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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />March 9, 2021 <br />Page 2 <br />1 VI. GENERAL BUSINESS OF COUNCIL. <br />2 <br />3 A. 2021 Parks and Environmental Commission Work Plan <br />4 <br />5 Parks and Environmental Commission Vice Chair James Niemi presented the 2021 Work Plan <br />6 for the St. Anthony Village Parks and Environmental Commission. The Parks and Environmental <br />7 Commission is a five -member advisory commission, appointed by the City Council and is <br />8 charged with the following duties: <br />9 A. To prepare, revise, and maintain a comprehensive, long-term plan for the redevelopment <br />10 of parks within the City. This plan shall be viewed as a working document that serves as <br />1 I a framework and reference to future redevelopment; <br />12 B. To make recommendations to and advise the City Council and staff regarding park and <br />13 environmental issues and ideas; <br />14 C. To establish priorities and recommend a phasing plan and schedule for implementing <br />15 innovative park and environmental initiatives, improvements, renovations, and plans; <br />16 D. To work with other communities to explore cooperative arrangements to develop <br />17 connecting routes in the form of bikeways, walking paths, and corridors of green space <br />18 wherever possible; <br />19 E. To investigate funding sources, including requests for increases in the City budget, <br />20 designated for parks, green spaces and environmental initiatives; <br />21 F. To seek new areas for additional parks, natural areas, walking paths, bikeways, and green <br />22 space corridors; <br />23 G. To generate community involvement in the development of parks, environmental <br />24 initiatives and their elements; <br />25 H. To review and recommend revisions to the operation and maintenance of City parks and <br />26 environmental initiatives; and <br />27 I. To periodically review, re-evaluate and update the comprehensive park and <br />28 environmental initiatives plan to reflect current and future park needs of the City. <br />29 <br />30 In 2021, the Parks and Environmental Commission will focus on the following items: <br />31 • Continue with citywide parks cleanup in the Spring. <br />32 • Education and outreach in conjunction with community organizations to promote use of <br />33 the organics drop off site. <br />34 • Explore pedestrian and bike friendly routes. <br />35 • Joint meeting with the Planning Commission. <br />36 • Explore water conservation initiatives working with Rice Creek and MWMO watersheds, <br />37 and partner with schools for water conservation poster contest. <br />38 • Promote Arbor Day and Tree City activities in 2021, including outreach and education to <br />39 residents and City contractors about tree diversity, climate resiliency, and proper planting <br />40 techniques. <br />41 • Promote annual Sustainability Fair at the Community Center. <br />42 . Central Park solar demonstration project. <br />43 <br />44 Councilmember Randle asked for more information on the Central Park solar demonstration <br />45 project. Mr. Niemi stated the Citizens for Sustainability obtained a grant to work with the school <br />46 district to set up a solar demonstration. <br />