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NRC Work Session 05-14-2025 CITY OF MENDOTA HEIGHTS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION WORK SESSION MINUTES 6:00 PM Wednesday, May 14, 2025 1101 Victoria Curve, Mendota Heights 1. Call to Order Chair Knosalla called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. 2. Roll Call In attendance: Chair Knosalla, Commissioners Daul, McCaslin, Husbands, Stein, Thuening, and Student Commissioner Trudeau. Absent: Commissioner Sheets. Staff in attendance: Natural Resources Coordinator Krista Spreiter. 3. Discussion a. 2026 Budget Recommendations Natural Resources Coordinator Spreiter gave an overview of the current budget. Items where there is a budget surplus, such as the Tree Canopy Program and the Tree Sale were discussed. The commission discussed options on how to improve the programs to increase participation. Discussed the option to house both programs on the same website to help better promote both. Also discussed moving surplus budget to other line items such as restoration project maintenance. As projects move into maintenance phase, more budget will be needed in maintenance line item. Commission Thuening suggested creating a city grant program for native landscaping or raingardens. Suggestion was made to add more understory tree species to selection for those that have less space in their landscape. Commissioner Husbands suggested changing the name of the tree canopy program to ‘Full Service Program’. Consensus to keep budget for tree programs the same for budget year 2026. Suggestion also made to reduce participation price for residents instead, and subsidize more. Suggestion made to put surplus budget into increased marketing of the programs. Suggestion made to advertise at Heights Fest and other city events and provide a sign-up for more information at events. Commissioner Thuening proposed items on page 159 of the NRMP including implementing climate resilience practices and adding one FTE to support natural resources. Thuening proposed to add a line item for a climate action plan and the hiring of a consultant to complete the task. Additional staff would work on climate plan and sustainability as well as supporting Natural Resources programs. Great Plains Institute could provide a ballpark quote for a plan. Proposal to recommend a Climate Action and Resilience plan which addresses adaptation as well. Cities that have adopted similar plans: St. Paul and Duluth. Commissioner Thuening spoke with a staff person from Duluth, who conveyed that their plan cost the city $20,000. The commission suggested that the Goal 4 Committee complete more research on cities with similar plans. Commission also proposed to add a line item for hiring a consultant to draft a Landscape Ordinance and lead the commission through the approval process. b. Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Bonding Grant Update Coordinator Spreiter gave an update on the Shade Tree Program Bonding grant received in 2024 for the mitigation and removal of ash trees as a result of tree loss due to Emerald Ash Borer disease. The grant provides funding for removal and replanting of shade trees on public land to mitigate for loss due to pests, disease, or storm, with the goal of establishing a more diverse community forest better able to withstand disease and pests. $125,000 in grant funds were received. A match was not required. The city’s grant contract includes the removal of an estimated 80 trees, as well as the planting of 80 new trees, as required by the grant, which requires a 1:1 replacement. If funds allow, additional trees will be planted. 103 trees have been removed to date; predominately ash. Over 40 shade trees were planted last fall as part of the grant project in city parks and on public- owned property including Kensington Park, Wentworth Park, Marie Park, Mendakota Park, and at the intersection of Glenhill and Victoria Curve within the right-of-way. The grant expires December 31, 2027. c. Interstate Valley Creek Stabilization and BMP Project Update Coordinator Spreiter gave an update on the Interstate Valley Creek Stabilization and BMP Project that began in the fall of 2024 as a result of a feasibility study that identified areas of streambank erosion as well as potential stormwater treatment Best Management Practices (BMPs) within the watershed. The project entails making stormwater infrastructure repairs, stabilizing two separate reaches within the creek where severe streambank erosion is occurring, and installing two infiltration basins, as well as installing a weir downstream of the wetland just north of the ball field in Valley Park. The project is funded by a Clean Water Grant, and is a partnership with the Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organization and Dakota County. The project has now been substantially completed, including the installation of native seed and erosion and stabilization measures. Final planting of disturbed areas as well as the infiltration basins will be completed in the fall. d. Urban Forest Preservation Ordinance Update Coordinator Spreiter gave an update on cases where the recently adopted Urban Forest Preservation ordinance has been used in the City. So far two permits or planning cases have been submitted in which a permit was needed and the new ordinance was put in practice. 4. Committee Reports Individual committees gave updates on recent progress. 5. Adjourn Chair Knosalla adjourned the meeting at 8:44pm.