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Environmental Board <br />September 24, 2025 <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />Chair Schwartz inquired about having a small facility, or even just a garbage can or bags <br />available at some of our parks and waterways, similar to a doggy bag station, where <br />people could take a bag with them while they kayak and help collect pieces of trash. <br /> <br />Mr. Hoffman stated that the Chain of Lakes is primarily within county parks, so we could <br />reach out to them with ideas, but it would ultimately be their staffing and their money. <br /> <br />Ms. Holmes inquired as to where the turf grass is located that is proposed to be <br />replaced by more native grass. <br /> <br />Mr. Hoffman replied that it would primarily be in residential yards. He also noted that <br />the City does not treat a lot of our city parks with pesticides and herbicides because <br />they want to keep the natural pollinator habitat. He said that he would like to have <br />some of the turf grass restored to either gardens with mulch and native plantings or to <br />native prairies and wildflowers, similar to what they do in Vadnais Lake. <br />that with more education, residence will be open to it. <br /> <br />her hope that we can continue to improve \[our community\]. <br /> <br />Chair Schwartz asked how many irrigation controllers we currently have on hand. <br /> <br />Mr. Hoffman noted that we have about two dozen left and that we will most likely order <br />looking at alternative ways to spend that money. <br /> <br />Chair Schwartz commented that he would be a big proponent to keeping the money and <br />cash for other rebates such as appliances or allowing people to choose their own <br />\[irrigation\] controllers. <br /> <br />Mr. Hoffman agreed that the rebate program is a good choice, because the new <br />irrigation controllers being purchased right now are already required to be the smart <br />irrigation controllers. He said the City was looking into the rebate program for things <br />such as dishwashers, toilets, laundry machines, and more. <br /> <br />Chair Schwarts commented that he thinks the 2026 Annual Work Plan is a worthwhile <br />expansion of the Environmental Boards previous goals. <br /> <br />Chair Schwartz makes a motion to approve the Annual Work Plan and Ongoing Task List <br />for 2026. Ms. Buchmeier seconded that motion. Motion passes 4-0. <br /> <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br /> <br /> <br />