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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3-17-25 ENR Minutes-FINALMINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, March 17, 2025 7:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Lates called a meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission to order at 7:01 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Rebecca Bryan, Commissioner Present Joanne Cryer, Commissioner Absent Nancy Edwards, Vice-Chairperson Absent Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Present David Lates, Chairperson Present Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present Wes Saunders-Pearce, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Saunders-Pearce moved to approve the March 17, 2025, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Bryan. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. February 25, 2025 Commissioner Saunders-Pearce requested that the minutes reflect that the Commission discussed adding a review of the late fees and yard waste billing issues in the trash work plan on item 5.b. – Review of Draft 2025 Trash and Recycling Work Plans. Chairperson Lates moved to approve the February 25, 2025, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All The motion passed. 2 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Tennis Sanitation Recycling Collection Annual Review Sustainability Coordinator Finwall presented the recycling collection annual report and work plan. Willie Tennis, co-owner of Tennis Sanitation, and Alexia Hieserich, Recycling Commodity Sales and Reporting/Contract City Liaison discussed Tennis Sanitation’s recycling program. The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission had the following comments and questions regarding the recycling program: • Does Tennis Sanitation have additional promotional items the City could use, such as recycling magnets. Alexia commented that Tennis does have a supply of recycling magnets they will share with the City for distribution. • Is it possible to collect food scraps when the City and Tennis Sanitation make improvements to park recycling, in particular at the Wakefield Park recycling improvement pilot project? Sustainability Coordinator Finwall stated that the food scrap program is for residential properties. However, the City can review options for the collection of organics in the Wakefield Community Building during events as part of the City’s overall contract with Republic Services. • Why is recycling participation down and residuals up? Alexia commented that the participation rates have fluctuated during the year, but are still in the 90 plus percentile. This is one of the highest participation rates of the cities that they collect recycling. Willie states that residuals are likely up due to plastic bags and people attempting to recycle as much as they can, without knowing if the product is recyclable. • Based on the participation and residual information, the Commission recommended that an additional work plan item be included to state that Tennis Sanitation will work with the City to increase participation and decrease residuals. b. Republic Services Trash and Yard Waste Collection Annual Review Sustainability Coordinator Finwall presented the trash and yard waste collection annual report and work plan. Beverly Mathiasen, Municipal Services Manager and Frances Estrella, Municipal Administrator discussed Republic Service’s trash and yard waste program. The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission had the following comments and questions regarding the trash and yard waste program: 3 • Is there any data that Republic Services can report on regarding the Ramsey County Food Scrap program? Beverly notes that Republic Services and other Ramsey County trash haulers do collect the food scraps as part of their trash collection programs. But once the trash is tipped at the Recycling and Energy Center Ramsey County manages the food scraps. Sustainability Coordinator Finwall states that she will obtain the participation, and tonnages if available, from Ramsey County and include that information in the trash and yard waste report to the City Council and update the Commission at a future meeting. • Has Republic Services reviewed the possibility of electrifying its trash collection fleet in the Twin City area? Beverly states that Republic Services does have electric trucks in warmer parts of the country, and are studying how they can electrify in the colder Twin Cities area. There is one electric truck that will be used out of their Eden Prairie facility in 2025. No current plans to modify the fleet collecting Maplewood trash and yard waste at this time though. Chairperson Lates made a motion to approve the recycling and trash/yard waste year end reports and work plans, with one addition to the recycling work plan to include working with the City to increase participation and decrease residuals. Seconded by Commissioner Bryan. Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS None 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Sustainability Coordinator Finwall updated the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission on the following: a. Update on Rescheduling of Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetings to Second Wednesday of the Month. The City Council is reviewing how the City uses Boards and Commissions to gain public input. Based on that review, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meetings will continue on the third Monday of the month until further notice. b. State of Maplewood – March 19, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Maplewood YMCA Community Center. 4 c. Arbor Day Tree Sale 1) Online Order March 3-May 2 2) Tree Pick Up May 17 and 19 d. Spring Clean Up – May 3, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aldrich Arena e. Arbor Day Tree Planting Demonstration – May 3, 10 a.m., Edgerton Park f. Waterfest – May 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lake Phalen Park 10. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Lates made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Guell. Ayes – All The motion passed. Chairperson Lates adjourned the meeting at 7:59 p.m.