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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230927 Environmental Board Packet Combined CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING Wednesday, September 27, 2023 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers Please be courteous and turn off all electronic devices during the meeting. AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: August 30, 2023 5. OPEN MIKE 6. ACTION ITEMS A. Kavan Family Christmas Tree Farm 7. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2022-2042 8. UPDATES A. SCORE Tonnage 1st Half of 2023 B. Recycling Updates 9. 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. Environmental Board August 30, 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 August 30, 2023. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The agenda was approved as presented. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Parsons made a motion to approve the June 28, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Ms. Buchmeier. Motion carried 4 – 0. 5. OPEN MIKE Chair Sullivan declared open mike at 6:32 p.m. There was no one present for open mike therefore it was closed at 6:32 p.m. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Lake Amelia Ditch Study, Tom Hoffman, WSB Tom Hoffman, Engineering Technician with WSB and Associates, summarized the results of the study and discussed the recommended next steps that follow from the study. DATE: August 30, 2023 TIME STARTED: 6:30 p.m. TIME ENDED: 8:20 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: John Sullivan, Cassie Cavegn Lindsay Buchmeier, Jonathan Parsons MEMBERS ABSENT: Alex Schwartz, Shawn Holmes, Julia Nelson STAFF PRESENT: Andrew Nelson, Dana Rozan Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 2 DRAFT MINUTES Lake Amelia ditch is a private ditch with no easements and no public access, but it does act as a public drainage to the lake. Recently, there has been flooding in the ditch corridor due to limited maintenance and failure of private culverts. This has raised concerns regarding long-term management of the system as development pressure increases upstream. Mr. Hoffman explained what some of the short-term maintenance plans are in order to control the flow of the water to decrease floods. One of the ways is to implement short- term easements so that engineers and maintenance workers have access to the ditch. It was recommended to put a long-term easement in the future because then they would be able to access the ditch at any time in order to maintain a steady flow. This project mainly looks at cleaning out the ditch so that there is less sediment going into Lake Amelia. While doing so, there would be a restored wetland, improved floodplain management, and the removal of sediment going into the lake. The board discussed where the ditch is located and the basis of the project, to which Mr. Hoffman clarified, the project is to clean up the water so that it flows from point A to Lake Amelia better, and to maintain the ditch. 7. ACTION ITEMS A. Glamos Wire CUP Outdoor Storage Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented his staff report. The City received a conditional use permit and site plan review for Open and Outdoor Storage at 2300 Main Street. The proposed plan includes construction of additional outdoor open storage space south of the existing storage area. There are plans for tree preservation and landscaping to restore canopy and provide additional screening for the new storage area. Staff recommended that the Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for 2300 Main Street be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Council with the following comments: 1. Emerald Ash Borer infested trees must be removed. 2. The MN DNR flyer and factsheet about Blanding’s turtle must be provided to all contractors working on the site, and any sightings of this species must be reported to City staff so that the turtles can be safely relocated. 3. A vegetation management plan will be required for the berm and any additional exposed soil resulting from the unpermitted grading activities. Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 3 DRAFT MINUTES 4. Erosion blanket must be a natural net variety. 5. Additional shrubs will be required to cover 50% of the west perimeter fence that faces Otter Lake Road. 6. The provided Tree Protection Detail must be replaced with the City Tree Protection Fence Detail on Sheet L2.01. All trees planned for preservation will require tree protection fence to be installed in accordance with this detail. Ms. Buchmeier made a motion to approve the recommendations along with the fence height suggestions. Ms. Cavegn seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 – 0. B. Natural Landscapes Ordinance Amendment Mr. Nelson clarified that this is not an action item, but an update that the City will be amending ordinance to reflect the State Statute regarding natural landscapes. This item was just an update, so the Board made no motion. C. Artificial Turf Ordinance Amendment Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator, presented his staff report. 