 2020 5. Unfinished Business a. Environmental Purchasing Policy 6. New Business a. Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Gould b. Maplewood Nature Center Task Force 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Commissioner Presentations 9. Staff Presentations 10. Adjourn This page intentionally left blank. Agenda Item 4.a. MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 18, 2020 7:00 P.M. (THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM AND CONFERENCE CALL) 1. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:04 p.m. by Chairperson Miller. 2. ROLL CALL Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Absent Joe Gould, Commissioner Present Mollie Miller, Chairperson Present Candace Okeson, Vice Chair Present Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Okeson moved to approve the agenda as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes —All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Okeson moved to approve the December 16, 2019, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes — Commissioner's Gould, Okeson, Palzer & Redmond Abstain — Chairperson Miller The motion passed. Commissioner Okeson moved to approve the February 26, 2020, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes —All The motion passed. May 18, 2020 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minut�iqR Packet Page Number 1 of 22 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Tennis Sanitation Recycling Collection Annual Review 1) 2019 Recycling Collection Year End Report 2) 2020 Recycling Collection Work Plan i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report on the Tennis Sanitation Recycling Collection Annual Review and answered questions of the Commission. ii. Angela Hamann, representing Tennis Sanitation Recycling addressed and answered questions of the Commission. Commissioner Okeson moved to approve the 2019 Tennis Sanitation Recycling Collection Year End Report and the 2020 Tennis Sanitation Recycling Collection Work Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes —All The motion passed. b. Republic Services Trash and Yard Waste Collection Annual Review 1) 2019 Trash and Yard Waste Collection Year End Report 2) 2020 Trash and Yard Waste Collection Work Plan i. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the report for Republic Services Trash and Yard Waste Collection Annual Review and answered questions of the Commission. ii. Romack Franklin, Republic Services addressed and answered questions of the Commission. Commissioner Okeson moved to approve the 2019 Republic Services Trash and Yard Waste Collection Year End Report and 2020 Trash and Yard Waste Collection Work Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes —All The motion passed. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Reschedule Spring Clean Up —Tentative date September 12, 2020 b. Waterfest Cancelled —Originally Scheduled for May 30, 2020 c. Maplewood Nature Center Programs — Environmental Planner Finwall spotlighted two Nature Center programs: L Pollinator by the Yard grant. Three Maplewood neighborhoods will compete for funding for at least 15 to 25 pollinator demonstration gardens. Homeowners in the winning neighborhood could receive garden planning, native plants, and labor to May 18, 2020 2 ENR Packet Page Number o �rmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes create yards attractive to pollinators, up to a $1,500 value. More information can be found on the City's website at www.maplewoodmn.gov/lawnstolegumes. ii. Maplewood Environmental Public Service Announcements. The Communications Department has been busy creating public service announcements and educational videos. Check out the environmental videos on the City's Vimeo account. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m. May 18, 2020 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minut�iqR Packet Page Number 3 of 22 This page intentionally left blank. ENR Packet Page Number 4 of 22 Agenda Item 5.a. ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Meeting Date July 20, 2020 REPORT TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission REPORT FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner PRESENTER: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner AGENDA ITEM: Environmental Purchasing Policy Action Requested: ✓ Motion ❑ Discussion ❑ Public Hearing Form of Action: ❑ Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Contract/Agreement ❑ Proclamation Policy Issue: An Environmental Purchasing Policy establishes guidelines for environmental purchasing as an addition to existing procurement policies. Recommended Action: Motion to recommend approval of the Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy. 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. Adopting an Environmental Purchasing Policy (EPP) demonstrates the City's commitment to buying goods, materials, services, and capital improvements in a manner that reflects Maplewood's core values of fiscal responsibility, social equity, community, and environmental stewardship. In addition, establishing environmental purchasing policies is a GreenStep Cities best practice and can help the City achieve its energy and sustainability goals. Background Environmental purchasing is the practice of ensuring that all purchases prioritize goods and services that have a lower impact on the environment and human health when compared to competing products. Environmental purchasing considers metrics such as pollution, toxicity, waste generation, water and energy use, recycled content, and greenhouse gas emissions in addition to price when determining which products to purchase. As a part of a purchasing policy, it is intended ENR Packet Page Number 5 of 22 to shift purchasing decisions toward more sustainable alternatives while remaining fiscally responsible. Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy History 2009: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy approved by the City Council in 2009 outlined several strategies for creating more energy efficient City operations, including the adoption of an EPP. 2011: The Green Team and Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission drafted the original EPP which was approved by the City's Management Team in April 2011. July 2019: The City's Sustainability Intern Meg Hannasch attended the ENR Commission meeting and outlined general updates and revisions being proposed to the EPP by the Green Team. The ENR Commission reviewed the updates and offered comment and feedback. June 2020: The Green Team finalized the EPP revisions and recommended approval of the amended document. Amended EPP The revised EPP has been simplified. Challenging and ambiguous language and definitions have been removed. Strategies that don't pertain to purchasing have been deleted. A table of contents has been added to make the document more user-friendly. Purchasing strategies have been updated based on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's review of the document, Green Step Cities EPP guidelines, and other sustainable purchasing best practice updates since 2011. Following is the updated EPP outline and descriptions: Statement of Policy Shift City purchasing to procurement of goods and services that have a reduced effect on the natural environment and human health when compared to competing products and services that serve the same purpose. Purpose • Minimize health risks to city staff and residents • Minimize the City's contribution to global climate change • Improve air quality • Protect the quality of ground and surface waters • Minimize the City's consumption of resources and energy Scope This policy applies to all city departments and employees, vendors, contractors, and grantees for all products and services provided to the city to the greatest extent practical. Exceptions Where practical - whenever possible and compatible with local, state, and federal law; without reducing safety, quality, or effectiveness; where the product or service is available at a reasonable cost (30 percent price preference) in a reasonable period of time. 2 ENR Packet Page Number 6 of 22 Areas of Purchasing • Electronics • Energy • Fleet • Green Building Cleaning and Management • Landscaping and Natural Resource Management • Pollution Prevention • Recycled Content Products • Water Conservation Steering Committee The Environmental Planner and the Green Team will serve as the steering committee for the Environmental Purchasing Policy. The steering committee will update the City Manager and Department Heads from time to time on the policy, covering: • Status of the policy's implementation. • Informal data on purchases of environmentally preferable products. • Financial implications of the policy, if any • Overall accomplishment and challenges • Recommendations for the future. Roles and Responsibilities • Each department head will have the responsibility of ensuring adoption within his or her department and report any issues to the above parties. • Training will take place during annual supervisory training. • Successful bidders shall certify in writing that the environmental attributes claimed in formal competitive bids are accurate. • Preference for local businesses shall be accorded to promote businesses in Maplewood that provide environmentally preferable products and services. Implementation Strategies • Coordinate a purchasing committee made up of the Environmental Planner, Green Team members, and purchasers to review and make recommendations on environmental purchasing best practices. • Establish integrated pest management guidelines for future purchasing decisions related to the long-term prevention of pests in buildings and landscaping. • Conduct a fleet study to right-size the City's fleet, determining which vehicles could be converted to electric as well as other improvements that could be made to save money over the life of the vehicle. • Create a financing mechanism for funding future City operations sustainability projects. Attachments 1. Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy 7-14-20 Final Draft 3 ENR Packet Page Number 7 of 22 Attachment 1 Environmental Purchasing Policy FINAL DRAFT JULY 1412020 Maplewood Sustainable MAPLENlC3OD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy Contents 1.0 EFFECTIVE DATE .......................................................................................................... 3 2.0 STATEMENT OF POLICY............................................................................................... 3 3.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE................................................................................................. 3 4.0 DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................................. 3 5.0 AREAS OF PURCHASING.............................................................................................. 6 1. Electronics....................................................................................................................... 6 2. Energy............................................................................................................................. 6 3. Fleet................................................................................................................................ 6 4. Green Building - Cleaning and Management................................................................... 7 5. Landscaping and Natural Resource Management........................................................... 