NRC Packet 09.14.2022
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Wednesday, September 14, 2022- 6:00 P.M.
Mendota Heights City Hall-Council Chambers
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of the Agenda
4. Approval of the Minutes
a. Approve meeting minutes from the August 11, 2022 Natural Resources Commission
Meeting
5. Acknowledgement of Reports
6. Old Business
7. New Business
a. Student Commissioner Introduction
b. Parks Celebration Survey Results
c. 2022 Community Restoration Event
d. Green Step Cities Overview
8. Staff Announcements.
9. Commission Comments
10. Adjourn
Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is
received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids. This may not, however, be possible on
short notice. Please contact City Administration at 651-452-1850.
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CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Wednesday, August 11, 2022- 6:00 P.M.
Mendota Heights City Hall-Council Chambers
The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission was held on Wednesday,
August 11, 2022, at Mendota Heights City Hall; 1101 Victoria Curve.
1.Call to Order
Chair Swank called the meeting to order at 6:00pm.
2.Roll Call
Coordinator Spreiter called the roll. Commissioners present: Fahnhorst, McCaslin, Husbands, Quick,
Swank, Stein, Tupper. Commissioners absent: None. Staff present: Natural Resources Coordinator
Krista Spreiter and Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson.
3.Approval of the Agenda
Commissioner Quick proposed an amendment to introduce themselves as commissioners, since this
is the first broadcasted meeting for the Natural Resources Commission.
Motion to approve the agenda as amended by Quick, second by Stein.
Motion passed 7-0.
4.Introduction of Commissioners
Commissioners introduced themselves each one by one and shared a bit about who they are and
something they’re excited about regarding the commission.
5.Approval of the Minutes
a.Approve meeting minutes from the July 13, 2022 Natural Resources Commission
Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes by Quick, second by Stein.
Motion passes 7-0.
6.Acknowledgement of Reports
a.Natural Resources Program Overview
Coordinator Spreiter shared a power point presentation highlighting current natural
resources programs and projects. She shared details on the Valley Park Forest
Enhancement, County-City Collaborative, Valley Park Pollinator Corridor, Great River
Greening Restoration Work, Rogers Lake Curly Leave Pondweed Treatment, Emerald Ash
Borer (EAB) Management Update, Oĥѐyawahe/Pilot Knob Historic Site, Lawns to Legumes
Demonstration, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System, and the 2022 Curb-Cut Raingarden
Program.
Commissioner Tupper asked if there is a formal way to track grants and programs and
resources.
Coordinator Spreiter commented that the City does have a tracking system and explained
how the grant cycle typically works.
Commissioner Stein asked how projects are helped maintained long-term.
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Coordinator Spreiter commented that some of the organizations and partnerships that we
work with help maintain projects, often with the help of volunteers. Grants do not cover
long-term maintenance; that would be up to the City.
Commissioner Husbands asked how the City assess success with these various projects.
Coordinator Spreiter replied that it depends on the project and the City is always adapting.
b. Website Project Update
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson shared that the City is going through a website
redesign. The new website will have a “ultimate department header” page, which will
provide an opportunity to highlight the City’s different green spaces and places.
c. Volunteer Program Overview
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson shared that the City Council approved a formal
volunteer program in April, 2022, which will provide opportunities for volunteers among
natural resources projects. If anyone is interested in more information please visit the City’s
website.
Chair Swank asked if volunteer hours will be tracked and reported at the end of the year.
And will there be opportunities for volunteer recognition.
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson confirmed that volunteer hours will be tracked and
it’s a priority to recognize the volunteers.
Commissioner Quick asked if the City will assume the cost of the background checks for
volunteers.
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson replied that the City will cover those costs.
Commissioner Tupper asked if there were other opportunities, apart from the website, for
sharing of volunteer opportunities.
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson commented that the City is also sharing the
information on different social media platforms, Friday news, and City Newsletters. The City
is open to sharing information in the parks and schools.
Commissioner Stein suggested the opportunity to partner with local sports organizations.
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson replied that the City welcomes groups to suggest new
opportunities as well.
7. Old Business
No old business.
8. New Business
a. Parks Celebration Discussion
Coordinator Spreiter shared information on the City’s Annual Parks Celebration event. The
Natural Resource Commission will attend the Saturday open house event. Coordinator
Spreiter asked the commission to determine their role in the event.
Commissioners discussed who will participate at the event. Commissioner McCaslin
suggested they bring some large photos of projects within the Natural Resources
Management Plan.
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b. 2022 Workplan
Coordinator Spreiter shared a suggested work plan for the remainder of 2022.
Commissioner Husbands asked for clarification on the budget.
Coordinator Spreiter confirmed there is around $8,000 left to be used for a restoration
project.
Commissioner Tupper asked for a timeline on the proposed ordinance changes and how
that might impact their work plan.
Commissioner Fahnhorst agreed that it would be prudent to discuss budget and ordinances
as soon as possible.
Commissioner Husbands suggested that the Natural Resources Commissioners access the
proposed 2023 budget from City Council and line it up with the Natural Resources
Commission’s work plan.
Chair Swank would like more education on how the budget works within the Commission.
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson assured the commission that staff will share relevant
updates on the budget and budgeting process. The 2023 budget will be approved in
December, 2022.
Commissioner Quick would like to narrow down the third goal in the proposed workplan.
Motion to amend the third goal of the workplan by Quick, second by Fahnhorst.
Motion passes 7-0.
Coordinator Spreiter shared information on the history of the Mendota Heights Tree Sale
event.
Motion by Stein to adopt the 2022 work plan with the amendment, second by McCaslin.
Motion passes 7-0.
c. 2023 Work Plan Work Session
Coordinator Spreiter proposed dates for the upcoming work session.
Commissioners discussed availability.
Motion by Husbands to hold work session on 9/14 at 4:00pm, second by Quick.
Motion passes 7-0.
9. Staff Announcements
Coordinator Spreiter mentioned the upcoming Parks Celebration Weekend, an Organics Training,
and Shoe/Clothing Recycling Drop-off event.
Commissioner Fahnhorst suggested in a future meeting to discuss the feedback after the open
house at the Parks Celebration Weekend.
10. Commission Comments
None.
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11. Adjourn
Chair Swank adjourned the meeting at 7:01pm.
Minutes taken by Sheila Robertson
City of Mendota Heights, Office Support Assistant
Auxiliary aids for persons with disabilities are available at least 120 hours in advance. If a notice of less than 120 hours is
received, the City of Mendota Heights will make every attempt to provide the aids. This may not, however, be possible on
short notice. Please contact City Administration at 651-452-1850.
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DATE: September 14, 2022
TO: Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator
SUBJECT: 2022 Natural Resources Commission Student Representative
Background
Student representatives play a valuable role and offer a unique perspective on the City’s
Commissions. Student representatives serve as a communication link for ideas, observations,
concerns, and questions to the commissions they serve. Student representatives are appointed
to one (1) term which runs from September, 2022 to May, 2023.
Stella Byrnes applied to become a student representative on the Natural Resources Commission
in June of 2022. She was interviewed by City Staff and accepted for the position. Stella is an
eleventh (11th) grader at Visitation High School.
Requested Action
The Commission should introduce themselves, and then allow the student representative to
introduce themselves to the Commission and Community.
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DATE: September 14, 2022
TO: Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator
SUBJECT: Summary from the Parks Celebration Open House
Background
The Natural Resources Commission provided a booth at the 35th annual Mendota Heights Park
Celebration Open House Event on August 13th of 2022 in Mendakota Park. At the event the
Commission engaged with residents and provided a survey. The survey question asked
residents what they would like the new Natural Resources Commission to consider. The
responses varied, but were centered around the following:
• Education
• Native plant sales or exchanges
• Stormwater pond maintenance
• Water quality for lakes
• Incorporating native and natural features in new development
• Incorporating more pollinator plantings
• Protection of wetlands
Requested Action
None. Information only.
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DATE: September 14, 2022
TO: Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator
SUBJECT: 2022 Volunteer Event
Background
As part of the Commission’s 2022 Workplan, the Commission approved the task of planning and
implementing a fall planting, invasive species removal, or restoration volunteer project. This
event could be a buckthorn removal event, a native planting or seeding, or other restoration
activity in one of the City’s parks that could be used to engage with community volunteers.
Requested Action
The Commission should determine if they would like to move forward with a volunteer
restoration project, and if so choose to do so, the type of event and possible dates of the event.
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DATE: September 14, 2022
TO: Natural Resources Commission
FROM: Kelly Torkelson, Assistant City Administrator
SUBJECT: Green Steps Cities Program
Introduction:
The City of Mendota Heights joined the Green Steps Cities Program in March of 2021. Step 2 of
the program involves assessing and reporting current practices according to the green steps
program criteria as well as working towards implementing additional best practices.
Background
Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help
cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. This free continuous improvement
program is based upon a menu of 29 optional best practices. Each best practice can be
implemented, as decided by city elected officials, staff and community members, by completing
one or more actions at a 1, 2 or 3-star level, from a list of four to eight actions. These voluntary
actions are tailored to all Minnesota cities, focus on cost savings and energy use reduction, and
encourage civic innovation.
The Green Steps program outlines action items that cities can take in the following areas:
I. Building and Lighting
1. Efficient Existing Public Buildings: Benchmark energy and water usage, identify
savings opportunities in consultation with state programs, utilities and others to
implement cost-effective energy and sustainability improvements.
2. Efficient Existing Private Buildings: Provide incentives for energy, water and
sustainability improvements in existing residential, not-for-profit and commercial
buildings/building sites
3. New Green Buildings: Construct new buildings to meet or qualify under a green
building framework.
4. Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals: Improve the efficiency and quality of street
lighting, traffic signals and outdoor public lighting.
5. Building Redevelopment: Create economic and regulatory incentives for
redevelopment and repurposing of existing buildings.
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II. Land Use
6. Comprehensive, Climate and Energy Plans: Build public support and legal validity to
long-term infrastructural and regulatory strategy.
7. Resilient City Growth: Increase financial and environmental sustainability by enabling
and encouraging walkable housing and retail land use.
8. Mixed Uses: Develop efficient land patterns that generate community health and
wealth.
9. Efficient Highway and Auto Oriented Development: Adopt commercial development
and design standards for auto-oriented development corridors and clusters.
10. Design for Natural Resource Conservation: Adopt development ordinances or
processes that protect natural systems and valued community assets.
III. Transportation
11. Living & Complete Streets: Create a network of green complete streets that improves
city quality of life, public health, and adds value to surrounding properties.
12. Mobility Options: Increase active transportation and alternatives to single-occupancy
car travel.
13. Efficient City Fleets: Implement a city fleet investment, operations and maintenance
plan.
14. Demand-Side Travel Planning: Implement Travel Demand Management and Transit-
Oriented Design in service of a more walkable city.
IV. Environmental Management
15. Sustainable Purchasing: Adopt environmentally preferable purchasing policies and
practices to improve health and environmental outcomes.
16. Community Forests and Soils: Add city tree and plant cover that conserves topsoils
and increases community health, wealth, quality of life.
17. Stormwater Management: Minimize the volume of and pollutants in rainwater runoff
by maximizing green infrastructure.
18. Parks and Trails: Increase active lifestyles and property values by enhancing the city's
green infrastructure.
19. Surface Water: Improve local water bodies to sustain their long-term ecological
function and community benefits.
20. Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems: Assess and improve city drinking water and
wastewater systems and related facilities.
21. Septic Systems: Implement an environmentally sound management program for
decentralized wastewater treatment systems.
22. Sustainable Consumption and Waste: Increase waste prevention, reuse and
recycling, moving to a lower-consumption, more cyclical, biological approach to
materials management.
23. Local Air Quality: Prevent generation of local air contaminants so as to improve
community health.
V. Resilient Economic and Community Development
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24. Benchmarks and Community Engagement: Adopt outcome measures for GreenStep
and other city sustainability efforts, and engage community members in ongoing
education, dialogue, and campaigns.
25. Green Business Development: Expand a greener, more resilient business sector.
26. Renewable Energy: Remove barriers to and encourage installation of renewable
energy generation capacity.
27. Local Food: Strengthen local food and fiber production and access.
28. Business Synergies and EcoDistricts: Network/cluster businesses and design
neighborhoods and developments to achieve better energy, social, economic and
environmental outcomes in service of a more circular and equitable economy.
29. Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience: Plan and prepare for extreme
weather, adapt to changing climatic conditions, and foster stronger community
connectedness and social and economic vitality.
Staff are currently in the process of reviewing reporting guidelines for each of the best practices
in order to identify Mendota Heights’ current standing and to identify recommended next steps
to continue advancing the strategic priorities of the city.
Requested Action
Informational Only.
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