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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-03 ENR Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2008 COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST Call to Order Chair Yingling called the meeting to order at 5: 15 p.m. Roll Call: Frederica Musgrave Carole Lynne Carol Mason Sherrill Dale Trippler Ginny Yingling Present Present Present Present Excused Staff Present: Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Ginny Gaynor, Open Space Naturalist Approval of Agenda Commissioner Trippler made a motion to approve the agenda as written, seconded by Commissioner Lynne. The motion carried by a vote of 4 to O. Approval of Minutes: a. May 6, 2008 Commissioner Musgrave commented that there was no explanation as to why she voted nay on the approval of these minutes. She felt that the visitor presentations should come earlier in the meeting and had a concern about the emergency meeting - short notice. Planner Finwall commented that a change was made to the April 21 minutes to reflect Commissioner Musgrave's reasoning and she will also add the above comments to the May 6 minutes. Commissioner Trippler stated that he would like the language changed from much to many and from giving to given on page 5, 3rd paragraph from the bottom. Commissioner Trippler made a motion to approve the May 6 minutes as modified, seconded by Commissioner Lynne. The motion carried by a vote of 3 to 0, with Commissioner Musgrave abstaining. 1 Unfinished Business: a. Resolution of Appreciation for Margaret Behrens, John Mason, and Tom Moibi (tabled from 5-6-08 and 5-20-08 meetings) Commissioner Musgrave moved to approve the resolutions of appreciation. The motion failed for lack of second. Commissioner Trippler made a motion recommending that the city council adopt a resolution of appreciation policy that would formally appreciate board and commission members if they have served at least 1/3,d of their term. Seconded by Commissioner Mason Sherrill. Commissioner Lynne made a friendly amendment to include that the boards and commissions should show their appreciation of board and commissioners if they served less than that by sending a card of thanks. Commissioner Trippler approved the friendly amendment. The motion carried by vote of 3 to 1 with Commissioner Musgrave voting against the motion. b. Comprehensive Plan - Natural Resource Chapter Naturalist Gaynor discussed revisions to the chapter and stated that there is also a new implementation plan included in this review. Ms. Gaynor also mentioned that the city was awarded a $10,000 grant from the DN R to conduct a plant inventory of the city to assist with the corridor identifications. Staff is requesting that the commission review the draft natural resource chapter and make final comments and recommendations. Commissioner Musgrave - What is the general philosophy regarding the master plan? Naturalist Gaynor stated that the philosophy is explained in the parks plan, but the intent is to watch for issues before they get out of hand such as invasive weeds. Commissioner Trippler commented on the table and asked whether staff feels confident that they can reach these goals and objectives by this timeframe? Naturalist Gaynor stated that staff feels that we are on track to meet all of those timeframes. Commissioner Musgrave stated that she likes the Bioblitz idea. Commissioner Mason Sherrill commented that the Maplewood Forest Plan should be changed to the Tree Plan. Naturalist Gaynor discussed the concept of having a buffer for greenways. Commissioner Musgrave asked if we could replace the word mandate with the word educate? Naturalist Gaynor stated that the city may want to mandate in some situations. Commissioner Mason Sherrill asked if there is language on how we are going to coordinate those greenways with the neighboring communities. 2 Naturalist Gaynor stated that there was a comment on one of the implementation strategies that we meet with our neighbors. Commissioner Trippler commented that he feels there needs to be some sort of transition or explanation up front which would bring Maplewood citizens in on how they become part of the natural resources plan. Maybe on the bottom of page one, after the paragraph that says the natural resource plan is a guide it could state that this plan will also provide citizens with an understanding of how they can playa role in achieving these goals and objectives through wise land use and management of their property. Naturalist Gaynor stated that she would add that language. Commissioner Trippler commented on bottom of page 2, goal number 9, second line reads "Natural areas, interpretation of natural resources." He feels this is language that people will not understand. Naturalist Gaynor responded that the definition of interpretation will be put in the Glossary. Commissioner Trippler commented on page 8 under greenway challenges, second bullet it states that development is a serious threat to the potential of this greenway. He asked if it should state unwise development or unplanned development. Naturalist Gaynor stated we could add another bullet stating that it will be a challenge to preserve greenways but that we are doing conservation design and development in that area. We can also add a bullet with the addition of unwise or unplanned development. Commissioner Musgrave commented on page 14, on the urban wildlife management, she would like to see something about education or proactive