HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-11-26 ENR PacketAGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Maplewood City Council Chambers
1803 County Road B East
1.Call to Order
2.Roll Call
3.Approval of Agenda
4.Approval of Minutes
a.January 14, 2026
5.New Business
a.Maplewood Stormwater Management
6.Unfinished Business
a.2026 Work Plan and Environmental Priorities Implementation Strategies
7.Visitor Presentations
8.Commissioner Presentations
9.Staff Presentations (oral reports)
a.City Programs and Events
1)Arbor Day Tree Sale
a)Paper Orders February 2 to 16
b)Online Orders March 2 to May 1
c)Tree Pick Up May 16 and 18
2)Edgerton Community Garden Registration
a)Returning Gardeners - February 24 to March 10
b)New Gardeners - March 16
3)State of Maplewood – March 10, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
4)Bluebird Monitoring – March 19, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Maplewood Nature
Center
5)Spring Clean Up – April 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Aldrich Arena
b.Reschedule November 11, 2026, ENR Commission Meeting due to Veteran’s
Day Holiday (suggested dates Tuesday, November 10 or Monday, November
16)
c.Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Calendar
10.Adjourn
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
6:00 P.M.
1.CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson Lates called a meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources
Commission to order at 6:04 p.m.
2.ROLL CALL
Rebecca Bryan, Commissioner Present
Joanne Cryer, Commissioner Present (at 6:10 p.m.)
Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Absent
David Lates, Chairperson Present
Ted Redmond, Commissioner Present
Wes Saunders-Pearce, Commissioner Present
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Chairperson Lates moved to approve the agenda.
Seconded by Commissioner Saunders-Pearce.Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.November 12, 2025
Commissioner Lates moved to approve the November 12, 2025, Environmental
and Natural Resources Commission meeting minutes as written.
Seconded by Commissioner Saunders-Pearce. Ayes – Commissioners
Bryan, Lates, Saunders-
Pearce
Abstain – Commission
Redmond
The motion passed.
5.NEW BUSINESS
a.Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Agenda Item 4.a.
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Commissioner Bryan made a motion to nominate Commissioner Saunders-
Pearce to serve as Chairperson.
Seconded by Commissioner Lates. Ayes-All
Commissioner Lates made a motion to nominate Commissioner Cryer to serve
as Vice-Chairperson.
Seconded by Commissioner Bryan. Ayes-All
Newly elected Chair, Saunders-Pearce suggests that Commissioner Lates chair
the remainder of the meeting. Commissioner Lates accepted.
b. 2026 Work Plan and Environmental Priorities
Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator, introduced the subject.
The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was supportive of the
work plan and environmental priorities presented by staff. Following are
comments and feedback:
• Outside tours should be limited to one this year.
• Consider inviting the Center for Energy and Environment to speak at an
upcoming Commission meeting.
• The Commission should continue the stormwater management policy review.
• Review options for sustainability interns.
• The Commission should focus closely on implementation of the Climate
Mitigation Plan action items once approved by the City Council.
• The Commission should review the City’s calendar of events for educational
outreach opportunities.
Staff will summarize the discussion next month and make recommendations for
implementation.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None
8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS
None
9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS
Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator, updated the Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission on the following:
a. November 24, 2025, City Council Meeting - Church of Pentecost, 1701 Gervais
Avenue, Wetland Buffer Variance
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The proposed land use permits for the church expansion, including the wetland
buffer variance, were approved by the City Council on November 24.
b. Board and Commission Appreciation Dinner – Thursday, February 5, 2026, 5:00
to 6:30 p.m., North Fire Station, 1530 County Road C East
c. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Calendar
10. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Lates adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date February 11, 2026
REPORT TO:
REPORT FROM:
PRESENTER:
AGENDA ITEM:
Action Requested: ☐ Motion Discussion ☐ Public Hearing
Form of Action: ☐Resolution ☐ Ordinance ☐Contract/Agreement ☐ Proclamation
Summary:
Stormwater management in Maplewood consists of a comprehensive program that protects and
improves the quality of water resources within the City.
