Loading...
NRC 03-12-2025NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION MENDOTA HEIGHTS CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS March 12, 2025 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 1 of 6 Wednesday, March 12, 2025, 6:00 p.m. Meeting Minutes The regular meeting of the Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission was held on Wednesday March 12, 2025, at Mendota Heights City Hall; 1101 Victoria Curve. 1. Call to Order Vice Chair Knosalla called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter called the roll. Commissioners present: Thuening, Husbands, McCaslin, Knosalla, Stein, Sheets, Daul and Student Rep Trudeau. Commissioners Absent: None Staff present: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter. Councilmember Mazzitello was also present. 3. Adopt Agenda Motion to approve the agenda by Commissioner Stein, second by Commissioner McCaslin. Motion passed 7-0 4. Approval of Minutes a. The Commission was asked to approve the meeting minutes from the January 8, 2025 Natural Resources Meeting and the February 12, 2025 Natural Resources Work Session Motion to approve the minutes by Commissioner Husbands, second by Commissioner Thuening. Motion passed 7-0 b. The Commission was asked to approve the meeting minutes from the June 12, 2024 Natural Resources Commission Meeting. This meeting’s minutes were mistakenly missed being approved from a previous meeting. Acting Chair Knosalla and Commissioner Fahnhorst were both absent from that meeting. Motion to approve the minutes by Commissioner Husbands, second by Commissioner Thuening. Motion passed 7-0 5. Citizen Comment Period – Acting Chair Knosalla noted there were 15 attendees at the meeting this evening. Ms. Leslie Pilgrim, 1704 Vickie Lane, Mendota Heights commended the Commission on the Tree Ordinance. It is very thorough and will be great for the community for Tree Preservation. Years ago there was a group March 12, 2025 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 2 of 6 Natural Resources Advocates of Mendota Heights that met to address issues in the City. One of the issues they worked on was an Ordinance to strengthen Landscaping Ordinance. She referred to a development that proposed a landscaping plan that was not good. She encouraged the Commission to work on the Landscaping Ordinance. Commissioner Husbands asked the Ordinance Subcommittee to consider a Landscaping Ordinance as a guide for developers coming into the City. Commissioner Stein stated Eagan is considering a similar Ordinance. 6. New Business a. Election of Officers Natural Resources Coordinator Krista 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. Because the February meeting was a work session, action on this item was moved forward to the March regular meeting. 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 the discussion of this item. The chair and vice chair elections will be separate items. After the chair has been selected, 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 the vice chair. Vice Chair Knosalla stated she would be interested in becoming Chair of the Commission. Motion to approve the appointment of Lori Knosalla to be chair of the Natural Resources Commission by Commissioner Husbands, second by Commissioner Stein. Motion passed 7-0. Chair Knosalla requested Commissioner Will Stein as the Vice Chair of the Commission and Commissioner Stein agreed. Motion to approve the appointment of Will Stein to be vice chair of the Natural Resources Commission by Commissioner Daul, second by Commissioner McCaslin. Motion passed 7-0. b. Oak Awards Presentation Coordinator Spreiter reviewed the Commission should invite each recipient to come forward to receive their award, as well as to speak to their efforts in Natural Resources if they wish to do so. The Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission created the Oaks Awards Program in 2023 to celebrate leadership, education and outreach, and project efforts that advance natural resources within the City. Recipients are recognized in the following categories: • Acorn Award: Recognizes exemplary youth leadership in the advancement of our City’s natural resources. • Leaf Award: Recognizes the significant contributions of an individual, family, or company or organization that has demonstrated substantial leadership in the stewardship of our City’s March 12, 2025 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 3 of 6 natural resources. • Canopy Award: Recognizes the lifetime achievement of an individual, family, company or organization that has demonstrated extraordinary leadership for the stewardship of our City’s natural resources. Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter noted the recipients for their achievements in 2024 for each category. Councilmember Mazzitello and Chair Knosalla presented each with their award. Acorn Award – Hannah Trudeau. Hannah led and coordinated a pollinator planting in Valley Park as part of her Eagle Scout project. The project included the planting of a 330 square foot plot that included the planting of 16 different6 species of native pollinator plants. Hannah designed a sign for the project site that promotes education and awareness of the project. Hannah also co-authored an essay, entitled “Creating Pollinator Pathways in Your Own Backyard”, which appeared in the May 24th Mendota Heights City Newsletter. She has also served on the Natural Resources Commission as a Student Commissioner since 2023. Hannah thanked the City and Krista for all the help on completing her project. Leaf Award – Kirsten Ramirez. Kirsten worked with City Staff to implement the program “Fresh Air Fridays” which encouraged residents to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Fridays throughout the summer. She provided content for social media, newsletters, and fliers educating residents on the benefits of reducing emissions and created incentives throughout the program to encourage participation. Kirsten also helped create and coordinate the planting of an organic vegetable garden at Mendota Elementary. Kristen stated she is thankful and proud this program was able to happen. The garden was one of her favorite accomplishments in her life. Canopy Award – Sue Light. Sue is a Dakota County Master gardener and has spent countless hours volunteering and coordinating volunteers to create and maintain native planting and pollinator projects throughout the City. Some of these include the City Hall Pollinator garden and rain garden, the Par 3 Golf Course native planting and raingarden, and the Victoria Road Boulevard restoration. She also volunteers and works with staff to plan and plant the City’s curb-cut raingardens. Sue has also led the initiative to create and maintain a rain garden in her own neighborhood to help treat stormwater runoff before it enters Rogers Lake. She co-chairs the Rogers Lake Improvement Association and Sue is also a MN Tree Care Advocate. Sue showed a video of volunteers working at Rogers Lake Park on the project. She values the volunteers and would never accomplish as much without their help. They are always looking for more volunteers and Krista can be contacted directly or sign-up on website. There will be 10 rain gardens planted this Spring. Photographs were taken. Chair Knosalla stated it is great to honor those in the community who are doing all these amazing things. Commissioner Daul stated the City really cares about the natural resources. Commissioner Stein stated his kids went to Mendota Heights Elementary School and participated in the garden. Commissioner Thuening noted she is happy to be part of this community. Commissioner Sheets encouraged residents to help with the rain gardens and perhaps create their own. 7. Old Business a. Geothermal Planning Grant Update Coordinator Spreiter reviewed the Minnesota Department of Commerce is seeking proposals from local government units for geothermal project planning throughout Minnesota for the Geothermal March 12, 2025 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 4 of 6 Planning Grant Program. The intent of the program is to provide financial assistance to local government units to examine the technical and economic feasibility for installation of geothermal energy systems. The Sustainability Committee of the City’s Natural Resources Commission recently began conversations regarding the program and how it fits with their goal of achieving sustainable initiatives for the City. The City is in the process of implementing its Energy Action Plan as part of its partnership with Xcel Energy through the Partners in Energy program. The Energy Action Plan was developed in partnership with Xcel Energy and the City’s Energy Action Team, consisting of residents, business owners, students, Natural Resources Commission members and City staff. Exploring the possibility of implementing a geothermal system at one or more of the City’s public facilities fits well with the goals of the City’s recently adopted Energy Action Plan. The City is requesting $130,000 from the MN Department of Commerce as part of its geothermal planning grant application. City staff met with Darcy Solutions, a geothermal system installer, to learn more about geothermal energy and details of installation. Darcy Solutions completed a preliminary assessment of the City’s Public Works facility and determined that a geothermal project would be feasible at this facility. The City has also reached out to other municipalities and government agencies that have had experience with installing geothermal systems. The City Council approved and Mayor Levine signed a letter of authorization in support of the Geothermal Planning Grant application at its March 4th regular meeting. The application was submitted online as required before the March 