08/30/2000 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 30, 2000 Mach noted it has also been suggested to have a demonstration prairie landscape area within the City that they can view. O'Connell asked if it is possible to provide the developer with a list of successful native landscape sites they can view. Trehus arrived at 6:45 p.m. Asleson stated one of the consultants has a list of that type of information. Chair Lanyon agreed with the suggestion to begin compiling a list of sites. A brief discussion occurred related to what is included in the draft Landscape Ordinance. B. DNR Project / Updates - Asleson distributed copies of the agenda from the recently held Rice Creek Corridor Expansion project meeting and explained what that project entails. He advised that one of the issues is that part of the Lino Lakes, Columbus, and Hugo areas are not included but the DNR wants those areas included in the Minnesota Land Classification system. Asleson reviewed the modifiers they will be considering within the realms of vegetation only (not including wildlife)`. He noted that a lot of useful GIS information will come from this study. Mach asked if this corridor area will be purchased and made public or if it will be set aside. Asleson stated they are now trying to identify areas where they would work but how it would work has not yet been decided He stated Metro Greenways is looking at ways to connect Carlos Avery through a greenway'system `into the Chain of Lakes. C. New Projects (Discussionof time/budget constraint) — Asleson distributed information on the Environmental Board 2000 Goals and commented on the time constraints he is currently experiencing. He advised of the great increase in oak wilt disease due to the storm damage from two years ago. Chair Lanyon asked if a short-term strategy would be to strongly encourage a budget increase to allow hiring hourly help to assist with writing tasks. He noted that to accomplish the tasks being identified, there must be more than existing staff Asleson stated he can try to focus on grant writing as an opportunity to fund staff. Chair Lanyon noted that hiring a grant writer may be another option. However, the City would need to invest some dollars to acquire that assistance. Mach stated the option of using an intern has been discussed previously. Asleson advised that he did propose an intern but it was cut from the budget. Mach asked what is happening with oak wilt. Asleson stated Lino Lakes has been using a shared vibratory plow for eleven years and the disease was pretty well under control until 3