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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-20 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2021 7:00 P.M. (THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM AND CONFERENCE CALL) 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Palzer called a meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission to order at 7 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Emma Broadnax, Commissioner Present Rebecca Bryan, Commissioner Present Kayla Dosser, Vice Chairperson Present Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Present Mollie Miller, Commissioner Absent Ann Palzer, Chairperson Present Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Broadnax Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Bryan moved to approve the October 18, 2021, ENR Commission meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Dosser Ayes – Commissioners Bryan, Dosser, Palzer, Redmond Abstain – Commissioners Broadnax and Guell The motion passed. Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the November 15, 2021, ENR Commission meeting minutes. 1 Seconded by Commissioner Bryan Ayes – Commissioners Broadnax, Bryan, Guell, Redmond Abstain – Commissioners Dosser and Palzer The motion passed. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Renewable Energy Ordinance and Sol Smart Certification 1) Presentation by Cameron Bailey, Metropolitan Council Sol Smart Advisor Cameron Bailey presented the Sol Smart program and updates. He stated that Maplewood is a Silver Level Sol Smart city. In order to obtain the Gold Level, Maplewood needs to set up a process to issue residential solar permits within three business days. He stated that when cities ask for example solar ordinances, Maplewood is one of the ordinances he refers them to. It is a comprehensive ordinance, and the amendments proposed will remove solar installation barriers. He also went into detail on some innovative solar projects taking place throughout the Twin Cities area. 2) Renewable Energy Ordinance Amendments Environmental Planner Finwall introduced the renewable energy ordinance amendments and answered questions of the ENR Commission. The ENR Commission discussed the following amendments proposed by the Sol Smart advisors:  Add placement and design standards for solar canopies and ground mounted community solar gardens.  Require ground-mounted community solar gardens one acre in size or larger to install native plantings that meet the Board of Soil and Water beneficial habitat standards. Commissioner Broadnax made a motion to recommend approval of the Renewable Energy Ordinance amendments. Seconded by Commissioner Bryan Ayes – All The motion passed. Environmental Planner Finwall stated the Renewable Energy Ordinance would go to the City Council for final review in early 2022. 2 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Climate Emergency Resolution Environmental Planner Finwall introduced the Climate Emergency Resolution and answered questions of the ENR Commission. Commissioner Redmond made a motion to recommend approval of the Climate Emergency Resolution. Seconded by Commissioner Dosser Ayes – All The motion passed. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS None. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. January and February Meeting Dates - Reschedule to Tuesday, January 25, 2022, and Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Environmental Planner Finwall explained that the January and February 2022 ENR Commission meeting dates have been rescheduled due to holidays. b. Elections of Officers to be held in January Environmental Planner Finwall announced that the annual election of officers would be held during the January meeting. The current chair and vice-chair are Commissioners Palzer and Dosser, respectively. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Bryan made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All The motion passed. Chairperson Palzer adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m. 3