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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/30/2005 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : March 30, 2005 TIME STARTED : 6:35 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:28 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Barbara Bor, Barbara Bauman, Constance Grundhofer, Rod Kukonen, Teresa O’Connell, and Mary Jo O’Dea MEMBERS ABSENT : Dennis Smith STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Kukonen called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Mayor Bergeson swore in returning Board members O’Dea and Bauman. 1A. ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS Grundhofer made a motion to nominate O’Dea for office of Chair. Bor seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Grundhofer made a motion to close nominations for Chair. O’Connell seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. O’Dea made a motion to nominate Smith for Vice Chair. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. O’Dea made a motion to close nominations for Vice Chair. Grundhofer seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Board elected O’Dea as Chair and Smith as Vice Chair. The Board adjusted the seating arrangement to reflect the elections. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES February 23, 2005 Page 4, fourth paragraph: “The Emerald Ash Bore from the East was moving west and wiping out the Ash trees.” Page 4, ninth paragraph: “O’Connell made a motion to recommend approval of the rezoning of the land, but conditional to ongoing work with staff on recommendations with the understanding that it will be reviewed at each building phase.” Page 5, eighth paragraph: “Mr. Schlink answered that there would not be a homeowners’ association, and the monuments would be made durable." 1 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 Page 9, fifth paragraph: Delete the paragraph. Page 10, seventh paragraph: “Chair Kukonen submitted an example of a large furniture company wanted to build a 10-acre warehouse in the City.” Kukonen made a motion to approve the February 23, 2005 meeting minutes. Bauman seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA • Discuss Marshan Meadows comments in 6E. • Discuss the Election of new officers prior to Approval of Minutes in 1A. The Board approved the agenda as amended. 4. OPEN MIKE No citizen comments were made. 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Fairview Clinic Expansion Asleson reviewed the background and analysis. He indicated there was no photometric plan submitted to the City. Kukonen inquired about the Tree Preservation Plan. Asleson answered they needed to show the boundaries of the fences. The trees needed to be individually identified by species and size. Chair O’Dea asked for clarification in addition to the Tree Preservation Plan, should they also identify and label the seeded areas. Asleson agreed, and added that seeded grass needed irrigation. Bor indicated she worked for the Fairview organization, so she would be abstaining from the discussion and any vote. Grundhofer noted the lighting fixture was included, but it needed to be flush mounted. Asleson clarified the bulb placement was in question, and the bulbs should be recessed. O’Dea reviewed the recommendations from the Board: • Contingent on the submission of the Tree Preservation Plan identifying significant trees. • Areas seeded with turf grass must also be irrigated. • Lighting should be flush-mounted with recessed bulbs. 2 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 • The new monument sign would follow the lighting specifications of the City. O’Connell made a motion to recommend approval with the recommendations from staff and the Board. Bauman seconded the motion. Motion carried with 5 votes and one abstention from Bor. B. Resolution Supporting CRT Waste Disposal Asleson briefly reviewed the resolution. Grundhofer asked if Asleson supported the resolution. Asleson indicated he supported the resolution. He was seeking a method that would not involve the taxpayers, and believed up front costs could be helpful. Chair O’Dea called for a discussion. Asleson stated that an important component should be no reliance on government solutions. Bor inquired if industry was working for a more compatible method of disposal. Chair O’Dea recommended the last word in the first line should be “have” instead of “has.” In addition the areas indicating “(name of organization),” should have “City of Lino Lakes.” Bor recommended adding a statement at the end of the document. “We support technological innovation to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances contained in these products.” Grundhofer made a motion to support the resolution as amended. Kukonen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Review and Comment of the Apollo Landing Draft Landscaping and Aesthetics Document. Asleson indicated he was willing to receive comments from the Board. Kukonen expressed concern about the environmental impact of treated wood privacy fences. He recommended using environmentally friendly and arsenic-free fencing. Grundhofer inquired if there would be parking in both the front and back of the building. If there would be