75 Robinson Drive did some work that removed sod and soil in preparation for installed synthetic turf. The current ordinance does not currently allow synthetic turf to be used as landscape cover. Mr. Nelson quoted the ordinance, which said, “There is no exception for synthetic turf”. The applicant submitted a proposed amendment to current ordinance language that would allow synthetic turf. Mr. Nelson went over the pros and cons of the use of synthetic turf as landscape. The biggest areas of concerns include the permeability of the product, hazardous decomposition products, and the product ending up in landfills. Troy Johnson, with ForeverLawn Minnesota Inc, would recommend having an ordinance that allows synthetic turf as landscape so that companies would install it correctly. Mr. Johnson stated that Lino Lakes would be the first city in MN to allow turf as residential landscaping, if they approve. Regarding the concern about fires starting, synthetic grass is tested like carpet; the fire would not spread if it were set on fire; the turf would melt and go out in the same place. Ms. Cavegn clarified that if the turf caught on fire there would be air quality emissions issues. Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 4 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Johnson stated that the turf and underlying soil is permeable due to the gravel that is set down underneath the turf. Ms. Cavegn clarified that there would still be less soil stabilization than roots would provide. Chair Sullivan asked if water gets through during rain, Mr. Johnson replied yes water passes through 30 inches per hour. Chair Sullivan also asked if children can play on this during a hot day. Mr. Johnson explained that yes but turf does get hot but he has not received any complaints, and would suggest installing it in a shady area. John Lipinski, the homeowner, clarified that he wanted the turf in order to use less water due to the manganese levels. He also explained that 55 gallons of water per square foot per year is used by sod/grass, therefore he wanted turf as a water conservation measure. Mr. Lipinski described the difficulties he had had with trying to grow grass over the poor quality soil that was placed during the construction process. Ms. Cavegn stated that as the Environmental Board they are looking for the most environmentally friendly option. She also stated many concerns about the product being made from plastic and technology created from soybean plants has similar effects to accelerated petroleum production. She also expressed concerns about the plastic particles in the water runoff, as well as concerns about the microbiome of the soil because there will be no life there. Mr. Nelson pointed out that if this is approved then it will be allowed everywhere unless it is restricted in ordinance to specific areas or specified portions of a lot. Mr. Nelson clarified that staff would not recommend this to be used wide spread, but it could work in a small area. Mr. Parsons agreed with the use of it for a dog park area, or a high traffic medium, but does not agree with front yards. Ms. Buchmeier asked for clarification about how there are other places in Minnesota use turf, but no cities have ordinances that allow it. Mr. Johnson replied that some cities still allow it because it is permeable, and said that some cities do not have any rules regarding turf so they allow it. Chair Sullivan clarified that there is not a way to recycle the turf at least in MN. Mr. Johnson agreed, but they ship it out to other states that recycle it. Ms. Buchmeier asked how long does the turf last once it is installed. Mr. Johnson replied they have a standard of 8-year warranty, but the lifespan is about 15-20 years. Chair Sullivan recommended no, but is okay in certain locations like spots that grass never grows, but not a whole lawn. Environmental Board August 30, 2023 Page 5 DRAFT MINUTES Mr. Parsons recommended no to widespread areas, but in high traffic areas it could be considered. Ms. Buchmeier agreed with Chair Sullivan and Mr. Parsons. If it were to be allowed then it would be in small areas but with clearly defined areas or portions of lots. Ms. Cavegn recommended no because it is harmful to the environment. She stated a firm no because natural grass is important for soil health and it is ecologically and environmentally best to grow natural grass. 