HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-10-18 ENR Minutes
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
1830 COUNTY ROAD B EAST, MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2021
7:00 P.M.
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
Rebecca Bryan, Commissioner Present
Kayla Dosser, Vice Chairperson Present
Mollie Miller, Commissioner Absent
Ann Palzer, Chairperson Present
Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice Chairperson Dosser moved to approve the agenda.
Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Bryan moved to approve the September 20, 2021, 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 Keith Buttleman
Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Keith
Buttleman.
Seconded by Vice Chairperson Dosser.
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6. UNFINISHED B USINESS
a. Renewable Energy Ordinance and SolSmart Certification
Environmental Planner Finwall stated Maplewood is designated a Bronze Level
SolSmart City. In order to obtain Gold designation the City must ensure all small
solar systems can be permitted within three business days. The SolSmart
representatives reviewed the City’s Renewable Energy Ordinance and
recommended the inclusion of explicit visibility allowances/restrictions for ground-
mounted solar systems that are not community solar gardens.
The Commission discussed the solar permitting requirements and the proposed
ordinance amendment. Staff will review the City’s solar permitting and draft new
language to address the additional ground-mounted solar systems. These items will
be brought to the Commission for review in November.
7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None.
8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a. Update on Harvest Park Native Seed Garden Event Held on October 7
Environmental Planner Finwall stated that youth from the Urban Roots organization
were at the Harvest Park Native Seed Garden to meet residents and discuss the
history of the garden, how to maintain native plantings, and how to gather and store
native seed. Staff videotaped the presentation, which will be converted to short
videoclips and released on the City’s social media sites.
b. Fall Clean Up Campaign
1) Update on Shredding Event Held on October 9
2) Reduced Price Bulky Item Collection – Throughout October
3) Free Mattress Collection – Throughout October
Environmental Planner Finwall gave an update on the October 9 Shredding Event.
The City collected 14,160 pounds of paper that will be shredded and recycled. Two
other recycling/disposal opportunities through the Fall Clean Up Campaign. First,
the reduced price curbside bulky item collection offered by Republic Services.
Second, a free mattress and box spring collection pilot program being offer by
Second Chance Recycling and the Ramsey/Washington Recycling and Energy
Center.
c. Solar Power Hour
1) Update on Virtual Solar Power Hour Held Friday October 8
2) On Site Solar Power Hour to be held at Nature Center on October 26
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Environmental Planner Finwall said there were 23 people that attended the October
8 Solar Power Hour virtual event. The second Solar Power Hour is scheduled for
October 26 at the Maplewood Nature Center. Residents can learn the basics of
solar, funding opportunities and group buy program, and schedule a free solar site
assessment for their home.
d. Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams Seed Grant Application
Environmental Planner Finwall updated the ENR Commission on the grant
application submitted to Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams. The grant would
fund the Solar for All! program which will explore solar and energy efficiency
opportunities for manufactured homes in Maplewood. Grants are awarded in
December, for funding throughout 2022.
e. ENR Commissioner Interviews (October 11) and Appointments (October 25)
Environmental Planner Finwall stated that the City Council interviewed applicants for
the two ENR Commission vacancies on October 11. They will appoint the two
positions on October 25.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Dosser made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Seconded by Vice Chairperson Bryan. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned by Chairperson Palzer at 8:05 p.m.
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