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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/17/2003 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2003 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : December 17, 2003 TIME STARTED : 6:40 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:47 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Amy Donlin, Constance Grundhofer, Patrice Toler Halen, Rod Kukonen, Teresa O’Connell, and Mary Jo O’Dea (arrived at 7:32 p.m.) MEMBERS ABSENT : None STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kukonen called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES December 3, 2003 Page 1, second paragraph: “She added that the current church campus used to be a good birding site.” Page 4, first paragraph: “O’Connell indicated that there was a definite visual difference before the development and after for those canoeing and kayaking the lake.” Page 6, fifth paragraph: “Vice Chair Grundhofer asked for clarification if the medians were pervious or impervious.” Page 7, sixth paragraph: “The University of Minnesota used cobblestone and found the elderly had difficulty using their walkers.” Page 7, twelfth paragraph: “Vice Chair Grundhofer answered she could get a copy to staff, however due to technical difficulties, it might be better to check the website at www.nwf.org/backyardwildlifehabitat/community.” Halen made a motion to approve the December 3, 2003 meeting minutes as amended. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA The Board approved the agenda. 4. OPEN MIKE No citizen comments were made. 5. ACTION ITEMS – None. 1 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2003 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. 2004 Goals Asleson recommended the Board make realistic goals so that they did not over extend what they wanted to accomplish.. He noted the goal of seeking funding for staff help, and indicated Keely Dinse was hired to help with the herons. He stated she did a great job. Another goal of land or open space preservation. Progress was made in the area North of Lino Lakes Elementary in moving forward with Rice Creek Watershed starting the master planning of the entire ditch area. A new focus for 2004 may be the Fire Wise program. This program is a spin-off of the Wild Life Urban Interface Project. Grundhofer inquired who would be cutting down the trees. Asleson answered the trees would be removed by a logger contracted with the Department of Natural Resources. Pine Vista could be our pilot project for Fire Wise. Chair Kukonen added that building in this type of woods was poor planning, because the pine are overstocked. Asleson continued there was only one exit from this development and if there was ever a fire in this pine stand no one would be able to get out. The Board discussed the location of the site. Asleson stated that the Fire Department was writing the grant, because this program is intended to be a fire prevention issue, but it also addresses forest health and ecological conditions. Grundhofer inquired about the reason for the delay in application submittal. Asleson answered everyone has been busy and were trying to estimate wood volumes at this time.. He added that there was now a database identifying wild fire risk for every house in the City. Another goal could be working with the Park Board and Brauer and Associates in updating the 1992 Open Space and Trails Plan. Asleson stated the Sunset Clause in the Slow No-Wake Zone Ordinance expires in September. This could also be a goal. He mentioned there might not be a Quad City Earth Day celebration since all the other Cities dropped out. If the City of Lino Lakes still wants to have Earth Day, maybe this should be in their goals. Chair Kukonen suggested one goal should be to continue to work with landowners and other stakeholders to protect the fen area behind Lino Lakes Elementary. Donlin mentioned that the Board should continue to protect the little knoll at City Hall. Halen indicated that it was the people who did not like it that complained. 2 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2003 Asleson stated that the developers of the Pannetoni site insisted on native plantings. He reminded the Board that considerable progress had been made with the businesses in the swale and pond or surface water areas. Donlin indicated White Bear had a Caribou Coffee on 4th Street with native plantings and was impressed with the graceful and charming corner. She hoped that the Village could use it as an example. Asleson suggested that native plantings in formal settings could be recommended. O’Connell stated Woodbury was noted among the “Hottest Cities in the U.S.” Grundhofer added that using that definition of “hottest” she never wanted to see Lino Lakes mentioned among them. Asleson noted that Lino Lakes was written about in the Minnesota Volunteer. Grundhofer mentioned Burnsville was also in the Minnesota Volunteer. Chair Kukonen stated another goal should be to continue to promote native plantings in formal and natural settings. Halen inquired about the frequently cited North Oaks as an example. O’Connell explained the city had the most expensive homes in the Twin Cities. Chair Kukonen indicated another goal could be to put information in the hallway for citizens to help themselves or request copies. Asleson added a standing information holder with slots could be set up for the purpose. Halen suggested a topic to be included in the folders could be natural mosquito repellent. A discussion ensued. O’Connell stated she viewed the website of the National Wildlife Federation under community certification and found a listing of cities in the United States. None of the about 10 cities were in Minnesota, but there was a contact in Saint Paul. Grundhofer responded that she had the forms and requirements for the certification. A team leader and goals were necessary to begin the process, then research the community for demographic information and identify three areas where they could be set up. Listings of contacts for media, potential partners, soil and water conservation community clubs, funding opportunities, ecological characteristics and challenges, endangered species, invasive species, environmental conditions, and goals. Asleson responded that two sites could be Rice Lake and Lino Lakes Elementary Schools. Chair Kukonen mentioned the drawback to the backyard program was that it cost money for the certification. He believed there was probably a fee for the Community certification as well. 3 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2003 Grundhofer stated that the program could “piggy back” the neighborhood watch groups. The literature noted it usually took 2-3 years to obtain certification. In addition, the National Wildlife Federation could help with educational funding. Marty responded that a CAP student could possibly help with the certification process. Grundhofer stated that the forms should be filled out because the list was not long. Chair Kukonen stated another goal should be to pursue having Lino Lakes certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. Donlin mentioned that being certified as a community, could springboard interest for citizens to create natural backyard habitats. Grundhofer stated she had attempted to call the Saint Paul contact, but had not received a response yet. She added that the City should request that Target help fund the process. Chair Kukonen indicated another goal should be to partner with local Master Gardeners for a series of public education seminars. O’Connell suggested the topic of native groundcovers. Asleson mentioned another topic could be to establish a farmers’ market for a plant exchange. He noted that there was a licensing process to complete. Donlin inquired where the seminars could be held. Asleson answered the seminars could be held in the community room. O’Connell questioned the time of the deadline for the next newsletter. Grundhofer responded the deadline was in February. Chair Kukonen inquired if any educational opportunities had taken place at Blue Heron Elementary. Asleson suggested that the group Trisha and the Toons could present on recycling. It was an independent group, and he would try to contact them. Chair Kukonen addressed connecting with other cities’ environmental boards. He knew there was a city to the Northwest that had a board. O’Connell mentioned she believed Eagan had a board. Donlin noted the Growing Green series had good topics. Asleson answered that extension could take the lead on it with the Master Gardeners. Chair Kukonen reviewed the Goals for 2004 that included: • Work with the landowners and stakeholders to buffer the fen behind Lino Lakes Elementary. 4 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2003 • Expand the Wildlife Urban Interface Project to work with the Centennial Fire Department in implementing the Fire Wise program starting with the Pine Vista Subdivision. • Work with Lino Lakes Park Board in the planning of a new open space and trails plan. • Petition to have the sunset clause removed from Peltier Lake and to continue to monitor the Heron Rookery and the Northern one-third of the lake. • Promote and showcase (example: Legacy at Woods Edge) the use of native plantings in formal and informal settings. • Extend the first goal from 2003 into 2004. “Promote public education and provide handouts on such subjects as invasive non-native species, where to buy native plants, environmental landscaping, composting, organic gardening, promoting and protecting wildlife habitat.” • Pursue having Lino Lakes certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation. • Partner with local Master Gardeners for a series of public education seminars. • Do a special project with Blue Heron Elementary. • Contact similar boards from other cities. The Board discussed the Stoneybrook development. Chair Kukonen called for a motion to forward the goals to Council. O’Dea made a motion to forward the goals to Council. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. B. Earth Day Discussion Asleson contacted Kim Sullivan to forward the contact list to Grundhofer, with no response. He suggested that if there was no support for a Quad City event, that The City might return to a grass roots clean-up event. Grundhofer noted the Boy Scouts gave her three contacts, Dan Nisson at St. John’s, Shelly Kooksy a committee person at Living Waters, and Glen Kempa at Gethsemane. She had also contacted the Girl Scouts, but they did not give her any names. Asleson responded that Halen had some contacts with the Girl Scouts from last year. Grundhofer inquired about a date for the event. Asleson obtained a calendar. Donlin indicated that Wargo Nature Center had set aside April 24, 2004 for Earth Day. Grundhofer stated she needed jobs for them to sign up for. She suggested “clean up roads” could be one job. 5 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2003 Asleson noted a separate subcommittee for was needed for Earth Day, so he recommended waiting for Kim Sullivan to respond. O’Connell suggested a notice be submitted for the organization section in the Quad for publicity. She also mentioned the 4-H groups enjoyed packing seeds last year, and anything similar they would have an interest in helping with if information was obtained by February. Asleson added another job could be cleaning up the island. Grundhofer inquired about the availability of potted perennials in April, or was it too cold to plant and should not be pursued. Asleson responded he believed they were available, and they could be covered if needed to prevent damage. O’Connell indicated that 4-H needed a list by February. She contacted the Adopt- a-Highway program, and would be receiving a list by January of local participants. Asleson noted that if the Adopt-a-Highway people could be involved, it could potentially be 400-500 people. The Neighborhood Watch people were usually interested in cleaning up their neighborhoods. O’Connell indicated that new involvement was necessary, and would only happen if there was more publicity. Donlin added that other groups were necessary to help defray the costs. The Board discussed the fact that Wargo Nature Center did not want the Petting Zoo to return, and that the presence of animals was important for the younger people. O’Dea mentioned the falconer was successful in meeting that need. Asleson noted the Friends of the Parks people could be notified. He would ask Kim Sullivan to contact them. Donlin inquired if the City had any funds for Earth Day. Asleson answered there was none. In the past, funding came from the Friends of the Parks, VFW, Schwan’s, and the American Legion. The suggestion of Target was made for this year. Grundhofer stated she would call the police for the neighborhood captains of the Neighborhood Watch program. She inquired if it would be possible to contact Kim Sullivan again. C. National Wildlife Federation/Community Certification This item was discussed earlier in the meeting. D. City Newsletter 6 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2003 Grundhofer referred to an article addressing cats outside and their impact on the songbird population that could be included. A discussion ensued. Chair Kukonen indicated that the information was needed by January 5, 2004. O’Connell indicated there were three topics already discussed for the Newsletter The Master Gardener Program Earth Day. O’Dea suggested the Spring Clean-up. Asleson indicated he would inform Kim Sullivan that the City had a deadline. Chair Kukonen suggested the Master Gardener Program could be postponed for a later newsletter. Asleson concurred. 7. OTHER DEPARTMENT REPORTS A. Forestry Asleson noted the Fire Wise Program was in process. He mentioned the trees were planted, and the dead ones would be checked in the Spring. B. Solid Waste Recycling/Recycling Day Asleson referred to the Free Market Listing and noted it was a website for free items. It should be included in the Newsletter. The Board discussed natural rodent control measures. C. Environmental/Heron Issues Grundhofer suggested an article on the Task Force Letter. Asleson indicated the Board should be present at the meeting at its presentation to the Council. Donlin stated it would be enough to support the letter verbally. Grundhofer made a motion to strongly support the letter drafted by Jeff Perry and Joan Galli requesting the removal of the Sunset Clause. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 8. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on January 28, 2003. There being no further business, O’Dea moved to adjourn at 8:47 p.m. Donlin seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: 7 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2003 Brigette Blesi TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 8 APPROVED MINUTES