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NRC Packet 10112023NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AGENDA MENDOTA HEIGHTS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS Wednesday October 11, 2023 6:00 p.m. 1.Call to Order 2.Roll Call 3.Adopt Agenda 4.Approval of Minutes a.Approval of September 13, 2023 Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes 5.Public Comment Period (for items not on the agenda) 6.New Business a.2023 Natural Resources Commission Student Representative b.September 27 Work Session Recap 7.Old Business a.Work Plan Discussion b.Recap of Tree Planting Event c.Partners in Energy Program Update d.Oak Awards Program Update e.Committee Reports – Workplan •Ordinance and Policy Development •Education and Outreach •Urban Forestry •Green Steps •Sustainability 8.Staff Announcements 9.Commission Comments 10.Adjourn Alternative formats or auxiliary aids are available to individuals with disabilities upon request. Please contact City Hall at 651-452-1850 or cityhall@mendotaheightsmn.gov. 1 NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AGENDA MENDOTA HEIGHTS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS Wednesday September 13, 2023, 5:00 p.m. Meeting Minutes The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission was held on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, at Mendota Heights City Hall; 1101 Victoria Curve. 1.Call to Order Chair Swank called the meeting to order at 5:00pm. 2.Roll Call Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter called the roll. Commissioners present: Swank, Husbands, Stein, Tupper, Knosalla, and Fahnhorst. Commissioners Absent: Commissioner McCaslin and Student Commissioner Byrnes. Staff present: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter and Assistant City Administrator Kelly Torkelson. 3.Adopt Agenda Motion to approve the agenda by Fahnhorst, second by Stein. Motion passed 6-0. 4.Approval of Minutes a.Approval of August 9, 2023 Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the minutes by Tupper, second by Husbands. Motion passed 6-0. 5.Public Comment Period (for items not on the agenda) 6.New Business a.Oak Award Program Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter shared draft criteria developed by the Education and Outreach committee for the Oak Award program. She shared different levels of the proposed award program. She noted the award nominations will be accepted each fall and awarded each January. Commissioner Tupper shared additional information on the criteria, structure and examples. Commissioner Fahnhorst asked if there was a limit on a number of awards given each year. He recommended the allowance of multiple awards each year. 2 4a. Commissioner Knosalla asked what the award would look like. Commissioner Tupper will look into different options of plaques and other structures. Assistant City Administrator Torkelson advised the commission to determine a set number of recipients so that it could be budgeted for accordingly. Commissioner Stein suggested featuring the winners in City publications. Commissioner Tupper noted that the project should occur within the City. Commissioner Fahnhorst noted that several volunteers just appreciate the recognition, if a monetary award isn’t feasible. Motion to recommend the Oak Awards program to the City Council by Fahnhorst, second by Stein. Motion passed 6-0. b.Natural Resources Commission Site Tour Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter noted the upcoming tour at Valley Park, and the several projects they hope to view. The tour will happen after the meeting tonight. c.Natural Resources 2024 Preliminary Budget Request Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter noted a few preliminary budget line items that were removed and replaced for the 2024 preliminary budget, as well as an additional preliminary budget line item that was added by the City Council. She also noted a few preliminary budget line items that were not changed. For 2023, the Natural Resources total budget was $253,300. For 2024, the Natural Resources total preliminary budget requested is $316,800. Commissioner Stein commented that he likes to see the preliminary budget line item for maintenance. Commissioner Husbands appreciates the cohesiveness of the preliminary budget resources and think this will allow the commission to be better stewards. 7.Old Business a.Student Commissioner Recruitment Assistant City Administrator Torkelson noted the City has opened the applications for the Student Commissioner seat, as a non-voting member of the Commission. It’s been promoted with the School District as well as social media. Commissioner Stein suggested sharing this information with the school’s “Live Green” club. b.Partners in Energy 3 Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter provided an update on the status of the program. Staff plans to apply by the October deadline, and she shared a copy of the application with the Commission. Coordinator Spreiter is asking for any Commissioner’s feedback via email on some of the application questions. c.Committee Reports – Workplan •Ordinance and Policy Development Commissioner Fahnhorst reminded the group of an upcoming worksession to continue work on the ordinance. •Education and Outreach Commissioner Tupper is excited to recommend the Oak Awards program to the City Council. •Urban Forestry Commissioner Husbands noted the plan of spraying, burning, spraying again, and seeding with a Savannah mix, then planting overstory as well as understory trees, pollinator shrubs and forbs for the savannah demonstration project in Marie Park. •Green Steps The committee is waiting on direction as to which activities to prioritize to get to Step 3. •Sustainability Commissioner Stein thanked Coordinator Spreiter for the work on the Partners in Energy application. 