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NRC Work Session 04-09-2025 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES 6:00 PM Wednesday, April 9, 2025 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights 1. Call to Order Chair Knosolla called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. 2. Roll Call In attendance: Chair Knosalla, Commissioners Daul, McCaslin, Sheets, Stein, Thuening, and Student Commissioner Trudeau. Absent: Commissioner Husbands. Staff in attendance: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter. 3. Discussion a. Pollinator Awareness Month Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter gave a background on Pollinator Awareness Month, which was created in 2024 in lieu of No Mow May. Commissioners were then invited to brainstorm ideas of ways to improve the program. Some ideas given were as follows: • Residents sign a pledge at Earth and Arbor Day • Create a survey to gather information on both existing knowledge and participation, as well as serve as a drawing entry • Pollinator seed library for seed sharing of native seeds • Support MN Seed Project: https://mnseedproject.org/ • Share photo features of resident gardens • Winter seeding education • Highlight Blue Thumb site as a resource • Expand the program to year-long: provide a tip or educational piece once a month or quarter • Tie importance of pollinators in food production b. Committee Collaboration Coordinator Spreiter reviewed the Commission's 2025 workplan, and pointed out several examples of initiatives that overlap between goals and commissions. This would be a good way to collaborate among commissions as well as achieve initiatives and goals in the 2025 workplan. The commission discussed the Touch a Truck event and how to incorporate Partners in Energy. Also discussed incorporating PiE into other events and promoting the program either through media or in-person events. Some ideas included creating videos that could be shared on home energy-saving projects. The commission also discussed combining events. The commission agreed the following initiatives would be opportunities for collaboration: • Create and hold a community engagement event (Goal 2); Host Tree Planting event (Goal 3) • Host residential energy-saving education event (Goal5); Collaborate with Sustainability Committee to implement PiE Action Plan (Goal 2) Commission agreed the initiative ‘Explore deconstruction policy for city-owned building facilities’ (Goal 1) would be feasibly better incorporated into the 2026 work plan. c. Interstate Valley Creek Stabilization and BMP Project Update Coordinator Spreiter gave an update on the project. Currently Reach 2 (area just north of Marie avenue near playground) has been substantially completed, including stabilization using root wads and bioengineering techniques, as well as cross vanes installed. The area has been permanently seeded with native seed. Supplemental woody plantings will be added this summer. The infiltration basin adjacent to the wetland north of the baseball field has also been completed. The weir wall has been installed, though further reinforcement was determined to be needed after erosion occurred during a recent rain event. The Park Place infiltration basin as well as the streambank stabilization at Reach 1 are in the process of being completed. The Commission discussed current regulations regarding stormwater and chemical use. Also discussed opportunities for education around stormwater. d. Potential Commission Public Outreach Event The idea of a potential public outreach event for the Natural Resources Commission was brought forward during a committee meeting, similar to ‘Coffee with Council’ outreach events, in which residents and community members are invited to attend and ask questions or discuss city issues. The Commission discussed the idea and agreed partnering with the Council at a Coffee with Council event would be a good place to start. Also discussed partnering with the Parks Commission to offer something similar outdoors or at each park. This could be a rotation at city parks, and perhaps done monthly or quarterly. e. 2025 NRC Event Participation The commission discussed their interest in participating in existing city events as well as creating an event. Events that the Commission agreed they were interested in attending in 2025 were: • Trick or Teeing • The Fishing Derby • Touch a Truck • Earth and Arbor Day 4. Adjourn Chair Knosalla adjourned the meeting at 8:45pm.