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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-08-19 ENR Minutes ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2008 COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST 1. CALL TO ORDER . Dale Trippler called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. . The commissioners nominated Commissioner Trippler and Commissioner Musgrave to act as chair for the meeting. The commissioners submitted secret ballots for the vote. Shann Finwall counted the ballots and Commissioner Musgrave received 2 votes and Commissioner Trippler received 3 votes. Dale Trippler took the responsibility of acting chair for the meeting. 2. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Judith Johannessen Carole Lynne Frederica Musgrave Bill Schreiner Dale Trippler Staff Present: Shann Finwall Visitors Present: Mark Doneux and Pat Conrad, Capitol Region Watershed District Elizabeth Sletten, 2747 Clarence Street 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA . Commissioner Lynne made a motion to approve the agenda with the tabling of item 8.a. (plastic bag presentation), seconded by Commissioner Musgrave. The amended agenda was approved by a vote of 5-0. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES June 24 Minutes: Commissioner Musgrave voiced Concerns about the recording and creation of the minutes. She stated that the city is not following a standard style or protocol for each commission or city council minutes. She cannot approve minutes that do not follow a standard format or that include a 1 story telling style where comments are summarized. She is concerned that what she is saying during the meetings is not being recorded accurately. She feels the minutes should be recorded by a professional in a professional format, she is submitting her nine-page report with concerns to the city manager, city attorney, city council and the ENR commission. Commissioner Musgrave made a motion to recommend that the city council adopt a standardized minute format for all commission/board/council minutes. The motion failed for a lack of a second. Commissioner Trippler requested a correction in the minutes on the ninth paragraph, third line: "form" to "from". Commissioner Schreiner made a motion to approve the June 24 minutes with the one correction, Commissioner Lynne seconded. The motion carried by a vote of 3 to 1 with Commissioner Musgrave voting against the minutes and Commissioner Johannessen abstaining. July 15 Minutes: A correction to the minutes was made on page 2, third paragraph down, fourth sentence, change the wording to "the commission" and in next line replace the word "they" with "the." On page 4 third paragraph down remove the word "for." Commissioner Trippler asked staff why the wetland workshop was cancelled. Planner Finwall explained that the chair of the ENR Commission and one of the staff members was not able to attend. The workshop will be held on September 2 during the regular ENR Commission meeting. Commissioner Johannessen mentioned a need for correction on page two, first paragraph, "and" is to be replaced with an. Commissioner Musgrave has concerns regarding whether commissioners are being recorded as excused or absent including attending city council members. She mentioned that City Council Member Juenemmann was present at this meeting. Planner Finwall asked for clarification on whether the ENR Commission wanted city council liaisons to be listed as present on minutes and do commissioners want roll call to state absent or excused. Commissioner Trippler feels it is acceptable as is. Commissioner Musgrave feels the City Council and City Manager make decisions regarding procedures and protocol so there is consistency, rather than each commission doing their own thing. She suggested that this be tabled for further discussion. Commissioner Trippler suggested that Commissioner Musgrave raise this issue at a city council meeting. 2 Commissioner Trippler made a motion to adopt the July 15 minutes with corrections as noted, Commissioner Lynne seconded. The motion carried by a vote of 4 to 0 with Commissioner Musgrave abstaining. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. NEW BUSINESS A. Capitol Region Watershed District - 2010 Watershed Management Plan Planner Finwall introduced Mark Doneux and Pat Conrad of the Capitol Region Watershed District. . Mark Doneux discussed the watershed advisory board. He is here tonight to ask the commission to appoint one or two commissioners to their watershed district planning process. . Mr. Doneux discussed the planning process and a need for community input. About a year from now, they want to get the implementation plan ready so they can begin the formal plan review process with the state to order adopt the plan. They are focusing on forward thinking and innovative management techniques, because our world is changing and we need to anticipate changes in our water resources and environment as we incorporate these into our plan. . Mr. Doneux states he wants to emphasize cooperative efforts. We want the city to appoint members to the commission to attend five meetings over an 18-month period . Commissioner Musgrave is wondering if Capitol Region Watershed District revisits sites often for testing. . Mr. Doneux responded that in the Capitol Region Watershed District, the monitoring they do is continuous throughout the growing season. . Commissioner Musgrave asked if the results can be found on the Internet . Current monitoring reports can be found on the website at www.capitolreqionwd.orq. . Commissioner Trippler asked for the number of people needed from the City of Maplewood to serve on the advisory board. He also asked of the qualifications needed. . Mr. Doneux stated that there is not a limit to the number of participants. They are looking for people who have an interest in this matter. He also mentioned that the kick-off meeting is September 25, so would they would like people signed up by September 15. 