parking in back, she suggested that native plantings could be used. 3 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 O’Connell recommended that instead of the phrase “or other shade trees,” put “and other shade trees.” Grundhofer indicated that for #3 reference to “planter islands” they should also add the phrase, “include native plantings.” In addition, paragraph #5 referencing site features, she questioned who was strongly encouraging these items. Asleson responded that it was an acceptable cultural expression. Grundhofer inquired about the “lighted planting beds.” Asleson assured her that it would not have a lot of light pollution. Bor suggested at a future meeting the City Lighting Ordinance be reviewed, so when plans are reviewed we discuss lighting in accordance to the Ordinance. Asleson stated lighting could be inviting and improve the safety of the patrons. Kukonen questioned if in the reference to landscaping standards, should natives be suggested. Grundhofer inquired about various specific species. Kukonen stated there were a few fixtures still to be identified. Grundhofer referred to section B4, stating “dramatic effect,” and recommended changing it to “artistic effect.” Chair O’Dea inquired about the meaning of the term bollard. Asleson stated that it meant post. O’Connell questioned if the lighting on the sidewalks had downward focused lights on bollards. Grundhofer responded that the picture had shields. Asleson stated the lighting would still need to meet City requirements. O’Connell asked for clarification for page 5, part F. Since the hotel would be open 24 hours a day, would it address other businesses. Asleson confirmed that it concerned other businesses on site. Kukonen inquired about section C. Asleson responded that he was unsure of the specified height, but the light candles had specifications in the Lighting Ordinance. He added that it should be clarified. Kukonen asked how “Exhibit T” could shine on the wall. Asleson answered that there was a dark cover on the front of the fixture so it would only illuminate the wall. 4 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 Kukonen addressed Section D, 2c, if the recessed canopy light was acceptable, and requested a picture. The Board also asked that a picture be submitted of the bollards discussed in Exhibit 9. Kukonen made a motion for the comments from the Board to be passed on to the Council. Bor seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. B. Goals/National Wildlife Federation/Other Boards Grundhofer stated that the City would need a score of 375, based on the population of the City for the Community Wildlife Habitat designation from the National Wildlife Federation. She indicated that she was aware of five residents and one school already in the program. For the Education component, the City needed 40 points, and they were very close to that amount. Kukonen indicated the kiosk contained information on native plantings, landscaping, and rain barrels. Chair O’Dea stated it would be worth having the PDF for rainbarrels, raingardens, lakescaping, and native plants brochures in color copies. Grundhofer suggested that one category was to have articles in the media. Bor responded that there was a new Quad reporter, and she was excited to address various new community issues. Grundhofer indicated that residents could obtain credits from the University, and the City would receive 10 points for each person who completed them. She estimated that the City could complete 30 of the 40 points required for that category through the course work. Kukonen stated he came up with the sum of 50 points, because the library could be used, so he believed that the City had met the requirements for that category. Asleson mentioned he would try to set aside a portion of a shelf in the library specifically for environmental media. Grundhofer stated that she believed the City met the requirements of Community Projects, and gathered 55 points. Asleson requested that Grundhofer and Kukonen pull the information together into one document. 5 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 Bor stated that there were seven residents already registered, and inquired what process to become certified. Grundhofer responded one merely fills out the form online, and send in $15.00. Asleson indicated a resident was willing to organize residents in the Backyard Habitat program, and he referred the resident to Kukonen. Bor stated that the Board members could inquire in their neighborhoods. Grundhofer noted that the information could be put on the City Website. Bor added that a link should be created to the National Wildlife Federation. Grundhofer indicated that businesses and schools also would count. She mentioned that Rice Lake was already registered. Asleson added that Lino Lakes Elementary held an Arbor Day celebration, and he inquired about the initiation fee for schools. Both Kukonen and Grundhofer mentioned they would get in touch with their contacts for that information. Bor questioned the focus of the goal. Is the Board assessing the pursuit of the certification, or trying to become certified. Kukonen stated the Community Certification was a 2-3 year process. He suggested some information in the Quad would be helpful. Bor