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, July 21, 2015 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. 2. Roll Call 2. Roll Call - Chairman McKinley called the roll call. Others Present: Recording Secretary, Debbie Wolfe. Present: 6 - Chair McKinley, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Gunter, and Comissioner Anderson Absent: 3 - Villella, Perkins, and Castillo 3. Approval of Minutes MOVED by Boardmember Rafferty, seconded by Boardmember Truchon to approve the minutes of the May 19, 2015 Board Meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Gunter, and Comissioner Anderson Approval of Minutes MOVED by Boardmember Gunter, seconded by Boardmember Anderson to approve the minutes of the June 16, 2015 Board Meeting as presented. City of Blaine Page 1 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final July 21, 2015 Board Motion carried unanimously Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Gunter, and Comissioner Anderson 4. Approval of Agenda Chair McKinley moved item 6.g to 6.a. and adding to item 6.d. Discussion of BWS Open House and Kickoff Event. MOVED by Boardmember Truchon, seconded by Boardmember Gunter, to approve the July 21, 2015 Board Agenda as revised. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Gunter, and Comissioner Anderson 5. Open Forum for Citizen Input There was none. 6. New Business 6.a Blaine Festival report Chair McKinley reviewed the civic tent went great. She had brochures to hand out. Informational. 6.b Report on Joint Tour With Park & Rec Board at Lexington Athletic Complex Chair McKinley reviewed she attended the tour with the Park & Rec Board. She only attended the Lexington Athletic Complex portion of the tour. It’s a wonderful facility. It’s state-of-the-art. Informational. 6.c Discussion of BWS Open House Chair McKinley reviewed a package was sent out by Staff Liaison Hafner from Stantec about the Open House. Residents are interested in this project. The kickoff event was a success. The turnout was not as large as anticipated. Informational. 6.d Report on BWS Stakeholder Meeting Boardmember Truchon reviewed the NRCB’s plans for the nature center were solicited by the architect for the nature center. Input was City of Blaine Page 2 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final July 21, 2015 Board given as to what was desired in the BWS. A major issue was what will happen to the 10 acres open area. Mr. Hafner was requested to send the Stantec packet to all NRCB Members. The Stakeholder Meeting would like everyone’s input. Some suggestions were a party/meeting room, wildlife room, science room, educational room, hands-on exhibits, classrooms, snowshoe rental, peaceful environment, bathroom, bulletin boards, viewing platforms, kitchen, sterilizer, storage area, outdoor viewing, inside viewing, screened viewing, sunshade for outdoor viewing, multi-level areas, wall of contributors, pavers for residents who want to contribute, sculptures/art work by local artists, art activities, photography, a foundation for the BWS, roof to re-direct rainwater. Boardmember Truchon stated there have been two meetings. If a Legacy Grant were received that would add to the things that could be done. She is not aware of when the next meeting will be held. The suggestion was made that the architect team (MSR) come to a regular NRCB Meeting possibly starting at 6:30 p.m. (August) Chair McKinley will discuss with Staff Liaison Hafner. Discussed. 6.e Update on Progress with Army Corps on BWS Wetland Project Chair McKinley stated Mr. Hafner stated the review is in progress and hopes to be completed in December. Informational. 6.f Discussion on Proposed Names for City Trails Chair McKinley reviewed a write up on The Heritage Trail. Historically, the original trail was a winding pathway through the wetlands, as established by Native American nomadic hunters. Early white settlers began upgrading the trail to accommodate their wagon travels. Eventually, the trail became known as the Rice Creek to East Bethel Road, an important avenue for trade. In early 1900’s the Radisson Farm was established along the road in the vicinity of 105th Avenue. The farm operated to provide food to the owner’s Minneapolis hotel, the Radisson. The dirt road soon became known as the Radisson Road, due to its frequent use for their purposes. Over the years and with increasing developments, parts of the road were straightened, displaced or closed, and eventually paved. The City of Blaine Page 3 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final July 21, 2015 Board divided 4 lane highway of today is the most recent upgrade to this historic trail of yesteryear. The paved trail alongside the highway was created during the upgrade and extends from 35W northward to Bunker Lake Blvd. Boardmember Truchon thought that would be a good idea. Two parts of the trail have already been named (south of 105th). Boardmember Gunter agreed. Chair McKinley would like to pass this onto the City Council for approval. She is hoping it could be approved this year in Blaine’s 50th Anniversary year. MOVED by Boardmember Gunter, seconded by Boardmember Truchon, to pass onto the City Council for consideration the naming of the Heritage Trail. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Gunter, and Comissioner Anderson Chair McKinley also proposed the A Flora and Fauna Trail near Kane Meadows. This trail passes through wooded, upland, and wetland areas, providing habitat for a variety of native plants and animals. Have you seen deer or turkeys? Listen to the bird songs and try to spot an eagle. Enjoy watching the water fowl raise their young. Fox and coyotes are hunting for food. Equally important are the collections of wildflowers blooming throughout the seasons. Can you identify some of them? Several rare or endangered species of native plants have been discovered in some locations as well. Enjoy all that this nature trail has to offer. A portion of the trail has been named John Henry Graham Trail and her proposal is for the other part of the trail with the new name. Boardmember Gunter suggested Wiley Woods. Chair McKinley requested the boardmembers think of suggestions for a name for the trail. 6.g Confirm New Date for Wetland Tour With Jason Husveth Rescheduled to August 11, 2015. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at East Lake Park. Informational. 7. Other Business There was none. City of Blaine Page 4 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final July 21, 2015 Board 8. Adjournment MOVED by Boardmember Gunter seconded by Boardmember Ruth, to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Gunter, and Comissioner Anderson City of Blaine Page 5