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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-13-26 ENR Minutes-FINALMINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Wednesday, May 13, 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 6:02 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Rebecca Bryan, Commissioner Present Joanne Cryer, Vice-Chairperson Present Benjamin Guell, Commissioner Absent David Lates, Commissioner Present Ted Redmond, Commissioner Absent Wes Saunders-Pearce, Chairperson Present Deborah Schneiderman, Commissioner Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Lates moved to approve the May 13, 2026, agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Bryan. Ayes – All The motion passed. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. April 8, 2026 Commissioner Schneiderman moved to approve the April 8, 2026, minutes as written. Seconded by Commissioner Lates. Ayes - All The motion passed. 5. RETURNING BUSINESS a. Final Climate Mitigation Plan 2 Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator, introduced the final Climate Mitigation Plan. The Commission agreed that the additional action items involving transportation and connections with the County and surrounding communities were positive additions and were looking forward to moving forward with implementing the actions once approved. Commissioner Bryan made a motion to approve the final Climate Mitigation Plan. Seconded by Commissioner Cryer. Ayes – All The motion passed. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Recycling and Trash Request for Proposal Update Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator, updated the Commission on the Recycling and Trash Request for Proposal and asked for two Commission volunteers to serve on the Proposal Review Committee. The Commission had the following questions and feedback: • Recycling Carts: o How would the City fund the carts? Staff explained the County offers a public entities solid waste grant to cover up to half the price, and the other half could be funded with City’s recycling reserve fund (excess budget funds from the trash and recycling program) or utility bonds. The Finance Department has not reviewed this proposal yet, so the funding methods would need to be studied further. o Why would it be beneficial for the City to own recycling carts? Staff explained it would allow all haulers to propose on the City’s contract, even the smaller haulers who don’t have the resources to roll out 12,000 recycling carts. Additionally, it allows the City to better manage its solid waste program. • Yard Waste o It would be beneficial to know what if residents prefer an opt-in or all-inclusive yard waste system. o Some people don’t have room to store an additional cart for yard waste. o Either system should ensure that the cost of the yard waste is affordable. o Generally, the Commission is supportive of continuing the opt-in system but reviewing alternative billing options to allow people to opt-in later in the season and get prorated rates or have monthly billing. • Pay as You Throw: The City should continue with some form of Pay as You Throw trash cart pricing to ensure larger carts are paying larger amounts. 3 • Bulky Items: It would be beneficial to see what type of alternative curbside bulky item collection contractors propose besides the pay-per- item system the City currently has. • Proposal Review Committee: Chair Wes Saunders-Pearce and Commissioner Lates volunteered to serve on the Proposal Review Committee. Chair Saunders-Pearce made a motion to appoint himself and Commissioner Lates to the Recycling and Trash Proposal Review Committee: Seconded by Commissioner Lates. Ayes – All The motion passed. b. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Annual Report Shann Finwall, Sustainability Coordinator, introduced the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Report. Chair Saunders-Pearce volunteered to present the report to the City Council on June 8. Commissioner Bryan made a motion to approve the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Annual Report. Seconded by Commissioner Cryer. Ayes – All The motion passed. 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. City Programs and Events 1) Spring Clean Up Follow Up – April 25 2) Waterfest – May 30, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Phalen Lakeside Activity Center The Commission’s Waterfest booth will focus on stormwater management to include education and outreach on how to keep our lakes and wetlands clean through the Adopt a Drain program and other best practices. 4 Commissioners Bryan and Cryer volunteered to assist with booth materials. Commissioners Bryan, Cryer, and Lates volunteered to take a shift at the Waterfest booth. b. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Calendar 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Lates moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Bryanl. Ayes – All The motion passed and Chairperson Pearce-Saunders adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m.