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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/2021 EB Packet CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING Wednesday, May 26, 2021 6:30 p.m. Meeting to be held electronically Pursuant to MN Statute 13D.021 AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 31, 2021 5. OPEN MIKE 6. INTRODUCTION OF NEW RECYCLING INTERN: Phillip Davis 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Environmental Board Annual Work Plan 8. UPDATES A. Recycling Update B. General Updates 9. ADJOURN How to Join the Meeting Phone: Dial 1-312-626-6799 Meeting ID: 851 0005 3288 Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85100053288 DRAFT 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 March 31, 2021. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Sullivan stated to approve the Agenda as it stands. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 27, 2021 Mr. Sullivan stated that the January 27, 2021 minutes were accepted as posted. No vote was taken. V. OPEN MIKE Mr. Sullivan declared Open Mike at 6:34 p.m. Open Mike declared closed at 6:34 p.m. DATE : March 31, 2021 TIME STARTED : 6:32 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:19 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : John Sullivan, Cassie Cavegn, Shawn Holmes, Ella McNulty, Wendy Nelson, Alex Schwartz MEMBERS ABSENT : Eric Flower STAFF PRESENT : Andy Nelson, Janele Waterman Enivornmental Board March 31, 2021 Page 2 DRAFT MINUTES VI. ACTION ITEMS A. Butler Addition Mr. Nelson presented the staff report. The applicant, Scott Butler, proposes to subdivide the existing parcel located at 7870 Meadow View Trail into two single family lots for the purpose of constructing one new single family home off of Lois Lane. The land use request includes Rezoning from R. Rural to R-1, Single Family Residential and preliminary plat approval. Staff recommended approval of the request with the following conditions: 1. Install tree protection fence at 1 foot radius per inch diameter around any trees near the construction zone that are to be preserved. This will pertain to the tree line on the east perimeter of the parcel two. See City Tree Protection Fence Detail. 2. Staked biologs could be used a replacement for silt fence on the east perimeter. This would result in less damage to the conifer tree roots than a silt fence. Mr. Sullivan asked for an explanation of the drainage map. Mr. Nelson explained that the drainage plan is prepared by the applicant’s engineer and reviewed by the City Engineer. Mr. Sullivan questioned the need for an infiltration basin on the property. Mr. Butler explained that an infiltration basin is required by the Rice Creek Watershed District due to the size of the development area. Mr. Schawartz commented that he agreed with the use of biologs in helping to preserve the conifers on the east area. Ms. Holmes MOTIONED to approve with staff recommendations including importance of the preservation of the trees on the east property line of Lot 2. Ms. McNulty seconded. Motion passed 6-0. B. EAB Boulevard Tree Treatment Mr. Nelson presented the staff report. He explained that as part of our EAB program most of the boulevard ash trees are removed by the City Park crew which is less expensive than hiring contractors to perform the removals. He noted that most trees are currently of a size that can be safely handled by the parks crew. As trees increase in size the complexity of removals increases and we have to contract that work out which significantly increases City costs. Enivornmental Board March 31, 2021 Page 3 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Nelson stated that recently the City has received requests from individual homeowners to treat the boulevard trees at their own expense. Mr. Nelson pointed out that there is no guarantee that the owner or future owner would continue to treat the tree in the future, leaving the City with a more expensive contracted removal in the future. Staff recommended that resident financed treatments be limited to privately owned trees and that boulevard ash trees be managed in accordance with the City EAB response plan currently in place. Mr. Schwartz asked for clarification of the time line for completing boulevard removals. Mr. Nelson confirmed that we are still 10 years out, noting that a possible DNR grant could eliminate 3 years. Mr. Schwartz suggested that the City prioritize the removal of trees that are on the cusp of not being able to remove ourselves to minimize the number of contracted removals needed. Mr. Nelson explained that we are taking that into account, along with other factors, in our annual work plan. Ms. Holmes asked if there was specific distance from a street that defined a boulevard tree. Mr. Nelson noted the distance from right-of-way line/property line can vary from area to area and that there is not a standard distance. Ms. Holmes questioned whether there was a standard notification process to the residents regarding ash removal and how many property owners were interested in treating their boulevared trees. Mr. Nelson responded that he has had approximately five requests, but noted that if we offer it to one than we need to offer it to all. Ms. Holmes asked if residents get to pick the type of tree that is replaced. Mr. Nelson responded that currently species selection is decided by the City to ensure diversity and higher survival rates. Ms. Nelson asked what grant funds the City was submitting for. Mr. Nelson responded that it was a street tree bonding grant and we applied to replace approximatley 91 trees. She recommended use of door hangers as a good way to communicate. Mr. Sullivan asked about what year of the EAB plan we are in and what size of trees can the City handle for removal. Mr. Nelson responded that we are approximately 9 years from completing the plan. Tree removal complexity varies from site to site. Enivornmental Board March 31, 2021 Page 4 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Sullivan noted that in most cases those boulevard trees were planted by the City, they aren’t owned by the property owner and they may need to be informed of that. Ms. Cavegn noted that it would helpful if homeowners are shown how taking a boulevard tree down will be protecting the other trees that are on their property. Ms. Holmes stressed that clear communication with the homeowner is very important to set expectations and understanding. Mr. Nelson showed an example of a letter