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NRC 08-08-2024NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MENDOTA HEIGHTS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS August 8, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 1 of 4 Wednesday, August 8, 2024, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Meeting Minutes The work session meeting of the Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission was held on Wednesday, August 8, 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: Commissioners Husbands, McCaslin, Sheets, Stein, and Swank Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Fahnhorst, Knosalla and Student Commissioner Trudeau. Staff present: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter and Recycling Coordinator Courtney Selstad. 3. Adopt Agenda Motion to approve the agenda by McCaslin, second by Stein. Motion passed 5-0. 4. Approval of Minutes – July 10, 2024 Natural Resources Commission Work Session Motion to approve the minutes by Sheets, second by McCaslin. Motion passed 5-0. 5. Citizen Comment Period – No one appeared to address the Commission 6. New Business a. 2025 Preliminary Budget Recommendation Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter requested the Commission review the preliminary Natural Resources 2025 budget and recommend approval to the City Council if it so wishes. At the May 8 and July 10 Natural Resources Commission work sessions, the Commission discussed recommendations for the City’s 2025 budget pertaining to Natural Resources. The Commission discussed priority projects as identified in the City’s Natural Resources Management Plan (NRMP), identifying projects to be implemented and budgeted for in 2025, as well as projects that have completed the implementation phase, and have moved into the maintenance phase. NRMP priority projects to be included in the 2025 budget recommendations include the Valley Park Pollinator Corridor, the Valley Park Forest Enhancement, and the Rogers Lake Savanna/Forest and Shoreline August 8, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 2 of 4 Enhancement. Of these, the Valley Park E Forest Enhancement and the Rogers Lake Savanna/Forest and Shoreline Enhancement would begin in 2025. The Valley Park Forest Enhancement – North and the Valley Park – S. Oak/Aspen Knoll projects have been completed, and therefore have been budgeted for under the Natural Resources Maintenance line item. A spreadsheet that itemizes as well as changes the titles of specific line items relating to forestry and tree care was provided for Commission review. The proposed 2025 Natural Resources budget totals $335,223 not including human resources and commissioner per diem. Coordinator Spreiter reviewed each item in detail: 2024 2025 Budget Budget Valley Park Pollinator Corridor (Xcel) $14,430 $15,000 Valley Park Forest Enhancement – North $34,070 Completed Valley Park Forest Enhancement – South Central $18,437 $11,183 Valley Park – NW Forest Enhancement $21,165 $10,000 Valley Park – E Forest Enhancement $8,235 $12,252 Valley Park – S Oak/Aspen Knoll Enhancement $3,663 Completed Rogers Lake Savanna/Forest and Shoreline Enhancement $34,518 Natural Resource Maintenance $40,000 $37,670 Oheyawahe/Pilot Knob Restoration $15,000 $15,600 Tree Sale $10,000 $10,000 Tree Canopy Program $25,000 $27,000 Tree Removal $125,000 $100,000 Tree Planting $10,000 Tree Care (Pruning, Watering, Disease Prevention, etc.) $52,000 Totals $315,000 $335,223 Commissioner Stein asked about the Natural Resource Maintenance and whether this amount was sufficient. Coordinator Spreiter stated it is used every year. Motion to recommend the City Council approve the preliminary budget by Stein, second by Husbands. Motion passed 5-0. b. Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance – Preliminary Draft Coordinator Spreiter asked the Commission to review the revised draft of the Urban Forest Preservation ordinance for recommendation of approval to the City Council. As part of Goal 1: Policy and Ordinance Review and Development, the Goal 1 Committee along with the Commission has developed a draft of the Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance. The draft was presented to both the City Council and the Planning Commission to receive feedback. These comments were discussed at the July 10, 2024, Natural Resources Commission Work Session. Comments were taken into consideration and some revisions to the draft ordinance have been made and incorporated. The revised draft was provided for Commission consideration. Some of the revisions include: • For both Forest Alteration Permit and Forest Management Plan requirements, some of the applicability categories were removed, and replaced with the category of 'Projects that require a planning case', as the previous categories would automatically be included in those projects that result in a planning case. • A minimum of seven (7) total