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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-07-20 ENR Minutes CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION July 20, 2009 7:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MAPLEWOOD CITY HALL 1830 COUNTY ROAD BEAST 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Mason Sherrill indicated seven commissioners were present; there was quorum. 2. ROLL CALL Chair Carol Mason Sherrill Commissioner Judith Johannessen Commissioner Carole Lynne Commissioner Frederica Musgrave Commissioner Bill Schreiner Commissioner Dale Trippler Commissioner Ginny Yingling Staff members present: Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator Andrew Hovland, Consulting Tree Inspector Kathleen Juenemann, City Council person Liaison 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Mason Sherrill asked for approval of the agenda, and ifthere were any additions or corrections. Commissioner Musgrave stated she was watching the cable cast oftheir meeting and could not hear everyone speaking. She reminded the commissioners to speak into their microphones. Commissioner Musgrave also wanted to add two agenda items (New Business Items and City Council Consent Agenda). Commissioner Lynne made a motion to approve the agenda as revised, seconded by Commissioner Johannessen. The motion carried by a unanimous vote. 4. APPROV AL OF MINUTES - June 2, 2009 Commissioner Trippler suggested they change a sentence to read: "Commissioner Schreiner was appointed after receiving four of seven votes". On page three a sentence read "Chair Mason Sherrill said this item will be brought forward to the next meeting". Commissioner Trippler could not determine what "this item" pertained to. The commission moved to strike the sentence; it was referring to meeting times and wind turbines. Commissioner Johannessen said that on page six, the word "purpose" should be "propose". Commissioner Johannessen corrected a sentence regarding "over-use of drain oils,". Commissioner Musgrave said a sentence should be corrected to read "Environmental Planner Finwall said she would present this information to the City Council meeting on June 8th... This was referring to the Fish Creek ad hoc commission appointments. Commissioner Musgrave had asked for an update on the groundwater protection plan. She had mentioned it several times during the meeting, and it was not reflected in the minutes. Environmental Planner Finwall said she outlined and explained the groundwater protection plan in an e-mail to the commissioners. Commissioner Lynne made a motion to approve the minutes, as amended, and Commissioner Schreiner seconded the motion. The motion carried by a vote of six to one with Commission Musgrave voting against the motion. 5. NEW BUSINESS - a) Emerald Ash Borer Mr. Andy Hovland, the city's consulting tree inspector, gave a presentation and explanation ofthe biology ofthe Emerald Ash Borer. He explained what the city of St. Paul has done about infestation and what has been done in other cities. The Emerald Ash Borer was originally found in Detroit in 2002. He explained the factors in infestation; human senses cannot pick it up, trees are thin, bad winters, drought, and in the early stages, crown thinning. By the time crown die-back occurs, most of the trees are past the point of saving them. The insect has spread quickly in southern Michigan and Canada. It has moved into Indiana, Ohio, Maryland, New York and Minnesota. They believe it was originally sent in packing materials shipped into the Detroit area. The movement has spread west to Milwaukee, St. Louis, LaCrosse, and Minnesota. The spread of the insects was likely in firewood because the insect cannot move quickly; it moves a mile or so per year. He showed a visual of the Emerald Ash Borer. He said the insects will probably not be seen until next spring. They feed in the upper crowns ofthe trees, lay eggs, and stay alive for four to six weeks. It takes two to three weeks for eggs to mature and hatch and the larvae get into the tree and cause the damage. As the larvae feed on the tree, the vascular system ofthe tree is compromised; there is no uptake of water from the roots, and crown thinning and die-back occurs. Larger trees will die in two to four years. Mr. Hovland explained things to consider when looking at infested trees. Bark splitting where infestation is occurring and heavy woodpecker activity is seen. There is also leafy growth coming out of the bark. Healthy trees may take more than one season for the adults to emerge because of chemical defenses built up in the trees. Infestation in St. Paul was found on May 12, 2009, and St. Paul immediately had representatives from the National Bureau of Agriculture (NBA) come out and positively identified the Emerald Ash Borer. The NBA directed the City of St. Paul to eradicate every infested tree, directing residents to remove ash trees on private property, and within a week they had eradicated the infested trees. Any suspected, stressed tree was left as a "trap" tree. The insects are attracted to the tree, the trapped trees will be removed this winter, and any insects in the trees will be eradicated in the dormant season. Mr. Hovland talked about the impact on greater Minnesota and in Maplewood and surrounding areas. He said there are a billion ash trees in Minnesota. All the lowland 2 forests will be impacted along with other insects and wildlife. Businesses using ash pulp for paper and ash wood for furniture will be impacted. Treatment options are systemic insecticides that are applied as a soil drench around the base, a soil injection within a three to four foot diameter, or a trunk injection. Treatment can be very expensive. The systemic insecticide has a warning label on it against treating trees that are close to water bodies, and it is poisonous to other insects and animals. St. Paul and Minneapolis have come up with preparedness plans received from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA). Both cities have revised their ordinances to manage this problem, keeping the public informed when an infestation is found and following what the MDA is doing. Mr. Hovland said that he and Ms. Gaynor discussed various options for Maplewood which include inventorying of public ash trees. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor said they are beginning discussions, and volunteers may be needed. Mr. Hovland said he also does forestry consulting for Falcon Heights and the residents are considering cost sharing for treatment plans, and residents would like to involve city council members to discuss removal and replacement of boulevard trees. Mr. Hovland also said they have secured discount rates from several companies to treat the trees, allowing residents to meet with the companies themselves. They have implemented reduced maintenance on the trees on the boulevards and in the parks; and have replaced ash trees with other species. Ash will make a comeback in the future, however not in its native form. This insect is from China and Russia, and most likely there will be a cross breed ten years before planting saplings. Mr. Hovland talked about stingless ants and wasps that have been considered to combat the problem. The ants and wasps prey on the eggs of the Emerald Ash Borer, follow the route ofthe larvae and act as predators. Questions and discussion ensued. Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor asked the commission to send comments and questions to her. 5. NEW BUSINESS - b) Storm water management Environmental Planner Shann Finwall presented a report on storm water management, which is one ofthe Environmental and Natural Resource Commission's 2009 goals. She said the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and the Local Surface Water Management Plan are the two programs involved in storm water management in the city. The two plans combine to form the implementation of the programs. Ms. Finwall said Michael Thompson, city engineer, is present to answer questions as they discussed the two programs. A public hearing was held on June 22, 2009, with the city council to present the NPDES annual report. Ms. Finwall gave a presentation on the report, which reflects that in 1991 the Federal Clean Water Act was adopted and requires that cities issue permits for storm water management. Phase I was for cities with populations over 100,000, and Phase II was for cities with populations over 10,000. Maplewood was affected by the Phase II permitting process. Ms. Finwall stated they had over 90,000 hits to the Public Works Web site which goes into detail on Maplewood's storm water management programs. She said Maplewood 3 participates in the Ramsey Washington Watershed District Waterfest event every spring; the city collaborates with the three watershed districts and the Metropolitan Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) on public outreach; and the Nature Center sponsors a series of programs on rain water gardens and native landscaping. Since 2003, over 2,500 people have attended these programs. Maplewood has a rain garden program in force, and the city hall campus has a large rain garden, prairie and shore land plantings, and a sedimentation basin in the public works yard, which was seeded with native seeds to help cleanse water runoff from the storage of salt and sand. Maplewood works with students and organizations planting public rain gardens and always works with homeowners and businesses to promote best management of storm water practices. There was a clean up day in Maplewood in conjunction with Ramsey County's Household Hazardous Waste Program this past year. Environmental Planner Finwall said the city conducts in-house training seminars on "elicit discharge" which is the illegal release of storm water into sanitary sewers, ensuring that residents do not have sump pumps draining into sanitary sewers. They meet with local area businesses to explain programs and ensure compliance, and when they receive complaints they have investigations which are followed through. Another area of storm water management is during construction, ensuring site storm water controls are in place. All projects are reviewed and inspected for erosion control measures, working with the two watersheds on plan review site inspections and compliance issues. They collaborate with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and surrounding watershed districts. The city meets with developers or homeowners prior to submitting an application, which assists in the educational process of storm water management. There are site inspections where storm water plans are reviewed prior to building. They monitor everything through the construction projects and ensure the contractors use best management practices. After construction the city holds training seminars with post-construction strategies. The public works department street crew and engineers participate in public works forums to assist in the timely and appropriate needs of street sweeping. The streets are swept within the city at least twice a year, and they target environmentally sensitive areas that are apt to have storm water issues. The city has non-degradation requirements, which are water quality targets based on 1988 standards, so the city along with the PCA and watershed districts will be identifying impaired waters that are likely to be impacted by storm water discharge. This will be conducted through our watershed district review through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. They will assure compliance with developing a storm water comprehensive plan, which may require additional