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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-07-20 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 20, 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 7:02 p.m. by Chairperson Miller. 2. ROLL CALL Keith Buttleman, 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 Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Redmond 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 May 18, 2020, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Gould Commissioner Okeson moved to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Gould. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All The motion passed. July 20, 2020 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes b. Maplewood Nature Center Task Force 1) Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner, presented the report. 2) Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist, discussed details of the Nature Center closing with the Commission. The Commission discussed the closing of the Nature Center and the formation of the Task Force. They made the following suggestions:  Funding: Funding should be looked at more broadly. o The Task Force should not be limited to recommendations on funding that do not include any property tax or City funded sources. o There are many programs in the City that are funded by property taxes only. Nature and environmental education should not be any different. o To limit it to just outside funding devalues the environmental education, outreach, and nature programming offered at the Nature Center.  Membership: The Task Force is charged with coming up with a solution to a big problem. But the Task Force is very small with limited diversity. o The Maplewood Nature Center Master Plan Task Force was larger and more diverse. o There should be more than one representative from a school. We have two large school districts. o The Task Force does not specifically call out a resident of Maplewood, unless they are a volunteer at the Nature Center or on the Friends of Maplewood Nature group. The Task Force should include a resident at large position.  Partnerships: o One meeting could focus on partnerships and then a larger and more diverse group could be invited. o Commissioner Miller spoke to a representative of Tesla in Maplewood. They were very enthusiastic about partnering with the City at events or other environmental projects. They would be a good partner for the Task Force or future Nature Center funding.  Nature Center Master Plan: The City should consider all of the previous recommendations from the Master Plan. Many people put in a lot of time and effort to create that plan not too long ago. Commissioner Palzer moved to appoint Commissioner Okeson as the designated Environmental and Natural Resources’ representative on the Nature Center Task Force, with Commissioner Palzer as a backup. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Environmental Purchasing Policy 1) Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner, presented the report. The Commission reviewed the Environmental Purchasing Policy, asked questions, and recommended changes as follows: July 20, 2020 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes  Consider adding a policy on green building purchasing.  The statement and goals section should include social equity purchasing.  Does the policy include efficiency standards?  Include a definition for approved or preferred products. Include this as an implementation strategy.  The City can save money by purchasing items in bulk. Bulk purchasing should be included as a preferred purchase method.  Consider adding a policy around climate friendly local foods.  The preamble should include guidance on purchasing products that are local over long-distance.  The City should default to electric or hybrid vehicles unless there is a specific case why that can’t happen. The Commission tabled the Environmental Purchasing Policy to allow staff to make the changes and review again in August. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None present. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Tesla Discussion Commissioner Miller notified the Commission that she has been in contact with a representative from Tesla. They are interested in a partnership with the City during events or other partnership opportunities. The Commission recommended that City management be aware of the opportunity for the Nature Center Task Force partnership discussions. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS None. 10. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m. July 20, 2020 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes