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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/15/2004 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2004 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : December 15, 2004 TIME STARTED : 6:39 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:07 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Barbara Bor, Barbara Bauman (arrived at 7:23 p.m.), Constance Grundhofer, Rod Kukonen, Teresa O’Connell, Mary Jo O’Dea, and Dennis Smith MEMBERS ABSENT : None STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kukonen called the meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES October 27, 2004 Page 5, ninth paragraph: “Grundhofer inquired about the lighting plan, and mentioned on County Road J/85th Avenue the Rice Creek development had effective and directed lighting that had no glare.” O’Dea made a motion to approve the October 27, 2004 meeting minutes. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. November 17, 2004 Page 1, header: “CITY OF LINO LAKES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD.” Page 1, first paragraph: “Members present: Barbara Bauman, Constance Grundhofer, Rod Kukonen, Mary Jo O’Dea, and Dennis Smith. Members absent: Barbara Bor and Teresa O’Connell.” Page 1, second paragraph: “August minutes were reviewed and approved by O’Dea and seconded by Grundhofer.” Grundhofer made a motion to approve the November 17, 2004 meeting minutes. Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA • Discuss the Update of Fox Den Acres and other discussion items prior to action items. • Discuss Solid Waste task Force under Discussion C. • Discuss Firewise Update. 1 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2004 The Board approved the agenda as amended. 4. OPEN MIKE No citizen comments were made. 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Adopt Environmental Board Goals for 2005 This item was discussed later in the meeting. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. AUAR/JD2 Updates Grochala stated that the Fox Den Acres development was moving forward in the second reading. It was approved in the first reading by the Council and was becoming a reality. Rice Creek Watershed District was reviewing the application for conditional approval contingent on the submittal of changes. He thanked the Board on the accomplishment for the long-term benefits of the City. Asleson added that all the work over the years was coming together. Grundhofer inquired if Mr. Black was planning to do another development in the West side of Lino Lakes. Grochala responded that he was inquiring about other sites. There were other developers wanting to do this kind of development. Grochala indicated that the AUAR had reviewed three topics, an advisory meeting, a sanitary sewer and water section, and natural and cultural resources section. He added that they also wanted agency involvement, so agency meetings were scheduled during regular daytime hours. The Department of Natural Resources, Rice Creek Watershed District, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Metropolitan Council had representatives attending all the meetings. Other agencies had also attended as well. The agencies were encouraged to see the City was pursuing a regional view, and had good attendance. Chair Kukonen inquired if they were doing a field inventory. Asleson answered that they were and identified the individuals. He indicated that they had to go back before the 1938 aerial photos for restoration opportunities. Grochala indicated even the regional park was cropland in 1938. He stated that at all meetings there would be a copy of the power point and questions and answers at the previous meeting. 2 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2004 Bor stated it was difficult for people to believe that there was no hidden agenda. She inquired if the Quad would be covering the progress. Grochala responded there would be press releases and articles in the newsletters. He acknowledged that Bor was correct, now that the plan was more specific with the curb cuts, people were expressing interest. Bor wanted to confirm that the process would remain dynamic. She inquired about the method for keeping the Council current on the process. O’Dea inquired if there were minutes taken at the meetings. Grochala answered that there were no minutes, but there was a summary of the meeting with questions and comments. He indicated it could be put on the website. Asleson stated that the Humphrey Institute was studying citizen comments and input of the process. Bor indicated she was interested to see the comments from the large tract landowners and developers. Smith mentioned it would be interesting when the creative process begins, with the layers of information. Asleson stated for the JD2 the fifth option was to do nothing East of Highway 61. In the West, the goal was to mitigate pollutants entering the lake. The creek JD2, was known to put considerable amount of Phosphorus into the lake. The funding money could not be used. He did not know what would happen at tonight’s meeting. He indicated that the Friends of the Mississippi were willing to advocate. A meeting could be arranged for January or February. Bor mentioned resolutions by Anoka County and Hugo. B. Peltier Island Heron Update Asleson stated that flashing would be put up when the ice is on the lake. The flashing had been painted so that they would not be so reflective. He indicated the cameras would be used in the coming year. Joan Galli would not be a part of the program due to her relocation. The 1938 photography, it looked as if Egrets nests were present, but the resolution was poor. If there were egrets, there were probably herons as well. Bor mentioned that her grandfather had indicated both were present. Asleson stated in the 1938 photo, the water looked as if it was three feet lower. Out of ten possible reasons for the mortality of the young herons, two or three were found to be present. 3 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2004 7. OTHER DEPARTMENT REPORTS A. Forestry Asleson indicated that a contract had been awarded, and logging was to take place between now and the spring. He presented photos of the area, and pointed out the fire lines. They were almost ready to harvest the trees. B. Solid Waste Recycling Asleson stated Mary Eide had been going to the Anoka County Solid Waste Management Plan meetings. He indicated that the Board might make a goal to focus on meeting or exceeding the recycling goal. Asleson mentioned the goal had always been met, but the margin was becoming tighter. They were looking for a resolution on electronics legislation. He would put the information in the newsletter. C. Environmental Asleson noted that Tim Payne would be assisting him. O’Dea inquired if the water restrictions were effective. She indicated it would be good to quantify and compare the water usage amounts from year to year. Previously, there were spikes at odd times. The reason should be identified. Grundhofer noted the Department of Natural Resources was penalizing the City because of the high levels. 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Adopt Environmental Board Goals for 2005 Asleson stated he wanted to add a goal: • Meet or exceed recycling goal of 50% of Municipal Solid Waste. Chair Kukonen recommended another goal: • Continue to monitor the Heron Rookery and water quality in the Northern third of Peltier Lake, and to support the protection of the resources in that area. O’Connell inquired about the reason Recycling Day and Earth Day were planned so far apart. Asleson answered that they were two weeks so he could adequately plan for them. The Board reviewed the goals, and chose to put the last goal first. They discussed the requirements for the Community Wildlife Habitat designation for a population of 19,000-20,000. The City needed 375 points to be certified. Some of the 4 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2004 requirements already met were: a regular column in the newsletter, a library established, and the kiosk. The most difficult requirement was that 100 homes needed to be certified. Bor suggested that a scout group could do follow-up. O’Connell added that a booth could be set up at Earth Day, with a scout group following-up. The Board listed other possible requirements as three schools needed to participate and provide four things: food, water, shelter, and a place to raise young. Another requirement was four common areas were also needed, and the Board listed possibilities as City Hall, a warehouse, the Town Hall area, and the natives planted along Lake Drive. A final requirement mentioned was to pursue a community activity. Bauman stated that the value of the designation should be assessed, but the words “assess the value” should not be used. She expressed concern that a formal assessment might be required. Chair Kukonen responded that it benefited the community by promoting natural methods, and could enable the City to obtain grants. In addition, the 100 families would need the designation, and an updated journal would be kept by the habitat committee. After discussion, the Board decided that the first goal in the draft would be placed under “b.” in the second goal, excluding section “a.”. The second goal, part “a.” would have the phrase, “information kiosk,” added after “newsletter,”. The seventh goal would use the plural “other municipality environmental boards,” instead of the singular form. Finally, add the previously stated goals to the end of the listing. O’Dea made a motion to accept the amended goals for 2005. O’Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Chair Kukonen stated that there were three candidates for the two open positions on the Board, with Carol Canfield being the third. Asleson stated that the many small steps of change the Board had recommended, had accomplished a considerable amount. 5 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING DECEMBER 15, 2004 8. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on January 26, 2004. There being no further business, O’Dea moved to adjourn at 8:07 p.m. Smith seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Brigette Blesi TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 6 APPROVED MINUTES