staff, monies, and changes to operating procedures to assure water quality targets are being met. Ms. Finwall discussed program funding, which was established in 2004. They receive grant monies from many organizations, and actively search for and receive cost share assistance for projects with the Ramsey- Washington Watershed District. Ms. Finwall also explained a road improvement project in 2008. It was a 14-acre drainage area with several run off points which drained into Kohlman and Gervais lakes. The storm water was not being treated properly before going into the lake. There was an elimination of nine septic systems in this area, and the homes are now utilizing the new drainage systems. She explained some ofthe other projects the 4 city has been working on and the other work that the city will do to be in compliance with the storm water management plans. Questions and discussion ensued. Environmental Planner Finwall stated that the next step in the storm water management plan is to carry through with implementation, which includes updating the city's ordinances to reflect the plan and watershed district rules. Staff will begin working on the ordinance updates, along with the stormwater subcommittee, and present that to the commission in the coming months. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - a) Stormwater Management Enhancements at Spoon Lake Preserve Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor stated at the April 2, 2009 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission meeting that the commission recommended a filtration basin at Spoon Lake Preserve, and had requested to see the final plans. She said the culvert has been installed and seeded. She explained how the basin will operate, and stated the water will be coming in from the street. The designer has planned it so that when you enter this preserve, there is a trail. The plans include a wooded wetland, and woods opening up to savannah areas. For the woodland, they selected plants found in a hardwood forest. As they excavated the pond, they found more sand than they thought so they plan to have a slightly drier planting there. The landscape plan calls for a large variety oftrees, among which are oak, basswood, hickory, and maple. Ms. Gaynor explained the details of the entry way to the preserve and she said in the commissioner's packets there is a series of drawings that build on each other. They will place boulders to give it a more natural look, and also install a rail fence. Perennial plantings will be done. In restoring a wood land, there is no shade, so the whole basin was seeded with the thought that they will start planting the tree canopy, shrub beds, and plug plantings. They may be ready to plant this fall, and there will be a larger planting next year oftrees and shrubs. They would also add woodland ferns and wild flowers. She took questions and comments, and suggestions. Questions and discussion ensued. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - b) Capital Improvement Plan Environmental Planner Finwall said the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was invited to the Capital Improvement Plan public meeting with the Planning Commission on July 7th. The finance director was present at the meeting to answer questions. The city council will have final review ofthe plan on July 27, 2009. Chair Mason Sherrill stated that the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission should ensure that the plan includes projects that protect, enhance, and preserve the environment. Commissioner Yingling stated that some ofthe environmental projects are too vague in their justification. 5 Commissioner Musgrave stated that when the commission approves the plan, it is giving blanket approval of all ofthe projects. Commissioner Yingling made a motion to adopt the proposed Capital Improvement Plan and to have the City Council approve the document with their comments, Commissioner Trippler seconded the motion. The motion passed by a vote of seven to one, with Commissioner Musgrave voting against the motion. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - c) Wind Turbine Ordinance Environmental Planner Finwall stated she included the two presentations by Felicia Szott, undergraduate student from Hamline University, on wind energy and permitting standards on wind energy in the commissioner's packets. Ms. Szott also completed a brief on the subject, which was included for the commission at tonight's meeting. Ms. Finwall will continue to draft wind turbine regulations based on information researched by Ms. Szott and present to the commission in the coming months. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - d) Environmental Protection Ordinance Environmental Planner Finwall stated that the commission began reviewing the slope and Mississippi Critical Area portions ofthe Environmental Protection Ordinance last year. For review, Ms. Finwall included a copy ofthe slope presentation by Steve Kummer, one ofthe city's engineers, given to the commission in May. Chair Mason Sherrill asked about the slope tour suggested by Mr. Kummer. Ms. Finwall said she will arrange the tour and get back to the commission. It is important for the commission to understand what they are trying to protect, prior to drafting the slope regulations. 7. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS: No visitors present. 