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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-13 ENR Packet AGENDA CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION Thursdav, January 13, 2011 7 p.m. Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall 1830 County Road BEast 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Approval of Minutes: December 9, 2010 5 New Business a. Election of Chair and Vice Chair b 2011 Goal Setting c. Collection System Analysis Goals and Objectives 6. Unfinished Business 7. Visitor Presentations 8. Commission Presentations 9. Staff Presentations a. Maplewood Nature Center Programs 10. Adjourn Agenda Item 4 MINUTES CITY OF MAPLEWOOD ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 9,2010 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 Edmundson, Commissioner Judith Johannessen, Commissioner Carole Lynne, Commissioner Carol Mason Sherrill, Commissioner Bill Schreiner, Commissioner Ginny Yingling, Commissioner Present Present Present Absent Pre t P nt t Staff Present Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner Steve Kummer, City Engineer C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Yingling added Rulemaking Process, and Commissioner Schreine Seconded by Commissioner Ayes - All The motion passed. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Edmundson said on page 2, item E., Emerald Ash Borer Draft Plan, the minutes should reflect that the city should consider taking preventative action prior to the arrival of the Emerald Ash Borer in Maplewood by starting to replace the Ash tree now with a variety of other tree species. Commissioner Yingling stated she would like to add to the minutes that the commission strongly opposes the use of chemicals to treat Emerald Ash Borer. Commissioner Yingling moved to approve the November 15, 2010, Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meetinq Minutes as amended. Seconded by Commissioner Edmundson. Ayes - Chair Trippler, Commissioners Edmundson, Mason Sherrill, Yingling December 9, 2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 1 Abstentions - Commissioners Johannessen & Schreiner The motion passed. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Review of 2011 Road Improvement Project: Western Hills (West Side of Interstate 35E) a. Environmental Planner, Shann Finwall introduced the item. b. Engineer, Steve Kummer gave the report on the Western Hills street improvements and answered questions of the commission. The commission discussed a number of things with staff regarding the Western Hills project and staff took notes on the commission's concerns which included: a. Curb and gutter b. Tree removal c. Sidewalks d. Bike paths e. Speed limits f. Street width g. Parking lanes h. On street parking i. Tree species j. Working with the city forester during th k. Ash trees ill ave a brief update on the Department of Natural draft Renewable Energy Ordinance. The DNR made the inance: F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Renewable Energy Ordin a. Environmental Planner, Resource's (DNR) following comm counties are adopting a Y. mile setback for freestanding wind turbines f luffs to ensure they are not visible from below and to protect birds. Maplewood has limited bluff land, but there is a Scientific and Natural Area just west of the southern point of Maplewood - Pigs Eye Rookery SNA - where there is an active heron rookery. . Natural heritage review - The ordinance should require that an applicant contact the DNR for Natural Heritage Information prior to the city issuing a permit. . Color of turbines - The ordinance states under allowable color for turbines as "a color which is shown to protect birds and bats," The ordinance should include a reference or supporting documents to support that there is such a color. . Lighting - If lighting is required, sodium vapor lights should not be used as there have been studies that link this type of lighting to an increase in bird collisions. . Example ordinances - The DNR forwarded Centerville Township's Commercial Wind Turbine Ordinance which has a bibliography section that provides links to many wind-type documents that may be of interest to the city. The ordinance will go to the planning commission for review in January, The city council will be updated on the ordinance during a workshop in March. December 9, 2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 2 G. VISITOR PRESENTATIONS 1. Dr. Constance Beutel, Benicia, California. Dr. Beutel is a former Maplewood resident and is here visiting her family, She spoke to the city council on November 22, 2010, urging the City of Maplewood to lower green house gas emissions and to work with other communities to tackle this problem. The City of Beutel, where she is the sustainability coordinator, has joined the ICLEE program and is benchmarking their emissions. She urged the City of Maplewood to join the program also. Environmental Planner Finwall explained that the City of Maplewood is participating in the Minnesota B3 benchmarking program, which is similar to ICLEE. ICLEE requires a yearly membership and extensive staff time to input the data. Ms. Finwall will review both programs and bring back additional information to the commission. The commission thanked Dr. Beutel for the information, a. COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS a. Subcommittee Reports 1) Collection System Analysis - Environmental Planner Finwall said there will be a city council Workshop on Monday, February 7,201 5:15 p.m. to discuss the collection system analysis. During the meeting staff wi Iy the city council with the information they requested including additional research, ata costs and contracts for cities that are organized, and estimates on consul' !Ei'costs. 