HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-10-12City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2012
Present: Commissioners Diane Ross, Nina Semmelroth, Peggy Hall, Isaac Mielke,
Rebecca Montgomery, Mayor Peter Lindstrom, Deb Jones (Staff).
Absent: Brian Goodspeed, Jeff Connell, Ethan Wagner
1. The meeting was called to order in the Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m. by the co-
Chair, Diane Ross. The minutes for October were approved. Diane Ross was
thanked for her two terms of service on the Environment Commission.
2. Prairie Grass Update from Mayor Lindstrom. City Council discussed this topic
again in workshop and decided to request more research from staff on whether
cities restrict this type of landscaping by percentage of the lot.
3. Beekeeping Update from Mayor Lindstrom. This did not have majority support
in the City Council. Among the reasons given were that lot sizes in the city are
too small, “we don’t need any more bees in the community,” at least one Council
member is fearful of bees, and the provision requiring permission of neighbors
would create dissension in neighborhoods.
4. Recycling Innovation Grant Update from Staff Liaison Jones. Falcon Heights is
moving ahead with a grant application in collaboration with the City of
Lauderdale. The proposed project is a pilot voucher system to aid residents in
disposing of bulky waste (e.g. mattresses, furniture, appliances). The Council
will be asked to confirm a resolution of support.
5. Chickens. Commissioners worked through the model ordinances provided by
staff and selected Stillwater’s as the preferred model for a Falcon Heights chicken
ordinance, with additional elements from Maplewood and Eagan. Commission-
ers were in favor of requiring a permit but not requiring neighbor permission or
notice. Staff will work with the City Attorney to create a draft ordinance. The
Mayor said this will go to the Council after the January workshop.
6. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at about 8:40 p.m.