Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-17 ENR Minutes MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 17, 2010 Council Chambers, City Hall 1830 County Road BEast A. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Trippler. B. ROLL CALL Dale Trippler, Chair Randee Edmondson, Commissioner Judith Johannessen, Commissioner Carole Lynne, Commissioner Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Bill Schreiner, Commissioner Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Absent Present Present Present Present Present Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The following items were added to the Agenda: Ms. Finwall added 1.7. Community Development Annual Tour and 1.8. Active Living Ramsey County. Commissioner Lynne added H.3. Rain Gardens. Commissioner Schreiner moved to approve the aqenda as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Yingling. Ayes - All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of March 24, 2010, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Minutes Commissioner Schreiner had a correction under F. 2. a. the sentence needs to flow better. Commissioner Mason Sherrill said F. 3. under stormwater ordinance and stormwater issues, it should say stormwater mitigation issues. Commissioner Lynne moved to approve the March 24. 2010. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetinq Minutes as amended. May17,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 Seconded by Commissioner Schreiner. Ayes - Chair Trippler, Commissioners Johannessen, Lynne, Sherrill & Schreiner Abstain - Commissioner Yingling The motion passed. Approval of April 19, 2010, Environmental and Natural Resources Minutes Commissioner Johannessen had a correction on page 3, F. 2. a. in the paragraph change effect to ~ffect wind turbines. Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the April 19. 2010. Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetinq Minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Schreiner. Ayes - All The motion passed. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Landscape Ecology Awards Program (LEAP) a. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall gave the introduction and introduced Mark Gernes. b. Mark Gernes, Member of the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District Watershed Advisory Commission and Maplewood resident, gave a presentation on the L.EAP. annual award program. 2. Maplewood Tree Program a. Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor gave a report on the Maplewood Tree Program along with tree diseases, tree inventory, removal, planting, purchase rebate programs, and educational programs on trees. 3. Extreme Green Makeover - Request for Judge a. Natural Resources Coordinator, Ginny Gaynor gave a brief update on the Extreme Green Makeover and the contest dates that a judge would be needed. Commissioner Mason Sherrill volunteered to serve as a judge for the Extreme Green Makeover in Maplewood. F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Alternative Energy Ordinance (Heard out of order) a. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall updated the commission and gave the report on the draft alternative energy ordinance. The commission discussed questions and concerns with staff regarding the draft ordinance as follows: 1. Concern was expressed about the fact that the ordinance didn't address how turbines might affect bats, birds, or other wildlife. 2. Concern was expressed regarding how the city will deal with the aesthetic impacts of wind turbines. May17,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 3. Concern was expressed about how a turbine will affect the environment overall, such as the removal of trees for the installation or efficiency of turbines. 4. There is confusion in the ordinance regarding guy wires and the difference between micro versus macro turbine standards. 5. A question was posed regarding what type of procedures would be required for wind turbine permitting? 6. The commission discussed how many roof-top turbines should be allowed? 7. The commission asked for clarification on the minimum setback distance of 1.1 times the tower height? 8. The commission discussed having all turbines reviewed by the community design review board for aesthetic review, similar to their review of cell towers. 9. The commission discussed several other aspects of the ordinance that the consultant should review prior to a final to ensure consistency. Ms. finwall will review these changes with the consultant and bring back a revised draft in June. 2. Chickens in Residential Districts a. Environmental Planner, Shann finwall gave an update on the report for chickens in residential districts and the draft ordinance. 1. Concerns were expressed regarding heating the chicken coops and safety issues involved in this practice. 2. The ordinance should refer to chicken breeds, not chicken species. 3. The commission discussed whether chickens should be allowed in accessory structures, such as attached or detached garages. 4. The commission discussed the slaughtering of chickens. The ordinance prohibits it, but the owner could send the chickens out to have them slaughtered for meat. 5. Before moving any further with this ordinance, the commission thought the city should exam the costs associated with permitting, inspecting, and enforcing such an ordinance to ensure it is not a financial burden on the city. 6. The commission recommended checking with the animal control officer regarding his time and cost if this ordinance went into effect. Chair Trippler took a poll of the commissioners to determine who thought the chicken ordinance should move forward. four commission members were in favor of it and two were not in favor. Commissioner Edmundson was absent but had voiced her approval of the ordinance at previous meetings. Commissioner Yingling offered to assist staff in reviewing the costs associated with permitting, inspecting, and enforcing the ordinance. Staff will review the financial aspects of such an ordinance and bring this information back to the commission in June. G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS None. H. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS (Heard out of order) 1. St. Paul Pioneer Press Article - Internet Antenna Proposed for Apple Valley Park Chair Trippler discussed an article regarding cell phone towers going up at an Apple Valley Park. Chair Trippler stated that typically when a city receives a proposal for a cell phone tower the federal and local rules allow the tower to be constructed, regardless of neighborhood concerns. But in the Apple Valley case, residents complained about a cell phone tower in a park in Apple Valley and the city council denied the request for the tower to May17,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3 be built. Ms. finwall indicated that many cities lease park space cell phone towers in order to offset their park fees. 2. Organized Collection Panel Discussion (Trash Hauling Subcommittee) Commissioner Lynne discussed attending the organized collection panel discussion held at the City of Golden Valley at the end of April. They discussed the pros and cons of having one hauler verses a number of haulers in a city to handle trash and recycling. Commissioner Lynne also discussed the city council workshop in which she and Chair Trippler attended and discussed the Environmental Commission's goal of reviewing the city's trash hauling system. In general, the city council was receptive to the review of our current system. Chair Trippler stated that during the panel discussion some cities stated that they regretted setting up trash zones which allowed for one hauler per zone, with several zones in the city. Administratively they state that it would have been easier to have one hauler for the entire city. 3. Raingardens (added by Commissioner Lynne) Commissioner Lynne discussed how sand from the street had settled into the raingarden located in front of her house. She wanted to point out that the sand should be removed from the entry point of the raingarden, to ensure proper infiltration. Other commissioners recommended throwing that sand in the trash, rather than placing into the garden because of possible pollutants. I. STAff PRESENTATIONS 1. Update on May 10, 2010, City Council Workshop and Meeting - Organized Collection Discussion, ENR Commission Annual Report, Stormwater Ordinance, flood Plain Ordinance and Recycling Request for Proposal - Ms. finwall gave an update on the organized collection discussion at the May 10, 2010, city council meeting. The city council adopted the ENR Commission Annual Report. The city council approved the first reading of the Stormwater Ordinance and the first reading of the flood Plain Ordinance. The recycling contract proposal was approved and the RfP will go to the haulers June 1, 2010, with a deadline for proposals on June 30, 2010. 2. Recycling Contract Proposal Review Committee Ms. finwall said three commissioners are needed to serve on the RfP review committee. These commissioners will review and score the proposals. The review will take place after the June 30,2010, deadline for proposal and before the July 19, 2010, ENR Commission. Dale Trippler, Bill Schreiner and Ginny Yingling said they would be willing to serve on the RfP review committee. 3. ENR Subcommittee Update Greenways: Ms. finwall said staff will set up a greenway subcommittee meeting in June to discuss plans for two to three neighborhood meetings to discuss general concepts of greenways in order to gain neighborhood feedback. Trash Hauling: Ms. finwall said the trash hauling subcommittee received positive feedback from the city council on the review of the city's hauling system during a recent workshop. The subcommittee will meet to discuss a work plan that will meet state statute and city requirements for organizing the city's trash hauling system. Neighborhood Environmental Groups: This subcommittee should meet to discuss the scope of the environmental neighborhood groups. They should ensure they invite a member of the Nature Center staff to the first meeting. May17,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 4 4. Waterfest Ms. finwall said the Ramsey-Watershed Metro Watershed District is holding Waterfest at Lake Phalen on Saturday, May 22,2010, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. There will be several city sponsored booths including Extreme Green Makeover, Nature Center Live Animals, Tree Care, and Recycling/Composting. The ENR Commission is welcome to attend or volunteer to assist with these booths. 5. Time or Date Change for June 21, 2010, ENR Meeting Due to Special City Council Meeting (Possible New Start Times 4 or 5 p.m.; Possible New Dates - Wednesday, June 23 or Thursday, June 24) Ms. finwall said the June ENR Commission meeting needs to be rescheduled. She will e- mail possible dates to all commissioners. 6. Maplewood Nature Center Programs Ms. finwall reviewed some of the Nature Center programs that are coming in May and June. Information can be found on the city's website or by calling 651-249-2170. 7. Community Development Annual Tour Ms. finwall said the planning commission is holding the annual tour on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. All commissions are invited. The tour will leave city hall at 5:30 p.m. and return around 8:30 p.m. Tom Ekstrand is the liaison for the tour. 8. Active Living - Ramsey County Ms. finwall said this program was formed in 2005 with the mission of creating and promoting environments that make it safe and convenient for people to integrate physical activity into their daily routines. The group meets the second Monday of the month from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The goal is to push the policy of creating changes in design, transportation, and public and private policy. Historical Preservation Commission member, Ron Cockriel has been acting as the liaison with this coalition but he can no longer serve on this group. If you are interested in this group staff will forward this information to the commission. J. ADJOURNMENT Chair Trippler adjourned the meeting at 9:30 p.m. May17,2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 5