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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-21 ENR Minutes Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Minutes Monday, April 21, 2008 Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 6:00 p.m. Call to Order: 6 p.m. Roll Call: Commissioners Present: Carole Lynne, Carol Mason Sherrill, Frederica Musgrave, Ginny Yingling, Dale Trippler Staff Present: Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Trippler made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Musgrave to approve the April 21, 2008, agenda with three commission presentations - 5.a. Broadcast Ordinance Update; 5.b. CFLs and Mercury; 5.c. Woodbury Task Force. The motion passed 5 to O. New Business: Rules of Procedure. Planner Finwall discussed the proposed Rules of Procedure. Rules of Procedure will help the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission facilitate the conduct of meetings and reduce the risk of mishandling important matters. Staff is requesting that the ENR Commission review the draft Rules of Procedure and make comments and recommendations. The following comments were made by the commissioners regarding the Rules of Procedure: . Meetings: Commissioner Lynne asked if there was anything stating that if a commissioner missed three-consecutive regular meetings in a year without good cause that they would be asked to resign? Chair Yingling pointed out that this was covered in the ordinance and the ordinance over-rides the rules. Commissioner Musgrave asked if there was a possibility of holding one three-hour meeting instead of two meetings a month. April 21, 2008, ENR Commission Minutes Page 1 Chair Yingling stated that due to the other board and commission schedules in the council chambers this was not possible. The commissioners stated that the meeting time should be changed from 5:45 to 5:15. Planner Finwall asked if the commissioners would appreciate a call prior to the meetings. This way staff can be assured that there will be a quorum and the commissioners can have a reminder. The commissioners agreed that this was not necessary. Commissioner Musgrave expressed concern that a two-day notice prior to a special meeting does not seem adequate. Commissioner Musgrave made a motion, seconded by Chair Yingling to require more notice than just two days prior to a special meeting. The motion failed by a vote of 2 to 1 with Commissioners Lynne and Chair Yingling voting against, Commissioner Musgrave voting for, and Commissioners Trippler and Mason Sherrill abstaining. . Quorum No changes. . Duties of Chairperson The commission discussed adding another responsibility for the chairperson including attending city council meetings when an agenda item reviewed by the commission will be heard. In the discussion of appointments, the commission added the requirement that all task force representatives will be appointed by the overall commission by a majority vote. This would require the removal of the chairperson's responsibility of appointing the task force members in this section. . Election of Officers The commission would like to add a section on the procedure for electing officers. The commission was not able to complete this item and will continue this discussion at a later meeting. . Chairperson and Vice Chairperson The word "appointed" was changed to "elected" in this section. . Vacancies No changes. April 21, 2008, ENR Commission Minutes Page 2 . Appointments This item was changed so that task force representatives will be appointed by the commission by a majority vote. . Public Works Department No changes. . Agenda Commissioner Trippler made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill to adopt the format for agendas which would move visitor presentations below new business. The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 1 with Commissioner Musgrave voting against the motion. . Amendment or Suspension of Rules No changes. . Rules of Order The commission pointed out to staff that the sentence should end just after "Roberts Rules of Order, Revised." The commissioners discussed the election of chair and vice chair. Commissioner Musgrave suggested that commissioners should give a five minute speech as to why they want to be a chair or vice chair prior to the election. Commissioner Mason-Sherrill suggested rather than a speech the commissioners could announce their desire to run for chair or vice-chair in December, that way if a commissioner wants more information on why that person wants to be the chair or vice chair they would have time to discuss it with them. No decision was made and the commissioners agreed to discuss this item at a later date. Commissioner Trippler made a motion to approve the portions of the Rules of Procedure discussed during the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill. The motion passed by a vote of 4 to 1 with Commissioner Musgrave voting against the draft Rules based on concerns with the special emergency meetings (too short notice) and agenda format (listing visitor presentations further down on the agenda). Commission Presentations: Broadcast Ordinance: Chair Yingling requested comments regarding the proposed broadcast ordinance be forwarded to her. CFLs and Mercury: Commissioner Musgrave stated she had a call from a resident with concerns over mercury in light bulbs. Due to time constraints this item was tabled until the next meeting. April 21, 2008, ENR Commission Minutes Page 3 Woodburning Task Force: Commissioner Musgrave questioned what the woodburning task force was looking into. Planner Finwall indicated that Councilmember Rossbach was organizing this and she would get more information for the commission. Adjourn: 7 p.m. April 21, 2008, ENR Commission Minutes Page 4