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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-19-25 ENR Minutes-FINALMINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Monday, May 19, 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 Present Nancy Edwards, Vice-Chairperson Present Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Absent David Lates, Chairperson Present Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present (at 7:03 p.m.) Wes Saunders-Pearce, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Bryan moved to approve the May 19, 2025, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Edwards. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. April 21, 2025 Commissioner Saunders-Pearce moved to approve the April 21, 2025, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as written. Seconded by Chairperson Lates. Ayes – Commissioners Cryer, Edwards, Lates, Saunders-Pearce Abstain – Commissioner Bryan Not Yet Present – Commissioner Redmond The motion passed. 2 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. St. Paul Police Training Facility, 2621 Linwood Avenue East – Wetland Buffer Variance Sustainability Coordinator Finwall presented the St. Paul Police Training Facility wetland buffer variance and additional wetland buffer mitigation strategies proposed since the April 21, 2025 Environmental and Natural Resources meeting. Deb Brandwick, AIA, Principal – Senior Project Architect, Oertel Architects answered questions from the Commission. Ms. Brandwick confirmed that buckthorn removal would still take place within the buffer on the western wetland; the fence proposed is 3.5 feet high, made of galvanized steel poles with chains, and will be located along the Class 5 surface and the newly established wetland buffer on the eastern wetland; wetland buffer mitigation will equal 2 square feet of mitigation to 1 square feet of impact; and the applicants are receptive to planting native plugs to improve plant diversity along the north side of the eastern wetland once nonnative plants are removed. Commissioner Pearce-Saunders moved to approve the St. Paul Police Training Facility wetland buffer variance and mitigation strategies with the condition that native plugs be planted in key areas of the northern wetland buffer of the eastern wetland in order to improve plant diversity. Seconded by Chairperson Lates. Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. NEW 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. New ENR Commission Meeting Schedule – Second Wednesday of the Month at 6 p.m. beginning June 11, 2025 b. Spring Clean Up Summary – Saturday, May 3 3 Commissioners Cryer and Saunders-Pearce volunteered at the event. There were 331 residents that attended the event to recycle/dispose of bulky items and other items that take special processing. c. Waterfest – Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lake Phalen Park Commissioners Cryer, Saunders-Pearce, and Lates are on the Waterfest Subcommittee and are making plans for the Commission’s environmental education booth at the event. This year the Commission will focus on trees and the City’s participation in Tree City USA. d. Ramsey County Environmental Center Tour – Monday, July 21, 6 to 7:30 p.m. e. ENR Commission Calendar • June 11: Commission Roles and Responsibilities Discussion, Friends of Maplewood Nature, Draft Annual Report • July: July 21, 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Environmental Center Tour in lieu of regular meeting • August: August 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Capitol Region Watershed District Tour in lieu of regular meeting • September 10: BizRecycling/Energy Smart 10. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Lates made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Bryan. Ayes – All The motion passed. Chairperson Lates adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m.