protection to sustain and improve the urban wildlife. She would prefer to see a bullet on page one regarding something more proactive in this regard. Commissioner Trippler stated that Commissioner Musgrave is suggesting a comment about educating citizens on the value of urban wildlife, why is it important to manage it, and how can they playa role in that management. Naturalist Gaynor commented that they could add a bullet stating that educating the residents about the value and stewardship of urban wildlife. Commissioner Musgrave stated that she expected to see more of her suggestions in regard to the Mississippi River Critical Area Corridor. Naturalist Gaynor will take a look at those suggestions and add the information. Commissioner Mason Sherrill made a recommendation that at the end of the meeting commissioners turn in their marked copies to staff for review. Naturalist Gaynor commented that the next step in the process is to submit this to the planning commission. Commissioner Trippler made a motion that commissioners put their name on their memorandum that they received in their packet with suggested changes and give it to staff. Staff can look at those and incorporate the changes if appropriate and that the commission then can have staff pass this on to the planning commission for their 3 meeting June 17. Commissioner Mason-Sherrill seconded. The motion carried by a vote of 3 to 0, with Commissioner Musgrave abstaining due to the fact that she felt she did not have time to study this in detail and get some feedback to check with people who are more knowledgeable than her. New Business: a. Comprehensive Plan - Sustainability Chapter Planner Finwall stated that the Community Design and Review Board recommended approval of the document. She commented that the Sustainability Chapter will be separate and distinctive from the Natural Resource Section and will deal with sustainability within the city's built environment. Commissioner Trippler questioned what type of transportation the city would be developing in the near future? Planner Finwall stated that it is about promoting transportation options of citizens without cars. Commissioner Trippler stated then that the term creating should be taken out. Commissioner Trippler commented that on page 4, second bullet, he doesn't see bio- diesel as being sustainable. Commissioner Mason Sherrill suggested changing that to alternative fuels. Commissioner Musgrave made a suggestion to table discussion on the Sustainability Chapter for additional time to review. Commissioner Mason Sherrill stated that she would like a future discussion on boulevard trees when this item comes back before the commission. Commissioner Trippler made a motion to table the Sustainability Chapter to the next meeting, seconded by Commissioner Musgrave. The motion carried by a vote of 4 to O. Visitor Presentations Elizabeth Sletten, 2747 Clarence Street, spoke about the proposed wetland ordinance and handed out information pertaining to impaired lakes within the city. 4 Commission Presentations a. Mercury and CFLs Commissioner Musgrave asked if we should do a general recommendation, motion of recommending that we have something about mercury and light bulb recycling, information on safety enclosed in either the monthly Maplewood Newsletter or if we could put something on our website to encourage Eureka recycling to get the information to the public about disposing of light bulbs with mercury. Planner Finwall feels it would be a good idea to put an article an upcoming City Newslettter. These types of light bulbs have to be disposed of at the household hazardous waste site. Commissioner Trippler commented that florescent lights should also be included in the article as they have mercury also. b. U of M College of Natural Resources Environmental Capstone Project Commissioner Mason Sherrill explained graduating seniors of the Environmental Policy program and the University of Minnesota do a capstone project each year at various communities. They are interested in working with the City of Maplewood next fall. The city would need to present them with a well defined issue. These students would then attend meetings and look at what we have and ask us where do we want to go and how are we going to get there. They will then present us with a project of an unbiased research based comprehensive portfolio for some type of environmental policy issue in Maplewood. She asked the commissioners if they have any ideas. Commissioner Trippler stated that the greenway corridors might be a good area for the students to look into. Naturalist Gaynor stated that staff will review the proposal and give it some thought also. Perhaps the blvd tree issue or irrigation could work as a project. Commissioner Trippler stated that the commissioners should send ideas to Commissioner Mason Sherrill. Staff Presentations a. Schedule Second Meeting in June to Review Wetland Ordinance The Commissioners agreed on June 24 b. Reschedule July 1 Meeting Due to Fourth of July Holiday The Commissioners will check their schedules and get back to staff. c. Maplewood Nature Center Report Planner Finwall stated that the report is for the commissioner's information to give them an update on the nature center events and programs. d. Gladstone Savanna Contamination 5 Planner Finwall stated that there is no action required on the contamination of the savanna until there is work completed on the site, at which time there will be a presentation for the commission. Adjourn 6