Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/29/2020 Environmental Board Minutes APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER: Mr. Sullivan called the Lino Lakes Environmental Board meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. on January 29, 2020. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 20, 2019 Mr. Schwartz made a MOTION to approve the November 20, 2019 meeting minutes. Ms. Andrzejewski supported motion. Motion carried 4 - 0. VI. OPEN MIKE Mr. Sullivan declared Open Mike at 6:34 p.m. Mr. Sullivan closed Open Mike at 6:35 p.m. DATE : January 29, 2020 TIME STARTED : 06:31 P.M. TIME ENDED : 07:33 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : John Sullivan, Paula Andrzejewski, Eric Flower, Alex Schwartz MEMBERS ABSENT : Shawn Holmes, Liz Kaufenberg, Wendy Nelson STAFF PRESENT : Andy Nelson, Connor Kvendru, Michael Grochala Environmental Board January 29, 2020 Page 2 DRAFT MINUTES VII. ACTION ITEMS – A. Preliminary Plat for Nadeau Acres A preliminary plat land use application for Nadeau Acres. The proposed residential development is a 69 single-family lot subdivision located north of CSAH 34 (Birch St) and west of CSAH 54 (20th Ave). It contains two parcels totaling approximately 33 acres. The applicant is proposing an R-1, single-family residential development on standard 80 foot wide lots. The site is bounded by single-family homes on the north, east, south, and agricultural land to the west. The majority of the site is hayfield composed of alfalfa and other grasses. Potential for rare species is low due to site condition. An overhead electric utility corridor runs from the southwest to the northeast. The City Engineer is reviewing the submitted Stormwater management plan. The following general review is adapted from the December 6, 2019 Stormwater Management Plan. The stormwater on the site currently flows to three locations: the majority drains to a private ditch/wetland to the north of the site, the western part of the site drains to a private ditch to the northwest, and a small southern portion of the site drains to an existing culvert that runs along Birch Street. The proposed conditions will include three new ponds. Pond 100 in the northwest will collect water from the majority of the site and discharge to the private ditch to the west. Pond 200 will collect water from the south portion of the site and direct it to Pond 100. Pond 400 in the northeast will discharge to the existing ditch to the north. Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan has been submitted and will be reviewed with final construction plans. The site does not fall within the flood management zone. Wetland 1 is 0.05 acre of wet meadow. This wetland is proposed to be filled. Wetland 2 is 1.32 acres of partially drained wet meadow and scrub wetland. Southeast and southwest portion of this wetland totaling approximately 0.65 acre is proposed to be filled. Environmental Board January 29, 2020 Page 3 DRAFT MINUTES The development will involve permanent impact to a total of 0.7076 acre (30,826 sq.ft.) of wetland. These wetland impacts will be mitigated through the purchase of wetland bank credits coming from Wollan’s Park. New homes will be connected to City water. Existing private wells should be sealed and abandoned per Department of Health requirements. No stormwater infiltration is proposed on the site. It is imperative that the Tree Protection Zone be established and fence erected PRIOR to any construction activities taking place on site. Of the approximately 750 trees on site 497 are slated for removal and 253 are to be saved. Mr. Nelson stated that the standards for open area landscape calls for 1 large tree and 3 large shrubs per 2000 sq. ft. It is proposed that there should be within-block tree diversity in the development. The preliminary landscape plan calls for trees and shrubs planted on two separate berms. Staff would like to leave the existing plants in place. Mr. Schwartz inquired if there is a maintenance program for the plantings on the berms. Mr. Nelson read his recommendations to the proposed plan. Mr. Schwartz wanted to know if the berms will be on private property or in the right of way. Mr. Sullivan wanted to know about the drainage. Mr. Nelson mentioned that a Stormwater drainage system will be put in to handle the drainage. The storm water system will be put in public easement in the back of the lots. Mr. Schwartz wanted to know if the grass is going to be the kind that is more tolerant of dry conditions. Mr. Nelson we can mention that in the comments Ms. Andrzejewski made the MOTION to forward this plan with the board’s recommendations and comments. Mr. Flower supported the motion. Motion carried 4 - 0 VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. EAB Discussion – Environmental Board January 29, 2020 Page 4 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Nelson –Did not receive grant, which we would have used in the - Clearwater Creek area to remove 127 ash trees. Therefore, we would like to focus in that area to remove and replace as many as the budget allows. Feedback from the board to see what the cost of injection for the resident for their own trees. When Mr. Nelson goes out to inspect a tree on private property if he could give the resident information on companies that provide injections that would provide a service to residents. Ms. Andrzejewski believes this would be a good thing and help it become regulated. Mr. Flower wonders if the City would not become liable for the health of the tree if the injection were to fail. Mr. Nelson will look into the liability issues when he researches the companies. B. Recycling Updates Mr. Kvendru mentioned that in the second half of 2019: 1264 tons of that was 60 tons from Recycling Saturday 292 tons organic 2308 tons for the whole year did exceed our goal of 2240 tons. Fix It Clinic held this Saturday, February 1st at 1189 Main St from 10 – 1pm. Ms. Andrzejewski wanted to know if the event is well attended. Mr. Kvendru replied that Anoka County sponsors the event, they send out the postcards on the event to 10,000 households from to the surrounding area. C. Other Updates Wetland Bank - Our second wetland bank is the Otter Lake wetland Bank. It is 1.4 acres and state certified in 2012. It is on the east side of Otter Lake. Newsletter - Mr. Sullivan asked about the articles in the upcoming Newsletter Spring/Summer. Mr. Nelson mentioned there is a limit to the number of pages we can use and already there are articles on Arbor Day, Emerald Ash Borer, and a Stormwater article that is required. Mr. Sullivan said if there is room to put in “if in doubt throw it out” also the Anoka County apps. Environmental Board January 29, 2020 Page 5 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Nelson stated if there is room, he would reach out to Sue Dahl to see if she has any ideas also. Mr. Schwartz mentioned if there was room, add to not put lawn clippings on the streets and keep them out of the storm water drains. Mr. Sullivan will try to get to the Earth Day meeting at Wargo. Herons - Mr. Nelson went out today and there are about 250 heron nests. Looking at either February 8 or 15 to go to the island with the volunteer group. Does not look like any chain saw work will be happening at this time. City Water - Mr. Flower wanted to know if our board should get involved with the manganese in the city water. Mr. Grochala suggested that the board should look at water conservation education. Right now, the city is using 450 million gallons of water out of the aquifers every year and 30 % is for irrigation. If we could conserve water, we could eliminate a well at the cost of 1.2 million dollars. Also, have a grant from the watershed district to convert all park irrigation to a smart app on phone. We believe we could save 4.5 million gallons a year. Ms. Andrzejewski would also like to educate residents with wells for they feel that the City cannot tell me what to do. The water all comes out of the same aquifers. Mr. Flower would like to add an article informing the residents about well cost, water treatment plant, and water conservation best tips. VIIII. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Andrzejewski made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 p.m. Mr. Flower supported motion. Motion carried 4 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Mary Fogarty City of Lino Lakes