8.Staff Announcements Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter noted a volunteer tree planting event on October 5 at Friendly Hills Park. 9.Commission Comments NA 10.Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting by Husbands, second by Knosalla. Motion passed 6-0. Vice-Chair Tupper adjourned the meeting at 5:33pm. 4 DATE: October 11, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Kelly Torkelson, Assistant City Administrator SUBJECT: 2023 Natural Resources Commission Student Representative Background Student representatives play a valuable role and offer a unique perspective on the City’s Commissions. Student representatives are non-voting members that 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, 2023 to May, 2024. Hannah Trudeau applied to become a student representative on the Natural Resources Commission in September of 2023 and was accepted for the position. Hannah is a tenth (10th) grader at Two Rivers High School. Requested Action The Commission should introduce themselves, and then allow the student representative to introduce themselves to the Commission and Community. 5 6a. DATE: October 11, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: September 27 Work Session Recap Background As part of Goal 1: Policy and Ordinance Review and Development, the Goal 1 Committee of the Commission has developed a draft of an Urban Forest Management Ordinance, receiving and incorporating feedback from the rest of the Commission. At the September 27, 2023 work session, the Commission reviewed the draft provided, working towards a final draft of the document for recommendation to City Council. At that time, it was decided that another work session is needed to finalize the draft ordinance. Replacing the November 9th regular commission meeting with an additional work session to finalize the Urban Forest Management Draft was proposed. The work session would take place on Thursday, November 9th, 2023, at 6PM rather than Wednesday of that week due to elections. Requested Action The Commission is asked to discuss the option of replacing the regular November commission meeting on Thursday, November 9th, 2023 with a work session. 6 6b. DATE: October 11, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Work Plan Discussion Background A work plan can guide accountability and resource allocation for the Commission and help to move through commission priorities. Included in the packet materials is the work plan for the 2023 calendar year. It includes initiatives under each of the five identified goals, divided into a quarterly timetable. The Commission has now moved into Quarter Four of this timetable. Below are goals of the 2023 Work Plan and an update on their subsequent initiatives within Quarter Three. Goal 1: Ordinance and Policy Development •Coordinate with City Staff to review and propose City ordinance(s) to City Council. Review existing City ordinances to identify proposed amendments. In process. A second work session will be scheduled to finalize the draft of the Urban Forest Management ordinance. •Review Planning Review Checklists to offer natural resources considerations. Put on hold until City Planner position is filled. Goal 2: Education and Outreach •Volunteer at Park Celebration. It was determined that the Fishing Derby would be a more appropriate event for Commission Education and Outreach objectives. •Host site tour of natural resources site. The Commission attended a site tour of various restoration projects within Valley Park on September 13th. •Develop and administer award/recognition program for community stewardship efforts. The Oak Awards Program was developed and approved by City Council. Draft will be finalized for implementation. Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities •Buckthorn Removal Event. Not Completed. A volunteer tree planting event was hosted in Quarter Three. A demonstration tree planting project is in process. 7 7a. Goal 4: Green Steps •Identify performance measurements and support structures necessary to prepare for Step 4. On hold in anticipation for additional staffing in 2024. •Advance to Step 3 in the Green Steps Program. On hold in anticipation for additional staffing in 2024. Goal 5: Sustainability •Host residential energy saving education event. In process. The Commission recommended the Partners In Energy program to City Council, and the program was approved. Requested Action The Commission should discuss work plan initiatives for Quarter Four, as well as the possibility of including 2024 Work Plan discussion in the agenda for the Commission’s December 13th, 2023 Work Session. 8 Natural Resources Commission Work Plan 2023 Timeline Goal Initiative Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Review peer community ordinances to identify gaps and opportunities for Mendota Heights NR ordinances X X Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Prioritize tree ordinance, landscape ordinance, weed ordinance, as well as any other ordinances the commission is interested in developing X Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Review Planning Review Checklists to offer natural resources considerations X X X Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Coordinate with city staff to review and propose city ordinance(s) to city council X X Goal 1: Ordinance Policy and Development Review existing city ordinances to identify proposed amendments X X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Develop engagement materials aimed at children to educate on natural resources topics: i.e. coloring book or puzzle to hand out while tabling X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Frozen Fun Fest X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Touch a Truck X Goal 2: Education and Outreach No Mow May X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Volunteer at Park Celebration X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Host site tour of natural resources site X X Goal 2: Education and Outreach Develop and administer award/recognition program for community stewardship efforts X X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities Develop Tree of the Month program X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities Buckthorn removal event X X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities Coordinate with Parks and Recreation Commission to identify collaboration opportunities between PRC and NRC X Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities Host tree planting event X Goal 4: Green Steps Update reporting measurements to reflect City's current step status X X Goal 4: Green Steps Onboard new Recycling/Sustainability Coordinator to lead city Greensteps initiative X Goal 4: Green Steps Identify opportunities for step advancement X Goal 4: Green Steps Identify performance measurements and support structures necessary to prepare for Step 4 X X Goal 4: Green Steps Advance to Step 3 in the Green Steps program X X Goal 5: Sustainability Review city energy usage to identify opportunities for improvement X Goal 5: Sustainability Host residential energy saving education event X Goal 5: Sustainability Review peer community sustainability efforts to identify opportunities in MH X X 9 7a1. DATE: October 11, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Recap of Fall Tree Planting Event Background As an initiative of the Natural Resources Commission’s 2023 Work Plan, ‘Hosting a Tree Planting Event’ is an initiative of Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities. The City hosted a volunteer tree planting event on October 5th at Friendly Hills Park to fulfill this initiative. Volunteers planted five shade trees on the east side of the tennis courts, where several ash trees had been removed due to Emerald Ash Borer disease. Staff will continue to water and care for the newly trees moving forward. Requested Action Information only. 10 7b. DATE: October 11, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Partners in Energy Program Update Background As part of Goal 5, Sustainability, the Sustainability Committee has worked to prepare and submit an application to Xcel Energy’s Partners in Energy program. If accepted, the Partners in Energy Program would partner with the City and Community to help reduce energy use, provide climate change adaption, and increase and plan for energy sustainability. This program is able to tailor its services to each community’s goals and needs to create a plan that allows communities to make wise energy decisions. As part of this plan, the City hopes to coordinate and partner with citizens, businesses, schools, and other community groups, to promote renewables, encourage and implement energy conservation and sustainability, and work toward greenhouse gas reduction goals throughout the City, including at city-owned facilities. The Commission officially recommended the program to City Council, and the recommendation was approved, at the October 3rd, 2023 City Council meeting. City staff will therefore apply to the program before the October 15th deadline. The application to the program is attached. Requested Action Information only. 11 7c. Page 1 of 6 22-12-504 Colorado | Minnesota Application Partners in Energy More communities are realizing energy planning plays a critical role in helping them reach their energy goals. The benefits of wise energy choices are diverse. Through collaborative work with citizens, businesses, and governments, a community can shave dollars off utility bills, promote renewable energy, drive resource conservation, and contribute to greenhouse gas reduction goals. Since 2014, Partners in Energy has been helping communities gather these stakeholders to develop and implement energy action plans that address the challenges of local energy priorities with actionable strategies and resources. In addition to offering support for community-based energy action plan development and implementation, Partners in Energy is evolving to include a broader spectrum of community engagement that includes supporting returning Partners in Energy communities as they define new goals and strategies, working with communities that have existing energy goals and strategies but need help implementing them, supporting smaller communities or geographic areas (i.e., districts or neighborhoods) that may benefit from a more tailored approach, or even convening collaborations that don’t fit the traditional definition of a community but are focused on increased efficiency and renewable energy opportunities in unusual settings. Partners in Energy continues to offer tools, data, and expertise to help communities analyze their energy trends, establish energy goals, identify energy strategies, and implement their energy priorities. Through the Partners in