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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/27/2021 Environmental Board Minutes APPROVED MINUTES CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING ZOOM I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Mr. Sullivan called the Lino Lakes Environmental Board meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. on January 27, 2021. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Sullivan added general updates from 12/24/2020 to the end of the meeting under agenda item #10. Mr. Sullivan stated to approve the Agenda with the added changes. IV. SWEARING IN OF BOARD MEMBERS Mayor Rafferty swore in present member John Sullivan and new member Cassie Cavegn. V. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR Mr. Sullivan nominated himself for Chair. No other nominations were made for the Chair. The vote for Mr. Sullivan carried 6 - 0. Mr. Sullivan asked Mr. Schwartz if he would be Vice Chair. Mr. Schwartz agreed and the vote for Mr. Schwartz carried 6 - 0. VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 28, 2020 DATE : January 27, 2021 TIME STARTED : 6:32 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:31 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : John Sullivan, Cassie Cavegn, Eric Flower, Shawn Holmes, Ella McNulty, Alex Schwartz MEMBERS ABSENT : Wendy Nelson STAFF PRESENT : Andy Nelson, Janele Waterman Enivornmental Board January 27, 2021 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Sullivan stated that the October 28, 2020 minutes were accepted presented. No vote was taken. VII. OPEN MIKE Mr. Sullivan declared Open Mike at 6:45 p.m. Open Mike was closed at 6:45 p.m. VIII. ACTION ITEMS A. Smart Irrigation Controller Program Mr. Nelson described the Smart Irrigation Controller Program to the board. In our area, over 60% of water usage for a typical home is used for outdoor irrigation during the growing season and approximately 50% of that is wasted. With the irrigation controller program, the City could improve water conservation efforts and increase efficiency of outdoor irrigation. There is also the possibility of amending an ordinance that would require all new homes constructed in the city to have these irrigation controllers installed. Ms. McNulty recommended the program. Ms. Holmes asked about new sod, new seed, or new trees and how that would affect the irrigation controller. Mr. Nelson stated that the resident can override the settings if needed. Ms. Cavegn wanted to know if the distribution of the devices would be prioritized for people with larger yards. Mr. Nelson said it would be first come first serve. The City is offering an 8 zone controller. Mr. Sullivan wanted to know how the information is getting to residents. Mr. Nelson stated information would be sent out to residents via the City Newsletter in March. Mr. Schwartz would like to see the calculation of what the average lot homeowner uses and what the savings will be with the controller to show the economic savings in having an irrigation water sensor. Enivornmental Board January 27, 2021 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Flower sees this program as a win for the homeowner and for the City from an economic and environmental aspect as excessive water usage has a significant impact on city wells. Ms. McNulty made a MOTION to recommend the purchase of Rachio 3 Smart Irrigation Controllers. Mr. Flower supported the motion. Motion carried 6 - 0. IX. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Heron Colony Funds Mr. Nelson has already been out to the island. There is a little flashing to be done. A survey will need to be done to see how many ash trees have nests in them. The trees that are there currently are Lindens, Butternut and Black Ash. Mr. Nelson also stated new signs are needed. Mr. Glenn Fuchs from Anoka County is looking at the cost for replacing the signage. Mr. Nelson believes fall tree planting would be best. He will review with the county what kind of trees should be planted for the herons to nest in. He commented he would like to plant trees that would self propagate. Ms. Holmes wanted to know what would be done with the ash trees that are on the island. Mr. Nelson said we will let the beetle and nature take its course. Mr. Sullivan made the MOTION to use any of the remaining Heron Colony funds for signage and planting of new trees. Ms. Holmes seconded. Motion carried 6 - 0. B. General Updates EAB Injection Program The City went out for bids and the project has been awarded to Rainbow Tree Care. This company met all the requirements that were listed by Mr. Nelson. One of the requirements that the company agreed to is that the city may or not use them for 0-100 city trees. A two year contract was signed with Rainbow Tree Care. Mr. Nelson stated that a citywide postcard will be going out to the residents this spring about tree injections. It will also be in the city newsletter. Ms. Holmes wanted to know if the company is doing injections and removals . Enivornmental Board January 27, 2021 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Nelson stated that the contract with the City is just for injection. If the homeowner wants the tree removed that would be a contract between the homeowner and the tree company. Mr. Flower asked if there would be a landing page for the residents. Mr. Nelson was told the tree company will have a landing page that will be on our City’s web site where residents will be able to provide their address and Rainbow Tree will come out to do a free consultation and let the homeowner know if it is worth injecting the tree or not. Boulevard Ash Removals The parks department has removed 30 ash boulevard trees and are now moving on to 4 th Ave. The number of ash boulevard trees to remove is now under 300. Tree City Application Mr. Nelson has not heard back regarding the Tree City award yet. The City also applied for the Growth Award. These awards may give the City leverage for more grant money. Tree Preservation Fence Detail Mr. Nelson prepared a tree protection zone detail to include in the site planning documents. This document with pictures and text will make it easier to communicate tree preservation expectations in the future. It is consistent with ISA recommendations. Native Seeding Mr. Nelson presented a set of native plant establishment requirements for seeded areas. This should help to ensure quality outcomes for areas planted with native plant seed. SCORE Grant The SCORE forms have been submitted to the county and are being processed. Our goal was 2,265 tons and we diverted 1,932 tons from the landfill which is 85% of our target. Our grant funding request for 2021 has been approved, which provides up to $83,097.46 in reimbursement for eligible activities. Ash Tree Cutting and Replacing Grant The grant for cutting and replacing ash trees opens February 1st. Mr. Nelson will apply for the grant to see if we can receive some funding and shave some time off of our ash response. Enivornmental Board January 27, 2021 Page 5 APPROVED MINUTES X. ADJOURNMENT Ms. McNulty made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Flower. Motion carried 6 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Mary Fogarty Office Specialist