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NRC meeting minutes 09142022CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Wednesday, September 14, 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, September 14, 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 McCaslin. Motion passed 7-0. 4. Approval of the Minutes a. Approve meeting minutes from the August 11, 2022 Natural Resources Commission Meeting Motion to approve the minutes by Husbands, second by Stein. Motion passes 7-0. 5. Acknowledgement of Reports None. 6. Old Business None. 7. New Business a. Student Commissioner Introduction Student Representative Stella Byrnes, a Junior at Visitation, introduced herself. All commissioners introduced themselves. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson reminded the commission that Student Representative Byrnes is not a voting member. b. Parks Celebration Survey Results Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter recapped the event on August 13 in which the Commission provided a survey for residents. The major takeaways in responses centered around education, native plant sales, stormwater pond maintenance, water quality, incorporating native features in new developments, incorporating pollinator plantings, and protection of wetlands. Commissioner Husbands asked how many respondents there were. Coordinator Spreiter suggested there were 15. Commissioner Tupper thanked those who attended and asked for highlights of the event. Commissioner Fahnhorst had a good experience interacting with residents. Commissioner Stein agreed that the residents being interested in natural resources is a true community asset. Commissioner Quick commented she’s glad residents are represented in the plan for 2023. c. 2022 Community Restoration Event Coordinator Spreiter shared a task of the 2022 work plan to plan and implement a fall planting or restoration event. Requested action of the Commission is to determine if they’d like to move forwards with a volunteer restoration project, and to determine when and what type if so. Commissioner Quick suggested a diverse planting near the “Mendota Heights” sign on Dodd/Mendota Heights Road. Commissioner Husbands asked Coordinator Spreiter if she had any thoughts. Coordinator Spreiter suggested there are several opportunities such as buckthorn removal, native vegetation planting, or pollinator planting. Commissioner Husbands suggested the corner of Dodd/Marie as a visible corner that could be a great opportunity. Chair Swank is interested in buckthorn removal as it has a large impact. Commissioner Stein asked if there were any areas that are ready for planting that could appeal to more volunteers. Coordinator Spreiter has a few areas in mind, with some opportunities with turf-to-native conversion. She added buckthorn removal would be a great choice for a larger event. Commissioner Husbands suggested, if buckthorn removal, to have a larger, future plan for how to then rehabilitate the area after removal. Commissioner McCaslin asked if there was an ongoing buckthorn removal area that could be utilized. Coordinator Spreiter noted several areas within Valley Park that could be a good location for a buckthorn removal project, which also have long-term management plans in place. Commissioner Tupper added that buckthorn removal would be a good event for families to get involved with. Commissioner McCaslin asked if they could offer both events. Commissioner Quick likes the idea of supporting the lot at Marie/Dodd, but feels stronger about an opportunity that would garner more visibility and recognition of the new commission. Commissioner Stein suggested a buckthorn removal event this fall, deferring to staff on the best location. Commissioner Quick asked if the event would be associated with Great River Greening, or would the City work independently. Coordinator Spreiter stated it would be a City project with the help of volunteers. Commissioner Husbands asked how the budget would be spent with this project. Coordinator Spreiter commented that native seed and some supplies would take a little bit of the budget. If the commission does two projects there would be budget for both, since buckthorn removal would cost minimal. The commission gained consensus of two events; buckthorn removal at a location determined by Coordinator Spreiter, as well as planting around the Mendota Heights sign. Coordinator Spreiter will send out potential dates via email. d. Green Step Cities Overview Assistant City Administrator Torkelson shared information regarding the Green Step Cities initiative. The program has identified 29 operational best practices that the Mendota Heights can start building towards. She shared some more in-depth information from the Green Step Cities website. Staff are in the process of evaluating the best practice action items, which will help promote the City’s strategic goals. Commissioner Husbands clarified whether the Commission will have access to the Green Steps Cities login information. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson noted that the login is for reporting purposes only, and doesn’t provide any additional data. Staff will provide a presentation regarding where the City stands in the Green Step Cities process. Commissioner Tupper asked if other cities are involved with the Green Step Cities initiative. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson offered to share webinar opportunities with the Commission as they come. Chair Swank asked a question about the progression of Star Levels and how to decide where to land. Assistant City Administration Torkelson stated that it’s up the City and Commission to determine where to land on the Star Levels. 8. Staff Announcements Coordinator Spreiter noted upcoming events; Decluttering Workshop, Dakota County Big Rivers Trailhead Open House, Makers Market, Dakota County “We Are Water” traveling educational exhibit, and a few volunteer opportunities. 9. Commission Comments Commissioner Quick followed up on the “We Are Water” exhibit, stating it’s a great opportunity for Commissioners to attend. 10. Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting by McCaslin, second by Tupper. Motion passes 7-0. Chair Swank adjourned the meeting at 6:43pm. 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.