2) Neighborhood Environmental Groups l'lJlllissioner ason Sherrill gave an update on the neighborhood environmental rou eUding the group's recent meeting to recap the Energy Efficiency workshop and teps in motivating residents to join together on environmental projects, Comml nnessen added information regarding her neighborhood's commitme av home energy squad come to their homes in December. 3) Greenways - Commissi oke about Greenways and stated that on May 14, 2011, there Will be ion and a hike through the priory preserve, which IS In the Holloway/Beave , '~~y, 4) MiSSissippi River cali I "a Work - Commissioner Yingling gave an update about the MiSSissippi River Cr &al "a work that has been done to date. 5) Emerald Ash Borer upd~ - Commissioner Yingling shared Information she had read regarding research done using &hemicals to control the Emerald Ash Borer and the known harm and the unknowns still regarding using chemicals to control this problem. b. STAFF PRESENTATIONS a. Gervais Lake Vegetation Management Plan - Environmental Planner Finwall stated on January 4, 2011, at 6 p,m, there will be a DNR public hearing at Little Canada City Hall to discuss the Gervais Lake vegetation management plan, b. Silver Lake Herbicide Treatment Update - Environmental Planner Finwall gave an update on Silver Lake. The DNR is no longer funding the treatment of Curly Leaf Pondweed and Eurasian Water Milfoil. The results of the lake study completed last summer reflect that more natives were disappearing with the treatment. The full study will be available to the commission in early 2011. c. Reschedule January 19, 2011, Environmental Commission Meeting Due to Martin Luther King Holiday (Available Dates: Monday, January 11: Thursday, January 13; Wednesday, January 26; or Thursday, January 27) - staff will follow up with an email about meeting dates. d. Schedule Goal Setting Meeting (Available Dates: See Above) e. Maplewood Nature Center Programs - Staff discussed programs at the Maplewood Nature Center. Staff also discussed the 2011 Friends of Maplewood Nature calendars which has December 9, 2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 3 photographs submitted by residents of the city's open space sites. The calendars are for sale for $10 with all proceeds going to the Maplewood Nature Center and other nature projects in Maplewood. c. ADJOURNMENT Chair Trippler adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m. December 9, 2010 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 4 Agenda Item 5.a. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner Election of Chair and Vice Chair January 4, 2011 for the January 13 ENR Commission Meeting The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission ordinance requires that the commission elect a chair and vice-chair to run the meetings each year. In 2010, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission elected Commissioner Dale Trippler to be the chair and Commissioner Bill Schreinerto be the vice-chair of the commission. During the January 13 ENR Commission meeting the commission should appoint commissioners to serve as chair and vice- chair for 2011, and vote on those appointees. Agenda Item 5,b, MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner 2011 Goal Setting January 6,2011 for the January 13 ENR Commission Meeting INTRODUCTION In April 2010 the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission held a goal setting meeting, During the meeting the commission chose three main goals to focus on in 2010 including greenways, neighborhood environmental groups, and trash hauling. In addition to working on these goals throughout the year, the ENR Commission continued or began work on several other environmental issues. The ENR Commission should now review the status of the 2010 goals and determine if any of these goals should be carried over to 2011, if the commission should set new goals, and determine how best to implement the goals. DISCUSSION Status of Goals 1. Greenways: The greenways subcommittee began planning for programming in the Holloway/Beaver Creek Greenway. This greenway was chosen because of the natural resource projects which will take place in the greenway in 2011. The subcommittee scheduled a greenway program for Saturday, May 14, 2011, which will tentatively be held at Hill Murray High School (which is located in the Holloway/Beaver Creek Greenway). The subcommittee will invite all residents living in or near the greenway to the program which will include a presentation on basic greenway concepts and ecology of the Holloway/Beaver Creek Greenway. The program will include a hike of the Priory Neighborhood Preserve. The subcommittee also began designing a greenway brochure which will give an overview of greenways and include maps and photographs specific to each greenway, 2. Neighborhood Environmental Groups: The neighborhood environmental subcommittee was formed to look at ways to support neighborhoods in taking action to improve their environment. In 2010 the subcommittee focused on energy efficiency and conservation by partnering with Metro Clean Energy Resource Team and Xcel Energy to present an energy efficiency workshop. During the workshop energy experts gave a presentation on simple ways to save money and energy in homes and discussed energy efficiency programs and rebates currently being offered by Xcel Energy. The energy workshop was a good start to engaging residents in the energy and neighborhood environmental group dialogue. During the last subcommittee meeting, the group discussed expanding efforts into other environmental areas. One idea includes working with the greenways subcommittee to focus on environmental neighborhood programs going on in the Holloway/Beaver Creek Neighborhood in 2011. 