7 a. Plant/Seed/Forage Purchases ..................................................................................... 7 b. Pesticides and Herbicides............................................................................................ 7 c. Hardscapes and Landscape Structures ....................................................................... 8 6. Pollution Prevention......................................................................................................... 8 7. Recycled Content Products............................................................................................. 8 8. Water Conservation......................................................................................................... 9 6.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................. 9 7.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES................................................................................10 2 ENR Packet Page Number 9 of 22 Sustainable MAPLENfC}QD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy 1.0 EFFECTIVE DATE This policy will take effect on 2.0 STATEMENT OF POLICY It is the policy of the City of Maplewood to shift City purchasing to procurement of goods and services that have a reduced effect on the natural environment and human health when compared to competing products and services that serve the same purpose. The City will purchase goods and services that: • are energy efficient; • have reduced toxicity; • are beneficial to indoor air quality; • conserve on water; • have a high percentage of recycled content; • minimize waste; • are plant-based; • are locally produced; • consider the embodied energy; and • take into account the life-cycle greenhouse gas impact. 3.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to: • minimize health risks to City staff and residents; • minimize the City's contribution to global climate change; • improve air quality; • protect the quality of ground and surface waters; and • minimize the City's consumption of resources and energy. The scope of the policy applies to all City departments and employees, vendors, contractors, and grantees for all products and services provided to the City to the greatest extent practical. 4.0 DEFINITIONS "Biodegradable Products Institute or BPI" is a nonprofit compostable products certification association. "Buyer" means personnel authorized to purchase or contract for purchases on behalf of the City of Maplewood. 3 ENR Packet Page Number 10 of 22 Sustainable MAPLENlC3OD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy *0 "Certified Weed-Free" is a certification program by the Minnesota Crop Improvement Association for weed-free forage and gravel. The certification includes a list of standards that provide land managers assurance that noxious weeds will not be spread through the movement of forage, hay, mulch, or gravel brought in to the property. "Contractor" means any person, group of persons, business, consultant, designing architect, association, partnership, corporation, supplier, contractors or other entity that has a contract with the City of Maplewood or serves in a subcontracting capacity with an entity having a contract with the City of Maplewood for the provision of goods or services. "Eco Logo" is a certification program for products, services and packaging that will reduce environmental impacts. Eco Logo certification indicates a product has undergone rigorous scientific testing, exhaustive auditing, or both, to prove its compliance with stringent, third-party, environmental performance standards including: materials, energy, manufacturing and operations, health and environment, product performance and use, and product stewardship and innovation. "Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool or EPEAT" is a resource maintained by the Green Electronics Council for purchasers, manufactures, resellers and others wanting to find or promote electronic products with positive environmental attributes. EPEAT registered products must meet environmental performance criteria that address materials selection, design for product longevity, reuse and recycling, energy conservation, end-of-life management, and corporate performance. "Energy Star" means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) energy efficiency product labeling program. "Energy Efficient" means a product that is in the upper twenty-five percent (25%) of energy efficiency for all similar products, or that is at least thirty percent (30%) more efficient than the minimum level that meets federal standards. "Federal Energy Management Program or FEMP" is a program of the Department of Energy that issues a series of product energy-efficiency recommendations that identify recommended efficiency levels for energy-using products. "Fleet Study" means a study of vehicles used in City operations to determine vehicle usage, run-time, idling, and fuel consumption. "Green Seal" is an independent, non-profit environmental labeling organization. Green Seal standards for products and services meet the U.S. EPA's criteria for third-party certifiers. The Green Seal is a registered certification mark that may appear only on certified products. "Great Green Printer Certified" means a printing company that voluntarily participates in the Printing Industry Midwest's Great Green Printer initiative. Printers demonstrate their commitment to minimize their impact on human health and the environment while producing quality printed products. 