8. ADJOURN Ms. Cavegn made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Motion was seconded by Ms. Buchmeier. Motion carried 4 – 0. Respectfully submitted, Dana Rozan – Office Specialist 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD ITEM 6A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson, Environmental Coordinator DATE: September 27th, 2023 REQUEST: Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for Kavan Family Christmas Tree Farm APPLICANT: Stephen Kavan 3 Goldfinch Lane North Oaks, MN 55127 OWNER: Same BACKGROUND The applicant, Stephen Kavan, has submitted a land use application for agritourism for a Christmas tree farm to be located at 1415 Ash Street. The 39.6 acre parcel will have a cut-your-own Christmas tree nursery, a barn, a sales stand, and an unpaved parking area. See applicant’s narrative for more details. The Land Use Application is for the following: Conditional Use Permit for Agritourism Site and Building Plan Review This staff report is based on a review of the following documents:  Certificate of Survey prepared by E.G. Rud and Sons, Inc., dated 9-13-23  Applicant’s Narrative dated 9-01-23  Site Plan Set prepared by E.G. Rud and Sons, Inc., dated 9-13-23  Wetland Delineation Report prepared by Kjolhaug Environmental Services Company, Inc., prepared 5-31-23  Grading and Erosion Control Plan prepared by Plowe Engineering, dated 9-07-23 ANALYSIS General Site Characteristics The proposed project includes construction of a 40’ by 48’ barn, an unpaved parking area stabilized with seed and mesh, and an extension to the existing gravel driveway. 2 The project will include transferring a portion of the parcel to the property to the south to accommodate the part of the house at 6097 Ash Street that extends onto 1415 Ash Street. The Christmas trees are planted on the portion of the site that has been in agricultural use. No impacts are proposed to the smaller delineated wetland near the proposed parking lot or to the more extensive wetland and lake area on the western portion of the site. Land Cover Pre-settlement land cover (Marschner) was lakes/open water, wet prairie, and oak openings and barrens. Current land cover (Minnesota Land Cover Classification System) on the site includes: hayfield; saturated altered/non-native dominated graminoid vegetation; saturated deciduous forest; oak forest dry subtype, cattail marsh seasonally flooded; aspen forest with saturated soils; and altered/non-native deciduous woodland. Rare, Unique, or Significant Resources Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), a State Threatened speices, has been observed within a one-mile radius of the site. The MN DNR flyer and factsheet for this turtle must be provided to all contractors working on the site. Any sightings of this species should be reported to City staff so that the turtles can be safely relocated. Soils The Natural Resource Conservation Service Web Soil Survey notes the following soil types on the project site: Nessel fine sandy loam, hydrologic group B, moderately well drained. Loamy wetland, hydrologic group B/D, very poorly drained. Rifle mucky peat, hydrologic group A/D, very poorly drained. Hayden fine sandy loam, hydrologic group B, well drained. The building area is a mix of well-drained sandy soil and very poorly drained loamy soil. Stormwater Management There does not appear to be enough land disturbance or impervious surface created to require a stormwater management plan. Stormwater management will receive a full review by the City Engineer. 3 Existing Conditions Stormwater that does not infiltrate runs to the west or southwest to Cedar Lake and the associated wetland areas. Proposed Conditions There is minimal site grading proposed with the project, mainly associated with the driveway installation. The parking lot will be seeded beneath a layer of mesh designed to reinforce the underlying grass and soil to minimize impact from vehicles. The stormwater will continue to infiltrate into the surrounding soils, be taken up by vegetation, or run off to the wetlands and Cedar Lake to the west. Stormwater Pollution Prevention The Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control Plan calls for silt fence on the downgradient perimeter of the driveway and a gravel driveway. The 14 day stabilization timeframe is noted, along with appropriate seed mix (25-131, a low maintenance fescue mix), and wood fiber erosion blanket. The erosion blanket code must be updated to the current 2020 Mn DOT specifications to avoid confusion and ensure that only natural net erosion blanket is used. Flood Plain There is flood plain mostly on the western portion of the site. The elevation of the proposed barn floor appears to be well above the base flood elevations. Flood plain concerns will receive a full review by the City Engineer. Shoreland District The majority of the site is within Shoreland District, being within 1,000 feet of the ordinary high water level of Cedar Lake. The project does not raise any Shoreland District related concerns. Wetlands There is one 5,091 sf wetland delineated near the proposed project. This wetland is a farmed, seasonally flooded depression dominated by reed canary grass. No impacts are proposed to this wetland. There are also larger wetland areas on the west of the parcel that are associated with Cedar Lake. There are no impacts to these wetlands proposed with this project. 