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NRC 02-14-2024NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MENDOTA HEIGHTS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS February 14, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 1 of 7 Wednesday, February 14, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Meeting Minutes The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission was held on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at Mendota Heights City Hall; 1101 Victoria Curve. 1. Call to Order Chair Swank called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter called the roll. Commissioners present: Chair Swank, Husbands, Knosalla, McCaslin, Stein, and Student Commissioner Trudeau. Commissioners Absent: Commissioner Fahnhorst (arrived at 6:02 p.m.). Staff present: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter. 3. Adopt Agenda Motion to approve the agenda by Husbands, second by Knosalla. Motion passed 6-0. 4. Approval of Minutes a. Approval of January 10, 2024 Natural Resources Commission Meeting Minutes Motion to approve the Regular Session Minutes by Stein, second by McCaslin. Commissioner Fahnhorst arrived at the meeting at 6:02 p.m. Motion passed 7-0. 5. Citizen Comment Period (for items not on the agenda) No one appeared to address the Commission 6. New Business a. New Commissioner Introduction Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter stated at its regular meeting on January 23, 2024, the City Council appointed Liz Sheets to the Natural Resources Commission. Commissioner Sheets will fill the open position on the Commission previously held by Commissioner Tupper and will be on the Commission with a term that expires January 31, 2025. The Commissioners introduced themselves to Commissioner Liz Sheets. Commissioner Sheets introduced herself to the Commission. February 14, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 2 of 7 b. 2024 Commission Officer Elections Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter reviewed the Natural Resource Commission’s bylaws set election of the roles of Chair and Vice Chair at the annual meeting for the Commission which takes place in February of each year. If a Commissioner is interested in the position of either Chair or Vice Chair, they are welcome to express their interest to the group as a whole during discussion of this item. The chair and the Vice Chair elections will be separate items. The election of a Chair will be the first order of business. After a Chair has been selected from the Commission, the new Chair will take over the meeting proceedings. The Chair will then ask the Commission for nominations for Vice Chair. Following nominations, the Chair will then call the vote for Vice Chair. Chair Swank asked for nominations for Chair and for Vice Chair. Commissioner Stein nominated Commissioner Swank as Chair for the 2024 Commission. He stated she does a nice job of leading these meetings. Commissioner Fahnhorst added his support for the nomination. Motion to approve the appointment of Commissioner Swank as Chair for 2024 by Stein, second by Knosalla. Motion passed 7-0. Chair Swank stated Commissioner Knosalla is an excellent consensus builder. Her expertise and ability to work with people would make her a good choice for Vice Chair. Commissioner Fahnhorst added his support for the nomination. Motion to approve the appointment of Commissioner Knosalla as Vice Chair for 2024 by Swank, second by Husbands. Motion passed 7-0. c. Committee Appointments Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter reviewed the Natural Resources Commission established goals for the 2024 calendar year at its work session on December 13, 2023 as part of the Commission’s 2024 Workplan. The 2024 Work Plan consists of five goals: Goal 1: Ordinance and Policy Development Goal 2: Education and Outreach Goal 3: Urban Forestry and Restoration Goal 4: Strategic Planning Goal 5: Sustainability Committees are to be established to aid the Commission in the accomplishment of the goals of the 2024 Workplan. Commissioners may opt to continue in their role of their current committee(s), or request to join another committee if space allows. The following committees were established in 2023: Goal 1: Ordinance and Policy Development – Commissioners Fahnhorst, McCaslin, Stein Goal 2: Education and Outreach – Commissioner Swank Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities – Commissioners Husbands, McCaslin, Knosalla Goal 4: Green Steps – Commissioners Swank, Knosalla Goal 5: Sustainability – Commissioners Husbands, Knosalla, Stein February 14, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 3 of 7 Committees will meet as deemed necessary. For each goal, committees will focus on potential next steps to be brought to the Commission for discussion, as well as proposed action items. The Commission can then accept or deny proposed action items brought by committees. Committee reports will also be given to the Commission by each committee at all regular commission meetings. If a committee has nothing to report, that can simply be stated by the committee. The Commission is requested to establish committee members for each Goal. It is recommended that a maximum of three commissioners per committee be allowed, to comply with open meeting law. Commissioners may opt to continue in their current committee, or request to join another committee if space allows. The committee members for the Natural Resources Commission for 2024 are as follows: Goal 1: Ordinance and Policy Development – Commissioners Fahnhorst, McCaslin, Stein Goal 2: Education and Outreach – Commissioners Swank, Sheets, Trudeau Goal 3: Urban Forestry Awareness and Opportunities – Commissioners Husbands, McCaslin, Knosalla