2018-05-16 Joint Council-Parks Rec Comm Work Session PacketCITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
JOINT CITY COUNCIL – PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
NATURAL RESOURCES
WORK SESSION AGENDA
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
5:30 pm
Mendota Heights City Hall – Council Chambers
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Discussion Topics
a. Presentation on Current Natural Resources Management Plan
b. Discussion of 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update Section
c. City Emerald Ash Borer Response
d. Green Step Cities Program Discussion
e. Natural Resources Staffing Discussion
4. Adjourn
To: Mayor and City Council, Parks and Recreation Commissioners
From: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
Subject: Natural Resources Plan Update Item 3a
Date: May 15, 2018
COMMENT:
At the Joint Meeting on May 15th, there will be a presentation by Fred Rozumalaki of Barr
Engineering on the 2002 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Plan.
Mark McNeill
City Administrator
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MEETING DATE: May 16, 2018
TO: Mayor and City Council - Parks & Recreation Commission
FROM: Tim Benetti, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update
Natural Resources Plan Discussion
Attached for the City Council and Parks & Recreation Commission’s review is a recent DRAFT version of
an amended and proposed Natural Resources Plan section, which is being considered as an added or
separate chapter to the upcoming 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update.
The original DRAFT 2040 Plan prepared and presented by the city’s planning consultant (Phil Carlson-
Stantec) contained some related information on “natural resources” – such as topography, soils, rivers,
lakes, wetlands, etc. within the Introduction/Background section of the new Plan; and provided the
following goal statement under the Ch. 2 – Land Use section of the draft 2040 Plan:
Goal 4: Enhance and protect the natural environment.
Policies:
• Provide for maintenance and further natural restoration of ecological systems including lakes,
ponding areas, aquifers, and drainage areas
• Encourage energy efficient design in all public and private construction.
• Take in to account impacts on air quality in land use and infrastructure decisions.
• Follow best practices in land use and infrastructure decisions that impact stormwater runoff.
As part of a concerted effort and request by some city residents interested in protecting and preserving the
natural resources of the community (refer to attached letter from Darren Carlson, etal – dated 03/22/18),
the Planning Commission, city staff and planning consultant agreed to develop a separate Natural Resources
Plan section or chapter to the Plan.
Some of this information being presented herein is a carry-over from the previous 2030 Comprehensive
Plan, along with some information and details from the city’s own Local Surface Water Management Plan
-2006. The LSWMP contains a fair amount of goals and policies that we can also carry-over and adopt into
the 2040 Plan Update.
Staff has identified and provided a number of Goals and Policy statements for the City Council/Park
Commissioners review. The attached document also contains some goals and policy statements suggested
by the residents (noted on Page 11-12 of the Draft Plan document).
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The Draft Plan also lists a number of goals/policies included in the Dakota County 2040 Draft Plan; and
the City of Maplewood’s and City of Eagan’s 2040 draft plans.
Please note this information is also only for the Council’s and Park Commissioners preliminary and
informal review; no official action should be taken on these items at this time; but your valuable input,
recommendations and direction are recommended and requested by Staff.
City staff will work with Mr. Carlson in the next few weeks and finalize any additions or changes to the
plan section; and hopefully have the final draft plan ready and available for the tentative June 26, 2018
Open House and Public Hearing date on the 2040 Plan.
Please note that more information on this specific plan section and all parts of the Plan Update will be
forthcoming – and all new information will be posted on the city’s website and available for public viewing
at City Hall.
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Natural Resources Plan – D R A F T
05/16/18 (Joint CC/Parks Comm. Mtg.)
The natural environment is an important asset to the residents of Mendota Heights. During the
City’s developing stages, a strong emphasis was placed on preserving high quality open spaces
and wooded areas. This has provided tremendous benefits to the residents and is an important
focal point of the community. Residents enjoy numerous lakes and wetlands, open spaces, parks,
trails, and the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers.
The City of Mendota Heights utilizes a Local Surface Water Management Plan (LSWMP) that
serves as a guide for managing the City’s surface water system, which also brings the City into
compliance with Minnesota Statute. The current LSWMP was adopted in September 2006, and
is intended to provide an overall guide plan through the end of 2015. The Mendota Heights
LSWMP will serve as a complementary planning document with the City’s 2040 Comprehensive
Plan, to guide the City in conserving, protecting, and managing its surface water resources. The
2006 LSWMP was an update to the 1993 Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP); and the
city is now completing an updated surface water management plan, which is expected to be
adopted later this year (2018).
The following lists specific environmental features within the City of Mendota Heights:
General Topography and Drainage
The City of Mendota Heights is located near the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi
Rivers in northern Dakota County. The topography of the City of Mendota Heights varies greatly,
from floodplains of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers to the primary and secondary bluffs of
the rivers. Most of Mendota Heights is rolling to hilly terrain interspersed with poorly drained
depressions that form many ponds and small lakes. Steep slopes occur along the Minnesota
and Mississippi river bluffs along the west and north border of the City. These steep slopes are
usually wooded and are not well suited for development. The majority of the City lies relatively
flat at an elevation approximately 200 feet above the river, and these flat areas can be found
along the Minnesota River floodplain on the City’s west border. Elevation in the City ranges from
approximately 690 feet along the Minnesota River to approximately 1030 feet along the City’s
border with West St. Paul. Many of the lakes and ponds in the City are entirely controlled by
percolations, precipitation, and evaporation.
The surficial geology of Mendota Heights consists of the glacial and alluvial (outwash) deposits
which cover most of the City. The City of Mendota Heights is within the Twin Cities Formation of
the Eastern St. Croix Moraine geomorphic area. This area was formed at the southern extent of
the Superior and Rainey glacial lobes as they flowed side by side as a single lobe and then
terminated to form the St. Croix Moraine. As the glacier retreated and melted, it left behind areas
of outwash and till deposit formations. The area of outwash formations that is located in the west
portion of the City is comprised of silt, sand, and gravel that were carried, sorted, and deposited
by glacial melt-water. The area of till formations located in the eastern two-thirds of the City is
composed of unsorted clay, silt, sand, and boulders transported and deposited by glacial ice. Silt
and sand lenses are interspersed throughout this formation.
The original terrain and vegetation of the area were altered for purposes of farming. Marshes and
wetlands were left relatively undisturbed except for a few ditching projects. More detailed
information on the drainage system of the city can be found in the Local Surface Water
Management Plan (LSWMP - 2006).
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Soils
The Soil Conservation Service has identified the following soil associations within the City of
Mendota Heights:
• Nearly Level Soils on the Floodplains. This area is on the floodplains of the Minnesota and
Mississippi Rivers, mostly located in the Fort Snelling State Park. Much of it is frequently
flooded and is generally too wet to be farmland. The area consists of mixed Alluvial sand
and some Sawmill soils. Colo soils, Riverwash, and Peat Muck are also present.
• Light Colored, Rolling to Hilly Soils. This general area is in the Morainic part of the County.
It is characterized by steep slopes and numerous poorly drained depressions. The soils
are extremely variable in depth, texture, and productivity. The medium height and textured
soils are suitable for some crops if slopes are not too strong. Sheet or gully erosions are
hazards in cultivated fields. The area is best suited to woodlands. The major soils include
Scandia Kingsley, Hayden, and Burnsville series. Included are soils of the Freer and
Adolph series.
• Light Colored to Moderately Dark Colored, Rolling to Loose Hilly Soils on Till. In
topography and texture, this soil association is mostly the light colored rolling high soils
described above. Most of the soils develop from calcareous materials. The major soils in
the area include the Hayden, Burnsville, Lester series.
Floodplain
Although the City of Mendota Heights is located in such close proximity to the Mississippi River
and the Minnesota River, there is no floodway within the City boundaries. As the Floodplain map
portrays, there is floodway on both sides of the Mississippi River and Minnesota River, within the
cities of St. Paul, Lilydale, Mendota, and Eagan. The floodway basically follows the northwest
boundary of the City.
Rivers, Lakes, and Wetlands
The City of Mendota Heights has many water resources available for the use and enjoyment of
its residents. These major water resources tend to be State of Minnesota protected waters.
Others are streams that are important for the City’s stormwater system. Below is a list and brief
summary of the major surface water resources in the City:
Lake Augusta
Lake Augusta is a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) public water. It is a
deeper lake with a maximum depth of 33 feet; the median depth is approximately 18 feet.
Its area is approximately 44 acres. The area of its watershed is 410 acres, giving a
watershed to lake-ratio of 9.3 to 1. The lake is landlocked and, the City is currently assessing
the feasibility of constructing an outlet. The implementation section includes initiating
discussions with the WMO related to a Lake Augusta outlet.
Lake LeMay
This lake is considered a public water wetland by the Minnesota DNR. This lake resides in
the upper reaches of the Industrial Park drainage district. It is a shallow lake. The area of
its watershed is 98.5 acres; its surface area is 30 acres, giving a watershed to lake-ratio of
3.3 to 1. It drains via an outlet that extends under Hwy 55.
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Gun Club Lake
This lake and its outlet stream are DNR public waters. The lake resides along the Minnesota
River, within its flood plain. Gun Club Lake resides in the lower reaches of the Gun Club Lake
watershed. The lake discharges to an unnamed stream that flows to the Minnesota River.
Although Gun Club Lake resides within city limits, it is managed by Fort Snelling State Park.
Rogers Lake
Roger’s Lake is a DNR public water (80P). The lake is shallow, with a maximum depth of 8.0
feet. Its surface area is approximately 114 acres. Its watershed is approximately 366 acres,
giving a watershed to lake-ratio of 3.2 to 1. The lake discharges to storm sewer pipe along
Wagon Wheel Trail.
Friendly Marsh & Copperfield Ponds
This lake is actually split into three different basins. The upper basin has a normal water level
approximately two feet higher than the lower basin. These two basins resemble ponds or
small lakes. They are separated by a narrow isthmus, and a culvert connects the two basins.
The third basin is downstream of the lower pond basin, and is called the Friendly Marsh.
According to the Minnesota DNR Public Waters Inventory (PWI) map, the two ponds and the
Friendly Marsh taken together constitute protected water 103P. But given the actual
differences in normal water level elevations for each of these three basins, the hydrologic
model considers these as three different basins.
Interstate Valley Creek
This creek is an intermittent stream that begins near the intersection of Hwy 110 and Hwy
149 (Dodd Road) at the outflow point of Friendly Marsh. The creek flows northward, and
generally parallels Interstate 35E. Interstate Valley Creek is the single largest watershed
within the City of Mendota Heights. Its watershed also includes areas within the cities of
Inver Grove Heights, Sunfish Lake, and West St. Paul.
Ivy Falls Creek
Ivy Falls Creek is an intermittent stream as well. It begins in the Somerset Golf Course. The
gradient of the creek is steep; dropping 180 feet in 3000 feet from Dodd Road to Hwy 13.
The steep gradient has allowed erosion problems to occur. The creek discharges to
Pickerel Lake in the City of Lilydale after flowing over a 50 foot tall waterfall.
Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers
Both of these rivers are Minnesota public waters. Shoreline of both of these rivers reside
within the city limits, but these shorelines reside also in Fort Snelling State Park. The
Mississippi River and Minnesota River shorelines that are within the City’s limits are managed
by Fort Snelling State Park.
WETLANDS
The city’s LSWMP contains a separate Wetland Management Plan (Section 4), which provides
the results of the wetland inventory and the mapping of any and all significant wetland features
throughout the city (refer to Wetlands Map XX-XX). This GIS-based wetland map has been
developed for the City to use as a planning tool for future projects that may affect wetlands. The
inventory of wetlands also allows the city to identify restoration areas within city-owned lands.
The wetland map and the management discussions of LSWMP-Section 4 are intended to provide
the following benefits:
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1. Provide a more detailed inventory of wetlands and water resources than that
provided by the National Wetlands Inventory.
2. Enhance wildlife values of wetlands.
3. Provide and enhance recreational values of wetlands.
4. Designate wetland restoration/enhancement opportunities.
5. Protect wetlands and adjacent resources that provide valuable ecological support.
6. Provide stormwater protection for wetlands.
It should be noted that this wetland inventory has been created for planning purposes only.