4 Greenway System, Parks and Trails There is a proposed trail and greenway area noted in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan located on the western half of the parcel along the boundary of Cedar Lake. These greenway system elements will be included in future development as the area is guided for low density residential. Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR) Considerations The site is not within the 2005 I-35E Corridor AUAR environmental review boundary. Drinking Water Protection The site is not within the Drinking Water Supply Management Area (DWSMA). LANDSCAPE PLAN Landscaping standards will not apply to this agricultural use. The proposed plan does include ample coniferous trees to screen the site from the property to the south and to screen the driveway. Sod and Ground Cover Standards The Turf Establishment Plan calls for Mn DOT 25-131, a low maintenance, drought tolerant turf grass over the parking lot and any other disturbed areas. The seed will be installed under a GRASSPROTECTA reinforcement mesh to minimize rutting and wear to the grass. Category 2 wood fiber blanket is specified in the Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control Plan. This must be updated to reflect the current Mn DOT category number with a note that the City requires natural net erosion blanket. Lighting The purpose of the lighting requirements in the Zoning Code is to reduce light pollution, promote energy conservation, and increase night time safety, utility, security, and productivity. Per Section 1007.043(6)(d), no light source shall exceed 1.0 foot candle onto right of way or 0.4 foot candle onto adjacent property. The lighting proposed for the barn will be reviewed by the City Planner when submitted. 5 RECOMMENDATIONS Staff recommends that the Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for the Kavan Family Christmas Tree Farm be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Board and City Council with the following comments: 1. Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), a State Threatened speices, has been observed within a one-mile radius of the site. The MN DNR flyer and factsheet for this turtle must be provided to all contractors working on the site. Any sightings of this species should be reported to City staff so that the turtles can be safely relocated. 2. Category 2 wood fiber blanket is specified in the Grading, Drainage, and Erosion Control Plan. This must be updated to reflect the 2020 Mn DOT category number with a note that the City requires natural net erosion blanket. ATTACHMENTS 1. Applicant’s Narrative 2. Certificate of Survey 3. Site Plan Overall With Tree Labels 4. Site Plan Exhibit With Labels 5. Grading and Erosion Control Plan (Sheet C1) Kavan Family Christmas Tree Farm CUP Narrative In early 2018 we purchased the 39.6 acre farm (PID# 34-31-22-31-0001) located at 1415 Ash Street in Lino Lakes, about a half mile west of the Centerville/Ash intersection. In November 2018 I had conversations with the City Planner and determined that a cut-your-own Christmas Tree farm is an allowed use, and in spring 2019 we started planting Christmas trees. The Kavan Family Christmas Tree farm is a family run cut-your-own Christmas tree farm (Steve (dad), Lauren (mom), Lydia (10) and Wade (8)). The farm started planting Christmas trees in 2019 on the 40 acre farm and plants 2,000 – 4,000 Christmas trees every year, and grows Balsam fir, Canaan fir, Fraser fir, Norway pine, White pine, Colorado spruce and other Christmas tree varieties. Christmas trees transplants are purchased from nurseries and are 3-5 years old when planted at our farm (6 – 18 inches tall) and on average take another eight years to reach maturity (6-8 feet tall). Our tallest trees are now 6 ½ feet tall. In 2022, Steve transitioned full-time to the farm during the growing season (April – October) and is investing considerable time and money into the farm, having invested over $100,000 in trees, fertilizer, equipment, and third-party labor since starting in 2019. A 20-foot-wide commercial driveway to serve the cut-your-own operations was approved by the City of Lino Lakes and Anoka County and installed in June 2022. The farm plans to open for tree sales to customers for the 2024 season. The farm offering families the opportunity to cut their own Christmas tree whereby they take a hand saw (no gas saws would be allowed) and a hand pulled sled into the fields, and customers would select and cut their own tree, and then bring that tree back to a small 1,920 square foot barn for processing. For families who prefer a taller tree than what is available in the field or prefer not to cut down their own tree, the farm will offer pre-cut Christmas trees where the families could select a pre-cut tree near the sales stand/check out area, which will be a heated space less than 300 square feet in size and part of the barn. In order to provide taller trees, some of these pre-cut trees will be from other farms in Minnesota or Wisconsin. As part of the checkout process, the farm will shake the tree on a shaker (which helps the old needles fall off at