3. Trash Hauling: The trash hauling subcommittee attended city council workshops to testify on the research and findings of organized versus open systems of trash hauling. The subcommittee also assisted with public education by appearing on the Spotlight on Maplewood cable show in August that highlighted goals and objectives for reviewing the city's current open system of trash hauling. The city council will hold a workshop on the matter on February 7, 2011. During the workshop the city council will review additional research and information on cities that are currently organized. The city council will then determine the next steps in the organized collection process, i.e" whether to proceed with a resolution of intent to organize or continue review of the issue, etc. Unfinished Business In 2009/2010, the commission also undertook several environmental issues which remain unfinished including: 1. Environmental Protection Ordinance (Slopes and Mississippi Critical Area [MCA]): The environmental protection ordinance includes four areas of environmental regulation: tree preservation, wetlands, slopes and the MCA. The ENR Commission has completed updates to the tree preservation and wetland portions of this ordinance. The commission began reviewing the slope and MCA regulations in 2009. Since that time the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has completed the review phase of a rulemaking process for amendments to statewide MCA rules. The draft rules will now go to the Office of Administrative Hearing for review and possible adoption. Commissioner Yingling volunteered to represent the city in the draft MCA rulemaking process. The commission may want to consider waiting until the new MCA rules are in place to make major amendments to the city's portion of the MCA (south Maplewood). Alternatively, the commission may want to continue the review of the MCA portion of the ordinance as there may be a sale of land in the southern leg of Maplewood which would include development in the area in 2011. Another reason to begin this review is the fact that the slope portion of the ordinance protects all slopes in the city, not just slopes in the MCA. 2. Renewable Energy Ordinance: The commission completed a draft of the renewable energy ordinance in December 2010. The ordinance will promote the use of renewable energy sources in the city including wind, solar, and geothermal. The planning commission will review the draft in January 2011, and the city council will have its first update on the ordinance during a workshop in March 2011. 3. Chickens in Residential Zoning Districts: The commission completed a draft of the chicken ordinance in July 2010. The ordinance will allow residential property owners to raise up to ten chickens for egg production. The planning commission reviewed the ordinance in September 2010 and recommended denial by a vote of four to three, with some of the commissioners who voted against the ordinance indicating they did so because they do not support the ordinance in its current form, not that they were un supportive of chickens in residential areas. The city council will have its first update on the ordinance during a workshop in April 2011. 4. Shoreland OrdinancelWetland Ordinance: The DNR conducted a rulemaking process in 2009 to update the statewide shoreland rules. The draft rules were sent to state agencies for final review and adoption in 2010. On August 11, 2010, Governor Tim Pawlenty returned the draft shoreland rules to the DNR for further engagement and discussion, 2 especially with the 2011 Legislature. There is no update on when this process will begin, but once the shoreland rules are adopted, municipalities will be required to review their shoreland ordinances to ensure they address the new regulations. The city council adopted a new wetland ordinance in December 2009. The ordinance includes alternative buffer requirements for wetlands adjacent lakes. The alternative buffer requirements will expire in 2012, or when the city revises the shoreland ordinance to include regulations for these wetlands, whichever comes first. Because there is no specified timeline for the completion of the state's shoreland rulemaking, the ENR Commission should consider reviewing the city's shoreland ordinance in 2011 to ensure wetlands adjacent lakes are regulated appropriately. New Business 1. Minnesota GreenStep Cities/Complete Streets Policy: The city council adopted a resolution in December 2010 which authorizes the city to participate in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities recognition program. Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary program administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency that challenges, assists, and recognizes cities for actions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is designed to help cities meet their sustain ability goals through implementation of 28 best practices in the areas of building and lighting, land use, transportation, environmental management, and economic and community development. One of the best practices required in the area of transportation is the adoption of a Complete Streets policy. The city's engineering, planning, and environmental staff will be presenting the draft policy for review by the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission and city council beginning early 2011. 2. Recycling in Parks: The city received a grant from Ramsey County for 130 recycling bins for use in our parks. These bins will be delivered to the city in March 2011. To ensure a successful parks recycling program, the city should begin planning for the implementation and education of the program. The planning phase is important to ensure there is buy-in from all vested groups including recycling personnel, park management, park maintenance, nature center personnel (for recycling programming), and the Park and Environmental Commissions (who have both mentioned recycling in parks as one of their goals), as well as to ensure adequate education and public outreach. Events To help coordinate the ENR Commission meetings and calendars, and to assist in this year's goal setting, following is a list of known events the commission may be interested in attending or assisting with: 3 Calendar Year - 2011 January February . 