Regulation of activities potentially affecting individual wetlands will be based on a site-
specific delineation of the wetland boundary as part of a proposed project; and through full
review and consideration of certain Wetlands Permit through the city’s land use application
process, when property owners request such development activities near a wetland.
The Wetland Management Plan addresses key management issues such as wetland
protection, wetland restoration/enhancement opportunities, and wetland stewardship.
Wetland protection is addressed by focusing on key issues such as the following:
• the relative susceptibility of a wetland to stormwater affects with respect to the type of
wetland;
• wetland water quality and quantity; and
• wetland buffer strip and setback protection.
Wetland stewardship is an important part of the Wetland Management Plan. There are a
number of things that residents, cities, or counties can do voluntarily to enhance wetlands and
buffer strips that surround wetlands. Section 4 describes some of these practices:
1. Enhancement of the vegetative structure of the wetland. Native wildflowers,
grasses, shrubs and trees can be planted in the wetland or the adjacent buffer areas
to enhance habitat and stormwater filtering,
2. Control of invasive exotic species,
3. Install habitat structures for wildlife such as nesting structures for waterfowl and other
birds, turtles, and amphibians,
4. Schools and other organizations can adopt wetlands and adjacent areas for use as
outdoor classrooms.
Watersheds
Mendota Heights is part of two watersheds: Lower Mississippi and Lower Minnesota River. The
Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization (LMRWMO) encompasses 50
square miles in Dakota and Ramsey Counties. Other surrounding communities include: Inver
Grove Heights, Lilydale, St. Paul, South St. Paul, Sunfish Lake, and West St. Paul. The LMRWMO
was established by a Joint Powers Agreement in 1985. The watershed is well-drained with many
small depressions and steep slopes. Issues of concern include wildlife habitat and water
recreation.
The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) is located in the southwest part of the
Twin Cities metropolitan area along the Minnesota River. The District boundaries encompass an
area of 64 square miles of Carver, Hennepin, Dakota, Scott, and Ramsey counties, which includes
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the Minnesota River Valley from Fort Snelling, at the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi
rivers, upstream to Carver, Minnesota. The width of the District includes the bluffs on both sides
of the Minnesota River within this reach of the river. The City of Mendota Heights entered into an
agreement with the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District in 2005. Issues of concern include
dredging, spoil site acquisition, and bank erosion control.
The 2006 LSWMP has been updated to meet requirements as established in Minnesota Rules
8410; and the expected 2018 LSWMP will reflect the requirements of the two watersheds with
jurisdiction within the City. Meeting watershed requirements ensures the City’s compliance with
local and regional expectations.
Significant Vegetation
The City of Mendota Heights contains a variety of wooded areas and explicit forested areas.
There is a large amount of floodplain forest along the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. There
is a large area of altered, non-native deciduous forest on the east side of Gun Club Lake.
A Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) search was performed for the areas
below the bluffs. The bluffs themselves are upland areas. The MLCC Summary Table below
provides a listing of the land cover types below the bluffs and the area of each type that falls
within the Mendota Heights City limits. Of special note is the presence of calcareous seepage
fen prairie. The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District considers calcareous fens to be high
priority areas for wetland preservation and restoration.
MLCCS Summary of Areas Below the Bluffs
City of Mendota Heights
Land Cover Description Total Area (acres)
Oak (forest or woodland) with 11-25% impervious cover 1.9
51% to 75% impervious cover with deciduous trees 18.0
Pavement with 91-100% impervious cover 2.5
Short grasses with sparse tree cover on upland soils 10.2
Short grasses on upland soils 5.5
Oak forest 3.9
Floodplain forest 209.8
Lowland hardwood forest 6.1
Aspen forest - temporarily flooded 1.5
Mixed hardwood swamp - seasonally flooded 7.2
Altered/non-native deciduous woodland 2.8
Altered/non-native dominated temporarily flooded shrubland 0.8
Willow swamp 3.3
Medium-tall grass altered/non-native dominated grassland 12.8
Temporarily flooded altered/non-native dominated grassland 2.0
Calcareous seepage fen prairie subtype 37.0
Mixed emergent marsh - seasonally flooded 62.5
Mixed emergent marsh 106.4
Mixed emergent marsh - intermittently exposed 57.2
Mixed emergent marsh - permanently flooded 22.1
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Grassland with sparse deciduous trees
- altered/non-native dominated vegetation
3.4
River mud flats 3.6
Slow moving linear open water habitat 139.3
Limnetic open water 145.1
Palustrine open water 41.6
A variety of vegetation also surrounds Lake Augusta and Lake Le May, including the following:
altered/non-native deciduous forest, altered/non-native deciduous woodland, oak forest, native
dominated disturbed upland shrubland, and aspen forest.
The east side of 35E within the City of Mendota Heights, just before entering Lilydale, contains a
variety of vegetation, from altered/non-native deciduous forest, altered/non-native deciduous
woodland, altered/non-native mixed woodland, oak forest, floodplain forest, and lowland
hardwood forest. There are also pockets of a variety of forests and woodlands between 35E and
the boundary with West St. Paul and Sunfish Lake, especially surrounding the water features.
The Significant Vegetation map illustrates the location of wooded and forested areas within the
City of Mendota Heights.
GOALS & POLICIES
Water Quantity Goal 1: Prevent flooding from surface flows while reducing, to the greatest extent practicable, the public capital expenditures necessary to control excessive volumes and rates of runoff.
Policy 1.1: All designs must use NOAA Atlas 14 Precipitation Frequency Data in stormwater
design calculations and modeling.
Policy 1.2: Trunk storm sewers shall be designed with capacity for 100-year ponded outflows
plus 10-year directly connected flows.
Policy 1.3: In addition to the 10-year and 100-year ponded flow primary capacity, the
conveyance system shall provide capacity in excess of the 100-year event in the
form of overland overflow routes or adequate surface storage volume. This
surface storage volume consists of storage in street low points, within ditches,
or in other transient ponding areas.
Policy 1.4: Proposed runoff from development and redevelopment projects shall meet or
decrease peak discharge rates for the 10-year and 100-year storm events.
Additionally, capacity of downstream drainage systems must be considered, and
shall not exceed existing capacities.
Policy 1.5: Detention basins shall be designed with capacity for the critical 100-year event.
At a minimum, detention basins should maintain or reduce existing flow rates for
the 2, 10, and 100-year 24-hour rainfalls.
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Policy 1.6: The maximum duration for rainfall critical event analysis shall be 24 hours except
in cases where basins are landlocked, where back to back 24-hour events and
the 10-day 7.2-inch snowmelt runoff event shall also be used. In all cases a
hydrograph method of analysis should be used. For the 24-hour rainfall event,
or back to back 24-hour rainfall events, an MSE 3 distribution should be used.
For shorter duration critical events other distributions may be used with the
approval of the City Engineer.
Policy 1.7: All drainage system analyses and designs shall be based on proposed full
development land use patterns.
Policy 1.8: The amount of impervious surface increase on projects shall be reduced to the
greatest extent possible for development and redevelopment projects in
accordance with Low Impact Development (LID) techniques. A narrative shall
be provided that addresses the consideration of LID techniques in development
and redevelopment impervious surface design.
Policy 1.9: Intercommunity water resources issues planning shall consider alternative
solutions:
a) All drainage studies or feasibility studies, whether by a watershed
organization or municipality, leading to projects in a subwatershed with an
intercommunity drainage issue shall consider the impact of the project on
the drainage issue and shall consider the total intercommunity project cost.
b) Except in emergencies, no solutions or partial solutions to intercommunity
drainage issues shall be implemented without prior completion of a
feasibility study of options and adoption of a preferred option by the
applicable watershed organization.
Policy 1.10: The following items shall be considered in the management of landlocked
basins:
a) The flood levels established for landlocked basins shall take into
consideration the effects of water level fluctuations on trees, vegetation,
erosion, and property values. Steeply sloped shorelines subject to slope
failure and shoreline damage should not be in contact with floodwaters for
extended periods of time.
b) The capacity of proposed outlets to formerly landlocked basins should not
be so small as to cause extended duration of High Water Levels (HWLs)
that would result in damage to upland vegetation.
c) Only the existing tributary area may discharge to a landlocked basin,
unless a provision has been made for an outlet from the basin or the right
to augmented storage within the basin has been secured through
purchase or easement, except in cases where adverse impacts to
vegetation would occur. The form of outlet may range from temporary
pumps to gravity storm sewers. The outlet shall be implemented before
increased water levels are likely to affect vegetation, slope stability, or
property values.
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d) Critical event analysis of landlocked basins shall include the 10-day, 7.2-
inch runoff event and back to back 24-hour, 100-year events.
Policy 1.11: When development occurs adjacent to a landlocked basin and the basin is not
provided an outlet, freeboard should be determined based on one of three
methods (whichever provides for the highest freeboard elevation):
1. Three feet above the HWL determined by modeling back to back 100-
year, 24-hour events,
2. Three feet above the highest known water level, or
3. Five feet above the HWL determined by modeling a single 100- year,
24-hour event.
Policy 1.12: For basins with a suitable outlet, freeboard will be 2-feet above the HWL
determined by modeling the 100-year critical event. Emergency overflows a
minimum of 1.5 feet below lowest ground elevation adjacent to a structure should
also be provided.
Policy 1.13: Adjacent to channels, creeks, and ravines freeboard will also be 2 feet to the 100-
year critical event elevation.
Policy 1.14: Work cooperatively with the Department of Natural Resources and watershed
organizations on cooperative and collaborative projects in the public lands below
the river bluffs.
Policy 1.15: New storm sewers and open channels shall be designed using a technical
method approved by the MPCA Stormwater Manual such as the Rational
Method or HydroCAD. Runoff Coefficient “C” shall be in accordance with the
guidelines provided in the MnDOT’s Drainage Manual.
Policy 1.16: A hydrograph method based on sound hydrologic theory shall be used to
analyze runoff rates and high water levels for proposed development and
redevelopment projects.
Policy 1.17: Water quality treatment ponds (wet ponds) shall be designed in accordance
with National Urban Runoff Program (NURP) standards.
Policy 1.18: Drainage and utility easements shall be dedicated over newly constructed
stormwater management features (volume, rate control, and water quality
treatment infrastructure) including but not limited to ponds, infiltration basis,
rain gardens, underground storage and treatment devices, and tree trenches.
Additionally, drainage and utility easements shall be dedicated for redeveloped
stormwater management features and existing stormwater management
features on redevelopment sites.
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Water Quality Goal 2: Work with LMRWMO, LMRWD, and neighboring communities to maintain
and/or enhance the water quality of Mendota Heights’ lakes, wetlands,
streams, and other water resources.
Policy 2.1: Given that the soils underlying the City have higher than typical infiltration
capacity, infiltration is the preferred means of protecting water quality. Mendota
Heights requires that stormwater infiltration facilities include sufficient water
quality pretreatment (to NPDES and watershed standards) to preserve the
function of these facilities. Wellhead protection areas must also be reviewed
when considering infiltration.
Policy 2.2: Apply the MPCA’s Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS) to new
developments within the City.
a) All new developments that create new impervious surfaces shall
endeavor to retain 1.1 inches of runoff from the net increase of
impervious area. The City of Mendota Heights recommends consideration
of the Flexible Treatment Options Approach through MIDS. However, the
City does not adopt MIDS. As an MS4, the City of Mendota Heights is
required to achieve no net increase in loadings for TSS, TP, and water
volume as a result of development and redevelopment activities. The City
does not believe it can uniformly expect these results on individual
developments and would rather manage this responsibility across the
entirety of the MS4 and not on an individual development basis. This is
why practical implementation and not adoption of MIDS is preferred.
b) If a development or redevelopment site exceeds 1 acre of disturbance
and is not able to retain 1.1 inches of runoff, they shall be required to
meet a 50% phosphorus reduction based on existing conditions.
Policy 2.3: Utilize, where feasible and possible, regional stormwater detention facilities to
enhance water quality by removing sediment and nutrients from runoff.
Policy 2.4: Support water quality monitoring efforts being undertaken by the LMRWMO
and LMRWD.
Policy 2.5. Wherever practical, new water quality ponds will be designed and constructed
to provide a water quality treatment volume equivalent to the runoff from a 2.5-
inch rainfall event, or the requirements of the NPDES construction site permit,
whichever leads to higher treatment capacity. In some cases, other BMPs will
be used in conjunction with water quality ponds. In such cases performance of
the water quality system shall be no less than the performance of a single pond
designed under the 2.5-inch criterion.
Policy 2.6: Newly constructed ponds shall include an outlet design allowing for extended
detention of the 1- to 5-year rainfall event. The hydrograph duration for pond
discharge should extend a minimum of 24 hours for events within the 1- to 5-
year range.
Policy 2.7: Outlet skimming will be required in all ponds. Skimming shall occur for up to the
5-year, 24-hour event.
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Policy 2.8: Utilize the MPCA’s Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Chloride Management Plan to
reduce chloride pollution by effectively managing salt use.
Recreation, Fish and Wildlife Goal 3: Protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitats, water recreational facilities, and water resource aesthetics
Policy 3.1: The neighborhood and regional benefits to wildlife habitat and aesthetics should
be considered in any proposal to alter or eliminate wetlands, understanding that
wetland elimination without mitigation is precluded by state law and
understanding that even mitigated wetland impacts must meet strict
sequencing guidelines.
Policy 3.2: The City will review inlets and outlets for aesthetics.
Policy 3.3: Mendota Heights shall seek to coordinate with the Minnesota Department of
Natural Resources regarding development of DNR public waters and public
water wetlands. Notwithstanding ordinance provisions, both existing and
future, that control development of shoreland areas, the City will seek
Minnesota DNR comments on development proposals adjacent to DNR public
waters and public water wetlands. As part of its implementation plan the City
will adopt a shoreland protection ordinance.
Policy 3.4: Water resources shall be maintained in such a manner as to preserve or restore
their intrinsic aesthetic qualities and wildlife habitat.
Enhancement of Public Participation, Information and Education
Goal 4: Inform and educate the public concerning urban stormwater management and
the problems pollutants cause if allowed to enter into water resources.
Policy 4.1. Enact a public education program based on the following objectives to reduce
stormwater pollution:
• Raise awareness of the problem and solutions
• Promote community ownership of the all surface water features
• Recognize responsible parties and actions to date
• Merge public feedback into program execution
Policy 4.2. Enact a public education program to satisfy the minimum control measures
identified in the City’s NPDES permit.
Policy 4.3. Coordinate education efforts with the watershed organizations so that
redundant efforts are avoided.
Policy 4.4. Report progress of meeting SWMP goals to LMRWMO and LMRWD annually.
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Groundwater Goal 5: Maintain and improve groundwater quality and promote groundwater recharge.
Policy 5.1: To the extent that Wellhead Protection Plans identify areas of groundwater
recharge that require protection, the City shall work with the Minnesota
Department of Health (MDH) and neighboring communities in developing
adequate protection measures.
Policy 5.2: Surface water management improvements in likely recharge areas and areas of
high vulnerability to chemical or petroleum spills shall be designed to assist
groundwater protection. Practically, this means infiltration shall not be
considered in developments that include the potential for these types of spills.
Note: The City of Mendota Heights obtains its potable water from the St. Paul
Water Utility. The neighboring communities of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights
have separate municipal water systems, but neither community has identified
a 10-year well capture zone that overlaps into Mendota Heights. Inver Grove
Heights has yet to prepare a Wellhead Protection Plan so it remains to be
seen whether Mendota Heights will be affected by a 10-year capture zone for
Inver Grove Heights’ wells. Since Mendota Heights is not an active participant
in the MDH Wellhead Protection Program, the City will have to rely on MDH
and neighboring communities to identify 10-year capture areas. To the extent
that future analyses identify these areas within Mendota Heights, the City will
then use its subdivision authority to properly regulate these areas.
Wetlands Goal 6: Protect and preserve wetlands through administration of the Wetland Conservation Act.
Policy 6.1: Act as the local government unit responsible for enforcing the Wetland
Conservation Act of 1991.
Policy 6.2: Discourage wetland disturbance. Wetlands must not be drained or filled, wholly
or partially, unless replaced by restoring or creating wetland areas of equal public
value, as permitted by the Wetland Conservation Act.
Policy 6.3: Up to one-half acre of “debit” wetland (filled or drained) will be allowed to be
replaced through wetland “credit” in a bank which is located outside of Mendota
Heights’ city limits, but State and County governments are exempt from this
policy (M.S. 103G.222 (e)).
Policy 6.4: Restrict clearing and grading within close proximity of the wetland boundary to
provide for a protective buffer strip of natural vegetation to promote infiltration of
sediment and nutrients. In the event that grading occurs close to the wetland
boundary native plant materials shall be reestablished as a buffer strip.
Policy 6.5: Require that a wetland assessment be prepared for any project that includes a
wetland. Minnesota Routine Assessment Methodology for evaluating wetland
function (current version 3.0 but as updated in the future) is the required
method of assessment.
page 15
Policy 6.6. Runoff shall not be discharged directly into wetlands without pretreatment of
the runoff.
Policy 6.7. Require an average 15-foot buffer of natural vegetation above the 100-year
HWL or NWL around lakes, streams and wetlands.
Erosion and Sediment Control Goal 7: Prevent, to the extent possible, sediment from construction sites from entering the City’s surface water resources and to control the erosion from drainage ways within the City.
Policy 7.1 The City’s Stormwater Management, Illicit Discharge, Soil Erosion and
Sedimentation Ordinance includes temporary and permanent erosion and
sediment control standards that meets or exceeds standards contained in the
NPDES construction site permit and watershed organization plans.
Floodplains
Goal 8: Control development in floodplains and floodways including those
subject to FEMA studies (Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers) and those
that are not regulated by FEMA studies like ponds, wetlands, lakes, and
channels within the City limits.
Mendota Heights NPDES Permit
Goal 9: Operate and manage the City’s surface water system consistent with
best current practices and the City’s NPDES Permit.
Policy 9.1. Projects to correct existing deficiencies, to the extent they are identified, will be
prioritized as follows:
Projects intended to reduce or eliminate flooding of structures in known
problem areas.
Projects intended to improve water quality in the City’s lakes.
Projects intended to retrofit water quality treatment into developed areas.
Projects intended to reduce maintenance costs.
Projects intended to restore wetlands and habitat.
Policy 9.2. The City will actively inspect and properly operate, maintain, and repair its
stormwater system. The City will follow a regular inspection, cleaning, and
repair schedule. Frequency of maintenance will be event-based and informed
by experience and inspection history. The City’s SWPPP outlines the frequency
of these activities.
Section 5 of this Plan provides some guidelines on pond maintenance and
inspection cycles, but the SWPPP will remain the definitive source on the City’s
intended maintenance and inspection schedules
page 16
Policy 9.3. The City will follow best management practices on its own lands and for its own
projects including street reconstruction projects in accordance with the NPDES
construction site permit and the City’s NPDES MS4 Permit.
Financial Management
Goal 10: Ensure that the costs of the surface water system are equitably
distributed.
Policy 10.1. The City will periodically update its stormwater utility rate structure to
accomplish the following:
Meet the requirements of its NPDES permit.
Provide for the maintenance of ponds and outfall structures.
Conduct repairs to the system.
Update its system planning efforts.
Implement rainwater gardens or other water quality retrofits.
Policy 10.2. Use other funding sources including land sale proceeds, partner with
watershed organizations, State Aid funds, grants, among other things to pay for
the implementation activities, when available and appropriate.
Individual Sewage Treatment System (ISTS)
Goal 11: Ensure that ISTS that remain in the City do not constitute an
environmental hazard.
Policy 11.1 Where ISTS are known to be failing and pose an imminent environmental
hazard, the City will take the necessary steps to see that these systems are
repaired or eliminated.
page 17
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Topography
City of Mendota Heights
µ0 3,000 6,000 Feet
50' Contour Lines
Elevation up to 700'
Elevation 700' - 750'
Elevation 750' - 800'
Elevation 800' - 850'
Elevation 850' - 900'
Elevation 900' - 950'
Elevation 950' - 1,000'
Elevation above 1,000'
City Boundary
Land Parcel Line
Open Water
December 8, 2016
Source: City of Mendota Heights,
Dakota County, 2016
page 18
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WENTWORTH AVE WWACHTLERAVE
WAGON WHEEL TRL
MENDOTA RDHUNTERLNORCHARDPLVICTORIA RD S
IVY FALLS AVE
LOWER MISSISSIPPI WATERSHED
GUN CLUB LAKE WATERSHED
LOWER MINNESOTA
WATERSHED
Hydrography
City of Mendota Heights
µ0 3,000 6,000 Feet
City Boundary
Watershed Boundary
Open Water
Wetland
100-Year Floodplain
500-Year Floodplain
December 8, 2016
Source: FEMA, City of Mendota Heights,
Dakota County, 2016
page 19
page 20
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WENTWORTH AVE WWACHTLERAVE
WAGON WHEEL TRL
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Significant Vegetation
City of Mendota Heights
µ0 3,000 6,000 Feet
City Boundary
Open Water
Wetland
Altered/Non-Native Deciduous Forest
Altered/Non-Native Deciduous Woodland
Altered/Non-Native Mixed Woodland
Aspen Forest
Floodplain Forest
Lowland Hardwood Forest
Maple-Basswood Forest
Oak Forest
White Pine-Hardwood Forest
Mesic Prairie
December 8, 2016
Source: Dakota County MLCCS, 2013
page 21
MENDOTA HEIGHTS RESIDENTS’ LETTER:
Suggested supplemental content for Section Five: Parks and Open Space Plan, or a separate Natural
Resources section. Much of the below content has been pulled from the 2040 Dakota County
Comprehensive Plan..
GOALS
Natural Resources and Open Spaces
Goal: Preserve vital functions of natural systems by strategically and collaboratively improving the city's
green infrastructure.
1. Protect, connect, and manage natural areas, wetlands, stream corridors, open space, parks and
greenways.
2. Identify and map opportunities to enhance the city's green infrastructure.
Goal: Conserve, protect, and steward natural resources in Mendota Heights, including air quality, water,
soil, vegetation, and wildlife.
1. Provide a timely, effective regulatory and management framework that responds to public
interest in protecting the environment and natural resources.
2. Provide education on natural resources management and conservation.
3. Advocate for effective and equitable natural resource management.
4. Collaborate to protect resource lands that enhance natural systems functions.
5. A void impacts to significant natural areas.
6. Incorporate ecosystem protection and restoration into City facility, park, greenway, and road
design and maintenance.
7. Review natural resource data when evaluating development and other use proposals for high
priority natural areas, and set preservation goals to protect high-quality habitat.
8. Encourage natural infiltration of stormwater, protection of natural areas, and stewardship of open
space.
9. . Engage the public in planning processes and programs for managing and restoring natural areas.
10. Engage residents and stakeholders in developing new regulations or controls to protect natural
areas.
11. Monitor water resource quality and quantity to evaluate the impact of human activities.
12. . Support the protection of unique water resources.
13. Participate cooperatively with watershed management authorities, as appropriate.
14. Complete best practices wetland protection and management plans, assessments, and updates,
and evaluate the incorporation of these documents into ordinance.
15. Complete best practices protection and management plans, assessments, and updates for lakes,
streams, and natural ponds within the city.
Goal: Provide resources to robustly support the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program.
Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4s) in Minnesota are regulated by the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which authorizes stormwater discharge through a permit updated
every five years. The permit requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP), which
outlines actions and becomes an enforceable part of the permit.] SWPP's must have activities in six
Minimum Control Measures (MCMs):
page 22
1. Public Education and Outreach: to residents and schools through partners, including Dakota
County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).
2. Public Participation/Involvement: Engage citizens in an annual public meeting on the City MS4
program. Widely publicize the annual meeting to encourage public participation and
involvement.
3. Illicit Discharge Detection and elimination: Ensure that illicit discharges are not entering storm
sewers and reaching surface waters.
4. Construction Site Stormwater Runoff Control: Use measures to control site runoff.
5. Post Construction Stormwater Management: Ensure long-term stormwater management
requirements are met.
6. Pollution Prevention: Manage best practices for street sweeping, road salt application, and
maintenance, and teach maintenance professionals about stormwater pollution and minimizing
stormwater impacts.
page 23
DAKOTA COUNTY
Goal 5.3: Preserve vital functions of natural systems by strategically and collaboratively improving
Dakota County’s green infrastructure.
Objectives:
1. Protect, connect, and manage natural areas, wetlands, stream corridors, open space, agricultural
working lands, parks, and greenways.
2. Identify and map opportunities to enhance Dakota County’s green infrastructure.
3. Lead and manage multi-agency collaborative approaches for green infrastructure protection and
restoration priorities.
4. Update the County’s Farmland and Natural Areas Protection Plan to a contemporary Land
Conservation Plan.
Goal 5.4: Conserve and protect natural resources in Dakota County, including air quality, water, soil,
productive farmland, minerals (bedrock, sand, and gravel aggregates), vegetation, and wildlife.
Objectives:
1. Provide a timely, effective regulatory and management framework that responds to public
interest in protecting the environment and natural resources.
2. Provide education on natural resource management and conservation.
3. Advocate for effective and equitable natural resource management.
4. Define appropriate roles for the County in the area of mineral resources.
Land Resources Policies
LR 1 Collaborate to protect and connect resource lands that enhance natural systems functions.
LR 2. Avoid impacts to significant natural areas; when unavoidable, mitigate loss at equal value.
LR 3. Avoid fragmenting natural areas and corridors; when unavoidable, mitigate loss at equal or
greater value within Dakota County.
LR 4. Discourage use of high value wetlands for stormwater management when alternatives exist.
LR 5 Incorporate ecosystem protection and restoration into County facility, park, greenway, and
highway design and maintenance.
LR 6. Review natural resource data when evaluating development and other use proposals for high
priority natural areas and set preservation goals to protect high-quality habitat.
LR 7. Encourage natural infiltration of stormwater, protection of natural areas, and provision of open
space.
LR 8. Engage the public in planning processes and programs for managing and restoring natural areas.
LR 9. Support agricultural preservation as a significant part of Dakota County’s heritage.
LR 10. Prefer sustainable agriculture, including local food production on County land leased for
farming.
LR 11. Use the Dakota County Land Conservation Program to promote sustainable agricultural
practices and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on protected private lands.
LR 12. Encourage long-term stewardship of natural areas protected under the Dakota County Land
Conservation Program through technical assistance and cost-sharing.
LR 13. Continue to use the County Land Conservation Program to protect private land.
LR 14. Promote environmentally and economically sustainable uses of County natural resources.
LR 15. Engage residents and stakeholders in developing new regulations and controls to protect
natural resources.
LR 16. Establish an advocacy role to encourage the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and
Minnesota Department of Health to address air quality issues and improve air quality.
page 24
GOALS AND POLICIES (CITY OF MAPLEWOOD)
1. Protect, connect, and buffer ecosystems— forests, savannas, prairies, lakes, streams, wetlands—
and other natural resources.
2. Restore and manage natural areas, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources for high ecological
quality and for diversity of plant and animal species.
2.1 Prioritize the management of high quality natural areas over “start-from-scratch” restorations.
2.2 Prioritize sites and projects each year to ensure highest quality sites do not lose their ecological
value and degraded sites are improved.
2.3 Monitor new developments in restoration and invasive plant management.
2.4 Monitor tree disease and pest outbreaks and implement control program for oak wilt and emerald
ash borer. Expand to include other diseases and pests as they occur.
2.5 Work with partners to monitor and control invasive species and noxious weeds.
2.6 Monitor deer population and address overpopulation as needed.
3. Restore the natural ecological functions involving water by better managing stormwater runoff.
3.1 Sweep streets on annual schedule. Currently the city sweeps most streets two times per year;
streets in sensitive areas are swept more often.
3.2 Continue to investigate alternative road de-icing options that reduce impacts to soil and water.
4. Fund natural resource programs to achieve the vision and goals.
4.1 Seek partnerships and grants to help implement natural resource goals.
5. Incorporate the vision and goals for natural resources in the city’s comprehensive plan, ordinances,
policies, development standards, and zoning.
5.1 Encourage and promote use of conservation design.
5.2 Improve compliance and understanding of environmental regulations and requirements by
providing educational materials explaining issues.
6. Enhance public understanding of nature, natural systems, and environmental issues by providing
programs, information, and interpretive facilities.
6.1 Educate adults, families, schools, groups, and staff.
6.2 Use diverse methods of education and outreach including programs, field trips, brochures,
exhibits, signage, articles, website, video, service learning, etc.
6.3 Provide opportunities to learn through volunteer service, including citizen science monitoring.
7. Promote a culture of stewardship on public and private land through access to natural areas and
education and volunteer opportunities in natural areas restoration and management.
7.1 Provide stewardship training to residents.
7.2 Provide programs to support residents in their stewardship efforts, such as city’s curb-side
buckthorn pick-up and tree cost-share rebate programs.
page 25
CITY of EAGAN
Natural Resources
Landscapes, surface waters, vegetation, and wildlife greatly influence and impact the character and
development patterns of a community. This basic inventory provides an overview of Eagan’s significant
natural resources. Understanding these resources and ecosystems provides a basis to ensure their proper
preservation, management, and enhancement.
Goals and Policies Goals
1. To provide adequate protection, preservation and enhancement of natural resources such as scenic
views, woodlands, prairies, lakes, wetlands, groundwater recharge areas, and wildlife habitats.
2. To protect and properly manage large public open spaces and to preserve significant elements of
the “pre-development” natural environment and wildlife habitats by minimizing fragmentation of
previously uninterrupted expanses of natural landscapes.
3. To work with Dakota County and other agencies to maintain and acquire, where feasible, natural
greenway corridors to foster ecosystem continuity.
4. To protect and preserve rare or endangered flora and fauna, where feasible, to foster biological
diversity.
5. To control runoff and erosion to prevent negative impacts to surface water quality, plant
communities, and natural habitats.
6. To provide high quality opportunities for residents and visitors to experience and learn about the
natural environment.
7. To expand knowledge and understanding of natural resources and ecosystems in order to protect
them from detrimental impacts.
8. To create and support initiatives that encourage residents and neighborhood groups to take specific
actions, to become involved, and to join together to preserve, enhance, and manage natural
resources.
Policies Resource Protection and Management
1. The City will encourage private property owners to protect and maintain natural resources on their
property, emphasizing an educational approach where possible and effective.
2. The City will strive to maintain existing natural greenway corridors connecting parks and open
space.
3. The City will continue to identify and acquire, when feasible, significant habitat areas and areas of
unique plant and animal species to ensure their preservation for posterity.
4. The City will support efforts of the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, Dakota County,
the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect
and preserve endangered and threatened species and their natural habitats.
5. The City will continue to initiate inventories and analyses of its natural resources.
6. The City will continue to monitor the condition of priority water and forest resources at a frequency
and intensity sufficient to assess trends in their conditions over the long term.
7. The City will develop and implement management practices as needed for priority resources to
meet or surpass the quality and/ or quantity objectives identified by the City.
8. The City is committed to initiating and working with other organizational units to develop and test
new techniques that will improve the effectiveness of natural resource management efforts.
page 26
9. The City will continue to review development proposals for conformance with adopted ordinances
regarding tree preservation, water quality, wetland protection and mitigation, and shoreland
protection.
10. The City will work with developers to provide permanent open space areas in development plans.
11. On public parklands, the City will utilize site planning, construction, and maintenance techniques
to minimize negative impacts on the resource base.
12. The City will utilize or specify native plant materials in projects on City property to the extent
possible.
Lakes and Wetlands
13. The City will protect lakes and wetlands from impacts of land development and re-development
activities, to the extent technically and financially feasible, through control of stormwater runoff
pollutants from watersheds.
14. The City will require new development and redevelopment activity creating 10,000 or more square
feet of new or fully-reconstructed impervious surface to retain 1.1 inches of runoff and maintain
predevelopment peak runoff rates for specific event frequencies.
15. The City will manage lakes and wetlands using scientifically based, common sense approaches that
meet or exceed regional, state, and federal regulatory requirements.
16. The City will manage lakes to achieve clear water conditions with abundant and diverse native-
dominated plant communities and according to individual lake management plans.
17. The City will manage fisheries populations in lakes using the best available science, data, and
expert advice, considering available resources and expected fishing pressure.
18. The City will manage wetlands in compliance with all state and local regulations and according to
the community’s values and priorities.
Tree Preservation
19. The City will continue to take a pro-active approach in efforts to identify and treat diseased trees
in a timely manner through implementation of the City's Shade Tree Disease program.
20. The City will provide assistance to private property owners and other governmental agencies to
facilitate diseased tree control efforts.
21. The City will work with private property owners and developers to encourage preservation of
significant vegetation and reforestation.
24. The City will conduct ongoing public awareness and education programs to enhance knowledge
of the City's natural resources and environment.
page 27
DATE:May 16, 2018
TO:Mayor, City Council, Parks & Recreation Commission and City Administrator
FROM:Ryan Ruzek, P.E., Public Works Director
SUBJECT:Emerald Ash Borer Response
COMMENT:
INTRODUCTION
At the joint meeting, the City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission will be asked to
discuss the City’s plans for responding to the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) insect.
BACKGROUND
In the spring of 2015, the EAB was discovered in Mendota Heights. Dakota County had already
been on the quarantine list from the Department of Agriculture (DOA) since 2013 when the EAB
was discovered in Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan.
In response to the discovery of the EAB, City staff has developed the attached draft Ash Tree
Management Policy. The policy maintains past practices with respect to both boulevard trees
and park trees. Boulevard ash trees are to be removed as needed, based on health and condition,
and are not to be replaced. Park ash trees are to be evaluated on a tree-by-tree. The policy also
states that the City will not regulate or manage ash trees on private property, and that these ash
trees shall remain the responsibility of property owner.
Lastly, the draft policy states that in areas where the City determines replacing a removed ash
tree is warranted, that the species of trees planted in any given area have varying speciation.
DISCUSSION
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducted a city-wide tree survey in 2010.
The inventory includes trees that are within maintained (mowed) areas of the city. The results
are attached. Currently, there are approximately 8,600 ash trees in Mendota Heights, which is
the 4th highest concentration of tree species in the City (8.8 percent). The Mendota Heights tree
survey lists 682 Ash trees in maintained public right-of-way and parks. The Minnesota
Department of Agriculture (MDA) maintains a confirmed sighting map; the current map shows
infestations along Wachtler Ave and in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Mendota. There are more intense
infestations just across the river.
Education/Assistance
Mendota Heights could consider offering several options to residents regarding ash tree
management. The options to consider would include:
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page 28
x Offering residents a discount tree treatment program,
x Having an annual City-sponsored tree sale,
x Providing additional information to residents regarding management options for private
trees.
Possible Grant
The DNR has a grant program to assist cities in managing its EAB program. Eligible activities
of the grant program include:
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The grant has a maximum award amount of $30,000. The City could make application for the
grant, but having a Natural Resources Technician would be important to help with the
implementation of the grant-funded activities
GreenStep Cities
The City could also consider utilizing a Green Corps member to assist/manage a tree planting or
gravel bed project.
Ryan Ruzek
Public Works Director
page 29
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
ASH TREE MANGEMENT POLICY
October 10, 2017
I. INTRODUCTION
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a non-native insect that was int roduced to North
America from Asia. It was discovered in the Detroit, Michigan / Windsor, Ontario area in
2002 and probably arrived in wood packing materials on cargo ships or airplanes. Despite
eradication and suppression efforts, EAB has killed over 20 million Ash trees in
Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland and Ontario. EAB is a beetle that is smaller
than a dime. The adult does very little damage. However, this is not the case with the
larvae (immature stage) that feed on the inner bark of Ash trees. This feeding disrupts the
tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. Larval feeding takes place over a period of
years and eventually kills the infested tree.
All species of Ash are susceptible. Because EAB is hard to detect, it can be present for
years before an infestation is confirmed. There are currently no known natural control
measures for EAB. This means that it has the potential of killing all of Ash trees
throughout the United States and Canada. EAB was first discovered in Minnesota on
May 13, 2009 (est. infestation of 2005) in the City of Saint Paul and has since spread
throughout Ramsey, Hennepin, and Dakota Counties. Mendota Heights has over 700
Ash trees throughout boulevards and the park system. There is also a large amount of Ash
trees found on private property.
Removing and replanting Ash trees will be a tremendous physical and financial challenge
for the City and private property owners. Utilizing a simple formula for removals,
stumping and replanting, a cost estimate can be determined. For example, consider an
average removal cost of $250, (disposal, stump removal, and restoration) and an average
replanting cost of $200. At these rates, the economic impact of losing the 700 boulevard
and park trees would be about $315,000.
The most critical period for movement of confirmed EAB Ash trees is the months of May
- July. This is the period where adult beetles emerge from trees, begin feeding on foliage,
move to even more trees, and lay their eggs. During this period, it is best to leave these
trees standing and not chance the possible spread of EAB by transporting beetle infested
wood to other areas. After this period, from about August 1st to April 30th each year,
EAB trees can be removed and transported so long as they are promptly chipped to the
required dimensions, less than 1”x1”x1” in any one dimension, effectively killing any
EAB larvae.
page 30
II. OBJECTIVE
The City will take a proactive approach to mitigate the spread of Emerald Ash Borer and
spread the physical and fiscal costs associated with the outbreak of Emerald Ash Borer
over an extended timeframe. The loss of ash trees in Mendota Heights will have a
devastating effect on home values, quality of life and the environment. The City’s goal is
to buffer that impact by implementing current best management activities.
The goal of the EAB Management Plan should be to replant a new tree for every ash tree
lost. However, if EAB spreads rapidly and funding does not keep pace, the concern is
replanting could fall far behind the number of trees removed. All the more important that
both residents and officials understand the many benefits that trees provide and the
financial as well as environmental impact that will occur if we do not maintain adequate
reforestation as part of the program.
III. ASH TREE INVENTORY ESTABLISHED
In August of 2015, The City completed an inventory of ash trees on property which is
owned by the City. These include ash trees in developed street Right-of-Way as well as
ash trees located within City owned park property. The inventory found more than 600
ash trees on City Rights-of-Way, and an additional approximately 70 ash trees in the
City’s parks.
IV. ASH TREES IN DEVELOPED CITY RIGHT-OF-WAY (BOULEVARD TREES)
To be consistent with past practices for tree removal within developed right-of-way
(boulevard trees), the City will remove ash trees within the boulevards as they show signs
of decline or die for any reason (whether EAB-related or not). These trees will not be
replaced by the City. If adjoining property owners wish to replace the removed tree, they
are free to do so by planting a replacement tree on the private side of the right-of-way
line. The City will permit residents to chemically treat an ash tree in the public right-of-
way under the conditions of hiring a licensed tree service that is bonded and insured, and
that is a State of Minnesota Licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator using state
approved trunk injection pesticides only. By using trunk inject ions hopefully this reduces
pesticide exposure to others and the environment overall. (Note: Chemical treatment
would not preclude future removal of said Ash tree if deemed necessary).
The City will begin to remove up to 10% of Ash trees each year beginning with poor and
fair quality trees, hiring a contractor for larger trees. The removal shall include the
complete removal of the tree, stump and ground restoration. All costs will be borne by
the City of Mendota Heights.
V. ASH TREES ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY (INCLUDING PARKS)
Ash trees located on City owned property (including established parks) will be managed
similarly to boulevard trees, except that ash trees located wit hin the City parks will be
evaluated for replacement on a tree-by-tree basis. Those trees deemed valuable to the
page 31
park will be replaced with a non-ash species of tree in accordance with Section VI, as
funding permits.
Ash trees in wooded areas will be left alone – unless by a bike path or structure and may
cause harm if it falls. If it is an early EAB infestation we will be removing infested trees
as needed to slow the spread to the community.
The City should consider pesticide use for EAB on public trees to reduce beetle
populations in known infested areas, rather than for the purpose of preserving Ash trees
for the long-term. The City would select trees for treatment that meet certain criteria as
candidates that would be kept in the landscape for the long ter m. For a chosen tree’s
survivability, treatments must be repeated at regular intervals (every 2-3 years) for the
life time of the tree, creating an ongoing, ever-increasing expense to the City, both in
number of trees treated and the cumulative amount of pesticide needed per tree.
One advantage of the treatment program is that in treating select Ash trees, the City will
continue to derive the many environmental and social benefits of large canopy shade
trees while reforestation efforts take hold. Although concerns exist over use of pesticides,
arguably, an equal environmental impact exists for the potential benefits lost that are
provided by large canopy shade trees.
If a treatment program is chosen, staff recommends use of the insecticide, TREE-
äge®/active ingredient emamectin benzoate, administered through trunk injection (versus
soil drenches or other methods). Injecting the chemical directly into the tree is meant to
reduce exposure of pesticide to other non-targets. Further, the chemical emamectin
benzoate is not a neonicotinoid-based chemical which has come under increased scrutiny
for the possible decline in bees. All treated trees would have an aluminum tag attached to
them with the most recent year of treatment, e.g., “EAB 2017”.
VI. SPECIATION DIVERSITY
To prevent, or minimize the potential for future spread of disease or parasites among tree
species, the City will strive to the maximum extent practicable not to plant trees of the
same species within the same City-owned property (including parks). By varying the
speciation of trees, it becomes less likely that a parasitic-borne disease will migrate from
tree to tree and impact all the tree coverage on a given piece of property. The Cityshould
strive for a tree diversity of no more than 10-12% of any given species on public land and
ROW.
VII. ASH TREES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
No reliable inventory exists for ash trees on private property within the City, and
densities vary by neighborhood. The City will not require any actions of residents for the
management of privately owned ash trees beyond what is already adopted in City Code,
residents are urged to monitor for EAB. Management of privately-owned ash trees shall
be considered the same as any other privately owned landscape management. The City
will not inspect, treat or dispose of any trees found on privat e property but will provide
page 32
contacts and information about ash tree management and the EAB from the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture to residents upon request. The City may consider a future tree
sale program offering a variation of diversity to assist residents in purchasing
replacement trees.
VIII. POLICY INFORMATION
Information regarding the City’s Ash Tree Management Policy will be included on the
City’s website. An annual article will be placed in the City’s newsletter, the Heights
Highlights. Contact information for the City will be provided.
page 33
Picea (Spruce), 39.6%Acer (Maple), 15.1%Populus (Poplar), 9.9%Fraxinus (Ash), 8.8%Malus (Apple), 5.7%Pinus (Pine), 4.9%Quercus (Oak), 2.5%Ulmus (Elm), 2.5%Prunus (Plum), 1.9%Gleditsia (Honeylocust), 1.7%DNR 2010 COMMUNITY TREE SURVEY Top Ten Tree Genera for City of Mendota Heights, Dakota County See numeric tables for complete survey resultspage 34
**Onlymaintainedareasaresurveyed.Maintainedareasareperiodicallymowedorfallwithinanartificialsurface,(e.g.parkinglot).DNR2010CommunityTreeSurveyfortheExpr1:CityofMendotaHeights,DakotaCountyTable1.Diversityoftreegenera,sizeclassdistribution,andhealthytreepopulationandpercents.Table2.Treeconditionbysizeclass.Thenumbersabove(bothtables)donotincludeshrubͲliketrees(e.g.Arbovitae)ornonͲmaintainedareassuchasvacantareas.Size Classes ++GeneraPopulation Genera % Small Medium Large SuperDead trees are included in population numbers & all percents.Picea (Spruce)39.7% 8.7% 72.7% 17.7% 0.8% 38,800Acer (Maple)15.0% 16.8% 34.5% 28.3% 20.4% 14,700Populus (Poplar)10.0% 3.3% 34.4% 42.4% 19.9% 9,800Fraxinus (Ash)8.8% 3.0% 19.5% 49.6% 27.8% 8,600Malus (Apple)5.7% 46.5% 50.0% 3.5% 0.0% 5,600Pinus (Pine)4.9% 6.8% 41.9% 48.6% 2.7% 4,800Quercus (Oak)2.5% 42.1% 55.3% 2.6% 0.0% 2,500Ulmus (Elm)2.5% 37.8% 35.1% 16.2% 10.8% 2,400Prunus (Plum)1.9% 17.9% 57.1% 17.9% 7.1% 1,800Gleditsia (Honeylocust)1.7% 0.0% 50.0% 38.5% 11.5% 1,700Betula (Birch)1.3% 31.6% 42.1% 26.3% 0.0% 1,200Tilia (Basswood)1.3% 15.0% 45.0% 40.0% 0.0% 1,300Boxelder0.9% 23.1% 53.8% 15.4% 7.7%800Abies (Fir)0.8% 41.7% 50.0% 8.3% 0.0%800Japanese Lilac0.7% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%600Thuja (White Cedar)0.7% 45.5% 54.5% 0.0% 0.0%700Juglans (Black Walnut)0.5% 28.6% 42.9% 28.6% 0.0%500Sorbus (Mountain Ash)0.5% 28.6% 71.4% 0.0% 0.0%500Morus (Mulberry)0.3% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%300Salix (Willow)0.2% 0.0% 0.0% 100.0% 0.0%200Aesculus (Buckeye)0.1% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%<100Celtis (Hackberry)0.1% 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0%<100Exotic/Other0.1% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%<100Ginkgo0.1% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%<100Juniperus (Red Cedar)0.1% 0.0% 100.0% 0.0% 0.0%<100All ClassesPopulation Genera % HealthyOnly live trees are included in numbers & percents.39.6%99.7%38,50015.1%98.2%14,7009.9%96.6%9,6008.8%97.0%8,6005.7%98.8%5,6004.9%100.0%4,8002.5%97.4%2,5002.5%97.3%2,4001.9%100.0%1,8001.7%96.2%1,7001.3%94.7%1,2001.3%100.0%1,3000.9%100.0%8000.8%91.7%8000.7%100.0%6000.7%81.8%7000.5%71.4%5000.5%100.0%5000.3%100.0%3000.2%100.0%2000.1%100.0%<1000.1%100.0%<1000.1%100.0%<1000.1%100.0%<1000.1%100.0%<100Size Classes ++ Population Size Class % Healthy Dieback Discolor BothDeadSmall (1" - 4.9")14,40014.7% 99.5% 0.5% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%Medium (5" - 11.9") 50,20051.3% 97.7% 1.3% 0.1% 0.0% 0.9%Large (12" - 20.9")24,80025.3% 97.9% 2.1% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%Super (21" +)8,4008.6% 95.4% 3.8% 0.0% 0.0% 0.8%**Areawithincitylimitsis6,487acres.TheBusiness&Residentialareais3,926acres,ofwhich82.9%(3,254acres)isconsideredMaintainedwhile17.1%(671acres)isconsideredNonͲMaintained.page 35
Managing Ash for Emerald Ash Borer in Community Forests
Request for Proposals
Summary
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources welcomes proposals that reduce the impacts of emerald
ash borer (EAB) on community forests.
Funds are intended to aid in the management or protection of ash, or reduce the loss of tree canopy caused
by EAB.
Eligible activities include:
x Tree inventory.
x Development of management plans that include an EAB component.
x Removals and stump grinding.
x Protection of valuable ash with non-neonicotinoid injectable insecticide.
x Tree planting.
x Building of gravel beds.
x Community EAB education and engagement.
Eligibility
Any local unit of government within Minnesota is eligible including but not limited to tribal communities,
municipalities, and county agencies.
Minimum Requirements
• Proposals must address reducing the impact EAB will have on ash in your community.
• Proposals must show ability to implement project within 2 years.
• Community must have adopted or will adopt an EAB management plan through this grant
process.
• Grantees must provide photo documentation of the project’s progress at appropriate phases, and
illustrations, diagrams, charts, graphs, and maps to show results.
• Projects must publicly post grant project information and purpose.
• Grantees will be required to comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations related to the
completion of projects as stated in the letter of award.
Additional criteria
• Tree planting proposals must follow standards set in the Pocket Guide to Planting Trees.
• Tree planting proposals must identify tree species; site location; and number, size, and type of
planting stock.
o Species list must increase the diversity of the community’s tree canopy to work toward
the 20-10-5 guideline which means a community has no more than 20% of their trees
within a single family, no more than 10% of their trees within a single genus, and no
more than 5% of their trees within a single species. If your community does not have a
completed tree survey, contact the DNR at ucf.dnr@state.mn.us and we will email you
the results of your community’s 2010 tree survey.
o Species list and numbers can be amended following a tree inventory.
o Species list needs to be approved by DNR.
A h f E ld A h B i C i
page 36
• Tree planting proposals must include a 3-year maintenance plan.
• Any ash insecticide treatments must be within a Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA)
formally declared quarantined area or within 5 miles of an MDA verified EAB infestation.
Grant Limits
There is no minimum to the dollar amount applicants can request. The maximum amount that will be
funded is $30,000.
Eligible Costs
Eligible expenses are those incurred through project activities that are directly related and necessary to
produce the outcomes described in the project proposal.
Grant funds can be used for, but will not be limited to:
• Professional contracts for technical assistance or project implementation.
• Purchase of approved chemicals for non-neonicotinoid insecticide treatment.
• Equipment purchases less than $5,000 that are used to complete the project.
• Equipment rental.
• Purchase of trees for diversity.
• Site preparation and planting including mulch, watering bags, staking materials, and tree wrap or
guards.
• Materials used to educate, engage, and conduct outreach to citizens.
Grant funds cannot be used for, but will not be limited to:
• Local units of government employee time.
• Purchase of plants such as shrubs, living ground covers, sod, grass seed, and flowers.
• Purchase of land or easement.
• Experimental practices not approved by the DNR.
• Major soil and grade changes or construction.
• Pheromone trapping.
Questions about additional eligible or ineligible expenses can be directed to ucf.dnr@state.mn.us.
Evaluation Criteria for the Selection Process
Participating communities will be selected based on demonstrated need of assistance (both financial and
technical), local forestry needs, environmental priorities affecting public health of vulnerable populations,
readiness to take on a project of this proposed scope and size, ability to provide financial or in-kind
match, and potential impact of the project on reducing EAB populations and improving the community
forest.
Application Process
A pre-application process will be used to determine which projects can submit a final application for this
grant.
1. Complete and submit the Pre-Application form to ucf.dnr@state.mn.us by June 15, 2018.
a. Attach your EAB Management Plan if you have one (communities must have adopted or
will adopt an EAB management plan through this grant process).
2. The DNR will notify you by July 13, 2018 to submit a final application if your project passed the
pre-application process.
3. Complete and submit the Final Application form and additional attachments to
ucf.dnr@state.mn.us by August 24, 2018.
a. Include letters of support from community and, if applicable, any partnership
organizations and 3-year Tree Maintenance Plan if planting trees as part of grant project.
page 37
4. The DNR will notify you by September 14, 2018 whether or not your project is funded.
Reimbursement
All funds are awarded on a reimbursement basis. The Reimbursement Request Form and required reports
must be received by: June 1, 2019; December 1, 2020; and June 1, 2020. All eligible expenses need to be
documented and submitted to receive reimbursement.
Important Dates
Request for Proposals released: April 30, 2018
Pre-Application deadline: June 15, 2018
Pre-Application selection: All pre-applicants will be notified by July 13, 2018
Final Application deadline: August 24, 2018
Final selection of projects and award amounts will be determined by DNR Forestry staff and the
Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee.
Project selection: All applicants will be notified by September 14, 2018 whether or not project is funded
Project implementation: Project work and expenses that are eligible for reimbursement with grant funds
can NOT be started or incurred until the grant agreement is fully executed. Grant agreements are expected
to be executed by November 30, 2018 and work can begin afterwards. Interim reports and final reports
will be required for any grant funded projects.
Project completion: All project work is completed and request for final reimbursement by June 1, 2020.
Questions? Contact a Community Forestry Grants Team member at ucf.dnr@state.mn.us.
Program Funding
Funding for this project was provided by the USDA Forest Service.
“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited
from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W,
Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964
(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”
page 38
Managing Ash for Emerald Ash Borer in Community Forests
Pre-Application
Please refer to the Request for Proposal (RFP) when completing this application.
Organization:_____________________________________________
Type of Organization (municipal, township, county, etc):___________________________________________________
Project Coordinator: Title:________________________________________
Address: City, State, Zip:_______________________________
County:______________________________________________
Phone: office cell_________________________________________
Email:_______________________________________________
Grant amount requested: Non-federal cash match contributions (not required):_______________
Non-federal in-kind match contributions (not required):_____________
PProject Scope
Please check all boxes that apply to how you will use grant funds
Tree inventory, survey, or ash only inventory
Ash removalDQGRU VWXPSJULQGLQJ
Tree planting
EAB management plan
Ash QRQQHRQLFRWLQRLGLQMHFWDEOHinsecticide treatment
Outreach to citizens
Project Location FKDUDFWHUPD[LPXPLQFOXGLQJVSDFHV
Please describe the project location (City wide project, specific park, etc.). /LVWQXPEHU of known or estimated ash,
nearE\ ERGLHVRIZDWHU, other important environmental landmark, etc.?
Priority Landscape FKDUDFWHUPD[LPXPLQFOXGLQJVSDFHV
Based on the project location, describe the impact or potential impact to emerald ash borer. This should include project
distance to a known infestation. Please also describe any additional impacts this project will have, such as impact on
important bodies of water, vulnerable populations, etc.
SubmitSave
page 39
DATE: May 16 , 2018
TO: Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator
FROM: Ryan Ruzek, P.E., Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Discussion to determine if the City of Mendota Heights should become a
Minnesota GreenStep City
COMMENT:
INTRODUCTION
The City Council and parks and Recreation Commission are asked to discuss whether the City of
Mendota Heights should become a Minnesota GreenStep City.
BACKGROUND
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program that
provides a framework to help cities achieve their economic, environmental, and quality-of-life
goals. This free continuous improvement program, managed by a public-private partnership, is
based upon 29 best practices. (A list of the Best Practices is included). Each best practice can be
implemented by completing one or more actions at a 1, 2 or 3-star level, from a list of four to
eight actions. These actions are tailored to Minnesota cities, and focus on cost savings and
energy use reduction, and encourage civic innovation.
DISCUSSION
There are a variety of benefits in becoming a Minnesota GreenStep City. Cities that join can
immediately claim credit for the best practice actions that are previously completed within the
City. Special attention is paid to GreenStep Cities including being eligible for financial support
to create and strengthen a city “green team”. Access to 40 hours of free consultant help with
student interns is offered. Cities can learn from other cities on how they have completed
Minnesota GreenStep Actions. They provide a one stop shop for the most up-to-date action
resources and information on how to complete 175 actions in the areas of building, land-use,
transportation, environment and economic /community development.
A summary of possible benefits of participation include:
1. Allows cities to brand themselves as a “green” community, which is attractive to people
of all age groups, and businesses. It provides a way to share with the community what
the city is doing to be more environmentally, socially, and financially responsible.
2. Access to grants. The MPCA has grants that are specifically targeted to participating
GreenStep Cities. For some grants, awards may be based on participation level in the
program.
page 40
3. It provides a database for cities to share information with each other about sustainability
initiatives. The GreenStep program provides a forum for sharing good ideas and seeing
how other cities address sustainability issues.
BUDGET IMPACT
None at this time. The GreenStep program is a free voluntary program.
ACTION REQUIRED
The participants at the joint meeting should discuss whether there is interest in applying for the
GreenStep cities program.
page 41
Best Practice #1: Efficient Existing Public Buildings
Action # 1. Enter building information into the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking database and routinely enter monthly energy, water use data
for all city‐owned buildings.
2. Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city‐owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
3. Invest in energy efficiency opportunities through larger financed projects or through smaller retro‐commissioning/retrofit projects in
city‐owned/school buildings.
4. Implement information technology efforts and city employee engagement to reduce plug loads and building energy use.
5. Document that the new construction or major remodeling of a public building has met the SB 2030 energy standard or has met or
qualified under a green building or energy framework.
6. Improve the operations & maintenance of city‐owned/school buildings by using a customized online energy efficiency tool, asset
management tool, or a green building framework.
7. Install for one or more city‐owned/school buildings one of the following efficiency measures:
a. A ground‐source, closed loop geothermal system.
b. A district energy/microgrid system.
c. A rainwater harvesting system for building water use.
2. Efficient Existing Private Buildings
1. Create or participate in a marketing/outreach program to promote/achieve residential energy/water use reduction and energy
efficiency.
2. Integrate green building best practices information and assistance into the building permit process.
3. Implement an energy rating/disclosure policy for residential and/or commercial buildings.
4. Describe energy/water efficiency actions and other green building practices at businesses located within/nearby the city.
5. Conserve drinking/groundwater resources by creating a watering ordinance, water‐wise landscaping ordinance/guidance, WaterSense
purchasing program, or guidance on rainwater harvesting.
6. Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who add energy/sustainability improvements, meet the SB 2030 energy
standard, or renovate using a green building or energy framework.
7. Customize a model sustainable building renovation policy that includes the SB 2030 energy standard and adopt the language to govern
commercial renovation projects that:
a. Receive city financial support, and/or
b. Require city regulatory approval (conditional use permits, rezonings, variances, PUD status).
3. New Green Buildings
1. Require by city policy that new city‐owned buildings be built using the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green building framework.
2. Work with the local school district to ensure that future new schools are built using the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green
building framework.
3. Customize a model sustainable building policy that includes the SB 2030 energy standard and adopt language governing new private
development projects that:
a. Receive city financial support, and/or
b. Require city regulatory approval (conditional use permit, rezoning, variance, PUD).
4. Provide a financial or other incentive to private parties who build new buildings that utilize the SB 2030 energy standard and/or a green
building framework.
5. Adopt environmentally preferable covenant guidelines for new common interest communities addressing issues such as stormwater,
greywater, native vegetation, growing food, clothes lines and renewable energy.
4. Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals
1. Require energy efficient, Dark‐Sky compliant new or replacement outdoor lighting fixtures on city‐owned/private buildings and
facilities.
2. Purchase LEDs for all future street lighting and traffic signals.
Buildings & Lighting Best Practices Category: BPs 1 ‐ 5
MINNESOTA GREENSTEP CITIES BEST PRACTICES, ACTION OPTIONS AND PROGRAM
RECOGNITION MINIMUMS (Sept. 2017)
page 42
3. Replace the city's existing street lighting with Dark Sky‐compliant LEDs, modifying any city franchise/utility agreement and adding smart
grid attributes.
4. Coordinate traffic signals and/or optimize signal timing so as minimize car idling at intersections yet maintain safe and publicly
acceptable vehicle speeds.
5. Use LED/solar‐powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.
6. Relamp/improve exterior building lighting for city‐owned buildings/facilities with energy efficient, Dark‐Sky compliant lighting.
7. Replace city‐owned parking lot/ramp lighting with Dark‐Sky compliant, energy efficient, automatic dimming lighting technologies.
8. Replace the city's existing traffic signals with LEDs.
5. Building Redevelopment
1. Adopt an historic preservation ordinance/regulations to encourage adaptive reuse.
2. Implement the Minnesota Main Street model for commercial revitalization.
3. Plan for reuse of large‐format retail buildings, or work with a local school to either add‐on space or repurpose space into non‐school
uses.
4. Create/modify a green residential remodeling assistance/financing program to assist homeowners in adding space to their existing
homes.
5. Adopt development/design standards and programs that facilitate infill, redevelopment, and adaptable buildings.
6. Comprehensive Plans
1. Adopt a comprehensive plan or (for Category B & C cities) adopt a land use plan that was adopted by the county or a regional entity.
2. Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance
explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making.
3. Include requirements in comprehensive and/or other plans for intergovernmental coordination addressing regional land use and
watershed / wellhead impacts, infrastructure, transportation, economic development and city/regional services.
4. Include ecologic provisions in the comprehensive plan that explicitly aim to minimize open space fragmentation and/or establish a
growth area with expansion criteria.
5. Adopt climate mitigation and/or energy independence goals and objectives in the comprehensive plan or in a separate policy
document, and include direct implementation recommendations such as becoming an EV‐ready city.
7. Efficient City Growth
1. Limit barriers to higher density housing by including in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map:
a. Neighborhood single‐family density at 7 units/acre or greater.
b. Multi‐family housing at a gross density of at least 15 units/acre adjacent to a commercial zoning district or transit node.
2. Achieve higher density housing through at least two of the following strategies:
a. Incorporate a flexible lot size/frontage requirement for infill development.
b. Use density and floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses in selected residential zoning districts.
c. Tie a regulatory standard to comprehensive plan language defining compact city expansion zones that limit low‐density development.
d. Allowing accessory dwelling units or co‐housing or tiny houses / apartments by right in selected zoning districts.
3. Achieve higher intensity commercial land uses through at least one of the following strategies:
a. Include in the city zoning ordinance and zoning map a commercial district with reduced lot sizes and zero‐lot‐line setbacks, or a FAR
minimum of 1.
b. Set targets for the minimum number of employees/acre in different commercial zones.
4. Provide incentives for infill projects, or for life‐cycle housing at or near job or retail centers, or for achieving an average net residential
density of seven units per acre.
5. Modify the city zoning ordinance and zoning map to allow, without variance or rezoning in at least one district, developments that
meet the prerequisites for LEED for Neighborhood Development certification.
Land Use Category: BPs 6 ‐ 10
page 43
8. Mixed Uses
1. Organize or participate in a community planning/design process for the city/a mixed use district.
2. Locate or lease a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:
a. Adjacent to an existing employment or residential center.
b. Designed to facilitate and encourage access by walking and biking.
c. Accessible by regular transit service.
3. Modify a planned unit development ordinance to emphasize mixed use development or to limit residential PUDs to areas adjacent to
commercial development.
4. Determine that a (re)development meets a minimum point threshold under LEED for Neighborhood Development or the Equitable
Development Scorecard.
5. Have a downtown zoning district that allows residential and compatible commercial development.
6. Incorporate form‐based zoning approaches into the zoning code, in those areas where a diverse mix of uses is desired.
7. Create incentives for vertical mixed‐use development in appropriate locations (downtown, commercial districts near colleges or
universities, historic commercial districts).
9. Efficient Highway‐ and Auto‐Oriented Development
1. Establish design goals for at least one highway/auto‐oriented corridor/cluster.
2. Participate in regional economic development planning with representatives from surrounding townships, cities, the county and
business interests to:
a. Estimate commercial/industrial needs among all jurisdictions.
b. Jointly implement recommendations to stage highway/auto‐oriented commercial development in order to avoid overbuilding and
expensive low‐density development.
3. Adopt infrastructure design standards that protect the economic and ecologic functions of the corridor through clustering of
development and incorporating access management standards.
4. Adopt a commercial zoning district that permits only auto‐oriented land uses.
5. Adopt development policies for large format developments, such as a scorecard approval process, tax productivity thresholds, size
caps, bans, required decommissioning of vacant property.
10. Design for Natural Resource Conservation
1. Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory or Assessment (NRI or NRA); incorporate protection of priority natural systems or resources such
as groundwater through the subdivision or development process.
2. For cities outside or on the fringe of metropolitan areas, conduct a build‐out analysis, fiscal impact study, or adopt an urban growth
boundary and a consistent capital improvement plan that provides long‐term protection of natural resources and natural systems, and
agricultural practices outside the boundary.
3. For cities within metropolitan areas, incorporate woodland best management practices addressing protection of wooded areas into
zoning or development review.
4. Adopt a conservation design policy and use a conservation design tool in negotiating development agreements in cities with
undeveloped natural resource areas.
5. Develop/fund a conservation easement program, such as a purchase of development rights program, in collaboration with a land trust.
6. Conserve natural resources by adopting or amending city codes and ordinances to support sustainable sites, including roadsides, and
environmentally protective land use development.
7. Be recognized as a Bird City Minnesota.
11. Living Streets
1. Adopt a complete streets policy that also addresses street trees and stormwater.
2. Adopt zoning language or approve a development project that follows green street and/or walkable streets principles.
3. Modify a street in compliance with the city's complete streets policy.
4. Identify, prioritize and remedy complete streets gaps and lack of connectivity within your road network by, for example, adding a bike
route/lane, truck route, sidewalk or mid‐block alley.
Transportation Category: BPs 11 ‐ 14
page 44
5. Identify and remedy street‐trail gaps between city streets and off‐road trails/bike trails to better facilitate walking and biking.
6. Implement traffic calming policy/measures, including road diets, roundabouts, shared space and depaving, in at least one street
redevelopment project.
12. Mobility Options
1. Increase walking, biking and transit use by one or more of the following means:
a. Produce/distribute route maps, signage or a web site.
b. Document increased bike facilities, such as racks, bike stations or showers.
c. Add bus infrastructure, such as signage, benches, shelters, park and ride lots, and real‐time arrival data‐streaming.
d. Increase the number of employers promoting multiple commuting options, including offering qualified transportation fringe benefits
instead of only a tax‐free parking fringe benefit.
e. Be recognized as a Walk Friendly or Bicycle Friendly Community.
2. Launch an Active Living campaign such as a Safe Routes to School program.
3. Prominently identify mobility options: transit; paratransit/Dial‐A‐Ride; cab service; rental cars; bikes.
4. Promote carpooling or ridesharing among community members, city employees, businesses, high schools and institutions of higher
education.
5. Launch telework/flexwork efforts in city government, businesses or at a local health care provider.
6. Add/expand transit service, or promote car/bike sharing.
7. Implement multimodal transportation best management practices in the workplace for city employees.
13. Efficient City Fleets
1. Efficiently use existing fleet of city vehicles by encouraging trip bundling, video conferencing, carpooling, vehicle sharing and
incentives/technology.
2.Right‐size/down‐size the city fleet with the most fuel‐efficient vehicles that are of an optimal size and capacity for their intended
functions.
3. Phase‐in no‐idling practices, operational and fuel changes, and equipment changes including electric vehicles, for city or local transit
fleets.
4. Phase in bike, foot or horseback modes for police, inspectors and other city staff.
5. Document that the local school bus fleet has optimized routes, start times, boundaries, vehicle efficiency and fuels, driver actions to cut
costs including idling reduction, and shifting students from the bus to walking, biking and city transit.
6. Retrofit city diesel engines or install auxiliary power units, utilizing Project GreenFleet or the like.
14. Demand‐Side Travel Planning
1. Reduce or eliminate parking requirements and/or add parking maximums.
2. For cities with regular transit service, require or provide incentives for the siting of retail services at transit/density nodes.
3. For cities with regular transit service, require or provide incentives for the siting of higher density housing at transit/density nodes.
4. Adopt a travel demand management plan for city employees or incorporate into development regulations TDM or transit‐oriented
development standards.
5. Document that a development project certifies under the LEED for Neighborhood Development program and is awarded at least one of
the following credits:
a. Transportation Demand Management.
b. Housing and Jobs Proximity.
15. Sustainable Purchasing
1. Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
a. EnergyStar certified equipment and appliances and
b. Paper containing at least 30% post‐consumer recycled content.
2. Purchase energy used by city government/distributed by a municipal utility from renewable energy sources.
Environmental Management Category: BPs 15 ‐ 23
page 45
3. Establish a local purchasing preference and, working with a local business association, develop a list of locally‐produced products and
suppliers for common purchases.
4. Require purchase of U.S. EPA WaterSense‐certified products.
5. Set minimum standards for the percentage of recycled‐content material in asphalt and roadbed aggregate or other construction
materials, and for compost use.
6. Require printing services to be purchased from companies certified by Minnesota Great Printers or by the Sustainable Green Printing
Partnership.
7. Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.
8. Use state and national green standards/guidelines for at least 3 categories of purchasing/investments.
16. Urban Forests
1. Certify as a Tree City USA.
2. Adopt best practices for urban tree planting/quality; require them in private developments and/or use them in at least one city project.
3. Budget for and achieve resilient urban canopy/tree planting goals.
4. Maximize tree planting along your main downtown street or throughout the city.
5. Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance.
6. Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:
a. Having trained tree specialists.
b. Supporting volunteer forestry efforts.
c. Adopting an EAB management plan / climate adaptation plan for the urban forest
17. Stormwater Management
1. Adopt and use Minnesota's Minimal Impact Design Standards (MIDS).
2. Complete the Blue Star City stormwater management assessment and be recognized for implementing the actions therein.
3. Adopt by ordinance one or more of the following stormwater infiltration/management strategies:
a. A narrower streets provision that permits construction of 22‐ or 24‐foot roads for public, residential access and subcollector streets
(with fewer than 500 average daily trips).
b. For sites less than one acre, retain the water quality volume of 1.1 inches of runoff from all impervious surfaces for new and fully‐
redeveloped construction sites.
c. For non‐MS4 permittees, adopt an illicit discharge prohibition rule or ordinance and an erosion and sediment control ordinance.
4. Create a stormwater utility that uses variable fees to incentivize enhanced stormwater management, minimize the volume of and
pollutants in runoff, and educate property owners.
5. Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse
practices:
a. Rain gardens/infiltration practices.
b. Rainwater harvesting practices.
c. Green alleys or green parking lots.
d. Pervious/permeable pavement or pavers.
e. Green roofs / green walls.
f. Tree trenches / tree boxes.
6. Reduce road salt use to prevent permanent surfacewater and groundwater pollution.
18. Parks and Trails
1. Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.
2. Plan and budget for a network of parks, green spaces, water features and trails for areas where new development is planned.
3. Achieve minimum levels of city green space.
4. Adopt low‐impact design standards in parks and trails that infiltrate or retain all 2 inch, 24‐hour stormwater events on site.
5. Create park/city land management standards/practices that maximize at least one of the following:
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a. Low maintenance turf management; native landscaping; organic or integrated pest management; pollinator/monarch‐safe policies.
b. Recycling/compostables collection; use of compost as a soil amendment.
c. Sources of nonpotable water, or surface/rain water, for irrigation.
6. Certify at least one golf course in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program.
7. Document that the operation and maintenance, or construction / remodeling, of at least one park building used an asset management
tool, the SB 2030 energy standard, and/or a green building framework.
8. Develop a program to involve community members in hands‐on land restoration and stewardship projects.
19. Surface Water
1. (Action deleted on 09/22/2015)
2. Conduct or support multi‐party community conversations around improving local water quality and quantity.
3. Adopt and report on measurable, publicly announced surface water improvement targets for water bodies.
4. Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas.
5. Adopt goals to revegetate shoreland and create a local program or outreach effort to help property owners with revegetation.
6. Implement an existing TMDL implementation plan.
7. Create/assist a Lake Improvement District.
20. Efficient Water and Wastewater Facilities
1. Compare the energy use and performance of your facilities with other peer plants using standardized, free tools.
2. Plan and budget for motor maintenance and upgrades so as to assure the most energy efficient, durable and appropriate equipment is
available when upgrades or break downs occur.
3. Establish an on‐going budget and program for decreasing inflow and infiltration into sewer lines and losses in drinking water systems.
4. Assess energy and chemicals use at drinking water / wastewater facilities and report on implemented changes that had a short payback
period.
5. (Action deleted on 06/17/2012)
6. Implement a wastewater plant efficiency project (co‐generation, water reuse) or a program for local private business operations (water
conservation, water reuse, business co‐location).
7. Create a demand‐side pricing program to reduce demands on water and wastewater systems.
21. Septic Systems
1. Report to landowners suspected noncompliant or failing septic systems as part of an educational, informational and financial assistance
and outreach program designed to trigger voluntary landowner action to improve septic systems.
2. Use a community process to address failing septic systems.
3. Clarify/establish one or more responsible management entities for the proper design, siting, installation, operation, monitoring and
maintenance of septic systems.
4. Adopt a subsurface sewage treatment system ordinance based on the Association of Minnesota Counties' model ordinance.
5. Create a program to finance septic system upgrades.
6. Work with homeowners and businesses in environmentally sensitive areas and areas where standard septic systems are not the least‐
cost option to promote innovative waste water systems, including central sewer extensions.
7. Arrange for assistance to commercial, retail and industrial businesses with water use reduction, pollution prevention and pretreatment
prior to discharge to septics.
22. Solid Waste Reduction
1. Prevent, recycle and compost waste/toxics generated from internal city operations, including libraries, parks, schools, and municipal
health care facilities.
2. Address concerns over consumer products and packaging through encouragement/implementation of one or more of: (a) Education on
waste prevention and alternatives, including product stewardship / producer responsibility; (b) Reuse options; (c) Recycling / composting
options; (d) Credits, fees; (e) Mandates, bans.
3. Improve profitability, legal compliance and conserve resources through adoption of ordinance language, licensing and resource
management contracts.
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4. Publicize, promote and use the varied businesses/services collecting and marketing used, repaired and rental consumer goods in the
city/county.
5. Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source separated organics collection/management program.
6. Improve recycling services and expand to multi‐unit housing and commercial businesses.
7. Improve/organize residential trash, recycling and organics collection by private and/or public operations and offer significant volume‐
based pricing on residential garbage and/or incentives for recycling.
8. Adopt a construction and demolition ordinance governing demolition permits that requires a level of recycling and reuse for building
materials and soil/land‐clearing debris.
23. Local Air Quality
1. Conduct an education/financial assistance campaign around one of the following residential wood burning/auto exhaust issues:
a. Indoor and outdoor wood burning behavior, to ensure that wood burning is only done with seasoned wood and in a manner that
lessens the impact on neighbors.
b. Indoor wood burning technology, to result in community members upgrading from inefficient/more polluting fireplaces and wood
stoves to pellet/gas/biogas devices, air source heat pumps, or the most efficient certified wood stoves.
c. Smoker cars ‐ older model/high polluting vehicles, to result in repairs spurred by repair vouchers.
2. Regulate outdoor residential wood burning, using ordinance language, performance standards and bans as appropriate, for at least one
of the following:
a. Recreational burning.
b. Outdoor residential wood boilers.
3. Conduct one or more policy or education/behavior change campaigns on the topics below and document:
a. Decreased vehicle idling in specific locations.
b. Participation in the Air Aware Employers program.
c. Adoption of a smoking‐free policy at one or more multi‐unit housing buildings, private or public.
d. Replacement of gasoline‐powered small equipment with lower polluting equipment.
e. Increased sales by retail stores of low and no‐VOC household products.
4. Document the participation of businesses in emission/idling reduction efforts/programs.
5. Install, assist with and promote one or more public fueling stations for plug‐in hybrid and full electric vehicles, flex‐fuel ethanol
vehicles, CNG vehicles.
24. Benchmarks & Community Engagement
1. Use a committee to lead, coordinate, and report to and engage community members on implementation of GreenStep best practices.
2. Organize goals/outcome measures from all city plans and report to community members data that show progress toward meeting
these goals.
3. Engage community members in a public process that results in city council adoption of and commitment to measure and report
progress on sustainability indicators.
4. Conduct or support a broad sustainability education and action campaign involving:
a. The entire community.
b. Homeowners.
c. Front yards/sidewalks, block clubs, neighborhood associations.
d. Congregations.
e. Schools, colleges.
5. Conduct or support a community education, visioning and planning initiative using a sustainability framework such as:
a. Strong Towns.
b. Transition initiatives, resiliency.
c. Eco‐municipalities, ecological footprinting, urban metabolism, permaculture.
d. ISO 14001, Smart Cities, the Precautionary Principle, environmental justice.
Economic & Community Development Category: BPs 24 ‐ 29
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6. Engage community youth and college students by creating opportunities to participate in city government.
25. Green Business Development
1. Grow new/emerging green businesses and green jobs through targeted assistance and new workforce development.
2. Create or participate in a marketing/outreach program to connect businesses with assistance providers, including utilities, who provide
personalized energy, waste or sustainability audits and assistance.
3. Promote sustainable tourism in your city, and green tourism resources to tourism and hospitality businesses in/around the city.
4. Strengthen value‐added businesses utilizing local "waste" products and renting products/services.
5. Lower the environmental footprint of a brownfield remediation/redevelopment project.
6. Promote green businesses that are recognized under a local, regional or national program.
7. Conduct or participate in a buy local campaign for community members and local businesses.
26. Renewable Energy
1. Adopt solar energy standards or a wind energy ordinance that allows or encourages appropriate renewable energy installations.
2. Consistently promote at least one of the following means of increasing renewable generation:
a. A local utility's green power purchasing program that allows residents/businesses to order/buy new renewable energy.
b. Local, state and federal financial incentives for property owners to install renewable energy systems.
3. Create/participate in a renewable energy financing program such as PACE for commercial property owners to install generation
capacity/energy efficiency equipment.
4. Support or create a program that enables community members to participate in a community renewable energy project.
5. Install a public sector/municipally owned renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), biomass, solar hot water/air, micro‐
hydro or wind.
6. Enable a new or demonstrate prior city collaboration for installed private sector renewable energy / energy efficient generation
capacity with at least one of the following attributes:
a. Fueled by flowing water, sun, wind, or biogas.
b. Fueled in part or whole by manure or woody biomass, optimized for minimal air and other environmental impacts and for energy
efficiency and water conservation.
c. Distributing heating/cooling services in a district energy system.
d. Producing combined heat and power; using a microgrid.
7. Create an expedited permit process for residents and businesses to install solar energy systems.
27. Local Food
1. Incorporate working landscapes ‐ agriculture and forestry ‐ into the city by adopting an ordinance for one or more of the following:
a. An agriculture and forest protection district.
b. A local food production district.
c. Performance standards for minor and major agricultural retail.
2. Facilitate creation of home gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily residential
developments.
3. Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
a. A farmer's market or co‐op buying club.
b. An urban agriculture business or a community‐supported agriculture (CSA) arrangement between farmers and community
members/employees.
c. A community or school garden, orchard or forest.
4. Measurably increase institutional buying, and sales through groceries and restaurants.
a. Purchasing of local/organic/humane/equitable foods by schools, hospitals, nursing homes and event centers.
b. Sales of local/organic/humane/equitable food in markets, retail food co‐ops, rural grocery stores, urban convenience stores, hotels
and restaurants.
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28. Business Synergies
1. Help businesses register as users of the Minnesota Materials Exchange and document their exchanges/sales of byproducts with other
local/regional businesses.
2. Document that at least one business/building uses waste heat or water discharge from another business.
3. Require, build or facilitate at least four of the following in a business/industrial park project:
a. Shared parking/access OR shared recreation/childcare facilities.
b. Green product development, manufacturing or sales OR a green job training program..
c. Buildings located within walking distance of transit and/or residential zoning.
d. Renovated buildings OR buildings designed for reuse.
e. Green buildings built to exceed the Minnesota energy code by 20% OR renewable energy generated on‐site.
f. Combined heat and power (CHP) generation capacity OR shared geothermal heating/cooling.
g. Low‐impact site development.
4. Use eco‐industrial park tools to identify industrial facilities that could achieve economic and environmental benefit by co‐locating in the
city's industrial park or industrial zone.
29. Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience
1. Prepare to maintain public health and safety during extreme weather and climate‐change‐related events, while also taking a preventive
approach to reduce risk for community members.
2. Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes.
3. Increase social connectedness through engagement, capacity building, public investment, and opportunities for economically
vulnerable residents to improve their economic prosperity.
4. Encourage private sector action and incentivize investment in preventive approaches that reduce risk and minimize impacts of extreme
weather and the changing climate for human health and the built environment.
5. Protect public buildings and natural/constructed infrastructure to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme
weather events.
6. Reduce the urban heat impacts of public buildings, sites, and infrastructure and provide resiliency co‐benefits.
7. Protect water supply and wastewater treatment facilities to reduce physical damage and sustain their function during extreme weather
events.
8. Improve local energy resilience by minimizing fuel poverty, installing distributed renewable energy systems, and developing microgrids
that can improve energy system resiliency.
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DATE: May 16, 2018
TO: Mayor and City Council
Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Cheryl Jacobson, Assistant City Administrator
Rya n Ruzek, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: Natural Resources Staffing
Introduction
At the May 16 th joint meeting between the City Council and Parks and Natural Resources
Commission, staff will discuss natural resources staffing needs.
Background
To address natural resources needs, staff is proposing the addition of a Natural Resources
Technician. For discussion, staff has developed a draft job description. This new position
combines natural resources and engineering staffing needs into one position.
Attached is a draft outline of the essential functions of a Natural Resources Technician.
Had the position been filled as proposed in the budget, there would have been a heavy emphasis
on GIS skills, but it would have been advertised as an Engineering Technician. The position
would have done many traditional engineering tasks as well. With the pivot to Natural
Resources, it is still expected that GIS will be in the individual’s skill set, but the primary
experience sought would be working with environmental issues, as well as traditional
engineering duties.
Budget Impact
The 2018 budget included funding GIS/Engineering Technician. If approved, budgeted funds for
the GIS/Engineering Technician would be used instead to fund the proposed Natural Resources
Technician position.
Action Requested
Discuss and provide feedback. If the consensus is for the addition of this technician position to be
added, staff will then finalize the job description, and a request to advertise will be placed on the
City Council meeting agenda of June 5th.
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DRAFT
Position: Natural Resources Technician Department: Public Works
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports To: Public Works Director
General Definition of Work
Performs skilled technical work in a variety of areas including natural resources planning, administration, and implementation of
programs relating to water resources, upland habitat management, wildlife management and forestry; may also perform general
engineering technician duties including GIS work. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Public Works Director.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed
below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Essential Functions
1.Assist with native prairie management work and planning, vegetation surveys and invasive species control.
2.Assist with the water resources including lake management efforts such as aquatic invasive species control, water quality
monitoring, and lake level tracking.
3.Assist with implementation of the City's natural resources outreach and education efforts including developing and
distributing educational materials, meeting with residents to address issues, speaking with neighborhood and school groups,
and developing content for city communications.
4.Assist in the implementation of the City’s NPDES Phase II Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan.
5.Manage multiple raingardens and native plant gardens, including weed control, mulching, and working with contractors.
6.Coordinate lake and wetland monitoring volunteer programs, such as the Citizen-Assisted Monitoring Program (CAMP) and
the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP). Assist with other natural resources volunteer programs.
7.Implement the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, which includes assessing ash tree conditions, outreach efforts,
managing the tree inventory database, and coordinating contract work for tree removals, treatments and planting.
8.Implement the Emerald Ash Borer Management Plan, including assessing ash tree conditions, outreach efforts, managing tree
inventory database, and coordinating contract work for tree removals, treatments and planting.
9.Assist in writing and implementing grants for natural resources projects. Research grant opportunities, provide input for grant
development, and assist in grant implementation and evaluation.
10.Respond to citizen complaints and requests for assistance with native plant landscaping, drainage, erosion control and
pond/lake issues.
11.Assist with the ongoing maintenance of citywide Geographic Information System (GIS) data and utilize GIS software to
develop, create, maintain, edit, update and analyze citywide GIS databases.
12.Perform other duties, as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
TBD
Education and Experience
Associates degree or higher in biology, natural resources management, horticulture, environmental studies or other natural
resources related field; or equivalent combination of training and education to perform the work. Experience with Microsoft
Office Suite products, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, and public relations. Experience in native plant identification, habitat management, water
resources and wildlife management.
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Special Requirements
Valid Minnesota driver’s license
Physical Requirements
TBD
Environmental Conditions
TBD
page 53
City of Mendota Heights
Natural Resources
Fred Rozumalski
Landscape Ecologist
Barr Engineering
Why Manage Natural Resources?
Part of a
Larger
Ecological
System
Northern Dakota
County Greenway
Quality of Life
Well -managed natural resources provides habitat for wildlife and
pollinators.
Quality of Life
Are critical to human health:
•Are beautiful to experience
•Offer residents daily contact with nature
Quality of Life
Are critical to human health: Maintain water quality.
Quality of Life
Well -managed natural resources maintain air quality.
Quality of Life
Well -managed natural resources raise property values.
Threats
Climate Change
Threats
Fairview Hospital
West River Road closed for nearly 2 years
Climate Change
Threats
Climate Change
Threats Development
Threats Invasive Species
Zebra Mussels
Phragmites grass
Land
Cover
•70% Impervious
•15% Wetland
(incl. state park)
•11% Cultivated
vegetation
•6% Upland Forest
Opportunities
Regenerate native plan communities
Control invasive species
City of Mendota Heights
Natural Resources
Fred Rozumalski
Landscape Ecologist
Barr Engineering