4 ENR Packet Page Number 11 of 22 Sustainable MAPLENlC3OD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy *0 "Integrated Pest Management" is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long- term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only the target organism. Least toxic pest control materials are selected and applied in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms, and the environment. "Practical" means whenever possible and compatible with local, state, and federal law; without reducing safety, quality, or effectiveness; where the product or service is available at a reasonable cost (thirty percent [30%] price preference) in a reasonable period of time. "Post-Consumer Content" means the product was manufactured with recycled material either collected from a recycling program or from waste recovered during the normal manufacturing process. "Recovered Material" means fragments of products or finished products of a manufacturing process, which has converted a resource into a commodity of real economic value, and includes post-consumer content but does not include excess resources of the manufacturing process. "Recycled Content" means the percentage of recovered material, including post-consumer content materials, in a product. "Reused" means any product designed to be used many times for the same or other purposes without additional processing except for specific requirements such as cleaning, painting, or minor repairs. "Third Party Certification of Electronics Recyclers" means nationally recognized third- party certification programs that defines environmentally sound management of electronic equipment. There are three programs that offer this certification: E-Stewards Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment, Responsible Recycling Practices (R2), and R2/RIOS. "Water Sense" is a voluntary partnership program sponsored by the U.S. EPA for water- efficient products that use twenty percent (20%) less water, save energy, and perform as well as or better than regular models. Examples of water sense products include spray sprinkler bodies, irrigation controllers, bathroom sink faucets/accessories, shower heads, toilets, and flushing urinals. 5 ENR Packet Page Number 12 of 22 Sustainable MAPLENlC3OD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy 5.0 AREAS OF PURCHASING 1. ELECTRONICS a. Purchase information technology products that meet at least the EPEAT Bronze rating level, across commodities for which an active EPEAT registry exists, where practical. b. Request for Proposals and Contracts will give preference to the procurement of environmentally preferable electronic equipment including EPEAT registered products. C. The City will implement environmentally sound electronic equipment recycling through Third Party Certification of Electronics Recyclers. 2. ENERGY a. New and replacement equipment for lighting, heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning systems, water consuming fixtures and process equipment and all such components shall meet or exceed Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) recommended levels. b. Energy Star certified products where there is a U.S. EPA Energy Star rating. When an Energy Star rating is not available, products shall meet or exceed the FEMP recommended levels. C. When energy is purchased, renewable or green sources are preferred. These include solar power or photovoltaics, community solar garden, wind power, geothermal, and hydroelectric energy sources with a higher renewable percentage than required by Minnesota law and do not include fossil fuels (coal, oil or natural gas). 3. FLEET a. Prioritize electric over gas-powered vehicles where practical. b. Replace gas-powered vehicles: 1) with electric vehicles where practical. 2) with the most fuel-efficient vehicles available that are suitable for each task. 6 ENR Packet Page Number 13 of 22 Sustainable MAPLENlC3OD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy *0 C. Vehicle and equipment fuels made from non-wood, plant-based contents such as vegetable oils are encouraged and where life cycle environmental impacts are judged to be lower than alternatives. 4. GREEN BUILDING - CLEANING AND MANAGEMENT a. All cleaning or products (i.e. for janitorial or automotive use) shall at a minimum meet Green Seal or Eco Logo Standards where practical. b. Purchase products that are fragrance free and low in volatile organic compounds (VOC). C. If pesticides are needed for pest management in City buildings, the City will purchase the least toxic pesticide products. 5. LANDSCAPING AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT a. Plant/Seed/Forage Purchases 1) Organic and/or neonicotinoid free plants and seeds shall be purchased where practical to reduce pesticide use and protect pollinators. 2) Straw and weed-free forage and mulch shall be purchased, including certified weed-free hay. 3) Plants should be selected to minimize waste by choosing species for purchase that are appropriate to the microclimate, species that can grow to their natural size in the space allotted them, and perennials rather than annuals for color. Native and drought- tolerant plants that require no or minimal watering once established are preferred. 4) Only plants that are not on the Ramsey County Cooperative Weed Management Area's "Do Not Plant List" shall be purchased. 5) Non-native plants that self-seed shall be avoided, to prevent spread beyond the planting area. b. Pesticides and Herbicides 1) The purchase of pesticides and herbicides shall be carefully researched to ensure the effectiveness on the target species and appropriate rates of application. 2) Minimal amounts of pesticides and herbicides should be purchased at a time to reduce hazards of storage and possible employee exposure. 