Energy process, Xcel Energy supports communities in convening stakeholders to develop custom roadmaps to achieve their energy goals. Xcel Energy also helps communities implement their energy strategies. The planning and implementation process is tailored to the unique needs and priorities of each community. Accepted communities will participate in a scoping meeting to determine the pathway that best aligns with your community’s interests and capabilities. Partners in Energy is offered at no cost to participating communities in Colorado and Minnesota, with the expectation that both Xcel Energy and the community will invest in the process. This investment includes staff and financial resources from Xcel Energy during both the planning and implementation phases. It also includes community staff time during both the planning and implementation phases and your community’s plan may require financial support to implement strategies. 12 7c1. Page 2 of 6 22-12-50 4 Partners in Energy Application Partners in Energy 800-369-4362 Colorado | Minnesota Xcel Energy wants to work with motivated, engaged, and action-oriented communities and champions who are willing to commit to the process and the outcomes. This application will help us better determine good community alignment for our limited, but valuable, resources. While completing the application does not guarantee acceptance as a participant, your application will be evaluated against other applicants using criteria that include, but may not be limited to, community size and structure, planning experience, stakeholder capacity, available resources (staff and otherwise), and willingness to share results publicly. If you have questions about the application or the opportunity, please visit xcelenergy.com/PartnersInEnergy, email us at PartnersInEnergy@xcelenergy.com or call 800-369-4362. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15. We will confirm acceptance into the program or ask for more details within the month following the respective deadline. We reserve the right to pause or discontinue any or all application cycles at the sole discretion of Xcel Energy. Qualifying customers Communities in Colorado and Minnesota with retail energy services from Xcel Energy qualify to participate in Partners in Energy. Community customer information Company name Community jurisdiction (e.g., city, association, partnerships, county): _____________________________________________________________________ Contact name _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Title Phone Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City Email Community profile Approximate business count Approximate household count Approximate population Approximate area in square miles Would you be able to provide a GIS a shapefile of your community that would define the geographic boundaries of the area? Yes No Current community energy-related utility providers (e.g. gas service providers) 1)Name of company Fuel type Area served 2) Name of company Fuel type Area served 3)Name of company Fuel type Area served Clear form City of Mendota Heights City Krista Spreiter Natural Resources Coordinator 651-255-1123 1101 Victoria Cv, Mendota Heights, MN 55118 Mendota Heights KSpreiter@Mendotaheightsmn.org 750 11,000 4,500 10 Xcel Energy Electric, Gas All Energy Solar Solar CenerPoint Energy Gas 13 Page 3 of 6 22-12-504 Partners in Energy Application Partners in Energy 800-369-4362 Colorado | Minnesota Interest in Partners in Energy Describe your interest in Partners in Energy and how you think Partners in Energy could provide value. What is/are the most pressing energy-related issue(s) facing your community today? If you’re accepted as a participant in Partners in Energy, what additional approvals within your community would you need to obtain prior to starting? (examples: City Council, City Manager, Sustainability Commission, etc.) The City understands that there are more efficient, sustainable energy technologies currently available for use in both buildings and transportation. And once installed or in use, these systems have lower maintenance and operating costs that have the potential to save money on an ongoing basis as well as benefit our environment. The most pressing issue is financing the up-front costs to upgrade to these technologies. We need to fully understand what incentives are available and what information or preparation is needed to take full advantage of them. If the City is accepted into the program, it is hoping to work in partnership with the Partners in Energy Program to begin that preparation work with the assistance of the Partners in Energy Program. The City has already begun the process of communicating and discussing the program with its Natural Resources Commission, as well as city staff and the City Council. The Natural Resources Commission willwill officially recommend the program to City Council at an upcoming regular council meeting. Both the NaturalResources Commission and City Council will be key players and participants in providing direction and identifying additional community partners, including businesses, residents, and community groups in the beginning stages of the program. The City has begun efforts in making our community more energy efficient and sustainable, however much more work could be done. An Energy Action Plan could help the City explore additional actionsand partnerships to work towards a more sustainable future community-wide. The City would like to form partnerships with businesses within the community for example, which