Recommended Action:
Offer comment and feedback on the stormwater management presentation.
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: n/a
Strategic Plan Relevance:
Safety ◊Focus Area: Maintain and enhance infrastructure and environmental systems
Sustainability ◊ Focus Area: Advance environmental stewardship initiatives
Development ◊ Focus Area: Promote residential development and thoughtful redevelopment
Maplewood’s stormwater management program provides the framework for management,
improvement and protection of the City’s surface water resources; contributes to the quality of life
by preserving and enhancing the high environmental quality of the community; protects public
investments and private property related to or affected by surface water; helps to understand the
larger context of surface water management issues in relation to land use and land use policy; and
balances environmental protection and enhancement needs with economic needs and capabilities.
Background:
One of the Commission’s 2025 environmental priorities included a review of the City’s Stormwater
Management policies. To begin the review last year the Commission toured the Capital Region
Watershed District (CRWD) in St. Paul. The CRWD District includes parts of Falcon Heights,
Lauderdale, Maplewood, Roseville and St. Paul. Through research, planning and action, CRWD
helps solve and prevent water-related problems within the 40 square-mile District.
Agenda Item 5.a.
During the February 11 meeting the Commission will continue the stormwater management policy
review with a presentation from Jon Jarosch, Maplewood Assistant City Engineer, and Nicole
Maras, Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) Regulatory Program Manager.
Jon and Nicole will review and present Maplewood’s stormwater management policies, the 2026
street project, and how the two organizations coordinate stormwater best management strategies to
ensure our surface waters are protected.
Attachments:
None
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ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date February 11, 2026
REPORT TO:
REPORT FROM:
PRESENTER:
AGENDA ITEM:
Action Requested: ☐ Motion Discussion ☐ Public Hearing
Form of Action: ☐Resolution ☐ Ordinance ☐Contract/Agreement ☐ Proclamation
Summary:
The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission ordinance outlines the
Commission’s duties and responsibilities to include: The Commission shall establish environmental
priorities for the city in partnership with the City Council and recommend changes or new policies
that control, protect, preserve, and enhance the City’s environmental assets. Yearly the ENR
Commission adopts environmental priorities to help achieve those duties and responsibilities.
Recommended Action:
Review the 2026 Work Plan and Environmental Priorities implementation strategies.
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: n/a
Strategic Plan Relevance:
☐Safety ◊Focus Area:
Sustainability ◊ Focus Area: Advance environmental stewardship initiatives
☐Development ◊ Focus Area: Choose a development focus area.
Establishing environmental priorities will allow the ENR Commission to operate effectively by setting
an agenda and work plan for the year. It also assists the City in meeting its environmental
stewardship strategic priority.
Background:
In January the ENR Commission reviewed the 2026 Work Plan items and discussed environmental
priorities. During the February meeting, the Commission should discuss how best to implement
those priorities.
Agenda Item 6.a.
Work Plan
Following is a list of 2026 Work Plan items and possible dates for review:
1.Trash and Recycling 2026 Annual Review – April 2026
2.Trash and Recycling Request for Proposals – First Quarter of 2026
3.Climate Mitigation Plan – March and May 2026
Environmental Priorities
1. Tour: One outside tour of an organization that supports the City’s stormwater management
or climate action planning.
2. Presentation: Outside presentation(s) from organizations that support the City’s stormwater
management or climate action planning.
3.Environmental Education and Outreach on the City’s stormwater management or climate
action planning.
a.Spring Clean Up – April 25
b. Waterfest - May 30
c.Celebrate Summer Events –
1)Afton Heights Park – July
2)Edgerton Park – August
3)Friday Fireworks – September
Implementation Strategies
Staff will propose implementation strategies for the proposed environmental priorities during the
February 11 Commission meeting.
Summary
The Environmental Priorities will be included in the ENR Commission’s annual report to the City
Council.
Attachments:
None
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