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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-08-15 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2022 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Acting Chairperson Bryan called a meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission to order at 7:04 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Emma Broadnax, Commissioner Present Rebecca Bryan, Acting Chairperson Present Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Present Mollie Miller, Commissioner Absent Ann Palzer, Commissioner Present at 7:07 p.m. Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the August 15, 2022, ENR Commission agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Broadnax Ayes – Commissioners Broadnax, Bryan, Guell, Redmond The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approval of the July 18, 2022, ENR Commission minutes. Commissioner Broadnax moved to approve the July 18, 2022, ENR Commission meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond Ayes – Commissioners Broadnax, Bryan, Redmond Abstain – Commissioner Guell The motion passed. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Wetland Buffer Waiver, Xcel Energy, 1555 Century Avenue North 1 Environmental Planner Finwall presented the report. Brian Sullivan and Cory Tellers of Xcel Energy updated and answered questions of the Commission on the project. Mary Newcomb, 2600 Montana Avenue, expressed concern about aspects of the project including:  Water level and flooding impacts.  Removal of trees, especially on the west side of the property.  Impacts to views.  Loss of wildlife habitat including deer and coyote.  Sandhill crane nesting impacts.  Concerns that residents in the Rolling Hills manufactured home park were not notified of the public hearing. The Commissioners asked questions and made the following comments:  How long has Xcel Energy been out of compliance? Staff explained that Xcel Energy’s site was constructed prior to the City’s requirement for a conditional use permit. The expansion of the facility will require approval of a conditional use permit, plus a wetland buffer waiver for impacts to the Manage A wetland buffer from the utility expansion.  Will there be other impacts to the neighbors such as noise or lighting. Xcel Energy representatives explained there would not be impacts beyond the site expansion.  When does the three-year wetland buffer native planting maintenance agreement begin? Staff explained that the agreement would start the first year of planting.  The ENR Commission has more extensive wetland buffer impact plans from small residential lots. There is not enough detail on Xcel Energy’s plans to make a recommendation.  How long has Xcel Energy been working with the watershed district on their permitting process. Xcel Energy representatives explained they have been working on the wetland delineation approval and incidental wetland classification throughout the summer.  It is not acceptable for Xcel Energy to state that they did not have enough time prior to the ENR Commission meeting to submit the required plans. Commissioner Guell made a motion to table the wetland buffer waiver for the expansion of Xcel Energy’s gas plant at 1555 Century Avenue North. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes All. The motion passes. Environmental Planner Finwall stated that she would work with Xcel Energy on revising the plans based on the ENR Commission’s feedback. The revised plans will be brought back to the ENR Commission in September. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2 None 7. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS None 8. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Environmental Planner Finwall updated the Commission on the following: a. Clean Energy for All – Metro CERTs Seed Grant Update: The City received a small CERTs seed grant to conduct the Clean Energy for All project. The project partners with the Center for Energy and Environment, Citizen’s Utility Board, Xcel Energy – Partners in Energy, and paleBLUEdot to reduce the energy burden for residents living in manufactured homes. The energy outreach phase of the project began in August with energy tabling and an energy party at two of the City’s manufactured home parks. Residents are able to sign up for free Home Energy Squad and utility bill clinics. The second phase includes a study to determine the best approach for reducing energy burden for this historically underserved population. 9. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Palzer made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Guell Ayes – All The motion passed. Acting Chair Bryan adjourned the meeting at 8:37 p.m. 3