do not currently exist. We believe Partners in Energy could help initiate conversations and develop these partnerships, not only between the City and businesses, but also residents, schools, and other community groups to find ways to become more energy efficient and sustainable together.The City of Mendota Heights has some primary goals that we are hoping the Partners In Energy program could help it accomplish:1. Develop detailed, implementable plans on how the City can become more energy efficient, reduceCO2 and other emissions, and reduce ongoing energy costs. The initial focus would be on Citybuildings and determining if highly efficient, electricity-powered heating and cooling systems(such as ground source heat pumps) are feasible and cost-effective for City buildings. If these systems are installed, the City could lead by exampleand demonstrate to our community as well as other cities that this type of work can both benefit the environment as well as provide ongoing financialsavings to the City through reduced energy use. Money saved through more efficient energy use could be re-directed to other City priorities.2. Get prepared to take full advantage of current and upcoming incentive programs to assist with the higher up-front costs of these types of systems.We want to be fully prepared to take advantage of energy-focused incentives and rebates including those that are Federally-based (such as anyavailable through the Inflation Reduction Act), any incentives available through the State of Minnesota, and any available through Xcel Energy.The higher initial costs is a possible impediment, so the more the City can leverage current and upcoming incentive programs to reduce those, themore likely it will be that these systems will be installed and ultimately accomplish the dual goals of reducing emissions and providing ongoing financialsavings.3. Educate the citizens and business owners in our City about the more energy-efficient, electric technologies that are currently available for heating,cooling, transportation, and other applications that use fossil-fuel based technology. In addition, provide education and current information on incentiveprograms available to homeowners, business owners, residents of multi-unit dwellings, and all the citizens of Mendota Heights. The same goals ofreducing emissions and ongoing energy costs would be the focus, but in this case individual citizens and business owners would need to take theinitiative for implementing improvements, based on the information and education materials that are provided. 14 Page 4 of 6 22-12-50 4 Partners in Energy Application Partners in Energy 800-369-4362 Colorado | Minnesota Planning and energy management experience Does your community currently have any sustainability or energy plans, policies, codes, regulations or initiatives? If yes, please identify them and indicate the date(s) they were last revised. (Describe your interest in Partners in Energy and how you think Partners in Energy could provide value.) Describe any energy programs or energy management activities your community has participated in over the past two years. Please include goals/targets and results if applicable. This can include initiatives to track energy use in any part of your community (e.g., public buildings), a neighborhood energy challenge, etc. If you have participated in Partners in Energy before, what strategies would you like to pursue with additional support from Partners in Energy, and why? Additionally, please explain if your community is already engaged with Xcel Energy in other ways. Community resources and commitment Please indicate who in your community would be the point person (or people) to manage your Partners in Energy participation and describe his/her/their applicable experience and background relative to planning, energy and /or sustainability. Describe his/her/their availability to support this initiative through both strategy development and implementation (include multiple people as applicable for each stage). Describe whether they are paid staff or volunteers and the extent to which managing and/or implementing energy or sustainability initiatives is a component of their job duties. The City does not currently have an energy plan. Chapter 8, Resilience, of the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan addresses renewable energy, the City's emergency action plan, and sustainability. However, more specific information for implementation is needed. The City also has a Natural Resources Management Plan(2022), which incorporates information and implementation strategies in planning for climate change and sustainability as it pertains to the city's natural resources, but does not include renewable energy. The City is utilizing solar energy on all of its public buildings currently. This includes City Hall,the fire station, city-owned golf course, and public works facility. The City has worked with XcelEnergy in the past to install a pollinator habitat corridor within an Xcel easement that is locatedin one of the City's parks. This will be the first time that the City has applied for the PartnersIn Energy program. The Natural Resources Coordinator will be the point person for managing the Partners in Energy program, with support from the Natural Resources Commission. The Natural Resources Commission is currentlyworking on five goals in accordance with their work plan. One of these goals is Sustainability, and the Commission has created a committee solely committed to obtaining the objectives of this goal. ThePartners in Energy program is a part of this goal and both the Sustainability Committee and the NaturalResources Commission is committed to working towards accomplishing and implementing the program. The Natural Resources Coordinator is a paid staff position that will be dedicating the hours necessary throughoutthe planning and implementation process to ensure the program is successful. 