7 ENR Packet Page Number 14 of 22 Sustainable MAPLENlC3OD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy *0 3) When considering two pesticides and herbicides to purchase that are equally effective, the product that is the least harmful to the environment and non-target species should be chosen. C. Hardscapes and Landscape Structures 1) Locally sourced hardscape, mulch, and landscape structures are encouraged. Examples include locally sourced rock, mulch, and compost. 2) Hardscapes and landscape structures constructed of recycled or reused content materials are encouraged. 3) Durable landscaping tools and material purchases are preferred over items of lesser quality where practical. 6. POLLUTION PREVENTION a. Purchase products with the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), highest recycled content, and low or no formaldehyde when purchasing building maintenance materials such as paint, carpeting, flooring, adhesives, furniture, and casework. b. Purchase products and equipment that are heavy metal free (no lead, cadmium, or mercury). C. Purchase renewably-derived fuels or fuels that are cleaner and less- polluting than gasoline and conventional diesel fuel, including biodiesel, natural gas, and electricity. d. The purchase of all pentachlorophenol, arsenic, and creosote treated wood by the City is prohibited. 7. RECYCLED CONTENT PRODUCTS a. All dishware purchased for City events will be: 1) reusable; or 2) made from compostable material that is certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI); or 3) recyclable. b. Use printing services that are Great Green Printer certified. 8 ENR Packet Page Number 15 of 22 Sustainable MAPLENlC3OD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy *0 C. All products shall contain the highest post-consumer content, but at least thirty percent (30%) post-consumer content. d. Purchase white and colored copy paper that is one-hundred percent (100%) post-consumer content. e. When specifying asphalt concrete, aggregate base or Portland cement concrete for road construction projects, the City of Maplewood shall use recycled, reusable, or reground materials and consistent with accepted engineering practices. f. Specify and purchase recycled content transportation products, including signs, cones, parking stops, delineators, and barricades. g. Asphalt and roadbed aggregate should contain the highest percentage of recycled content material possible. 8. WATER CONSERVATION a. Purchase U.S. EPA Water Sense certified products. 6.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 1. The Environmental Planner and the Green Team will serve as the steering committee for the Environmental Purchasing Policy. The steering committee will update the City Manager and Department Heads from time to time on the policy, covering: a. Status of the policy's implementation. b. Informal data on purchases of environmentally preferable products. C. Financial implications of the policy, if any. d. Overall accomplishment and challenges e. Recommendations for the future. 2. Each Department Head will have the responsibility of ensuring adoption within his or her department and report any issues to the above parties. 3. Environmental Purchasing Policy training will take place during annual supervisory training. Supervisors will be responsible for training relevant City staff buyers. Contractors and grantees shall include instruction on the requirements of the policy by the supervisor and City staff buyer. 4. Successful bidders shall certify in writing that the environmental attributes claimed in formal competitive bids are accurate. Contractors shall be required to specify the minimum or actual percentage of recovered and post-consumer content in their products, even when such percentages are zero. Where products or services have no logo or certification, third party verification of claims 9 ENR Packet Page Number 16 of 22 Sustainable MAPLENfC}QD Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy by companies such as Scientific Certification Systems or UL may be requested as appropriate. 5. Preference for local businesses shall be accorded to promote businesses in the City that provide environmentally preferable products and services. 7.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES 1. Establish a City operations purchasing committee made up of the Environmental Planner, Green Team members, and purchasers to review and make recommendations on environmental purchasing best practices. 2. Establish integrated pest management guidelines for future purchasing decisions related to the long-term prevention of pests in buildings and landscaping. 3. Conduct a fleet study to right-size the City's fleet, determining which vehicles could be converted to electric as well as other improvements that could be made to save money over the life of the vehicle. 4. Create a financing mechanism for funding future City operations sustainability projects. 10 ENR Packet Page Number 17 of 22 This page intentionally left blank. ENR Packet Page Number 18 of 22 Agenda Item 6.a. ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Meeting Date July 20, 2020 REPORT TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission REPORT FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner PRESENTER: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner AGENDA ITEM: Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Gould Action Requested: ✓ Motion ❑ Discussion ❑ Public Hearing Form of Action: ✓ Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Contract/Agreement ❑ Proclamation Policy Issue: When citizen members end their time of service on a board or commission, the City considers adoption of a resolution of appreciation recognizing the individual for their time committed to serving Maplewood. Recommended Action: Motion to approve a Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Gould. 