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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/26/2021 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 6:30 p.m. on May 26, 2021. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Mr. Sullivan stated to approve the Agenda as it stands. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 31, 2021 Mr. Sullivan asked for a motion of the March 31, 2021 minutes. Ms. Holmes MOTIONED to approve the minutes. Ms. Cavegn seconded the motion. 5-0 passed. V. OPEN MIKE Mr. Sullivan declared Open Mike at 6:34 p.m. Open Mike declared closed at 6:34 p.m. DATE : May 26, 2021 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:50 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : John Sullivan, Cassie Cavegn, Shawn Holmes, Ella McNulty, Wendy Nelson, MEMBERS ABSENT : Eric Flower, Alex Schwartz STAFF PRESENT : Andy Nelson, Janele Waterman, Phillip Davis Enivornmental Board May 26, 2021 Page 2 DRAFT MINUTES VI. INTRODUCTION OF NEW RECYCLING INTERN Phillip Davis introduced himself and was welcomed by the Environmental Board. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Environmental Board Annual Work Plan Mr. Nelson presented the duties of the Environmental Board and a draft of the work plan that is presented to the City Council each year. This annual plan may contain initiatives concerning current environmental issues in the major areas of focus of the Environmental Board, including forestry, natural resources, waste, and solid waste management. Mr. Nelson had put together an annual work plan that he thought covered the areas of forestry, natural resources, water and recycling/solid waste. Mr. Sullivan questioned why this was called a work plan. He stated that in the past the work plan was labeled as a set of Environmental Goals. Mr. Nelson responded that the change in name was in response to feedback that calling it an annual work plan may better fit the purpose of the Board, and that the City Council is looking to the Environmental Board to provide a recommendation on this work plan. Mr. Sullivan would like to see Annual Tree Sale as a second, separate goal under Forestry. Ms. Holmes agreed because the tree sale was happening before Emerald Ash Borer response was a major focus in the city. Mr. Sullivan inquired if the City has found any new areas that would provide the opportunity for wetland credits. Mr. Nelson responded that there are potential areas that would be suitable for wetland bank establishment that are being considered and that any sites would be presented to the Board at a later date. Mr. Sullivan made a comment that the Environmental Board should make an effort to improve educational outreach. Potential topics might include composting and recycling. Mr. Sullivan recommended the Environmental Board promote more opportunities for funding projects in the interest of clean water. Some examples include neighborhood rain gardens, Adopt-a-Drain projects, and dog waste stations. Ms. Cavegn supported the ideas of promoting Adopt-a-Drain projects and additional dog waste stations. Enivornmental Board May 26, 2021 Page 3 DRAFT MINUTES Mrs. Holmes recommended either painted informational signs or placards near catch basins as a part of the Adopt-a-Drain program as a good educational outreach opportunity to reach residents. Scout groups have done this work in the past. Mr. Sullivan commented that improper lawn irrigation is a problem within the City. Mrs. Nelson responded that there are door hanger notices, noting addresses, and potential fines in place to reinforce watering restrictions. Mr. Sullivan asked for opinions regarding asking if more enforcement on watering restrictions should be pursued. Mr. Nelson and Ms. Cavegn agreed. Mr. Nelson suggested that the Environmental Board take another month to clarify and revise the list of goals. A new draft will be brought to the Board in the future to be voted on. Ms. Cavegn inquired about management strategies for fertilizer use and expanding upon enforcement related to proper application of fertilizers in areas that have higher potential to impact lakes and other surface waters, such as the County-owned golf course. Mr. Nelson responded that there is overlap and collaboration in management efforts related to lakes. Though the city is not in a position to make management decisions on their behalf as relates to the golf course, encouraging rain gardens and vegetated buffers on areas of residential shoreland could be an area that the Board could put more focus to have a positive impact on water quality. Currently, we do support these efforts through outreach to residents on webinars and workshops on raingardens and other native plant-based stormwater management efforts. Mr. Nelson provided information regarding a potential stormwater pond aerator permit that citizens may apply for. Mrs. Nelson asked if the permit would have any connection to pesticide and herbicide treatments on stormwater ponds. Mr. Nelson replied that treatments like the ones Mrs. Nelson mentioned would not currently be approved if they were connected to the city stormwater system. Mr. Nelson mentioned that the organics program has great opportunity for growth. Mr. Sullivan wanted to know if it would be possible to ask the City Council to require local businesses to recycle and compost. Mr. Nelson had a second document with ongoing tasks that he shared with the Board. The list contained established activities and standard operating procedures that have been ongoing and would not have to appear on the annual work plan that will be presented to City Council. VIII. UPDATES A. Recycling Update Enivornmental Board May 26, 2021 Page 4 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Davis provided an update on the growth of the organics drop off program. Residents are continuing to sign up to use the drop off bins. He explained that the bins are reaching capacity by the end of the week, and there is opportunity to expand the program. Mr. Davis detailed that the City will be receiving new signage from the County free of charge that will help reduce the amount of non-organic material/contamination being placed into the bins. The City may be interested in creating a new organic drop off site in town that would correspond with future developments. Mr. Davis explained that he’s begun to track participant data at Recycling Saturday events. The Board thanks him for the update and thinks these are good ideas. B. General Updates Mr. Nelson discussed the prescribed burn at Wollan Park on May 10 th. He shared aerial photographs of the burn as well as photographs of the newly regenerated vegetation. IX. ADJOURNMENT Ms. Nelson made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Motion was supported by Ms. Cavegn. Motion carried 5 - 0.