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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/18/2009 Environmental Board MinutesENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2009 DRAFT MINUTES 1 CITY OF LINO LAKES APPROVED MINUTES DATE : November 18, 2009 TIME STARTED : 6:32 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:35 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Mary Jo O’Dea, Barbara Bor, Paula Andrzejewski, Peter Brown and Martha DeHaven MEMBERS ABSENT : None STAFF PRESENT : Environmental Coordinator Marty Asleson 1. CALL TO ORDER Ms. O’Dea called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None presented. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additional agenda items to be added are: Ms. Bor made a motion to approve agenda. Mr. Brown seconded the motion to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously 4. OPEN MIKE Open mike closed at 6:35 p.m. 5. ACTION ITEMS A. Disease Tree Ordinance/Ordinance No. 902 of the City Code Amendment to include Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Mr. Asleson presented his agenda Item 5A regarding amending City Code to include Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). There was discussion among board members and staff regarding changes and additions to the Chapter 902: Tree Disease Ordinance. Proposed ordinance with changes/additions is as follows: ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2009 DRAFT MINUTES 2 SECTION 902.01 Nuisances declared 902.02 Abatement 902.03 Inspection and investigation 902.04 Interference prohibited 902.05 Procedure for abatement and removal 902.06 Transporting elm and oak wood prohibited 902.07 Penalty § 902.01 NUISANCES DECLARED. The following are declared to be public nuisances whenever and wherever they may be found in the city. (1) Dutch Elm Disease: Any standing or living tree or part thereof infected to any degree with the Dutch Elm disease fungus Ceratocystis ulmi (Buisman moreau) or which harbors any of the elm bark beetles Scolytus Multistriatus (Eichh) or Hylurgopinus Rufipes (Marsch). And also, any dead elm tree or part thereof including logs, branches, stumps, firewood or other elm material from which the bark has not been removed and properly disposed of. (2) Oak Wilt: (a) Any living or standing tree or part thereof in the red oak group (red oak, pin oak, scarlet oak, black oak) infected to any degree with the oak wilt fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. (b) Also any living or standing tree in the white oak group (white oak, bur oak, swamp white oak) that poses a threat of transmission of the oak wilt fungus to other trees of the same species through interconnected root systems. (Prior Code, § 902.01) (3) Emerald Ash Borer (EAB): Infested Trees: All species and varieties of ash trees (trees of genus Fraxinus) infested with the emerald ash borer (agrilusplanipennis Fairmarie), and all species and varieties of ash trees that are dead or substantially dead, and all dead ashwood to which the bark is still attached which because of their condition, may serve as a breeding place for the emerald ash borer (agrilusplanipennis Fairmarie), are hereby declared to be public nuisances and furthermore all ash trees are hereby declared to be public nuisances as determined by two (2) or more visual symptoms as listed herein; basal sprouting, bark fissures, woodpecker damage (holes), one-eighth inch (1/8”) D shaped holes, presence of larvae or the adult ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2009 DRAFT MINUTES 3 emerald ash borer (agrilusplanipennis Fairmarie), bark falling off exposing S shaped galleries. § 902.02 ABATEMENT. (1) It is unlawful for any person to permit a public nuisance as defined in § 902.01 to remain on any premises owned or controlled by that person within the city.(2) The nuisances may be abated in the manner prescribed by this chapter. (Prior Code, § 902.02) § 902.03 INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATION. The Council may designate a person or persons who shall inspect all premises and places within the city as often as practical or necessary to determine whether any condition described in § 902.01 exists thereon. The tree inspector shall investigate all reported incidents of infestation by oak wilt fungus or Dutch Elm fungus or elm bark beetles or Emerald Ash Borer. The tree inspector so designated by the Council may enter upon private premises at any reasonable time for the purpose of carrying out the duties assigned to him or her under this chapter. That person or persons shall, upon finding conditions indicating oak wilt, Dutch Elm infestation or Emerald Ash Borer, take steps for diagnosis as may be appropriate, including analysis by a qualified laboratory of twig samples from actively wilting branches. Whenever possible, diagnosis shall be based upon accepted field symptoms. (Prior Code, § 902.03) § 902.04 INTERFERENCE PROHIBITED. It is unlawful for any person to prevent, delay or interfere with the city forester or his or her agents while they are engaged in the performance of duties imposed by this chapter. (Prior Code, § 902.04) § 902.05 PROCEDURE FOR ABATEMENT AND REMOVAL. (1) Whenever it is found with reasonable certainty that the infestation exists, he or she shall proceed as follows. If the tree inspector finds that the danger of infestation of other oak, elm or ash trees is imminent, he or she shall notify the owner of the property on which the nuisance is found by certified mail addressed to the owner at his or her last known address that the nuisance must be abated within a time specified in the notice, but in no event later than April 15 of the following year. The tree inspector shall immediately report the action to the Council and after the expiration of the time limited by the notice, the tree inspector may proceed to abate the nuisance as herein provided. The cost of the abatement shall be assessed against the owner of the property involved or against the property itself. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2009 DRAFT MINUTES 4 (2) All oak trees within the city diagnosed as having oak wilt should be isolated from neighboring healthy trees of the same species by chemical or mechanical disruption of common root grafts to prevent the root graft transmission of the oak wilt fungus. (3) To control the overland spread of oak wilt, the pruning of oaks shall be avoided during the most susceptible months of May and June. If wounding is unavoidable during this period, as in the aftermath of a storm or when the tree interferes with utility lines, an asphalt-based tree wound dressing shall be applied immediately. (4) Trees of the red oak group diagnosed as having oak wilt may be girdled as soon as they are detected in order to speed drying and reduce spore production. Girdling shall be done only in areas where a weakened tree will not constitute a hazard to life and/or property should it fall. Trees included in this group are commonly known as red oak, pin oak, scarlet oak, and black oak. (5) To prevent oak wilt fungus spore production and control overland spread of this disease, any diseased material of the red oak group desired for use as fuel wood or to be salvaged for other purposes must be debarked or else completely covered by heavy plastic (4 mil or greater) until July 1. (6) Any branch or other material of the red oak group not to be salvaged shall be disposed of by burning, chipping, or removal to an authorized dump site. The city forester shall advise accordingly. (7) Stumps of trees of the red oak group removed due to oak wilt shall be completely covered, removed, or debarked to the ground-line to eliminate all possibilities of spore formation and overland disease spread. (8) Trees of the white oak group (i.e. white oak, bur oak) diagnosed as having oak wilt should be isolated by root graft disruption, as previously stated. Diseased material originating from the trees will not support spore formation and salvaged material therefore will not require special treatment to control overland disease spread. Standing trees of this group showing symptoms of minor oak wilt infection may have the infection successfully removed by selective pruning. The city forester will advise accordingly. (Prior Code, § 902.05) § 902.06 TRANSPORTING ELM, OAK AND ASH WOOD PROHIBITED. It is unlawful for any person to transport within the city any bark-bearing elm, oak or ash wood without having obtained a permit from the city forester. The city forester shall grant the permits only when the purposes of this chapter will be served thereof. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2009 DRAFT MINUTES 5 (Prior Code, § 902.06) § 902.07 PENALTY. Any person, firm or corporation who violates the conditions of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be punished by a fine not to exceed $300.00 imprisonment for 90 days as set forth in § 101.15. as set forth in Section 101.15 (Prior Code, § 902.07) 6. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Planning Ms. O’Dea spoke about the Star and Tribune article of today regarding EAB that has been discovered in Falcon Heights on University of Minnesota (U of M) property. Falcon Heights now has the option to apply for a grant to help deal with EAB. The grant cannot be applied for until cities actually have EAB infestation. Ms. O’Dea downloaded some of the documentation from Falcon Heights’ city website to see how to plan and prepare for upcoming infestation. She stated under some of the grants that are available cities can receive up to $100,000 to help with costs. Mr. Asleson stated injections are included under that grant for cities within 10 mile radius of initial infection. Lino Lakes is outside this radius. Mr. Asleson stated the state wants cities to work on a preparedness plan. He stated by next year when it comes time, we will have that done and the ordinance changed by then. Mr. Asleson stated City property will maybe used for stump grinding and disposal. Ms. O’Dea stated the information from current grant states the cost of cutting down the trees is based on the diameter of the tree. The City can look at different costs for public and private removal. Mr. Asleson stated a new wood chipper was recently purchased to help handle up to a 15” diameter tree. Ms. O’Dea stated Falcon Heights has links on their website to EAB information sites. Ms. Andrzejewski stated it would be beneficial for citizens to know how Ash tree wood would be recycled. Ms. Bor stated the City should ban soil drench for all residents of the City of Lino Lakes as soil drench affects our water supply. She stated we are looking for injection and cutting of the trees. A methodology states it is better to inject. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2009 DRAFT MINUTES 6 Citizen’s need to be informed of what their options are and why some of the options may not be the best. Mr. Asleson stated we have a couple of years to plan for EAB infestation. We have time to make the right decisions. Proposed 2010 Goals • Promote environmental stewardship with the citizens of Lino Lakes by communicating environmental initiatives in the city using various means of communication such as: • City Web Pages • Newsletter Spring Summer Fall Winter • homeowners association meetings • information kiosk • press coverage • Earth Day • Arbor Day • Recycling Day – (May 1st) • Participate in Blue Heron Days (August), providing public service educational material to the public. • Participate in Earth Day (April) activities in the community, promoting environmental awareness and collaboration with other environmental focused organizations. • Monitor any activity in the AUAR as well as other proposed development areas, focusing on the values Lino Lakes citizens have expressed in the vision for our city and the unique ecological aspects of our wetlands, lakes and streams and subsurface waters. Apply mitigation plan as defined for that area. • Perform an evaluation of past Environmental Board recommendations for development projects. Review a sampling of a variety of projects by site visits, discussion with city staff, and landowners, neighbors, on the outcomes of the Board’s recommendations. If necessary, submit a summary of significant findings resulting from the review in writing to the Community Development Director. Due to lack of development in 2009 there were fewer visits than planned. The VFW site was visited with suggested corrections. These corrections were made. ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING NOVEMBER 18, 2009 DRAFT MINUTES 7 • Promote conservation development within the City incorporating the Open Space/Trail Plan and Handbook for Environmental Planning and Conservation Development within the scope of the new Resources Management Plan, and the Resources Management Plan RMP-3 • To meet or exceed our City recycling goal of 50 (1737 tons) percent or greater of our Municipal solid waste. Find innovative ways to promote and encourage recycling as a city. Add recycling materials to kiosk. • Investigate and establish a Community Garden site, and preparatory plan for a Gardening Group. • Create a preparedness Plan for EAB • Work on Wollen’s Park Wetland Banking. • Continue to monitor the Heron rookery and water quality in the northern one third of Peltier Lake and to support the protection of resources in that area. • Participate in comp plan and process. Offer a series of conservation workshops for residents through the Anoka County Soil Water Conservation District for 2010 B. Community Garden Water Plan Update Mr. Asleson stated he will have information from the City of Lino Lakes water department at the December meeting. 7. ADJOURN It was noted that the next meeting of the Environmental Board will be on December 16, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. There being no further business, Mr. Brown moved to adjourn at 7:23 p.m. Ms. DeHaven seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Transcribed by: Lisa Hogstad Community Development Secretary