that is sent out to homeowners about the removal of the boulevard tree. He noted that if the City sends out 100 letters, 90% of the situations will resolve with no further contact with homeowners. Mr Sullivan requested that a copy of the tree removal letter be sent out to the board. Mr. Schwartz wanted to know if the 300 trees that require removal are all boulevard trees on City owned property. Mr. Nelson confirmed that there are 300 boulevard ash trees remaining. Mr. Sullivan MOTIONED that the board agrees with the staff recommendation that resident-financed treatments be limited to privately-owned trees. Boulevard ash trees should be managed in accordance with the City’s EAB response plan currently in place, in part which calls for removal and replacement of all boulevard ash trees. The Enivormerntal Board recommends that the City Council would address any contentious issues with residents rather than the board. Ms. McNulty seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0. Mr. Sullivan mentioned that Mr. Nelson did a great job with article in the City newsletter. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Solid Waste Abatement Advisory Team (SWAAT) meeting notes SWAAT meets every two months. Mr. Sullivan would like the board to see what other cities are involved in. The board discussed organics pick up by trash haulers. Enivornmental Board March 31, 2021 Page 5 DRAFT MINUTES Ms. Cavegn mentioned putting an article in the newsletter of what items can be recycled. Ms. Cavegn wanted to know if there a private company that would pick up organics/compost and sell the soil back to the residents. Ms. Nelson stated that Walters picks up organics as stated in their webpage - it is called green bag. Mr. Nelson mentioned that the organics program has the most room for growth. It is free but people have to do some work. The board discussed different ways to promote organics/composting efforts in the city. Mr. Schwartz stated that we need to find a waste hauler that can find a way to make curbside pickup cost feasible. Mr. Nelson wanted feedback on the way the minutes from SWAAT meeting should be presented. Mr. Sullivan suggested that the SWAAT approved meeting minutes be emailed out to the board members and if anyone finds anything of interest it can be discussed in our meetings. B. Earth Day Events at Wargo Nature Center Mr. Nelson provided the following dates and activities: Saturday April 17, buckthorn removal from 10-noon at Wargo Nature Center. Tuesday, April 20, there is a Garden Starting Native Plants event- limiting the number of people 30 including staff. We can have a table at this event if we want. Mr. Sullivan stated that with the restriction on number of people it would be ok not to attend but hopefully next year. VIII. UPDATES A. 30 Year Tree City Recognition and Growth Award Mr. Nelson presented the two awards that the city was awarded. Tree City Growth Award, which 7 cities in MN received, and the Tree City USA Award, which 110 cities in MN received. This was the 30th year Lino Lakes has been a Tree City. B. Other Updates Enivornmental Board March 31, 2021 Page 6 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Nelson informed the board that the Smart irrigation program was approved by City Council. The program is going well, there have been 50 units handed out so far. Mr. Nelson stated that the City EAB response plan is currently in place and Rainbow Tree Care is the company doing the tree treatments. C. Recycling Mr. Nelson told the board that Intern interviews are ongoing and hopefully at next meeting the new intern can do the recycling updates. IX. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Holmes made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m. Motion was supported by Ms. Cavegn. Motion carried 6 - 0. Respectfully submitted, Mary Fogarty Office Specialist 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD AGENDA ITEM 7A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson MEETING DATE: May 26th, 2021 REQUEST: Discussion and approval of work plan TOPIC: Environmental Board Annual Work Plan BACKGROUND: The Environmental Board serves to provide aid and advice to the Council in its efforts to encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between people and their environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and stimulate the health and welfare of people; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the city; to advise the city in the use and management of its natural resources in order to preserve and enhance the environmental amenities for present and future residents, and to improve and ensure a lasting quality of life within the city. (City Code Chapter 217.01) Each year, the Environmental Board prepares an annual work program. This annual plan may include a list of initiatives concerning current environmental issues in the major areas of focus of the Environmental Board, including forestry, natural resources, water, and solid waste management. The work plan will be presented to City Council. ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTION: Discussion on annual work plan to be presented to the City Council. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Environmental Board Annual Work Plan 2021 Environmental Board Annual Work Plan 2021 Forestry 1. Continue implementation of the City’s Emerald Ash Borer response. This includes removal of boulevard trees and replacement with a diverse mix of species, a city tree sale that helps residents to affordably replace private trees that have succumbed to EAB, a partnership with Rainbow Tree Care to offer a discount rate on private tree injections, and continued removals of ash trees in natural areas and parks. Natural Resources 1. Review proposed changes to landscaping ordinance as part of the zoning ordinance update. 2. Pursue additional wetland bank establishment opportunities. 3. Evaluate updating MLCCS land cover data with the DNR to incorporate the development that has occurred in the city since the last update. Water 1. Continue to distribute educational outreach materials on water conservation, both on the city website and in newsletters. 2. Update ordinance to enable residents to apply for permits to install stormwater pond aerators on ponds that are part of the city stormwater system. Recycling/Solid Waste 1. Assess organics recycling program to determine appropriate areas for the addition of new drop- off sites. Identify existing sites that may benefit from expansion.