the farm, instead of in someone’s house), make a fresh cut on the bottom of the tree with an electric chainsaw (a fresh cut helps the tree last longer once in the house), and net the tree, which compresses the tree and helps for easier transportation and entry into one’s house. The farm may offer delivery of customer selected trees to customers in Lino Lakes and the nearby surrounding communities. The farm will offer items made from tree branches, such as wreaths, as well as tree stands and tree disposal bags. The farm will be open on weekends and holidays during daylight hours, generally from 9am- 4:30pm starting the weekend before Thanksgiving, and go through mid-December. The farm may be open some of the weekdays during that date range during daylight hours from 12- 4:30pm, depending on demand, weather, tree availability, and labor availability. The farm seeks to provide families with great wholesome memories. The farm will likely offer complimentary items such as coffee/hot chocolate and cookies. The farm may have the following free features: small playground structure or hay bales for kids to play on while their parents are checking out, and props for family photos such as benches, stand-in boards, antique tractor or truck. Families may be able to bring their dogs with and there would be signage requiring dogs to be on a leash at all times. Parking will be available at the farm and no street parking on Ash street will be allowed, and we may use a reservation system if necessary to limit the number of customers during the busiest times. Initially reservations will likely not be needed, as it will take time for customers build their traditions around the farm, though reservations is an available tool that other Christmas tree farms utilize to help even out the customer flow. To help provide privacy screening to the nearest neighbors, the farm in 2022 and 2023 planted approximately 250 quick growing arborvitae and white pines along the south border as well as immediately east of the entrance. The neighbor to the east wishes to have privacy screening on the north side of the driveway, and so additional trees will be planted there in future years, as well as to the south. The neighbor does not want a screen to the east, and so trees won’t be planted there again unless the neighbor chooses otherwise. Once the Arborvitae and White Pines are large enough to provide an adequate screen, the remaining buckthorn to the south will be removed. It is common for families to want to get their professional family photos taken at Christmas tree farms, and so professional photographers may be allowed during the offseason to have photos taken of their clients. Community and Environmental Stewardship We believe in giving back to the great community we are located in and commit to donate at least 5% of pre-tax sales receipts to Centennial School Parent Teacher Associations serving Lino Lakes and to the Centennial Community Food Shelf, as well as to offer a number of free trees annually to those in need. The farm may have an option for customers to donate to a specific charity during their check out process and plans to have a collection bin for Toys for Tots and may offer a discount on a tree or a free ornament for people that participate. The farm would be open to providing free educational tours during the year to Centennial school groups and community organizations (e.g. boy/girl scouts) from the nearby area as way to help educate children on environmental stewardship and tree farming. This would be limited to schools in the immediate area and a handful of days a year. The Minnesota Christmas Tree Association, of which Steve is a board member and Treasurer, annually participates in a Trees for Troops program that organizes a donation of Christmas trees to military families in the US and stationed abroad and the Trees for Troops has delivered 293,000 trees since 2005. Our farm plans to participate in this program once our trees are tall enough. Land Gift to Neighbor It was discovered that part of the house on the adjoining property to the south of the Farm was built on the Farm property, and the Farm is in the process of gifting that land along with an extra buffer to the neighbor at no cost for the land. It is envisioned this transfer will occur simultaneous with this process. 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD AGENDA ITEM 7A STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson MEETING DATE: September 27th, 2023 REQUEST: Discussion Only TOPIC: Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan BACKGROUND The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) prepares the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan every six years. This plan guides solid waste management in the metro area by establishing objectives and strategies for waste reduction, recycling, and organics recovery. The Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Plan for 2022-2042 is currently in draft form. The public comment period closed on September 17th, 2023. After the plan is officially adopted, Anoka County will develop a County Solid Waste Management Plan that incorporates required and selected optional strategies that the Cities in the County will then implement. The draft plan can be accessed here: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-sw7-22.pdf This discussion item was prepared to keep the Board up to date on this plan as it may lead to some significant changes for solid waste management in the City. ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTION Discussion Only. ATTACHMENTS 1. Solid Waste Management Plan Background Info Sheet 2. Strategy Table Commenting open: June 05, 202312:00AM CT -September 17, 202311:59PM CT. Twin Cities Metro Area - Solid Waste Management Plan We invite you to comment on the solid waste management plan for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. The MPCA is responsible for developing the Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan every six years for the seven-county metro area. The Metropolitan Policy Plan provides guidance to counties, waste haulers, recycling and composting facilities, and others responsible for solid waste management. The plan describes broad regional system objectives, a land fill diversion goal, and the strategies necessary for solid waste programs and services to meet the region's needs for the next 20 years- In 2021, the Twin Cities generated 3.3 million tons of garbage, and is expected to grow to 3.92 million tons by 2042. That is a nearly 19% increase in garbage. The Twin Cities metro also achieved a 45.2% combined rate for recycling and organics diversion. State law requires the seven-county metro to meet a 75% recycling goal by 2030. The draft plan includes 70 strategies to reduce waste, increase recycling and composting, and focus on reuse, including • Collect recyclables, organics, and trash on the same day \ • Collect recycling weekly by 2025 • Make residential curbside organics collection available in cities with a population greater than 5,000 • Educate restaurants and other establishments that have excess prepared food to donate • Adopt an ordinance with a mandatory consumer charge for take-out single-use cups, containers, and utensils • Establish a reuse location for residential drop-off and pick-up. Incentivize deconstruction over land filling garbage and demolition debris • Improve recycling data collection at businesses The draft plan was developed from input from state agencies, county staff, representatives of the waste industry, environmental groups, businesses, and citizens. Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2022-2042 • June 2023 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 89 Appendix G: Strategy table Code number Strategy Type Optional point value 1 Increase compliance with Hauler reporting per Minn. Stat. § 115A.93. Required 2 Provide required county reporting. Required 3 Require waste composition study at least once every 5 years at all landfills that are located within your county. Required 4 Improve recycling data collection at businesses within the county. Optional 6 5 Require waste composition study at least once every 5 years at all landfills that are in the TCMA. State-led 6 Develop appropriate and consistent waste reporting systems to measure all waste. State-led 7 Continue to explore options for growing the agency’s life cycle assessment data, modeling, and resources to better support counties in measuring and tracking environmental and human health impacts. State-led 8 Continue to engage with counties in the development of an environmental target that better accounts for and incentivizes programming and actions higher on the hierarchy. State-led 9 Participate in an annual joint commissioner/staff meeting on solid waste. Required 10 Commit to standardized outreach and education. Required 11 Engage in efficient and value-added infrastructure planning. Required 12 Provide grants for or access to software that can track food waste. Required 13 Establish partnerships between food rescue organizations and restaurants/stores to increase food rescue. Required 14 Launch bi-annual sustainable consumption challenges for residents. Required 15 Implement a formal county sustainable purchasing policy using MPCA guidance. Required 16 Participate in GREEN Group meetings. Required 17 Offer grants or rebates for organizations to transition to reusable food and beverage service ware. Optional 7 18 Offer grants or rebates for organizations to transition to reusable food and beverage service ware. Required 19 Offer grants for waste reduction, reuse, and repair. Required 20 Implement a county policy encouraging all county and city-led events and food providers use reusable food and beverage service ware. Optional 6 21 Adopt an ordinance with a mandatory consumer charge for take-out single-use cups, containers, and utensils. Optional 9 22 Join and/or actively participate in a reuse network, like Reuse Minnesota, to provide county and city staff with learning