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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/30/2000 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 30, 2000 CITY OF LINO LAKES MINUTES DATE : August 30, 2000 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:08 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Maurene Davidson, Amy Donlin (arrived at 6:35 p.m.), Rod Kukonen, Scott Lanyon, Dave Mach, Teresa O'Connell, and Mike Trehus (arrived at 6:45 p.m.). MEMBERS ABSENT : None. Staff member present: Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson. CALL TO ORDER Chair Lanyon called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. June 28, 2000 and July 26, 2000 O'Connell moved to approve the June 28, 2000 and July 26, 2000 meeting minutes as presented. Davidson seconded:the; motion Motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The following item was added to the meeting agenda: e Highland Meadows Off Site Wetland Mitigation The agenda was approved as amended above. CITIZEN COMMENTS No comments were'nade. PROJECT REVIEW — None. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD BUSINESS A. Commercial Area Landscape Discussion/Continued — Asleson reviewed the discussion from the last meeting related to the landscape criteria for Commercial areas. He stated he received several e-mail questions and explained the Landscape Ordinance is 1 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 30, 2000 a separate issue. He stated the Landscape Ordinance will be revised and presented to the Commission for consideration at the next meeting. Donlin arrived at 7:35 p.m. Chair Lanyon noted the City has an idea of the type of native landscape and plantings they are looking for and asked about the ability for the ordinance to refer to the City's target and expectation of commercial development to work within that target even though it is not specified within the ordinance. He stated he thinks commercial developers are interested in abiding by the City's intent but, perhaps, the City needs to provide more specific guidelines. Asleson suggested the Board raise that issue after reviewing the amended ordinance at the meeting next month. Chair Lanyon noted that ordinances are the City's only"teeth" and asked staff to make Consultant Julie Farnham aware of this issue to assure it is adequately reflected in the ordinance. Chair Lanyon requested an update on the status of finding a landscape consultant to work with developers. Asleson stated Brian Wessell wants to interview the consultants and then staff will have a better idea of who to work with. He stated he is looking for someone with experience in commercial landscapes, knows native species, and is familiar with water resources. Davidson asked if funds are available. Asleson stated staff continues to look for funding. He stated he has been tryng to anticipte what the Environmental Board will be looking at in their recommendations and providing a sketch for the applicant, which he has found they then include in their plans. Asleson advised that,Wessell has suggested that one of the Board members participate in the interview process Chair Lanyon requested staff advise them of the date and time the interviews will beconducted so they can determine who would be available Kukonen asked if it will help to provide the developers with the information mentioned at the meeting last month. Chair Lanyon stated that will help but he believes the City also needs to work with them to educate on the stages for this type of native landscaping. Perhaps including a lobby display depicting how it will look each year. Or, it can be suggested that they post signs out front advising of the native plantings. Kukonen advised of his visit to the Sawtooth Golf Course and invitation from their staff to visit their grounds and offer advise on what they have found to work and to not work. Chair Lanyon noted the first five years in developing native landscaping is critical and to assure success, the City will need to work with them during that time frame. 2 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 30, 2000 Mach noted it has also been suggested to have a demonstration prairie landscape area within the City that they can view. O'Connell asked if it is possible to provide the developer with a list of successful native landscape sites they can view. Trehus arrived at 6:45 p.m. Asleson stated one of the consultants has a list of that type of information. Chair Lanyon agreed with the suggestion to begin compiling a list of sites. A brief discussion occurred related to what is included in the draft Landscape Ordinance. B. DNR Project / Updates - Asleson distributed copies of the agenda from the recently held Rice Creek Corridor Expansion project meeting and explained what that project entails. He advised that one of the issues is that part of the Lino Lakes, Columbus, and Hugo areas are not included but the DNR wants those areas included in the Minnesota Land Classification