19 (Saturday): Outdoor Expo March April . 9 (Saturday): Maplewood Park Clean Up . 22 (Friday): Earth Day . 30 (Saturday): Spring Clean Up May . 7 (Saturday): Rain Barrel/Compost Bin Sales . 7 (Saturday): Treemendous/Arbor Day Event . 14 (Saturday): Greenway Presentation/Hike . 21 (Saturday): Waterfest June . 11 (Saturday): National Get Outdoors Day Nature Center Goals Ju/y . 13-17 (Wed. - Sun.): Ramsey Co. Fair August . 2 (Tuesday): National Night Out . 19 and 20? (Fri./Sat.) - Taste of Maplewood September . End of Sept. (Saturday): Friends of Maplewood Nature Annual Picnic October . 15 or 22 (Saturday): Fall Clean Up . End of Oct., Beginning of Nov. (Saturday): Public Buckthorn Removal Event November December Each year the Maplewood Nature Center sets annual goals (Attachment 1). Because the ENR Commission and the Nature Center partner in many environmental initiatives, the commission should refer to the Nature Center's 2011 goals prior to setting commission goals. RECOMMENDATION During the goal-setting meeting, the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission should: 1) review the status of the 2010 goals and determine if any of these goals should be carried over to 2011; 2) determine if the commission should set new goals; and 3) determine how best to implement the goals. Attachment: Maplewood Nature Center 2011 Goals 4 Attachment 1 Maplewood Nature Center Goals for 2011: 1. Rediscover Parks "GO" Outdoors Campaign: Celebrate our new Parks and Recreation Department. This campaign is to generate fun and interest in outdoor activities, help people rediscover Maplewood and North St. Paul parks and open space, and plant the seeds for living a healthy life. a. Create branding and marketing for the "GO"-Get Outdoors - campaign to encourage people to go outdoors in partnership with Recreation Dept and Maplewood Community Center. b. Sponsor a Special Event on June 11 "National Go Outdoors Day" at the MCC and North St Paul Community Center. This event would include a Family walk/run, door prizes, Bike club and rodeo, culminating in food and pool time at the MCC. 2. Install a solar demonstration photovoltaic panels, small mobile unit, interpretive display and educational kits by June 31, 2011. This is the Solar Legacy grant received from the DNR. 3. Expand Environmental Stewardship Education: a. Create and publish Interpretive brochures for MNC Play area and stormwater features. ($2,000 Charitable Gambling Grant approved) b. Create a "Pledge to Mow High" Web page to encourage sustainable mowing practices. Grand Prize is a mulching low emissions mower. c. Plan for Extreme Green Makeover in 2012. c. Expand Greenway education program, develop brochures and presentation and tour of the Holloway-Beaver Creek Greenway. d. Be a resource for the Neighborhood Group Environmental Block Clubs e. Inform and educate about the value of trees and manage the city's tree disease program f. Invasive species monitoring program: Early Detection. 4. Improve the city's Community Garden: a. Offer several educational programs b. Plant a plot with and for children. c. Write a grant to install permanent infrastructure at Edgerton. d. Partner with the First Evangelical Free church by providing publicity and education for their large community gardens at County Road C and Hazelwood in Maplewood. 5. Create a Fall Environmental Educational school program that addresses new state standards and is of interest to teachers and meets the student's educational needs. Agenda Item 5.c. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner Collection System Analysis Goals and Objectives January 6, 2011 for the January 13 ENR Commission Meeting INTRODUCTION On February 7, 2011, the city council will hold a workshop to review additional research and information regarding Collection System Analysis (review of the city's trash collection system), During the workshop the city council will discuss goals and objectives for organizing the city's trash collection system, Prioritized goals and objectives are an important part of the organized collection process in order to ensure any future changes made meet the initial goals and objectives. DISCUSSION Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Study According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Organized Collection study (2009)', most cities who attempt to organize trash collection begin by establishing goals and objectives. The main goals identified for organizing in the study include: . Reduce the amount of truck traffic, street repair and maintenance, number of accidents, truck emissions, and noise. . Reduce the cost per household per month due to improved efficiencies and competitive bidding for the contract. . Improve and standardize service levels . To better manage solid waste and recycling. 2009 Trash Hauling Subcommittee In May 2009 the Environmental and Natural Resources Trash Hauling Subcommittee submitted the following considerations for organizing the city's trash hauling system: . Economic o Cost savings on road repairs. o Lower cost per customer based on competitive bidding. . Environmental o Less gas and/or diesel burned. o Less CO2 emitted into the atmosphere. o Able to direct waste to best environmental destination. . Aesthetics/Safety/Service o Less traffic, noise, and dust o Safer streets. o Better look during collection days. o Greater leverage to correct any problems with service. RECOMMENDATION The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission should draft a set of goals and objectives for organizing the city's trash hauling system. These goals and objectives will be reviewed by the city council during the February 7, 2011, Collection System Analysis workshop. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Analysis of Waste Collection Service Arrangements, St. Paul, Minnesota, June 2009 (httD:I/www.Dca.state.mn.us/index.aha/view-document.html?qid=4514) 2