Nat'l Resources Conservation Board

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE 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, May 17, 2016 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Roll Call - Chair McKinley called the roll call. Those present include: Boardmembers Castillo, Lizakowski, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Wilder and Chair McKinley Absent - Boardmembers Gunter, Perkins and Villella Others Present: Recording Secretary, Debbie Wolfe Present: 7 - Chair McKinley, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Castillo, Wilder, and Lizakowski Absent: 3 - Villella, Perkins, and Gunter 3. Approval of Minutes Chair McKinley noted on page 5; 9d, second paragraph change “40” to “29”. MOVED by Boardmember Castillo, seconded by Boardmember Truchon to approve the minutes of the April 19, 2016 Board Meeting as amended. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair McKinley, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Castillo, Wilder, and Lizakowski 4. Approval of Agenda City of Blaine Page 1 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final May 17, 2016 Board MOVED by Boardmember Truchon, seconded by Boardmember Castillo, to approve the May 17, 2016 Board Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair McKinley, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Castillo, Wilder, and Lizakowski 5. Open Forum for Citizen Input There was none. 6. New Business 6.a Update on Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Project Chair McKinley reported all permits are completed and bids will be going out. More details will be coming from Staff Liaison Hafner. Informational; no action required. 6.b Update on Recent Events Chair McKinley reported the Green Expo held on April 23 was wonderful. The turnout was great. The Wetland Sanctuary Information Event held on May 7 was well promoted. It was a cold and windy day and there were three attendees. The Mayor gave a presentation of the early days of the area. Boardmember Truchon stated an attendee suggested that to get the word out the Associations should be contacted. On May 14 Earth Day was celebrated at Fort Lions Park with the Lions Club. The entire neighborhood was notified. It was a cold and windy, yet sunny day. Only one person from the neighborhood attended. Boardmember Castillo suggested social media be utilized. Boardmember Truchon suggested a future meeting be dedicated to discussion of ways to reach out to residents. She also suggested a sub-committee of the Board be formed to address social media issues. Boardmember Ruth stated the older residents are the ones that typically attend events. The Board needs to reach out to the younger residents who utilize social media (Facebook, twitter, etc.). Boardmember Ruth also suggested attending the association meetings City of Blaine Page 2 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final May 17, 2016 Board to introduce the Board and the Wetland Sanctuary information. Boardmember Lizakowski stated she found out about the Board through a social media app - NextDoor. She suggested an event that would involve families. Boardmember Ruth stated the Earth Day event last year had many families in attendance. Boardmember Wilder suggested the NRCB piggyback on the events done by the Park and Rec Department. Chair McKinley stated she would not be against planning a Wetland Sanctuary Informational Event in the fall. Boardmember Truchon suggested having a board where people could post which species of wildlife was observed. Boardmember Lizakowski suggested a bingo type game where children can mark which wildlife they see. Boardmember Ruth suggested more information from Jason about plants, etc. would be of interest. Boardmember Wilder suggested someone speak to his classes at the Metro Gun Club about the Wetland Sanctuary. This could happen in June-July-August timeframe. He would prefer not to wait until fall. Chair McKinley asked the Boardmembers to think about this over the next month and it will be discussed at the June NRCB Meeting. Informational; no action required. 6.c Schedule Wetland Tour for July Chair McKinley spoke with Jason Husveth and he has agreed to give a Wetland Tour. Jeff Bird, Chair of the Park Board has been contacted but has not called back. The suggestion was made to attend the Park Board Meeting under Open Forum. Boardmember Ruth suggested a tour for families of the Wetland by Jason. The group that would be targeted will be busy with sports so it would be difficult to schedule. Boardmember Truchon stated the BWS will need volunteers and fundraising efforts down the road. We need to reach people now to City of Blaine Page 3 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final May 17, 2016 Board gain support. Chair McKinley asked for agenda items for next month’s meeting. Tour with Jason of the BWS (not before July) Event ideas Discussed, forwarded to next meeting. 6.d Request for Council Resolution to Make Blaine a Pollinator Friendly City This will be discussed at the next meeting. Forwarded to next meeting. 7. Other Business None. 7.a Staff Informational Item Water Conservation will be discussed at the next meeting. Forwarded to next meeting. 8. Adjournment MOVED by Boardmember Wilder, seconded by Boardmember Castillo, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair McKinley, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Castillo, Wilder, and Lizakowski City of Blaine Page 4