Goal 4: Strategic Planning – Commissioners Swank, Knosalla, Sheets Goal 5: Sustainability – Commissioners Husbands, Knosalla, Stein The committee assignments can be revisited again at midyear if necessary. d. Presentation “Fresh Air Fridays” Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter reviewed Ms. Kirsten Ramirez, a Mendota Heights resident and University of Minnesota Public Health graduate student appeared to give the presentation. As part of her graduate work, Ms. Ramirez is proposing an initiative for “Fresh Air Fridays” in the City of Mendota Heights. Fresh Air Fridays will encourage residents to make an intentional choice on Fridays to reduce their carbon emissions by carpooling, teleworking, biking, walking, etc. This initiative’s target implementation will coincide with the week of Earth Day in late April 2024. The proposal will be presented to both the Mendota Heights Parks and Recreation Commission and the Natural Resources Commission to obtain support for a recommendation to be presented to the City Council for approval and implementation. Ms. Ramirez stated her project addresses climate change at the local level through community involvement. A chart showing global greenhouse gas emissions by gas was displayed. A NASA graph showing the average global temperature since 1880 through 2022 was explained. The Power Point included Impact of Climate Change on Human Health, Climate Change in Mendota Heights, Hopelessness, Collective Action, and Fresh Air Fridays. This is a promotional and educational program designed to encourage residents to choose to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions on Fridays by walking, biking, carpooling, teleworking, etc. Ms. Ramirez hopes to present the program to the City Council in March with a kickoff in late April. The reason for the program is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to provide Mendota Heights residents a collective action step we can take to address climate change and the human health outcomes that impact us all. She provided examples of ways the program could be utilized. Other benefits cited include taking action is empowering, intentional choices lead to mindset shifts, our local businesses will benefit, compliments the walkable/bikeable pathways in Mendota Heights, exercising is good for us and it is a low-cost initiative. Ms. Ramirez stated opportunities for future as renewable program year after year, Fresh Air Friday gatherings in the village, show your bike helmet to local business, get a free “XXXX”. February 14, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 4 of 7 The Commission is requested to ask questions, discuss details of the potential program and provide any feedback. Commissioner Knosalla thanked Ms. Ramirez for her presentation. This provides rational optimism for the future. She would like to see how kids could be included. Could there be meatless lunch Fridays in the schools. Commissioner Stein stated Ms. Ramirez started a garden at the elementary school and has experience of bringing the community together. He thinks this is a wonderful idea and suggests going through the winter months. Any coordination could be done through the Education and Outreach Committee. Chair Swank suggested providing bus route information to residents. She suggested working with the Education and Outreach Committee. Commissioner Fahnhorst thanked Ms. Ramirez for her presentation and her work. He asked if this would be unique to Mendota Heights and is the intent it would be ongoing. Ms. Ramirez stated she could not find any other cities with similar efforts. The timeline would be to try it this year. Commissioner Sheets stated this serves as a good wrapper around other efforts. Ms. Ramirez agreed it could start small and branch out. Commissioner Husbands thanked Ms. Ramirez for bringing this forward. It would be helpful to bring the eco-anxiety forward and address that with action suggestions. Commissioner Trudeau stated it was a good presentation. Commissioner Knosalla suggested the presentation be sharable perhaps on a YouTube channel. 7. Old Business a. Approve Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance Draft Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter reviewed as part of Goal 1: Policy and Ordinance Review and Development, the Goal 1 Committee along with the Commission has developed a draft of an Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance, receiving and incorporating feedback from the Commission. The Commission also held a work session on September 27, 2023 to review the draft and give feedback, working towards a final draft of the document for recommendation to City Council. The Commission is asked to review and approve the current draft of the ordinance. Once a draft is approved, the draft ordinance may be submitted to the Planning Commission and City Council for review and comment at a future work session or regular meeting. The draft Ordinance was provided for Commission review. Commissioner Stein referred the Commission to Major Home Addition which is currently requiring a permit as well as a full blown forest management plan done by a horticulturist. Since a home addition may only affect a few trees he does not believe a full blown forest management plan would be necessary. (XX5 Section and also under definitions). If someone wanted to add a 3- season porch that threshold could be reached. The right balance needs to be reached. Chair Swank asked if Commissioner Stein wanted to change the 10% or pull that out of the section. Commissioner Husbands stated there does not need to be a footprint prescription. We should only be concerned about the trees. Commissioner Knosalla stated it refers to removing any significant February 14, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 5 of 7 trees. Chair Swank asked if it should be reworded to say if trees are affected then the Plan would be needed. Commissioner Stein stated with these sort of projects only one or two trees may be affected. If a vacant lot is being prepared for development, moving it down to 33% would make more sense.