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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/30/2008 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 30, 2008 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : April 30, 2008 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 8:20 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Mary Jo O’Dea, Barbara Bor, Peter Brown, Paula Andrzejewski, Kimberly Brouillet and Pamela Hartley MEMBERS ABSENT : Martha DeHaven STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. O’Dea called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 26, 2008 Change on bottom of page three to read: Ms. Bor not Mr. Bor. Ms. Andrzejewski made a motion to approve the March 26, 2008 minutes with changes. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additional items: E. Pine Glen Development Observation Summary F. Ms. Andrzejewski requested additional discussion item added regarding a canoe launch on Baldwin Lake. Ms. Hartley made a motion to approve agenda. Ms. Andrzejewski seconded the motion to approve agenda. Motion carried unanimously 4. OPEN MIKE Open mike closed at 6:33 p.m. 5. ACTION ITEMS None. 1 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 30, 2008 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Blue Thumb Program – Dawn Pape Mr. Asleson stated the Environmental Board is looking for ways to promote clean water issues. One of the goals the board would like to adopt is the Blue Thumb Program. Ms. Dawn Pape from Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) created this program. Ms. Pape presented a Power Point presentation to the board on the Blue Thumb Program. Thus far, there is not a city within the Rice Creek Watershed District that is a member at this time. Blue Thumb helps meet the Clean Water Act federal mandates. Ms. Pape stated that mostly this is a web based program, blue-thumb.org or bluethumb.org. The main categories on this site are Native Gardens, Rain Gardens and Shoreline Stabilization. There are 43 partners that have joined this program within the last year. She stated these ideas are catching on like recycling in the 80’s. There is an awareness that people are just starting to understand. There is a 10 minute overview video that explains the steps of shoreland restoration. Blue Thumb has a train the trainer program. There are many events that take place through the year such as, state and county fairs, green fairs, etc. She stated Blue Thumb is a finalist for the Minnesota Environmental Initiative Award. Blue Thumb partners are expected to donate $1,500 each year or complete a minimum of 30 “action hours” during 2008. Action hours are defined as any action that promotes or furthers the development of the Blue Thumb program. She handed out Blue Thumb project ideas for 2008. The next partner meeting will be held on June 13. Each partner keeps track of their own hours and description of what they do. There is no minimum of hours. Ms. Pape stated that Ms. Brouillet could be trained to give presentations on the Blue Thumb Program. She stated neighborhoods could also be partners with this program. Ms. Bor questioned if the cost share program exists or did it go away. Ms. Pape stated at the time it is on hold due to staff. B. Earth Day Wrap-up Mr. Asleson stated that the Earth Day turnout was very successful. Mr. John VonDeLinde accepted a $300,000 grant from Edith Wargo, wife of Joseph Wargo at the Wargo Nature Center Earth Day celebration. There were many informative booths on display. A Goetz Landscape representative, who had a booth at Earth Day, stated he would like to talk to the Environmental Board regarding environmental benefits of using slow release fertilizer. 2 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 30, 2008 Ms. Bor stated in the future we will have to come up with a better idea for next year’s participation. C. 2008 Spring Recycle Day 2008 Spring Recycle Day is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 3 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. D. Arbor Day The Arbor Day celebration is scheduled to take place at Lino Lakes Elementary School on May 2, 2008. There will be two environmental shows given by Trisha and the Toons. A tree was planted at the school in honor of a teacher who died from cancer. Diane Schally organized the event at Lino Lakes Elementary School. E. Pine Glen Development Observation Summary Mary Jo O’Dea, Paula Andrzejewski, Peter Brown, Pamela Hartley and Marty Asleson were present to conduct a site review of the Pine Glen Development based on past board recommendations in 2005. Below is a list of issues that were noted on the site: 1. Extensive erosion problems. 2. Erosion control measures such as silt fences are down, ripped, and not effective to address the erosion. Some silt fences were reported to have been covered up by landscaping efforts of homeowners. Also reported that there had been homeowner encroachment upon the wetland area. Evidence of sand/silt runoff was present. 3. Trash was all over the site, and needs to be picked up. 4. There was no Homeowners Association for the project, which results in a lack of a coordinated effort to maintain the common areas of the site. 5. Instead of a conservation easement for the wetland areas, maintained by the homeowners association, there is a utility and storm water management easement, which allows the city to access the area, and now places the maintenance of the wetlands, and any restoration of them, upon the city without any of the benefits of a conservation easement. 6. There are no signs posted to indicate easement areas, no mow areas, or native planting areas. 7. There is no indication that the developer used the city native seed mix in the areas where it was to be used. Recently the developer admitted they have done nothing with native plants. 8. The developer was to have an approved landscape contractor with an approved three year maintenance plan, and has not done so. 3 DRAFT MINUTES ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING APRIL 30, 2008 4 DRAFT MINUTES 9. A concrete wash out area was present, but there was evidence of recent concrete wash out on a parcel of land on the other side of the development (not always using the designated wash out area). 10. There did not appear to be any use of water gardens as recommended. Mr. Asleson stated this was not a conservation development. With the Resource Management Plan most of future developments will be considered conservation developments. Ms. Brouillet questioned if the city building inspectors could check garbage, silt fences, etc. when they are on-site doing inspections. She stated a possibility would be to add a couple dollars to the building permit fees to pay for the new forms. It was decided that a letter be sent to Michael Grochala, Community Development Director and Jim Studenski, City Engineer regarding issues stated above. Ms. O’Dea will email a draft letter to Mr. Asleson for review and then he will forwarded to appropriate staff when complete. F. Canoe Launch on Baldwin Lake Information or questions pertaining to a canoe launch are directed to contact the Lino Lakes Parks & Recreation Department or the DNR. 7. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on May 30, 2008. There being no further business, Ms. Brouillet moved to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Mr. Brown seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Lisa Hogstad Community Development Secretary