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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230125 EB Meeting MinutesEnvironmental Board January 25, 2023 Page 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Sullivan called the Environmental Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on January 25, 2023. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was adjusted to include discussion item 6C regarding the appointment of the Environmental Board Chair and Vice Chair. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Schwartz made a MOTION to approve the November 30, 2022 meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Ms. Cavegn. Motion carried 6 – 0. 5. OPEN MIKE Chair Sullivan declared Open Mike at 6:32 p.m. There was no one present for Open Mike. Open Mike was closed at 6:32 p.m. DATE: January 25, 2023 TIME STARTED: 6:30 p.m. TIME ENDED: 8:14 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: John Sullivan, Cassie Cavegn, Shawn Holmes, Ella McNulty, Alex Schwartz Lindsay Buchmeier MEMBERS ABSENT: Jonathan Parsons STAFF PRESENT: Andrew Nelson, Dana Rozan Tori Philippi Environmental Board January 25, 2023 Page 2 APPROVED MINUTES 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Shenandoah Park Stormwater BMP Feasibility Study Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented the staff report. Shenandoah Park was identified in a Rice Creek Watershed District Subwatershed Assessment as a prime candidate for additional study in advance of developing a large capital improvement project to benefit water quality in the area. Staff is of the opinion that opportunity exists for a restoration project that would enhance water quality and provide for an improved greenway element to the park. A feasibility study was prepared to assess the suitability of the park for a future project. The feasibility study provides valuable information that will be used should the City and RCWD pursue external grant funding for a water quality improvement based on concept three and four. The Board discussed the benefits of concepts three and four and supported these concepts because the have the most benefits to the park. The Board also discussed details on the project. Ms. Holmes asked if there will be a new route for residents to take in order to get to the park. Mr. Nelson explained there is a goal of improving trail connectivity along with the water quality benefits associated with the concepts. Overall, the Board supported staff recommendations. Chair Sullivan made a MOTION to accept the project report and future improvements based on concepts three and four. Motion was seconded by Ms. McNulty. Motion carried 6 – 0. B. No Mow May Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented the staff report. No Mow May is an initiative which promotes avoiding the mowing of lawns during the month of May in order to provide benefits to pollinator species. The City can support No Mow May through a resolution directing staff to not issue correction notices for tall grass and weed violations for the month of May. Ms. Holmes asked if there will be educational material on the City website and the City newsletter so residents can learn why the City is promoting No Mow May. Environmental Board January 25, 2023 Page 3 APPROVED MINUTES Mr. Nelson stated there will be informational material on the City website. The Board discussed the pros and cons of mowing lawns for species to flourish. Chair Sullivan questioned whether or not it is better to mow the lawn in order for to flourish. Mr. Schwartz suggested that it would be appealing for the City to not regulate how residents want to manage their lawns for one month. Ms. McNulty did not support No Mow May because the dandelions and other lawn weeds provide little pollinator benefit. Mr. Schwartz made a MOTION to recommend City Council to support No Mow May. Ms. Cavegn seconded the motion. Ms. McNulty voted no. Motion carried 5 – 1. C. Appointment of Environmental Board Chair and Vice Chair Chair Sullivan explained the Board members whose terms expired December 31, 2022, and suggested a vote to appoint Chair and Vice Chair. Ms. Holmes made a MOTION to vote Mr. Sullivan as Chair. Ms. Cavegn seconded the motion. Motion carried 6 – 0. Ms. Holmes made a MOTION to vote Mr. Schwartz Alex as Vice Chair. Ms. Buchmeier seconded the motion. Motion carried 6 – 0. 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Boulevard Tree Policy Mr. Nelson explained what the Boulevard tree policy is. Every new single family residential lot in the City gets one tree per frontage. The first tree is paid for by the developer. Mr. Nelson had three questions for the Board to answer for this discussion. Mr. Nelson asked should the City continue to require boulevard tree planting with residential development. The Board voted yes to question one. Mr. Nelson explained that the replacement of the trees are not a requirement and it is a service in acknowledgement of the benefits trees provide to the community, but the replacement trees do come out of the City forestry budget. Mr. Nelson asked should the City continue the practice of replacing the boulevard trees that die. Environmental Board January 25, 2023 Page 4 APPROVED MINUTES The Board voted yes to question two. Mr. Nelson asked should a resident have the choice to opt-out of a replacement if the original boulevard tree is removed. There are different reasons why a resident would want to opt-out. Residents would have more flexibility with landscaping the front yards, but the overall benefits to the community that boulevard trees provide would be decreased. The Board voted no to question three. Chair Sullivan also noted that species selection should remain at the discretion of staff trained in forestry to ensure benefits from the boulevard tree program are maximized. B. Rice Creek Watershed District Community Resiliency Building Workshop Mr. Nelson summarized the workshop. Chair Sullivan asked if anyone is interested in going to the workshop. Ms. Cavegn agreed to go to those meetings. 8. UPDATES A. Recycling Updates Ms. Philippi presented her recycling updates. In December, 77 cars showed up for All Appliance Disposal and 32 showed up for 1st Choice Document Destruction. This month, we saw an increase in the number of participants with 123 cars for All Appliance Disposal and 61 for 1st Choice Document Destruction. There are now 473 people signed up for the organics program. A SCORE reimbursement form had been submitted early January. Chair Sullivan asked for an update on Sunrise Park. Mr. Nelson explained there will be more discussion at the next City Council work session. 9. ADJOURN Ms. Holmes made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Motion was seconded by Mr. Schwartz. Motion carried 6 – 0. Respectfully submitted, Dana Rozan – Office Specialist