inquired if the Board wanted to pursue the Community Certification as a goal. She considered it favorable if the community achieved it. It would be good for the education of residents and businesses. Several businesses could be very close to meeting the certification requirements. She suggested the Chamber of Commerce in the City be contacted. She reiterated the need to contact the National Wildlife Fund for the business and school costs for certification. In the area of other boards, the Board members stated the cities they would be responsible for contacting. O’Connell indicated she would find information for Golden Valley and Crystal. Bor volunteered to inquire about Ham Lake, and questioned Asleson if there was any environmental board in Centerville. Asleson responded there was no such board in Centerville or Circle Pines. Kukonen mentioned he would call about Afton. The City of Blaine was updated. Grundhofer indicated she would find information on North Oaks and Lexington. Bauman volunteered to inquire about Fridley, Oak Grove, and Ramsey. Kukonen questioned staff if Shakopee had a board. Asleson answered that he should contact Mark Quillan for that information. 6 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 O’Dea recommended re-visiting projects, to find out what was effective, and what needed to be addressed in the process. She gave the example of the Grill and Chill. Bor agreed and requested a site visit and a reviewal of the process to assess the recommendations from the Board. Asleson suggested that the condensed files could be pulled. He agreed it would be helpful to visit the entire site, because there was a lot to point out. Options that were possible were to meet before a meeting on site, or to choose a Saturday in the summer and visit several sites. O’Connell requested to see comments from the Planning and Zoning Board, and the final comments to assess if the company made changes on their own or if the requirements changed after the Board made recommendations. Bor indicated it would be helpful to view the vegetation. She stated it would be good to go to one site in June to begin the process, and then do several sites on another date. She requested the recommendations from the Board be provided to members prior to the visit. Bauman indicated it would be helpful to revisit a residential, a large industrial, and a medium development. The Board agreed to table the discussion to the April 27, 2005 meeting. C. Fox Den Acres Asleson stated that Mr. Huvseth was working with the developer, and would also be present at the Earth Day celebration. Staff referred to a website called Rhode Island Basins that had recommendations for developments, and indicated that most of the suggestions were going to be done on the site. The developer had not yet broken ground, but was planning to do so soon. D. Earth Day O’Connell indicated the celebration would take place on April 23, 2005. Wargo would open to the public at 12:30 p.m. with popcorn available. Participants in the clean-up effort would be able to eat at 11:30 p.m. She noted that Wargo had announced the festivities in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press. Clean-up Day was planned for May 7, 2005. May 6, 2005 would be Arbor Day at Lino Lakes Elementary. Grundhofer showed the Board a poster with a heron on it, and indicated she procured 400 for the Earth Day celebration, and any extra for Heron Days. She also had worm postcards for Earth Day. Kukonen stated the Living Green Expo would be soon after Earth Day. 7 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 Grundhofer indicated the theme for Earth Day would be “Plants and People.” E. Marshan Meadows Asleson indicated the EPA guidelines had everything the Board desired. Kukonen referred to page 3, and recommended the down spouts should be directed to green or pervious areas. Grundhofer stated that the Common Tern should be referenced. F. Heron Update Bor reported that they were a beautiful sight to see them on the island, but the numbers were low. She indicated her brother witnessed a heron picking up a stick. Asleson stated that six of the raccoons were banded. He noted they were crossing over to the other shore, and another den was located. G. Netlawn Update Asleson noted that Rehbein had a promotional brochure it passed out at the Erosion Control Conference. Many people were using it. Grundhofer indicated that another type of pervious paving was used in Spirit Hills. Asleson indicated that Netlawn was used on an auto dealership in White Bear Lake, and there was no erosion found on site. 7. OTHER DEPARTMENT REPORTS A. Forestry This item was tabled to the April 27, 2005 Environmental Board Meeting. B. Solid Waste Recycling This item was tabled to the April 27, 2005 Environmental Board Meeting. 8 APPROVED MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING MARCH 30, 2005 C. Environmental This item was tabled to the April 27, 2005 Environmental Board Meeting. 8. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on April 27, 2005. There being no further business, Grundhofer moved to adjourn at 8:28 p.m. Kukonen seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Brigette Blesi TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc. 9 APPROVED MINUTES