NRC meeting minutes 12142022
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Wednesday, December 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,
December 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, Swank, Stein. Commissioners Absent: Student Representative Byrnes,
Commissioners Quick, Tupper. Staff present: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter
and Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Motion to approve the agenda by Husbands, second by Fahnhorst.
Motion passed 5-0.
4. Approval of the Minutes
a. Approve meeting minutes from the November 10, 2022 Natural Resources Commission
Meeting
Commissioner Husbands asked for clarification regarding an item included in the
minutes but had not included in the work session.
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson clarified that the December work session did not
have capacity to include the conversation on the site visit but that staff would bring that
discussion forward to the commission at a future date.
Motion to approved the minutes by Stein, seconded by McCaslin
Motion passed 5-0
5. New Business
a. 2023 Community Event Calendar
Coordinator Spreiter presented a community event calendar that pertains to the work
of the Natural Resources Commission.
Commissioner Stein asked for clarification on the Spring Lake Park hike, Coordinator
Spreiter clarified that that event is hosted through Dakota County.
Commissioner Husbands asked how the event calendar would be posted
Coordinator Spreiter shared that the city posts city events on the city calendar. Assistant
City Administrator Torkelson added that the city’s new website will include capacity to
highlight Natural Resources specific events.
Chair Swank asked what events would be good to plan for tabling events for the
commission. Coordinator Spreiter reviewed city events that would be potential options
for the commission to volunteer at. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson
recommended looking at the city’s legacy events as opportunities for the commission to
table and do engagement with the community. Commissioner Stein also offered that
the national night out event would also be a potential engagement opportunity. Chair
Swank also shared that it would make sense to do something around arbor day.
Commissioner Fahnhorst also wanted to do something at the city’s tree sale event.
Commissioner Swank inquired if there would be an opportunity to be involved at Dakota
County events. Coordinator Spreiter shared that staff would want to connect on specific
opportunities with Dakota County Staff.
b. 2023 Potential Natural Resources Grant Opportunities
Coordinator Spreiter reviewed a grant tracking spreadsheet including past grants the
city has applied for or received.
Commissioner McCaslin was interested in continued tracking of the spreadsheet.
Commissioner Stein asked how many grants staff would be able to pursue in a year.
Coordinator Spreiter shared that it depended on the grant and the requirements
pertaining to the grant. Currently she is managing 5-6 grants for the city.
Commissioner Stein asked if we have pursued federal grants. Coordinator Spreiter
shared that the city has not applied for federal grants, but we did pursue a bonding
request for Oheyawahe last year but that request was not including in the legislative
bonding bill.
Chair Swank asked if we have pursued any grants through the Minnesota Historical
Society. Coordinator Spreiter shared that we actually had applied for and received that
grant last year for an interpretive plan for Oheyawahe and that staff would be pursuing
that grant again for next year to continue the work. Chair Swank is interested in a site
visit to Oheyawahe.
c. 2023 Preliminary Natural Resources Budget Information
Coordinator Spreiter provided a budget update on the 2023 budget to the Natural
Resources Commission.
Commissioner Husbands asked for clarification on if funding for invasive species
management and native plantings has been allocated to specific tasks. Coordinator
Spreiter shared that the natural resources management plan is directing the allocation
of those funds. There are additional funds that would be available after the completion
of the NRMP proposed projects.
Chair Swank commented that it was great that the City Council authorized a significant
increase to funding for natural resources projects in 2023 and thanked staff for their
work advocating for those changes in the 2023 budget.
6. Staff Announcements
Coordinator Spreiter shared that holiday light recycling is currently going on at City Hall and
that commission applications are now open for other city commissions and a reminder of
City Hall holiday hours.
Assistant City Administrator Torkelson invited commissioners to share advisory commission
openings on social media. In addition, the city is still hiring for winter seasonal staff.
7. Commission Comments
Chair Swank acknowledged that this was the last meeting of 2022 and that the commission
is just getting started.
Commissioner Stein shared that the commission held a buckthorn event since the last
meeting and that the 15 volunteers that attended made significant progress in that event.
8. Adjourn
Motion to adjourn the meeting by McCaslin, second by Stein.
Motion passes 5-0.
Chair Swank adjourned the meeting at 6:37pm.
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.