10th deadline. If accepted into the grant program, project implementation would be assessed after findings of the investigation are reported to and discussed with City Council and the Natural Resources Commission. Commissioner Stein commended Coordinator Spreiter for working on this grant application. He thanked the City Council for supporting this effort. b. Earth and Arbor Week Update Coordinator Spreiter reviewed the 2025 Mendota Heights Earth and Arbor Day Celebration will be held Monday, April 21st through Saturday, April 26th. The purpose of the celebration is to gain awareness and educate the community on natural resources issues and topics, as well as to encourage participation and connect with residents, businesses, and other community groups in Mendota Heights. The following events and programs are included in the week-long celebration: Monday April 21st – Kick-Off to Lily, Find the Frog. Tuesday April 22nd – Learn to Fish with Fishing for All at Roger’s Lake Park. Wednesday, April 23rd – Yoga in the Park at Market Square Park. Thursday, April 24th – Eco Elsa Biologist Explorer Class at Valley Park. Friday, April 25th – Raptor Show at Mendakota Park. Saturday, April 26th – Kids Garage Sale – National Guard Gym and Earth and Arbor Day Celebration Event – Market Square Park. Ms. Spreiter noted they are still waiting to hear on the No Child Left Inside Grant and whether or not it is received the plan is to go ahead with the planned activities. Commissioner Husbands asked about the Raptor Show and Ms. Spreiter stated it is through the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. They bring 3-4 different raptors and bring an educational March 12, 2025 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 5 of 6 program for each one. Commissioner Husbands appreciates seeing an event every day and at times when residents will be able to attend. Chair Knosalla stated this would be a great time to kick off communications about the Partners in Energy program. She suggested Commissioners sit at a table at the events to provide information. Ms. Spreiter stated Partners in Energy are drafting some materials that can be used for the Saturday event. Chair Knosalla suggested this be further discussed at the April meeting and who would be available to attend each event. c. 2025 Committee Assignments The Commission is requested to confirm committee assignments for the 2025 Work Plan. Goal 1: Ordinance and Policy Development – Knosalla, McCaslin, and Stein. Goal 2: Education and Outreach – Daul, Sheets, Thuening, and Student Commissioner Trudeau. Goal 3: Urban Forestry and Restoration – Daul, Husbands, and McCaslin. Goal 4: Strategic Planning – Husbands, Sheets and Thuening. Goal 5: Sustainability – Knosalla, Stein, and Student Commissioner Trudeau. Commissioner Sheets stated there may be some crossover between Committees. Any Committee with more than three attendees would have to give public notice to those meetings. The Commission confirmed the above assignments for the 2025 Work Plan. Ms. Spreiter noted most committees have been meeting virtually but some are also in person. She requested meeting dates be set. Commissioner Husbands asked if Ms. Spreiter attends all Committee meetings and Ms. Spreiter stated she generally attends. 8. Staff Announcements Ms. Spreiter noted they are beginning to promote Earth and Arbor Day events along with Partners in Energy. She invited Commissioners to view the Partners in Energy items on the website. Currently the push is regarding the Resident Home Energy Audits. There are goals tied with each initiative and they are trying to hit 25 new audits per year. 9. Commission Comments. Chair Knosalla thanked previous Chair Swank for the job done to get the Commission off and running and her helping her get up to speed on the Commission. Commissioner Stein commented on the Eagan City Council Meeting and was interested to see they have similar initiatives in Eagan. He suggested a possible joint-meeting in the future. Commissioner Thuening asked if there is any collaboration with the Commission and other Cities. Commissioner Husbands noted Conservation Minnesota gathers all information from organizations within Cities. Some Cities are a lot further along than we are and others behind us. Chair Knosalla suggested the Strategic Planning Committee explore that further. 10. Committee Reports March 12, 2025 Mendota Heights Natural Resources Commission Page 6 of 6 Ordinance and Policy Development Committee Report – No updates as they have not met since the work session. Education and Outreach Committee – No updates as they have not met since the last meeting. Urban Forestry and Restoration – No updates. Strategic Planning – No updates. Sustainability – No updates. 11. Adjourn Motion to adjourn the meeting by Daul, second by McCaslin Motion passed 7-0. Chair Knosalla adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.