(XX2 Section). The major home addition portion would be stricken. Chair Swank stated people may not be aware if they want to remove trees they need to get a permit. Commissioner Husbands stated in her neighborhood there is a lot split and asked if that is included in the ordinance. Chair Swank stated it is included. Chair Swank summarized the changes would be in the Applicability and Forest Management Plan Sections the 50% would be reduced to 33%, a Major Home Addition would be stricken along with the definition of a Major Home Addition. Motion to amend the draft stating when removing 33% or more of significant or heritage trees, as part of any lot vacant or otherwise occupied, in any of the following . . . by Knosalla, No second received. Commissioner Husbands commented we are just picking a number why not bring it down to 10% as that may get more acceptance. Chair Swank stated 33% seems like a manageable percentage. Chair Swank asked if the focus should be more on the meaning rather than where things appear. Coordinator Spreiter stated this will go before the City Attorney and it may change. Commissioner Husbands asked if the Commission would be advised of the changes or would they just be made and go forward. Coordinator Spreiter stated it could be changed in the best interest of the City and the Commission would be given updates. Commissioner Sheets referred to Section XX4 it refers to any heritage tree. Are saying it there is a tree that meets the definition of a heritage tree a permit is required. Commissioner Knosalla stated a permit would be needed but not a Plan. Commissioner McCaslin stated it is important to have the City Attorney and Planning Commission and City Council review. Motion to amend the draft to reduce threshold from 50% to 33% as well as in Section 5 by Stein, second by Knosalla. Commissioner Husbands suggested keeping it at 50% and have it reviewed and see if it is modified. See if the high number is approved. Commissioner Fahnhorst stated 33% is more stringent than 50%. Commissioner Knosalla asked how the percentage of trees is calculated. Chair Swank stated it would be the number of trees. Motion passed 7-0. Motion to amend the draft to remove the Major Home Addition in Section 5 and any provisions that apply to Major Home Addition by Stein, second by Knosalla. Motion passed 7-0. February 14, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 6 of 7 Student Rep Trudeau noted in XX4A and also in XX2 it says this Ordinance applies to any property with 33% or more significant trees be removed. Commissioner Stein referred to requiring a permit when removing a single tree or one or two trees. Chair Swank stated if it is a Heritage Tree then yes which is what the ordinance says now. Commissioner Fahnhorst asked what path this ordinance will take if passed by the Commission. Coordinator Spreiter stated the Commission could submit for comment to the Planning Commission and City Council to get feedback before bringing it for formal approval by City Council. It will still need to go to the City Attorney. Chair Swank suggested getting comments from the Planning Commission and City Council prior to formal approval. Commissioner Fahnhorst suggested getting a consensus from the Commission to recommend, then have it formally discussed by the Planning Commission and provide feedback and if necessary they may recommend modifications. Then it could come back to the Commission. He suggested maybe two versions going to the City Council for review. Motion to adopt the Ordinance Draft as modified for next steps by Husbands, second by McCaslin. Motion passed 7-0. b. Committee Reports • Ordinance and Policy Development There was no report. • Education and Outreach There was no report. • Urban Forestry Commissioner Husbands would like to establish a standing meeting for planning purposes. We are track for the urban forestry effort to give trees away to residents. • Green Steps There was no report as there has not been a meeting. • Sustainability Commissioner Stein stated the first meeting was held for the Partners in Energy effort last week. He is excited about the effort and the potential it has for the City. He is excited about the work group that has been developed. The consultant did an excellent job. It is good timing with the tax incentives available. Commissioner Knosalla stated there was good information about the rebates in the newsletter. 8. Staff Announcements Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter announced on February 15, the Planning Commission is hosting an Open House for their current zoning code updates at 5:30 p.m. City Offices will be closed February 19, 2024. There was one nominee for the Oak Awards in the Canopy Category. The nomination process will be extended to allow for more nominations. The nominations could remain open until mid-March to late-March. 9. Commission Comments Chair Swank thanked the Commission for re-electing her as Chair. February 14, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 7 of 7 Commissioner Husbands stated at the Planning Commission Open House they will be discussing the impervious surface code. Commissioner Knosalla stated this is a big step for the City as there is no current code relating to impervious surface percentages. 10. Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting by Stein, second by Sheets. Motion passed 7-0. Chair Swank adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.