opportunities to broaden their reuse expertise. Optional 6 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2022-2042 • June 2023 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 90 Code number Strategy Type Optional point value 23 Establish a Repair Ambassador program, like the Recycler/Composters (RCAs) Ambassador programs. Optional 7 24 Establish a reuse location for residential drop-off and pick-up. Optional 7 25 Establish a curbside set-out day to allow residents to set out used items for reuse. Optional 7 26 Develop standardized guidance and methodology for tracking waste reduction and reuse activities and their resulting benefits. State-led 27 Research and pursue financial strategies to best incentivize waste reduction and reuse, such as grants and loans. State-led 28 Collect recycling weekly by 2025. Required 29 Pair the option of bi-weekly trash collection with weekly recycling and organics collection. Required 30 Collect recyclables, organics, and trash on the same day. Required 31 Contract for residential recycling and organics by 2030. Optional 7 32 Contract for residential MMSW collection by 2030. Optional 7 33 Recruit a minimum of 12 commercial businesses a year to recycle at least three materials from their operations and promote the environmental and resource benefits. Required 34 Establish mandatory pre-processing of waste at resource recovery facilities and landfills by 2025. Required 35 Assist with tracking commercial recycling self-hauling activities. State-led 36 Support and invest in new facilities and retain processors of recycled material for end markets. State-led 37 Make residential curbside organics collection available in cities with a population greater than 5,000. Required 38 Expand backyard composting outreach and resources for residents. Required 39 Require management of organics from large commercial food generators by 2030. Optional 5 40 Standardize the role of compostable products in organics recycling programs by 2025. State-led 41 Develop plans to prevent and manage wood waste in each county and throughout the region. Required 42 Promote existing programs that use EAB-effected wood for furniture, home goods, flooring, and other purposes. Required 43 Composting and mulching operations must continue to be supported. Required 44 Update ordinances that address wood burning. Optional 4 45 Develop and distribute EAB tree care education programs for privately owned land. Optional 8 46 Incentivize tree treatment as a cost-effective strategy to extend the life of ash trees and to reduce the volume of wood waste generated over the next 20 years. Optional 8 47 Allow assessments on property taxes to spread the cost of tree care over a multi-year timeframe. Optional 9 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan 2022-2042 • June 2023 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 91 Code number Strategy Type Optional point value 48 Expand composting and mulching capacity beyond existing markets. Optional 5 49 Support development of systems that use wood fuel. Optional 4 50 Require food-derived compost in county construction and landscaping projects. Required 51 Find new outlets to increase food to animal operations. Optional 7 52 Develop a process for gathering the information necessary to make timelier and consistent policy decisions. State-led 53 Counties must continue to support the implementation of Minn. Stat. § 473.848 Restriction on Disposal. Required 54 Implement additional fees to better account for the externalities of land disposal. Optional 4 55 Participate with the Product Stewardship Committee under the Solid Waste Administrators Association (SWAA). Required 56 Encourage retailers to increase consumer awareness of responsible end-of-life handling for products containing lithium-ion batteries. Required 57 Continue participation in the reciprocal use agreement for HHW collection sites. Required 58 Partner with cities to increase participation in HHW collection. Optional 8 59 Host monthly drop-off sites in locations other than a permanent HHW site. Optional 8 60 Implement the use of a Building Material Management Plan. Required 61 Prior to a demolition being approved, county-owned buildings require that SMM strategies are considered. Optional 7 62 Host a building material collection event or swap. Optional 8 63 Provide financial assistance to offset the additional cost of building deconstruction, used building material installation, and/or structural moving. Optional 8 64 Provide deconstruction training. Optional 8 65 Annually host or aid with home and building repair and refurbishment trainings. Optional 8 66 Use purchasing guidelines to require environmental product declaration (EPD) for concrete. Optional 7 67 Study waste classification practices. State-led 68 Propose changes to B3 guidelines to strengthen deconstruction requirements. State-led 69 Incentivize deconstruction over landfilling MMSW and demolition debris. State-led 70 Lead Sustainable Building Group (SBG) developments. State-led