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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-23 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2021 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 7:00 p.m. by Chairperson Palzer. 2. ROLL CALL Keith Buttleman, Commissioner Absent Kayla Dosser, Vice Chairperson Present Mollie Miller, Commissioner Present Ann Palzer, Chairperson Present Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present Stephen Todey, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Jon Jarosch, Assistant City Engineer 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the agenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Miller . Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the January 26, 2021, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted. Seconded by Commissioner Todey. Ayes – All The motion passed. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area and Slope Ordinances Environmental Planner Finwall gave a recap of the work that has been completed on the MRCCA and Slope Ordinances thus far. Jon Jarosch, Assistant City Engineer gave a presentation to the Commission on steep slopes, where they are located in the City, why they should be protected, and best management practices for protection. The Commission will continue their review of the Slope ordinance in the coming months. February 23, 2021 1 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Resolution of Support for Better Building Standards in the State of Minnesota Environmental Planner Finwall led a discussion related to Better Building Standards in the State of Minnesota. Maplewood and other cities have been asked to show their support for the Better Building Standards legislation by adopting a resolution of support. The resolution outlines the City’s support for policies to support state legislation leading to higher performing commercial and multi-family buildings through Better Building Standards. Commissioner Redmond expressed support for allowing cities to adopt more an alternative model commercial energy code that is more efficient that the state code. He asked if the standards proposed was still based on the B3 standards? He stated the B3 standard is cumbersome to apply. Environmental Planner indicated that B3 was one of the standards discussed last year when the group of cities and other organizations first met, but she elieves that has since been modified. She will research the current standard being proposed and get back to the Commission prior to the City Council’s review of the resolution of support. Commissioner Miller moved to recommend the Resolution of Support for Better Building Standards in the State of Minnesota. Seconded by Commissioner Dosser. Ayes – All The motion passed. This item will go to the city council on March 8, 2021. b. 2021 Work Plan and Environmental Priorities Environmental Planner Finwall reviewed the 2021 work plan that includes MRCCA ordinance, trash and recycling annual review, possible review of zoning updates based on 2040 Comprehensive Plan, possible review of wetland ordinance in regarding to public infrastructure exemptions, and involvement in the Nature Center Task Force Recommendation Implementation Strategies. Environmental priorities to consider include a Climate Mitigation Plan (which is the next step after the Climate Adaptation Plan) and a Tree Plan (which is the next step after the Tree Ordinance updates which were made a few years ago). 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS Commissioner Miller introduced visitor Jonee Kulman Brigham, an environmental educator at the University of Minnesota. Jonee spoke about her background and suggested ways that she could collaborate with the Commission on environmental initiatives. One environmental initiative was the new Minnesota GreenStep Schools program. The Commission discussed coordinating and partnering with schools in Maplewood to encourage and help them participate. 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS February 23, 2021 2 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes a. Ramsey County Recycling Ambassador Program Environmental Planner Finwall shared information about an opportunity for ENR Commission members as well as the general public to get involved with the Ramsey County Recycling Ambassador Program. 10. ADJOURNMENT . Commissioner Miller made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Todey. Ayes – All The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Palzer at 8:11 p.m. February 23, 2021 3 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes