Loading...
NRC Meeting Minutes 10122022CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Wednesday, October 12, 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, October 12, 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. Student Representative Byrnes present. Commissioners absent: None. Staff present: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter and Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson. 3. Approval of the Agenda Motion to approve the agenda by Quick, second by Stein. Motion passed 7-0. 4. Approval of the Minutes a. Approve meeting minutes from the September 14, 2022 Natural Resources Commission Meeting Motion to approve the minutes by Tupper, second by Husbands. Motion passes 7-0. b. Approve meeting minutes from the September 14, 2022 Natural Resources Commission Work Session Motion to approve the minutes by Husbands, second by Quick. Motion passes 7-0. 5. Acknowledgement of Reports a. 2022 Workplan Report Update Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter shared the four goals of the workplan. b. Green Steps Status Update Coordinator Spreiter reviewed the Green Steps program’s five categories. The City became a Green Steps City in 2021 and are currently in Step 1 of a possible Step 5. Mendota Heights is considered a “category A” city. This requires the most best practice management items to be completed. Commissioner Husbands asked for clarification on viewing details regarding completed but not reported tasks. Coordinator Spreiter will look into gaining public access to that information, and will ensure they are published in a report. Commissioner Husbands asked why a task would be completed but not reported. Coordinator Spreiter stated that staffing and workloads have caused that delay. Commissioner Stein asked for clarification on heating and cooling and fleet upgrades, and if there have been thoughts of tying the improvement updates to a schedule that is efficient. Coordinator Spreiter confirmed the thought of making the best use of the timeline. Commissioner Fahnhorst commented he likes the Green Steps process for its transparency and potential. Chair Swank asked how specific items are evaluated and selected. Commissioner Spreiter noted there is not an official evaluation process established. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson added that the City Council often gives input on the direction of the projects and timelines. Commissioner Quick noted with what’s already been done the City could be close to a Step 3, once the projects get reported. She asked how the Commission can help with this part of the process, in order to help in their future planning. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson commented that the new Recycling Coordinator will add more hours to their schedule, with a focus on data entry. Some processes, such as data entry, need to be completed by staff. c. Staff Planning Update- Recycling Coordinator Assistant City Administrator Torkelson reported the current Recycling Coordinator position and how the position will be evaluated and changed in a transition phase. The employee, in a shared position, will technically be employed by the City of West St. Paul. The hiring process will begin in November with the start date in January, 2023. Chair Swank asked if the position’s new additional four hours will affect other cities. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson stated that the position will remain part time, with the addition of four more hours per week. d. Natural Resources Project Updates Coordinator Spreiter updated the commission on the season’s projects. She mentioned the Great River Greening restoration work in Valley Park, Rogers Lake Park, Copperfield Ponds Park, and Oĥѐyawahe Historic Site. She commented on the “Lawns to Legumes” neighborhood grant project, having planted 21 projects. She shared details on the “Curb Cut Raingarden” program planting, completing 11 raingardens. Commissioner Husbands asked for clarification on a few definitions mentioned in the presentation. Commissioner Fahnhorst asked about the maintenance and upkeep at the sites that have had projects completed at. Coordinator Spreiter provided information regarding maintenance plans, having some contracts with the partners and homeowners. Chair Swank asked how the homeowners are being held accountable, and what the cost to the city is per raingarden installation. Coordinator Spreiter added that staff will help track and converse with homeowners and provide assistance if needed. She added the average cost is around $4,000 per raingarden. Commissioner Fahnhorst asked if there are ways for the public to learn more from demonstration projects, in hopes to replicate them. Coordinator Spreiter offered an idea that the City do a public tour of raingardens. Chair Swank asked for more information regarding a controlled burn project. Coordinator Spreiter noted the projects are contracted out, and the chosen site depends on the level of invasive species present. They also consider safety measures and best management practices. 6. Old Business a. Fall Community Project Planning Coordinator Spreiter commented on a buckthorn removal event at Valley Park, as well as a pollinator planting at the city welcome sign at Dodd Road and Interstate 494. She reviewed a few dates for the projects and asked the commission to choose a date and discuss project details. Commissioner Tupper asked whether both events will happen on the same day and the commission would split up. Coordinator Spreiter said it would be possible to do both projects at the same day, but it might be hard to purchase plants late in the season. Commissioner Quick noted it would be nice to complete the planting as a commission first, and then move on to the buckthorn removal. Motion to hold the project date on November 12 by Stein, second by Fahnhorst. Motion passes 7-0. Coordinator Spreiter will send out a preliminary schedule and details, as well as recruiting volunteers for the events. 7. New Business None. 8. Staff Announcements Assistant City Administrator Torkelson shared some upcoming events with the city; Dog Day, Fire Prevention Open House, Paper Shred, Pumpkin Carving, and Trick-or-Teeing events. She also mentioned the seasonal positions the city is currently hiring for. Natural Resources Coordinator shared an upcoming event at Thompson Park Activity Center as well as the General Election information. She noted the next Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, November 10. 9. Commission Comments Commissioner Husbands commented on the 2023 budget and the potential new assistant engineer candidate. She also asked how much the upcoming buckthorn removal event will cost, and whether extra funds could be used to purchase bare root trees. Commissioner Stein shared that MnDOT prepared and submitted an electric vehicle infrastructure plan, which might be relevant to the Commission and Mendota Heights residents. 10. Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting by Husbands, second by McCaslin. Motion passes 7-0. Chair Swank adjourned the meeting at 6:54pm. 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.