15 Page 5 of 6 22-12-504 Partners in Energy Application Partners in Energy 800-369-4362 Colorado | Minnesota While Partners in Energy is offered to communities at no cost, communities are responsible for expenses associated with implementation. Does your community have staff, volunteer, budget or other funding resources to implement the energy initiatives that will be identified in the Partners in Energy process? Yes No If yes, please describe. Community involvement One of the keys of Partners in Energy is engaging representatives from your community to participate in developing and implementing strategies to meet your community goals. These representatives should be varied and willing to commit their time to the process. They may include city or town staff members, business association representatives, large local business representatives, local nonprofit staff members, school district staff members, county government officials, etc. Please describe who from the community you would anticipate engaging in developing your energy strategies. (Please list six to eight possible representatives.) Partners in Energy is designed to promote communities learning from each other and sharing best practices. Are you willing to share your community work through Partners in Energy with community members and other participating communities? Will you allow your final work products to be shared publicly? Yes No If no, please explain.Type text here If accepted, the City is prepared to incure expenses associated with identified tasks in implementation of the program. The City's Natural Resources Coordinator will commit the neccessary time needed throughout the process.In addition, City representatives dedicated to engaging with Partners in Energy throughout the processinclude five members of the City Council, as well as the eight members of the Natural Resources Commission. Other community members that may be identified as partners in the process include the schooldistrict, business owners, and non-profit community groups. 16 Partners in Energy Application Partners in Energy 800-369-4362 Colorado | Minnesota Is there anything else you would like us to consider when evaluating your application? Customer declaration I certify that the information in this application is accurate and complete and I am authorized to make this application on behalf of my community. Your signature confirms your community is interested in participating in Partners in Energy and is willing to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Xcel Energy that will define responsibilities and expectations of both parties. Community name Contact name Title By checking the box and indicating my name below, I am signing this application in declaration of its accuracy. Name Title xcelenergy.com | © 2022 Xcel Energy Inc. | Xcel Energy is a registered trademark of Xcel Energy Inc. | 22-12-504 The City has residents that are very interested and vested in finding and utilizing new ways of using energywisely and sustainably into the future. Chapter 8, Resilience, of the City's 2040 Comprehensive Plan wasinitiated and created by community members with experience and knowledge of the subject matter, andwas included at the residents recommendation. Many residents and community members are alreadydedicated to the goal of sustainable energy within the City. City of Mendota Heights Krista Spreiter Natural Resources Coordinator Natural Resources Coordinator 17 DATE: October 11, 2023 TO: Natural Resources Commission FROM: Krista Spreiter, Natural Resources Coordinator SUBJECT: Oak Awards Program Update Background The Education and Outreach Committee of the Natural Resources Commission has developed draft criteria for the Oak Awards Program, to fulfill the initiative of Administration and development of an award/recognition program for community stewardship efforts under Goal 2 of the Commission’s 2023 Work Plan. The proposed program is entitled the Oak Awards Program with the purpose of encouraging and recognizing leadership, education/outreach, and project efforts that advance natural resources within the City. The proposed Oak Awards Program includes the following annual awards: •Acorn award – recognizes exemplary youth leadership in the advancement of our City’s natural resources. •Leaf award – recognizes significant contributions of an individual, family, company or organization that has demonstrated substantial leadership for the stewardship of our City’s natural resources. •Canopy award – recognizes lifetime achievement of an individual, family, company or organization that has demonstrated extraordinary leadership for the stewardship of our City’s natural resources. The attached draft includes details for the proposed program, which was recommended to City Council and approved, at the October 3rd, 2023 City Council meeting. During the discussion, City Council raised the following questions for clarification on the program: •Will the selection process be public or private and how will recipients be selected? •Are contractors/paid organizations eligible? •What is the minimum or maximum age of the youth category? •Can recipients receive the award multiple times? 