system. Asleson reviewed the modifiers they will be considering within the realms of vegetation only (not including wildlife)`. He noted that a lot of useful GIS information will come from this study. Mach asked if this corridor area will be purchased and made public or if it will be set aside. Asleson stated they are now trying to identify areas where they would work but how it would work has not yet been decided He stated Metro Greenways is looking at ways to connect Carlos Avery through a greenway'system `into the Chain of Lakes. C. New Projects (Discussionof time/budget constraint) — Asleson distributed information on the Environmental Board 2000 Goals and commented on the time constraints he is currently experiencing. He advised of the great increase in oak wilt disease due to the storm damage from two years ago. Chair Lanyon asked if a short-term strategy would be to strongly encourage a budget increase to allow hiring hourly help to assist with writing tasks. He noted that to accomplish the tasks being identified, there must be more than existing staff Asleson stated he can try to focus on grant writing as an opportunity to fund staff. Chair Lanyon noted that hiring a grant writer may be another option. However, the City would need to invest some dollars to acquire that assistance. Mach stated the option of using an intern has been discussed previously. Asleson advised that he did propose an intern but it was cut from the budget. Mach asked what is happening with oak wilt. Asleson stated Lino Lakes has been using a shared vibratory plow for eleven years and the disease was pretty well under control until 3 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 30, 2000 the storm came through. He explained that this type of plowing is found to be good for about seven years and then it needs to be done again. Mach commented on the large workload with oak wilt and asked if this is fighting battle that cannot be won. Asleson explained staff has explained this process to the tree owners, however, they want the tree saved if at all possible. Trehus asked if there is anyone else on staff that does environmentally -related work. Asleson stated Mike Hoffman worked on forestry related issues but he has now assumed other park -related responsibilities and is unavailable for environmental work. Davidson asked if staff recognizes the need for more assistance. Asleson stated it is recognized by staff but often times is a secondary issue to their responsibilities. Chair Lanyon suggested the Board issue their support forcertain requests, such as this need for staff assistance. Trehus suggested the landscape consultant be included in the year 2000 budget consideration. Asleson stated staff has already submitted their department budget and it is currently under consideration by the Council Chair Lanyon stated the Board wants staff to do more on its behalf but he understands that resource is limited. He stated his support for the Council to invest more resources in environmental staff. Mach recommended more help for some of the work such as making field visits so Asleson can provide information and education. He suggested the Board provide input on prioritization of work -tasks. Chair Lanyon suggested adding a goal for the Environmental Board to encourage more staffing since it poses a serious limitation on anything the Board can accomplish. Donlin concurred and noted that as the City grows, this situation will worsen. She stated she feels the City should have a staffed environmental department to address environmentalissues and concerns. Trehus asked how much grant money is available to fund this type of work. Asleson stated there is grant money available and he is already working on grant writing. Trehus noted the correct direction may be to make a recommendation to the Economic Development Department, not to "leap frog" to the City Council. Davidson noted the Board is a subcommittee of the Council so she feels a recommendation can be forwarded directly to them. 4 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 30, 2000 D. Other Business — Clearwater Creek - Donlin asked if Clearwater Creek is looking like a conservation development, or the standard gridwork. Asleson stated Mike Quigley was posting the buffer area signs and reviewed how a wetland has been restored and water levels are coming back up. Donlin asked if the original vision is being accomplished. Asleson stated while the streets are more narrow and houses are located closer together, there is open area behind with trails to be installed. He stated people are interested in this area and the houses are selling. Asleson suggested that some education will also help. Donlin asked if the drive approach contains native landscaping. Asleson stated it does not, but that would be a good idea which he will suggest to Quigley: He noted this is a phased development and as the native prairie matures it will be very attractive. Asleson suggested a field trip to this area prior to