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Home My WebLink About2023-07-19 PRC Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 6:00 PM July19, 2023 A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. April 19, 2023 E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Gold Leaf Pilot Project 2. Parks and Recreation Master Plan Natural Resources Presentation 3. Sunset Ridge Playground Replacement 4. Goodrich and Sherwood Park Project Updates F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Parks and Natural Resources Department Updates J. ADJOURNMENT RULES OF CIVILITY FOR THE CITY COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND OUR COMMUNITY Following are rules of civility the City of Maplewood expects of everyone appearing at Commission Meetings - elected officials, staff and citizens. It is hoped that by following these simple rules, everyone’s opinions can be heard and understood in a reasonable manner. We appreciate the fact that when appearing at Commission meetings, it is understood that everyone will follow these principles: Speak only for yourself, not for other Commission members or citizens - unless specifically tasked by your colleagues to speak for the group or for citizens in the form of a petition. Show respect during comments and/or discussions, listen actively and do not interrupt or talk amongst each other. Be respectful of the process, keeping order and decorum. Do not be critical of Commission members, staff or others in public. Be respectful of each other’s time keeping remarks brief, to the point and non-repetitive. MINUTES MAPLEWOOD PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 6:00p.m., April 19, 2023 Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission was called to order by Chairperson Mallet at 6:00 p.m. B. ROLL CALL Commissioners Craig Brannon, Commissioner Present Vickie Lee-Her, Commissioner Present Monica Barton, Commissioner Present Terri Mallet, Chair Present Mark Harris, Commissioner Present Kimii Porter, Commissioner Absent Jason DeMoe, Commissioner Present Staff Audra Robbins, Parks and Recreation Manager Present C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Commissioner Harris made a motion to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Barton. Ayes – All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. February 15, 2023 Commissioner DeMoe made a motion to approve the February 15, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Harris. Ayes – All The motion passed. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Ramsey County Tuj Lub Courts Presentation Wednesday, April 19, 2023 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Gus Blumer with Ramsey County Parks and Recreation gave a presentation on the current and future proposal for upgrades to the Tuj Lub courts area at Keller Park. 2. Playground Inspection Results Audra Robbins, Parks and Natural Resources Manager, gave an update on the rating system for playgrounds, how parks are chosen for playground replacement and the public process for those projects. 3. Picnic Shelter Additions Audra Robbins discussed the needs of park shelters in the parks system and highlighted a couple of location ideas. F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS I. STAFF PRESENTATIONS 1. Event List Audra Robbins provided the commission a list of the city wide outreach events including both Parks and Natural Resources and Public Safety. 2. Upcoming Events: Arbor Day and Spring Clean Up Audra updated the commission on the upcoming Arbor Day and Spring Clean Up events and the possibility of volunteer opportunities for those. J. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Brannon made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Commissioner Harris. Ayes – All The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m. ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Meeting Date June 22, 2023 REPORT TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission REPORT FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner PRESENTER: Taylor Mathison, Gold Leaf Project Intern AGENDA ITEM: Gold Leaf Pilot Project Update Action Requested: ☐ Motion  Discussion ☐ Public Hearing Form of Action: ☐ Resolution ☐ Ordinance ☐ Contract/Agreement ☐ Proclamation Policy Issue: The Gold Leaf Pilot Project is designed to assist cities in finding pathways to taking additional climate actions. Recommended Action: Review the Gold Leaf Pilot Project Update, including details on Climate Mitigation Planning and the Green Building Code, and offer comment and feedback. Fiscal Impact: Is There a Fiscal Impact? ☐ No ☐ Yes, the true or estimated cost is enter amount or $0.00. Financing source(s): ☐ Adopted Budget ☐ Budget Modification ☐ New Revenue Source ☐ Use of Reserves ☐ Other: Click here to enter other source or n/a. Strategic Plan Relevance:  Community Inclusiveness  Financial & Asset Mgmt  Environmental Stewardship  Integrated Communication  Operational Effectiveness ☐ Targeted Redevelopment Taking climate actions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the City become a more climate-resilient community: 1) aligns with the City’s energy and climate goals as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan – Sustainability Chapter and the Climate Adaptation Plan; 2) will involve education and outreach to ensure community inclusiveness and integrated communication; 3) will help the city reduce waste and save money. Background: Gold Leaf Pilot Project Maplewood has been participating in the GreenStep Cities program since 2010. The City has achieved the Step 5 award, the highest award given for implementing and measuring sustainability best practices. GreenStep Cities is now launching their next generation of voluntary, challenge, and assistance programs to help communities focus on pathways to take local climate actions. The Gold Leaf program takes the shape of a nature-themed badge. Participants receive a leaf token of achievement for completing any of the selected 43 climate actions under the categories of mitigation, planning, adaptation, and community. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is coordinating the pilot project. Maplewood and ten other cities and tribal governments are participating in the nine-month pilot project, ending September 2023. Participants commit to working on and reporting at least two new climate actions during the pilot period such as community renewable energy projects, completion of a climate action plan (climate adaptation and mitigation strategies), resilient tree-planting program, local food buying campaign, climate action budget, and many more opportunities. The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission and the Green Team reviewed the 43 climate actions and are recommending the City take the next step in its Climate Action planning with the following:  Climate Mitigation Planning: The Climate Mitigation Plan will serve as a compliment to the Climate Adaptation Plan by guiding the City toward reduced emissions. The first phase of the project will include outreach and education this summer and fall, followed by the creation of a draft plan with Maplewood stakeholders.  Green Building Code: The Green Building Code was adopted in 2013. All City-funded buildings must follow the code, which includes additional energy efficiency strategies and other green building elements. The ENR Commission recommends reviewing the Green Building Code to ensure it is meeting the City’s sustainability goals and adding EV charging station requirements and other green building initiatives. The MPCA has coordinated internships for pilot project cities with the University of Minnesota environmental studies undergraduate students. Taylor Mathison is working with Maplewood on its climate action projects, and will be present at the June 22 ENR Commission meeting to discuss her role and work to date. Climate Mitigation Planning The first phase of the project will include outreach and education this summer and fall, followed by the creation of a draft plan with Maplewood stakeholders. Commissioner Redmond has offered to assist the City in creating a draft survey and outreach materials through his energy and climate planning company paleBLUEdot, LLC. Those materials are attached for review. Taylor Mathison will be discussing those materials and various outreach opportunities available for the City to gather input into the draft Climate Mitigation Plan. Green Building Code The base document for the Green Building Code is the 2012 International Green Construction Code. Any municipality can adopt this code, and sections of the code can be applied or exempt, depending on the municipality’s goals. To begin the ENR Commission will review the site development and land use sections of the code to determine the feasibility of adding EV charging stations and other renewable energy requirements in the code. Taylor Mathison researched cities with green framework codes and requirements for EV charging stations and renewables. Taylor will be discussing those examples with the ENR Commission. Attachments: Links: 1. GreenStep Cities Program: https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us 2. Gold Leaf Pilot Project https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/page/gold-leaf-pilot 3. 2012 International Green Construction Code: https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IgCC2012 PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Meeting Date July 19, 2023 REPORT TO: Audra Robbins, Parks and Natural Resources Manager REPORT FROM: Carole Gernes, Natural Resources Coordinator PRESENTER: Carole Gernes, Natural Resources Coordinator AGENDA ITEM: Parks and Recreation Master Plan Natural Resources Presentation Action Requested: ☐ Motion  Discussion ☐ Public Hearing Form of Action: ☐ Resolution ☐ Ordinance ☐ Contract/Agreement ☐ Proclamation Policy Issue: Maintaining and enhancing our preserves and open spaces as outlined in our Parks and Recreation Master Plan Recommended Action: For informational and discussion purposes. Fiscal Impact: Is There a Fiscal Impact?  No ☐ Yes, the true or estimated cost is 0 Financing source(s): ☐ Adopted Budget ☐ Budget Modification ☐ New Revenue Source ☐ Use of Reserves ☐ Other: Grant Strategic Plan Relevance:  Financial Sustainability  Integrated Communication ☐ Targeted Redevelopment ☐ Operational Effectiveness  Community Inclusiveness  Infrastructure & Asset Mgmt. Natural Resource grants and activities improve the City’s green infrastructure, assist climate change mitigation, manage detrimental invasive species, promote community involvement and provide needed funding for projects and activities. Background Natural Resources coordinator Carole Gernes applies for and administers EAB and natural area restoration grants, directs gardener and AMPACT member activities, manages the buckthorn and invasive species programs, schedules and directs natural resources volunteer projects and reviews landscape plan details for city development projects. Attachments