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. The City of Maplewood appreciates its citizen volunteers who serve on the City's boards and commissions and works to provide recognition for members upon resignation. Background Joe Gould resigned as a member of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission on June 15, 2020. Mr. Gould served on the Commission for one year and one month, from May 25, 2019 to June 15, 2020. Attachments 1. Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Gould ENR Packet Page Number 19 of 22 Attachment 1 RESOLUTION OF APPRECIATION WHEREAS, Joe Gould has been a member of the Maplewood Environmental and Natural Resources Commission for one year and one month, serving from May 25, 2019 to June 15, 2020. Mr. Gould has served faithfully in those capacities; and WHEREAS, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission and City Council have appreciated his experience, insights and good judgment; and WHEREAS, Mr. Gould has freely given of his time and energy, without compensation,for the betterment of the City of Maplewood; and WHEREAS, Mr. Gould has shown dedication to his duties and has consistently contributed his leadership and efforts for the benefit of the City. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOL VED for and on behalf of the City of Maplewood, Minnesota, and its citizens that Joe Gould is hereby extended our gratitude and appreciation for his dedicated service. Passed by the Maplewood City Council on July 27, 2020. Marylee Abrams, Mayor Attest: Andrea Sindt, City Clerk ENR Packet Page Number 20 of 22 Agenda Item 6.b. ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Meeting Date July 20, 2020 REPORT TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission REPORT FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner PRESENTER: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner AGENDA ITEM: Maplewood Nature Center Task Force Action Requested: ✓ Motion ❑ Discussion ❑ Public Hearing Form of Action: ❑ Resolution ❑ Ordinance ❑ Contract/Agreement ❑ Proclamation Policy Issue: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant shifts in the City's service model for Nature Center and Parks and Recreation programming and their financial sustainability moving forward. Task Forces comprised of residents, stakeholders, public agencies, partners and staff will engage in a comprehensive review of the future of the Nature Center and Parks and Recreation programs and services in the City of Maplewood. Recommended Action: Motion to appoint one Environmental and Natural Resources Commissioner to serve on the Nature Center Task Force. Fiscal Impact: Is There a Fiscal Impact? ✓ No ❑ Yes, the true or estimated cost is $0.00 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. Staff was directed to develop two Task Forces of residents, stakeholders, and other parties to help develop a new model of service for both the Nature Center and for Parks and Recreation in the City of Maplewood. Background Beginning March 13, 2020, all in-person programs and services offered by the Nature Center and Parks and Recreation were closed due to COVID-19 concerns. Due to forecasted budgetary impacts for 2020 and 2021 and programming revenue loss, the decision was made in June 2020 to close the Nature Center and Parks and Recreation programs and lay-off staff in these areas. ENR Packet Page Number 21 of 22 On June 22, 2020, the City Council directed staff to develop Task Forces to identify a new model of service for the Nature Center and Parks and Recreation. The goal of the Task Forces are to review existing programming, services, operating budgets, and programming alternatives, and identify possible funding partners to help pay for amenities with a regional focus. On July 14, 2020, the City Council adopted a Resolution for the formation of Task Forces to review and make recommendations for changes to Nature Center and Parks and Recreation programming. Nature Center Task Force The Nature Center Task Force will be charged with determining how to reopen the Nature Center and programming to serve the region in a financially sustainable way without reliance on Maplewood property tax support. The Task Force will engage in a systematic review of the current operations, evaluate future programming possibilities, and establish key partnerships. Task Force Membership • One City Council Member— City Councilmember Juenemann was appointed to serve on the Task Force. • Two Members of the Friends of Maplewood Nature Group • One to Two Volunteers of the Nature Center • One Environmental and Natural Resources Commission • Two Representatives from Local Government or Non-Profit Partners • One to Two Representatives from Schools — Elementary and/or Higher Education • Two Staff Members — City Manager Coleman and Parks and Recreation Manager Audra Robbins Additionally, the City Manager shall make available members of the City considered subject matter experts or other resources as may be needed. Appointment and Applications The ENR Commission should appoint one member to serve on the Nature Center Task Force. Other members who are interested in serving on the Task Force are free to apply as a Maplewood resident. The applications will be available to the public in the next week or two. The applications will include key questions with answers used by the City Council to appoint the Maplewood residents and stakeholders to serve on the Task Force. Timeline The Task Force will meet six times for two and one-half hours every three weeks. Meeting dates yet to be determined, but may begin as early as mid-August. The process will include a community survey with summary findings, resident input, and preliminary recommendations in October. The final report is tentatively scheduled to be complete for review by the City Council in December. Attachments None 2 ENR Packet Page Number 22 of 22