the next meeting or on a' Saturday. Consensus was reached to schedule a field trip to Clearwater Creek at 5:30 p.m. on September 27, 2000. PROGRAM / PROJECT UPDATES A. Restoration Updates — Already discussed Litter Ordinance — Asleson commented on the past discussion about the need for an ordinance to regulate littering.. He stated he, has discussed this with the Police Department and they would like some time toprepare something for the September agenda. He noted the information provided on the City of Lino Lakes Code concerning littering, and a related ordinance called Public Nuisances. Donlin suggested the level of fine be addressed to assure it has an impact. B. Forestry Updates -;It was noted the oak wilt issue has already been addressed. Asleson advised of upcoming workshops and informational meetings. Donlin commented on a recent newspaper article regarding the departed Heron population and the disruption also experienced by residents due to the highway project. Asleson reported the City Attorney has indicated no objection to the drafted letter of reference for consultants. Donlin stated she received permission from the DNR employee to provide her letter as a point of discussion. She asked if it could be included, in whole, and attached as part of the file. Asleson requested a copy of the letter. 5 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 30, 2000 C. Solid Waste / Recycling Updates — Asleson reported the Recycling Day is scheduled for October 7, 2000. He noted the grant information was also included in the meeting packet. Highland Meadows Off Site Wetland Mitigation - Kukonen explained the location of a rich plant and wildlife area and stated he has received some comments asking why heavy equipment has been in that area. He stated that residents called City Hall and it was indicated it involved an off site mitigation project for the Highland Meadows/Bluebill Ponds project. Kukonen stated he visited the site and found a sand -based roadway has been made and a pond constructed. However, there has been a lot of cutting and clearing. Kukonen stated when he first looked at it, he wondered if it was a Savanna restoration project. Asleson stated this off site mitigation project was previously reported to the Environmental Board. He stated it involves private property rights and native seed will be planted. Kukonen asked if the Environmental Board should be advised of mitigation projects such as this. Asleson stated he had raised the option of a greenway on this site. Trehus asked if the City can become involved in wetland mitigation projects. Asleson stated the City can become involved and he will advise the Board of any upcoming mitigation projects. Mach asked if mitigation projects Can be somewhat destructive, especially of wooded areas. Asleson reviewed the agencies that have review over mitigation projects, noting it is anticipated to result in..increasing a better area. Trehus asked what type of guidelines the City, State, or watershed district have and what controls a mitigationproject into a pristine forest. Asleson explained the watershed district is trying to address water resources, flow rates, etc. Trehus questioned the validity of a wetland, mitigation at the cost of losing wooded habitat, all for the sake of development. Asleson stated in some cases, the habitat has been so drastically impacted that a mitigation project provides an opportunity to do wetland and hydrology restoration. He agreed this particular project should have been looked at more closely. Chair Lanyon asked if the Board can encourage locations of wetland restoration to assure they are located within greenway corridors, etc. Lighting Ordinance - Trehus asked if any feedback has been received on the Board's memorandum recommending a Lighting Ordinance receive higher staff priority. Chair Lanyon stated he is not aware of any response. 6 ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING AUGUST 30, 2000 Community Service Award Committee - O'Connell stated she has not heard a thing about this committee and asked who she should contact. Asleson stated he will find out who O'Connell should contact. CLOSE MEETING AND CONFIRM NEXT MEETING DATE It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on September 27, 2000. There being no further business, Trehus moved to adjourn at 8:08 p.m. Kukonen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Carla Wirth TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 7 City of Lino Lakes Environmental Board Meeting Lino Lakes City Hall October 25, 2000 6:30 PM Agenda 1. Call To Order/Pass Sign -In Sheet 2. Approval of Minutes 3. Approval of Agenda 4. Citizen Comments 5. Project Review A. Highland Meadows West/Second Addition B. Saddle Club 6. Environmental Board Business A. Landscape Ordinance Review B. DNR Project/Updates C. Other Business 7. Program/Project Updates A. Environmental Education B. Forestry Updates C. Solid Waste/Recycling Updates 9. Close Meeting and Confirm Next Meeting Date