3 . Commissioner Musgrave asked if the citizens are appointed or recommended for the advisory group. She stated that the citizens who live in some of these areas are very knowledgeable and can do the research. Commissioner Musgrave requested that Elizabeth Sletten and Sharon Sandeen serve on the advisory board. She feels there is a need for citizens who are concerned as well as commissioners. . Commissioner Trippler mentioned that if there are people interested in this opportunity that they contact Shann Finwall and she can submit this onto the city manager or city council. . Commissioner Musgrave feels the city council needs to make the final decision, as they are an elected entity. . Commissioner Musgrave wanted clarification on the process for getting on the committee. . Commissioner Lynne made a recommendation that we appoint a representative to serve on the community advisory group. . Commissioner Schreiner volunteered to serve on the advisory board from the commission. . Planner Finwall will forward on the names of Bill Schreiner, Elizabeth Sletten, Sharon Sandeen and anyone else that is interested in serving on the advisory board to Capitol Region Watershed District. B. St. Paul Regional Water Services - Zebra Mussel and Other Invasive Species Management Plan . Planner Finwall explained there are zebra mussels present in the Mississippi River, Vadnais, Sucker and Pleasant Lakes prompting the SPRWS to evaluate the infestation potential and subsequent impacts of zebra mussels on the watershed and water supply system. A plan has been created; with one of the objectives to minimize the potential spread of zebra mussels and other exotic species. . Commissioner Lynne mentioned that the eggs move from lake to lake. . Planner Finwall responded that one of the recommendations in the management plan is that the release of water from the pipes be done when the larvae are inactive. . Commissioner Musgrave asked if this is included in our comprehensive plan. If this is already part of the plan, do we have to okay this before the city council makes a decision? She also asked whether money is involved and wondered why this in front of us for approval. 4 . Planner Finwall responded that the management of invasive species is mentioned in our comprehensive plan. This is new information that the city has become aware of regarding the potential for the spread of invasive species through the water supply to our water bodies. We are hoping to send a strong statement to the SPRWS that includes not releasing invasive water species into our water. The management plan would be fully funded by SPRWS. . Commissioner Musgrave asked if the commission will be looking at all management plans that come up . Planner Finwall responded that if a management plan for a specific government body could have environmental impacts on the city, such as this plan, it would be appropriate for the ENR Commission to review the plan. . Commissioner Musgrave asked if visitors want to speak on this before we vote. There was none. . Commissioner Trippler made a motion to recommend that the city council recommend that the SPRWS not drain water, which may contain zebra mussels or other invasive species, from SPRWS conduits into drainage ways that will enter Maplewood's lakes and streams. Seconded by Commissioner Johannessen. The motion passed by a vote of 5 to O. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS Elizabeth Sletten, 2747 Clarence Street, voiced some concerns she has with the wetland ordinance. She submitted photos that were placed on the overhead: 1. First photo is a document of the first draft for review and discussion proposals dated May 14, 2007 from the Association of State Wetland Managers, Inc., called the model ordinance for regulating wetlands. She brought attention to the back cover where it stated that the report has been funded by the EPA region 7, 8 and 10. She printed off a map of the EPA regional district and stated her concern is that region 5 was not included. Region 5 covers Minnesota/Maplewood. She pointed out that the document has nothing to do with Minnesota or Maplewood. She is concerned that the commission is using this document to make recommendations from. 2. The second document she submitted has to do with the new wetland ordinance. She pointed out her parent's property where she pointed to the area of the lot which could be impacted by the new ordinance. She feels the information was not depicted appropriately. She brought forward this information to the city manager. She is also concerned about what is being done regarding county ditch 18, a man made ditch full of pollutants with a broken light lying on the old compost site area. 3. She also voiced concern regarding one of the holding ponds. Lawn mowers, a grocery cart, and other debris have not been cleaned up in this area. She 5 recommended that the city staff should get this area cleaned up. She also recommended that the city contact Region 5 of the EPA regarding these issues. . Commissioner Lynne felt offended by some of Ms. Sletton's remarks directed toward the Commission. . Ms. Sletton feels she is educating the commission because they have been misdirected by the information they have been given. . Commissioner Musgrave is wondering why the city wasn't included in the document. She is aware of the garbage at Kohlman Creek. She feels there are many citizens concerned about the actions we are taking. She feels the Commission is not examining what the city and county are actually doing. She stated a need to listen to the citizens because there are areas in the city not being taken care of. . Commissioner Johannessen read the model ordinance for review and as an overview. She feels this is not meant to be an ordinance to follow but to be used as an aid only in the modifications to our own ordinance. . Ms. Sletton stated that she would be willing to serve on the Capitol Regional Watershed District advisory board. . Commissioner Musgrave asked for a clarification on the commission's role of what an ordinance is. She stated that when we make recommendations for an ordinance that is the equivalent of making laws. . Commissioner Trippler said when we make recommendations to the city council it is up to the city council to use or disregard our recommendations and to decide if an ordinance goes into place or not. Richard Charboneau, owner of 1745 E. Cope Avenue submitted concerns regarding the wetland ordinance. He does not feel that the ordinance should apply to lots that are smaller than half an acre. It would deem the property unbuildable. 8. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS A. ENR New Member Orientation Planner Finwall handed out new member orientation material and stated that this is also a good recap for existing members. 6 10. B. U OF MN Environmental Sciences Capstone Project Update Planner Finwall submitted an update to the ENR Commission on the University of Minnesota Capstone Project. The students will be working with the city on a project titled "Sustainable Maplewood." There are 49 students this year. This project will run from September through December. They will do a presentation for the ENR Commission in December. C. Eureka City Campus Recycling Assessment and Trash Sort Update (tabled due to lack of time). D. National Night Out Recycling Bin Distribution Review (tabled due to lack of time) E. Maplewood Nature Center Programs (tabled due to lack of time) ADJOURN - 6:45 P.M. 7