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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2-11-26 ENR Minutes-FINALMINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Wednesday, February 11, 2026 6:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Saunders-Pearce called a meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission to order at 6:05 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Rebecca Bryan, Commissioner Present Joanne Cryer, Vice-Chairperson Present Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Present David Lates, Commissioner Absent Ted Redmond, Commissioner Absent Wes Saunders-Pearce, Chairperson Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator Jon Jarosch, Assistant City Engineer 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Saunders-Pearce moved to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Bryan. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. January 14, 2026 The January 14, 2026, minutes were tabled until the February 11, 2026, Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission meeting. 5. NEW BUSINESS a. Maplewood Stormwater Management Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator, introduced the subject. Jon Jarosch, Maplewood Assistant City Engineer, and Nicole Maras, Ramsey- Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD) Regulatory Program Manager reviewed and presented 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. 2 The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission had the following questions and comments: • The City and watershed district should consider requiring or encouraging stormwater best management practices including Chloride reduction for the trails located in the wetland buffer at the new Century Ponds development. Ms. Maras stated Chloride reduction is a high priority for the watershed district board. The City and the watershed district will work with the developer on Chloride reduction strategies. • Has Maplewood applied for the watershed district’s street sweeping grant? Assistant City Engineer Jarosch stated the City will be pursuing that grant this year. • The ENR Commission should focus their environmental education and outreach on smart salting techniques. Ms. Maras stated the watershed district started a campaign called “get gritty” that the Commission could help promote. Assistant City Engineer Jarosch added that the City is required to education on the impacts of pet waste on our waters. • The ENR Commission asked for ideas on stormwater management tours. It was determined that a tour of Aldrich Arena, Frost Avenue Street reconstruction, and Wakefield Park areas would spotlight stormwater management best practices implemented by the watershed district and the City. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. 2026 Work Plan and Environmental Priorities Implementation Strategies Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator, introduced the subject. The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission made the following comment: • In addition to the Work Plan items, the ENR Commission should focus on stormwater management education and outreach at events. The Work Plan and Environmental Priorities will be included in the ENR Commission’s annual report to the City Council. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS None 3 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator, updated the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission on the following: a. City Programs and Events 1) Arbor Day Tree Sale – March 2 Ordering Begins, May 15 and 18 Pick Up Trees 2) Edgerton Community Garden Registration – February 24 for Returning Gardeners and March 16 for New Gardeners 3) State of Maplewood – March 10, 9 to 10:30 a.m., Maplewood YMCA Community Center 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. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Saunders-Pearce adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m.