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS: a) Subcommittee Reports I) Stormwater: Commissioner Schreiner stated that Maplewood is a city on the verge of rebuilding. He said they need to think about parking lot requirements, and items that need to be addressed as businesses submit plans for rebuilding areas and buildings. Mr. Schreiner said that based on studies he has reviewed regarding the urban Portland area, 60% of all available parking space is not used. He said the best way to address storm water management is to eliminate pervious ground. Some businesses think they need a large number of parking spaces, however the city could mandate a certain number of spaces, and ifthe businesses wanted to have more there are other surfaces that could be used. 6 Commissioner Schreiner talked about Golden Valley's website; which has a 30 second cartoon regarding ground and storm water. He suggested that they have a message on cable television regarding this. He talked about other ideas for educating the public about storm water and ground water. 2) Greenways Commissioner Johannessen said this subcommittee has been working on a comprehensive statement on what greenways are and about goals toward the protection and maintenance ofthe greenways. The statement is both a physical and "valuable" idea about the greenways. 3) Trash Hauling Commissioner Lynne said she does not have new information on this subject; however she said Environmental Planner Finwall has information that she requested commission members to have. Ms. Finwall said that the recycling coordinator for Maplewood went to a presentation at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), and they had recently conducted a study on multiple and single trash haulers. She forwarded this information to Commissioners Lynne and Trippler. She said that representatives from the MPCA have been invited to the next commission meeting to give a presentation of their findings. 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS: b) Capitol Region Watershed District 2010 Watershed Management Plan Commissioner Schreiner is the commission liaison to the watershed management plan meetings. He stated there is a meeting on July 21at the Capitol Region Watershed District office. He explained this watershed group was started about ten years ago, and includes parts of St. Paul, Maplewood and other metro areas. Their new ten year program is based on "Bring Water Back to St. Paul". It involves moving forward on groundwater protection and well sealing. They are looking at rules and permits regarding watersheds; and are doing stewardship grants for businesses and industries that are preserving land and watershed areas. They are moving forward with monitoring and data collection, education and outreach programs. They are offering support for any of the partner cities. Commissioner Schreiner explained some new initiatives. One was the effects of climate change on our water; they are researching innovative best management practices, and thinking "outside the box" and they hope to have new ideas in the future. They are monitoring fish populations; storm water runoff warms up lakes and rivers, and they are monitoring that. The entire watershed district is full of lost ecosystems and wetlands that have been filled in and built over, and they are looking at the possibilities of recovering these wetlands and ecosystems. He will continue to update the commission on the draft plan. 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS: b) Fish Creek Ad Hoc Greenway Commission 7 Commissioner Yingling said they had a meeting on July 10th and she was elected chair of the commission, Ron Cockriel the vice chair, and the total membership is six voting members and some ad hoc members. They are planning a tour ofthe Fish Creek corridor on July 22nd They will evaluate and make recommendations on what are the best ways to preserve the valuable natural areas along the corridor. They have a fair amount of work to do until the end of December, 2009. There were some questions from the commission. Ms. Yingling also said they are working on plans for public involvement, particularly people living along the greenway. 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS: c) New Business Items Commissioner Musgrave stated that the commission should have calendar each year reflecting what items will be on each agenda. She asked about mass transportation several times, and she said it has never been presented. 8. COMMISSIONER PRESENTATIONS: d) Consent Agenda Items Commissioner Musgrave questions some items that were on the city council consent agenda which should have gone to the commission first for review, such as mass transit. 9. STAFF PRESENTATIONS - a) wetland ordinance update Environmental Planner stated that staff is continuing to work on possible incentives for the wetland ordinance, and look at some programs and initiatives that they could offer to residents and property owners when they are doing best management practices. If there are any major changes, she will bring that back to the commission. b) National Night Out Ms. Finwall wanted to remind the commissioners about National N~ht Out, put on by the police department. Taste of Maplewood is on Thursday, August 13 ; from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Maplewood Community Center. Various vendors from around Maplewood will be offering food choices, with fun and games and other things for sale. Eureka Recycling has agreed to have a booth with their recycling information and items. c) Nature Center Pro grams Natural Resources Coordinator Gaynor talked about the Nature Center programs and the tree rebate program. She said now and in fall is a great time to plant trees. She explained the match program for trees. There will be a buckthorn program this fall to help residents, and she said to check the Maplewood Monthly for information. There is a Lake Phalen wildflower hike this Thursday, July 23rd On July 30th there is a bat program at the Nature Center. On August 1st, a program called Inviting Butterflies to your Yard will 8 be held, and people may tour the butterfly garden at the Nature Center. There will be a photography program Dragonflies by Digital Camera on August nnd 8. ADJOURN - 9:55 p.m. 9