01/25/2006 Environmental Board Minutes

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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JANUARY 25, 2006 B. Other Discussion Items Mary Jo O’Dea emailed Gordon Heitke about the city survey. Gordon Heitke’s response was attached for review by the board. The survey’s questions were based upon questions from a previous survey. There was a discussion about the Blue Herons. Marty Asleson talked about Steve Kittelson. Marty said Steve was transferred to Mankato. Marty will see if he can meet with council members to update them. Council should be updated on what is going on with Herons. Steve Kittelson will be giving a talk on the Blue Heron’s somewhere local, Connie Grundhofer said. It was asked if Steve was done with the project. Marty Asleson said that he was not sure. Steve Kittelson has done significant work and made many discoveries. Marty Asleson said that it was hoped that Steve can make it to a council meeting. Barbara Bor asked if the city has every considered helping with money for the project. Barbara Bor asked if there is something that raccoons are afraid of that we can use, such as decoy. Marty Asleson said that it sounds like the coyotes are in a certain range and the raccoons stay away from them. The raccoons tend to stay in closer to where people are. Raccoons that Andy has been tracking are back and forth meandering around the shore all the way up to the freeway. It is no secret that they are harvesting some of the raccoons right now. Marty said there was a newspaper article about the 40 nests. Some are really falling apart. There are probably between 30-40 nests left out there. Glen Fuchs and his people from the county, along with the city are putting additional flashing up to protect the Blue Herons. Marty said that the Raccoons are really smart when climbing trees. Barbara Bor wanted to understand about both funding and flashing and do we let nature take it’s course or address the problem with decoys and flashing, understanding the cost and looking for contributions. Marty Asleson asked Jeff to bring along a copy of the grant on how it was funded. Barbara Bor said that when this is presented to council the information needs to be accurate. They need to understand the grant and it’s duration. Marty Asleson noted he thinks it is January 1. C. Board Applications Update: Marty Asleson talked to Dan Tesch and Dan said he had received some environmental board applications. Marty Asleson can think of other people that might apply that would be good as well. We will be loosing Barbara Bauman after the February meeting. Mary Jo O’Dea said that Barbara Bauman has been a great asset to the board. 7 APPROVED MINUTES