18 7d. The proposed recommended timeline given by city staff and the Education and Outreach Committee is as follows: A call for nominations would be given at the end of October. Nominations would be accepted until December 31st, followed by an evaluation period of 4-8 weeks. A final recommendation would be brought to the Commission, and final decision made, at the March commission meeting. The awards would be presented in April in conjunction with Earth and Arbor Day Celebrations. Requested Action The Commission is invited to discuss the proposed program and provide feedback and clarification on the questions presented by City Council, as well as the proposed timeline for implementation. 19 Mendota Heights Oak Awards Program 1 About the Mendota Heights Oak Awards Program What is the Mendota Heights Oak Awards Program? The Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission sponsors the Oak Awards Program to celebrate leadership, education/outreach, and project efforts that advance natural resources within the city. The Awards program was created in 2023 by the newly established Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission. The Oak Awards program includes the following annual awards: •Acorn award – recognizes exemplary youth leadership in the advancement of our city’s natural resources. For example, a youth-led native planting project or education event. •Leaf award – recognizes significant contributions of an individual, family, company or organization that has demonstrated substantial leadership for the stewardship of our city’s natural resources. For example, a community organization native planting effort with widespread reach or coordination of a neighborhood-wide adopt-a-drain effort. •Canopy award – recognizes lifetime achievement of an individual, family, company or organization that has demonstrated extraordinary leadership for the stewardship of our city’s natural resources. For example, an individual who has initiated several or successive natural resource stewardship efforts or an organization that leads by example and has worked over time to cultivate natural resource stewardship in the community. Who is eligible and how are nominations evaluated? Any individual, family, company, or organization that has contributed to the advancement of natural resources within Mendota Heights is eligible. Nominees need not reside within Mendota Heights. Self-nominations or nominations of others are both accepted. Nominees are evaluated based on the quality of the nomination, demonstration of impact and inclusion of collaboration or community-building efforts. Nominations are accepted each fall, evaluated by the seven-member Natural Resource Commission members, and awarded in January of the following year. Nominations can be submitted online through the City’s website or by dropping the nomination off at City Hall. Why is the Mendota Heights Oak Awards Program important? Natural resources are the basis of Mendota Heights’ character and quality of life, beloved by residents, and appreciated by visitors. Important natural resources, especially the functioning natural areas that support “ecosystem services,” greatly benefit the health of our community. Water purification and regulation, groundwater recharge, urban heat island mitigation, fish and wildlife habitat, pollinator and crop support, and recreational pleasure — these are just a few of the ecosystem services that natural resources provide. Encouraging stewardship of the city’s natural resources will provide greater enjoyment to the community, better quality habitat for plants and wildlife, and a healthier, more resilient environment. 20 7d1. Mendota Heights Oak Awards Program 2 21 Mendota Heights Oak Awards Program 3 Mendota Heights Oak Awards Nomination Form [insert application instructions including submission location/link and applicable dates] Nominee Nominator Award Category (Acorn, Leaf, or Canopy) 1.Please describe the nominee’s leadership, education/outreach, or project effort that is contributing to the advancement of natural resources in Mendota Heights (e.g., what, why, when, where, how, who). 2.How has the nominee’s leadership, education/outreach, or project efforts led to demonstrable or ongoing advancement of the City’s natural resources? 3.How has the nominee collaborated with other community members or partners in their effort to advance natural resources in Mendota Heights? 4.Please attach any supportive materials, including but not limited to project photos or drawings, education/outreach materials, or other collateral. 22 Mendota Heights Oak Awards Program 4 Mendota Heights Oak Award Program Scoring Rubric Nominee Evaluator Evaluation Rubric Criteria Minimal (0) Developing (1) Effective (2) Exceptional (3) Score 1 Quality of nomination Incomplete, one or more items is missing from submission Nomination offers broad statements without specific examples Nomination outlines responses with specific examples Nominations provides in- depth responses with specific examples 2 Demonstrable or ongoing impact of efforts Minimal impact demonstrated One-time or small-scale effort with some impact One-time or developing effort that supports high- level impact Replicable or established effort that supports high- level impact 2 Inclusion of collaboration or community- building Does not demonstrate partnering or collaboration Some partnership or collaboration demonstrated Better than average partnership or collaboration Significant and substantive partnership or collaboration Evaluator comments: 23