NRC Work Session minutes 05-08-2024
CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS
NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION WORK SESSION
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Following Regular Meeting.
City Hall 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights
1. Call to Order
Chair Swank called the meeting to order at 6:52 p.m.
2. Roll Call
In attendance: Chair Swank, Vice Chair Knosalla, Commissioners McCaslin, Stein,
Fahnhorst, Student Commissioner Trudeau.
Absent: Commissioner Husbands
Staff in attendance: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter.
3. Discussion
a. 2024 City Events
Coordinator Spreiter listed the following events as remaining City Events in 2024 for
Natural Resources Commission involvement: Music in the Park, Touch-a-Truck, Tree
Sale Pick-up, the Cliff Timm Memorial Fishing Derby, the Parks Celebration, and the
Trick-or-Teeing event. Commissioners discussed interest and availability.
Commissioners Knosalla and McCaslin stated they would be available for the
Fishing Derby on July 18th, from 4-7p at Rogers Lake Park. Commissioners Sheets,
Stein, and Knosalla stated they would be available for the Parks Celebration, August
9-11. Chair Swank stated she would be available during the day on the 10th. Student
Commissioner Trudeau stated that she will be out of town for the Parks Celebration.
Page 2 of 3
Commissioners Knosalla and Sheets, along with Chair Swank stated they would be
available and interested in hosting a golf hole at the Trick-or-Teeing event on
October 19th at the Par 3 Golf Course.
The Commission discussed ideas for the event, such as a storm drain/stormwater
education theme.
The Commission discussed getting t-shirts to help identify themselves at City
events.
b. 2024 Commission Site Tour
Coordinator Spreiter gave some options for site tour sites, and invited
Commissioners to share additional ideas. Some options presented were: Valley Park
Forest Enhancement NW project, Rogers Lake Park, Copperfield Ponds, Curb-cut
Raingardens, and the Oheyawahi/Pilot Knob Preservation Site.
The Commission agreed that the Oheyawahi/Pilot Knob Preservation Site would be
of most interest to the Commission for a site tour. A date of August 8th, after the
regular meeting, was tentatively given as a date for the tour.
c. 2025 Preliminary Budget Discussion
Coordinator Spreiter introduced the discussion by reviewing the 2024 Budget, as
well as the NRMP priority project estimated budget for 2025.
The Commission discussed breaking down the Tree Services line item into more
specific categories, including removal, planting, and tree care/pruning.
Commissioner Fahnhorst asked for the current status and policy for Ash removals
due to EAB mortality. Chair Swank recommended increasing the budget for
removals, as the City has exceeded its removal budget in recent years due to EAB. It
was recommended that the Maintenance line item be increased.
Commissioner Stein asked where revenue from the recently adopted Franchise fee
were being allotted. Also remarked that funds may be needed in the future to
implement the Partners in Energy Energy Action Plan that is currently being
developed. The Commission discussed a request for a portion of franchise fee
revenue be set aside for Natural Resources.
Commissioner Fahnhorst suggested reducing the amount the City subsidizes for
the tree sale, in order to increase the number of trees available.
d. Ordinance Discussion
A brief overview was given for next steps for the Tree Preservation Ordinance Draft.
Page 3 of 3
The Commission discussed options for next ordinances to begin working on for
recommendation of adoption. The Commission agreed that the draft of the
Buffer/Wetland Ordinance that Commissioner Fahnhorst had drafted should be
reviewed again by the whole Commission and considered as the next ordinance for
recommendation. A request was made to send out the draft again to the entire
Commission, as well as bringing the draft to the next work session for discussion.
The Commission also discussed reviewing proposed zoning code updates to avoid
duplicating or conflicting language.
The Commission also discussed reviewing example ordinances for Sustainable
Building and Deconstruction, as well as a Historical Preservation ordinance.
Chair Swank requested scheduling the remaining work sessions for 2024.
Motion to adjourn by Commissioner Sheets
Second by Commissioner Stein
Motion Passed 7-0
Adjourn at 8:32 p.m.