Nat'l Resources Conservation Board

10801 Town Square Drive City of Blaine Blaine MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes - Final Nat'l Resources Conservation Board The Natural Resource Conservation Board is an advisory body to the City Council. The Board is charged with recommending acquisition of lands for open space and developing a Natural Resource Plan which includes environmental policy and guidelines for the maintenance and preservation of Blaine’s existing and future opens spaces and trail corridors. One of the Board’s functions is to hold public meetings and make recommendations to the City Council. For each item, the Board will receive reports prepared by City staff, provide the opportunity for public response, conduct Board discussions and make recommendations. The City Council, however, makes all final decisions on these matters. Tuesday, March 17, 2015 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call 1. Roll Call - Staff Liaison Hafner called the roll call. Those present include: Boardmembers Anderson, Castillo (arrived at 7:02 p.m.), Perkins, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Villella, Chair McKinley, Staff Liaison Hafner and Recording Secretary Debbie Wolfe. Present: 8 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Rafferty, Ruth, Perkins, Truchon, Castillo, and Comissioner Anderson Absent: 1 - Gunter 3. Approval of Minutes MOVED by Boardmember Truchon, seconded by Boardmember Perkins, to approve the minutes of the February 17, 2015 Board Meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Boardmember Castillo arrived at the meeting at 7:02 p.m. Aye: 8 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Rafferty, Ruth, Perkins, Truchon, Castillo, and Comissioner Anderson 4. Open Forum for Citizen Input No one appeared to address the Board. City of Blaine Page 1 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 Board 5. Approve Agenda The agenda was re-arranged per Chair McKinley to accommodate Staff Liaison Hafner’s schedule. MOVED by Boardmember Rafferty, seconded by Boardmember Anderson, to approve the March 17, 2015 Board Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 8 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Rafferty, Ruth, Perkins, Truchon, Castillo, and Comissioner Anderson 6. New Business 6.b Update on Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Open House Staff Liaison Hafner stated the Open House will be held at City Hall on March 26, 2015 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. He noted there will be an article on the StarTribune in the North Metro Section on Wednesday, March 18, 2015. The county regional trail was hoping to link into the trails but City Staff indicated the regional trail would not go into the Open Space Area. Informational. 7. Other Business 7.b Staff Answers for Questions From Board Staff Liaison Hafner stated there is a piece of property near the senior housing that the City does not plan to pass on for Open Space, in response to a previous question from Boardmember Truchon. Boardmember Truchon stated Park Board Chair Jeff Bird was told about native plantings and pollinators when he visited the NCRB Meeting. He was told by the MPCA that no digging can be done in the hill area at Lochness Park and Staff Liaison Hafner stated he believes it may be because of the root systems of the native plants. Boardmember Villella asked if the NRCB Boardmembers are expected to be at the open house and Staff Liaison Hafner stated if they are available but it is not mandatory. The model of the area may not be done in time of the open house. Chair McKinley asked Staff Liaison Hafner if he can get a list of the plants for the Prairie Restoration for Laddie Lake in time for the Green Expo. City of Blaine Page 2 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 Board Staff Liaison Hafner left the meeting at 7:16 p.m. Informational. New Business 6.a Discuss Location for May 30 BWS Wetland Kickoff Chair McKinley requested the NRCB decide this evening the location for the BWS Wetland Kickoff. The suggestion was to have it at East Leaf Park. Chair McKinley agreed that would be a good location. Boardmember Castillo stated parking would be very limited and the only people that would walk would be those from the Lakes Development. There are approximately 10 parking spots. There is no on-street parking. Signage for additional parking would be needed. Boardmember Truchon suggested parking could be done at the beach with the use of the City’s bus. Boardmember Castillo asked who would make the signs and pay for them. Boardmember Truchon stated the Parks Department has the ability to make signs. Boardmember Truchon stated a driver would be needed for the City bus. This would be a two-hour event. Boardmember Perkins stated many people would probably walk the ¼ mile to the event and the bus could be used for those unable to walk. Boardmember Anderson asked how many people might be expected and would it be comparable to Earth Day. Chair McKinley stated the numbers for Earth Day have growth throughout the years. The suggestion was made to tentatively plan for 100 people. Boardmember Ruth asked if East Lake Park would need to be reserved and the consensus was it would not be necessary unless the shelter (which is very small) would be used. Boardmember Castillo stated the beach is three blocks from East Lake Park. Chair McKinley will check on the availability of the beach pavilion tomorrow and email the Board. That would solve the parking problem. The beach pavilion can be a meeting place and then attendees would walk over to East Lake Park. Boardmember Villella stated if there are 100 people East Lake Park as the main place would not be large enough. City of Blaine Page 3 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 Board Boardmember Castillo stated if it was done at the Lakeside beach pavilion hotdogs could be grilled, etc. That would be a draw for families to attend. Boardmember Villella stated the 50th Anniversary Committee has a budget for refreshments for the BWS Wetland Kickoff. A discussion about extending the hours was held with recommendations of either 10 a.m.-12noon or 10 a.m. - 1pm. Boardmember Truchon recommended it be three hours. Boardmember Ruth asked if there will be a program. The model will be there for viewing. Chair McKinley will write an article for the City Newsletter. Donuts and coffee could be served at the beginning of the day, hotdogs served at 11:30 with tours of the BWS area throughout the three-hour period. 10-1 At Lakeside Commons Pavillion 11:30 Program Lunch served afterwards Guided tours will be held of the BWS area. A dry run of the tour will be held prior and can be discussed during the Open House. Enlarged articles from the StarTribune about the area could be on display. Boardmember Villella will email the 50th Anniversary Committee with the NCRB’s plans for the event and get their consensus. Boardmember Truchon will see if her granddaughter’s band is available to play for the event. No monies would be available to pay the band. Informational. 6.c NRCB Booth for Green Expo Chair McKinley stated the event is scheduled for April 25, 2015 and the NRCB will have a booth. Displays will be available on pollinators, City of Blaine Page 4 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final March 17, 2015 Board buckthorn, and adopt-a-park. Boardmember Truchon will get the table displays. Boardmembers are invited to participate. It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be held at the Schwan’s Center. Earth Day is scheduled for May 2, 2015. Informational. Other Business 7.a Oath of Office to be Administered at April Meeting Chair McKinley reviewed at the April 2015 NRCB Meeting, Boardmembers McKinley, Truchon, Villella and Perkins will be given the Oath of Office. Anoka Conservation District will be selling bundles of trees and prairie seeds are at the Anoka County Fairgrounds. Orders and information is available on the ACD website. Chair McKinley stated Tuesday, April 21, 2015 is the day of the City Open House, which conflicts with the NRCB Meeting. The NRCB will be held in the Cloverleaf Conference Room. Chair McKinley will confirm with Staff Liaison Hafner. Boardmember Ruth asked about flyers for the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Open House and who would be doing it. Boardmember Truchon stated she will help Chair McKinley put something together. No action required. Brochure about Blaine NRCB Boardmember Truchon provided a copy of the Andover Open Space Commission handout about the Commission and suggested Blaine prepare something for distribution. Informational. 8. Adjournment MOVED by Boardmember Perkins, seconded by Boardmember Villella, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. City of Blaine Page 5