trees per property was added to the threshold of 33% removal August 8, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 3 of 4 when a Forest Alteration Permit or Forest Management Plan is required. • The previous formula for calculating tree loss mitigation was replaced with a 75% DSH required replacement when seven (7) or more significant or heritage trees are removed. • For applicants that propose the removal of less than seven (7) significant or heritage trees, the replacement requirement is one-to-one. • For applicants that are removing less than ten (10) significant or heritage trees, the applicant is exempt from Forest Management Plan and Escrow requirements, however, the applicant is still subject to tree loss mitigation requirements. Coordinator Spreiter reviewed potential scenarios for the Commission. Next steps include: • The Commission can approve the draft as-is. • The Commission can approve the draft with suggested revisions. • The Commission can table the item for further discussion. • The Commission can deny the current draft. • If approved, the draft would go before the City Council at a regular meeting in September. Commissioner Husbands asked about the slide showing exemptions. She asked if a permit was required or how would the City know about the request for exemption. Coordinator Spreiter stated since it is more than 7 trees they would need a permit and do the tree mitigation. It is on the honor of the resident to notify the City. Less than 7 trees would not require interaction with the City. Chair Swank noted if a permit is not obtained prior and it is required the permit fee is doubled. Coordinator Spreiter will need to check if that applies to all permits within the City. Commissioner Husbands stated she watched the Edina Forester speak and thought that any property without an address was handled in a good manner. Coordinator Spreiter stated if there was a previous building there is an address. It seemed the Edina Ordinance had very high standards and was expensive. Coordinator Spreiter noted escrow is not returned until the tree mitigation is completed. Trees could be planted by the City on the boulevard or on public land. Commissioner Stein stated the scenarios were very helpful. He asked if it would occur that a resident would not have enough space for mitigation. Chair Swank stated the trees could be planted on the boulevard or in a nearby park or public land. Commissioner Sheets noted these are revisions to the Ordinance and included other areas are included as far as invasive species, diseased trees, etc. If residents have diseased, dead, invasive trees these are exempt from the replacement requirements. Motion to recommend the City Council approve the Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance Preliminary Draft by Husbands, second by McCaslin. Motion passed 5-0. c. Marie Park Demonstration Planting Coordinator Spreiter reviewed Goal 3: Urban Forestry and Restoration Committee of the Commission has been working to implement the Demonstration Hybrid Planting project at Marie Park. The area was August 8, 2024 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 4 of 4 removed of invasive vegetation in the fall of 2023 and seeded with a native grass mix throughout. In 2024, the site was managed to establish the native ground cover that was planted using mowing at strategic growth heights to prevent and suppress invasive species. The next stage in establishment is the planning of 5-7 trees that were chosen for the project of the following species: • Bur Oak • White Oak • Shagbark Hickory • Chokecherry • Serviceberry – tree form The Committee has set a date of September 12, 2024, for a volunteer tree-planting event to accomplish this next step. Commissioners are invited to participate. The estimated cost for the tree planting is $1,300 which will be taken from the 2024 Natural Resources Budget – Tree Removal line item. Commissioner Husbands asked about the word “hybrid” and suggested that could refer to cultivars. Coordinator Spreiter stated that verbiage came from the Natural Resources Management Plan. Commissioner Husbands suggested different language for the project. 7. Old Business – None. 8. Staff Announcements Coordinator Spreiter announced the Park Celebration starts on August 9 and runs until Sunday, August 11. All events are on the City website. Saturday, August 24 is the Mattress and Box Spring Recycling Collection at Mendakota Park from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Fresh Air Fridays is still going on. The Photo Contest and Pledge details are available on the City website. 9. Commission Comments. Chair Swank thanked Former Commissioner Rachel Quick who welcomed a baby girl into her family. 10. Discussion – None. 11. Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting by Stein, second by Husbands. Motion passed 5-0. Chair Swank adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m.