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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230329 Environmental Board Packet CombinedCITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD SPECIAL WORK SESSION Wednesday, March 29, 2023 6:30 p.m. Community Room Please be courteous and turn off all electronic devices during the meeting. AGENDA 1.CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2.DISCUSSION ITEMS A.Environmental Board Annual Work Plan B.Earth Day Planning 3.ADJOURN Meeting guidelines on reverse side. City of Lino Lakes Environmental Board MEETING GUIDELINES Open Mike – The purpose of a Board Meeting is to accomplish the business of the city. When presenting at a meeting please remember to be respectful and follow these guidelines: • Please address the meeting chair. • State your name and address for the record. • Please observe a 4-minute limit. • The topic must relate to city business. • Open Mike is for items not on the agenda. • A spokesperson must represent a group of five or more – groups will have 8 minutes. • The Presiding Officer may limit duplicative presentations. • Remember, the meeting is to discuss city business only. Public Hearing – Held as a separate item of business on the agenda. The public hearing segment is your opportunity to tell the Board how you feel about issues scheduled to be heard. Typically, a hearing follows these steps: • The Presiding Officer (Chair or Vice-Chair) will announce the proposal to be reviewed and ask for the staff report. The presiding Officer shall maintain strict order and etiquette at all meetings. • Staff will present their report on the proposal. • Board members will then ask City Staff questions about the proposal. • The Presiding Officer will then open up the public hearing for anyone present who wishes to comment on the proposal. This is the time for the public to make comments or ask questions about the proposal. Comments should be limited to four (4) minutes unless further time is granted by the Presiding Officer. All comments should be directed to the Board as a body and not to any individual Board Member or City Staff Member unless permission is granted by the Presiding Officer. No person shall be permitted to enter into any discussion, either directly or through a member of the Board without the permission of the Presiding Officer. • After everyone in the audience wishing to speak has given his/her comments, the Presiding Officer shall close the public hearing. • The Board will then discuss the proposal. No further public comments are allowed. • The Board will then make a recommendation(s) and/or a decision. When you are called upon for your comments, please step to the microphone at the podium and state your name and address for the record. Occasionally, the Board may continue a hearing to another meeting before taking action. Meeting Etiquette The Environmental Board must preserve order and decorum while the meeting is in session. A resident shall not, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the business of the Board, nor disturb any resident or Board Member while speaking or refuse to obey the orders of the Board. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEM 2A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator MEETING DATE: March 29th, 2023 REQUEST: Discussion only. TOPIC: Environmental Board Annual Work Plan and Ongoing Tasks List 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 plan that will be presented to the City Council for approval. This plan includes 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. Staff has also prepared a list of ongoing tasks to highlight the distinction between the Annual Work Plan and standard operating procedures/ongoing tasks. The revised drafts of the Annual Work Plan and Ongoing Tasks List reflect changes requested by the Environmental Board at the March 1st, 2023 meeting. The final draft of the Annual Work Plan will be presented to the City Council at the April 3rd Work Session. ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTION Discussion only. ATTACHMENTS 1. Environmental Board Annual Work Plan 2023 2. Environmental Board Ongoing Tasks List 2023 Environmental Board Annual Work Plan 2023 General 1. Continue to review proposed development projects and provide recommendations to the City Council. The recommendations are based upon compliance with the landscaping section of the Zoning Ordinance, and current accepted practices on topics including urban forestry, natural resource conservation, water quality, utilizing native plants where feasible, and protecting wildlife. 2. Improve and enhance environmental content on the City website, social media, and the local newspaper. 3. Promote workshops on native plants and water quality projects on the city website and social media platforms. 4. Initiate more volunteer project options to help residents engage with the local environment. 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 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. 2. Continue to promote the City tree sale. In addition to the many benefits that increased canopy cover brings to the city, the sale also helps residents to affordably replace private trees that have succumbed to EAB. Natural Resources 1. Review proposed changes to landscaping ordinance as part of the zoning ordinance update. 2. Support the pursuit of 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. 4. Continue to recommend implementation of Greenway System improvements where applicable in development projects. Water 1. Continue to distribute educational outreach materials on water conservation, both on the city website and in newsletters. Continue the smart irrigation controller program. 2. Promote the Adopt-a-Drain program, which encourages residents to participate in improving water quality by cleaning storm drains and preventing trash and organic pollutants from reaching our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. 3. Promote water quality projects for homeowners that may be funded through grant programs. 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. 2. Identify ways to increase recycling tonnage. This may include expansion of the organics program, addition of programs to accept materials not currently included in city programs, and coupons for items dropped at Recycling Saturdays. Environmental Board Ongoing Tasks List 2023 General 1. Promote environmental stewardship through participation in Blue Heron Days and the Earth Day event typically held at Wargo Nature Center. 2. Continue to review developments and provide recommendations to the City Council. The recommendations are based on compliance with the landscaping section of the Zoning Ordinance, natural resource conservation, and current accepted practices on topics including urban forestry, water quality, and native plants. Forestry 3. Continue to enhance the urban forest through education and outreach, participation in the Tree City USA program, boulevard tree management and inventory updates, diseased tree management, and the City tree sale. Natural Resources 4. Monitor the heron rookery on Peltier Lake. Collaborate with volunteers and Anoka County on work to benefit the herons, including flashing trees, performing an annual nest count, managing invasive species such as buckthorn, and planting trees to replace the many ash trees on the island that will succumb to emerald ash borer. 5. Perform maintenance on conservation easements and wetland bank areas as time and budget permit. Water 6. Collaborate with Rice Creek Watershed District, Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization, and other agencies to promote water conservation, water quality improvements/protections, and native plantings through outreach materials, workshops, and webinars. 7. Distribute outreach and education materials on water conservation, water quality, and stormwater management. Recycling/Solid Waste Management 8. Participate in and promote monthly Recycling Saturday events. 9. Strive to achieve recycling tonnage goals. 10. Monitor organics sites to determine service levels and potential program expansion needs. 11. Continue to distribute outreach materials related to recycling and organics in collaboration with Anoka County. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD WORK SESSION AGENDA ITEM 2B STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator MEETING DATE: March 29th, 2023 REQUEST: Discussion only TOPIC: Earth Day Planning BACKGROUND Wargo Nature Center is hosting an Earth Day celebration on April 22nd from 1-4PM. The City of Lino Lakes collaborates with Anoka County staff on this event by providing tables for a vendor fair, a bounce house, popcorn machine, and entertainment. The Environmental Board will have a table at this event. Staff will be displaying outreach materials that highlight some current Lino Lakes programs. This discussion will be an opportunity for Board members to provide feedback on City involvement in the event. ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTION Discussion only.