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, July 19, 2016 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. Roll Call Roll Call - Chair McKinley called the roll call. Those present include: Boardmembers Castillo (arrived at 7:07 p.m.), Gunter, Perkins, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Villella, Wilder (arrived at 7:07 p.m.) and Chair McKinley Absent - Boardmember Lizakowski and Staff Liaison Jim Hafner Others Present: Recording Secretary, Debbie Wolfe Present: 9 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Gunter, Castillo, and Wilder Absent: 1 - Lizakowski 3. Approval of Minutes Boardmembers Castillo and Wilder arrived at 7:07 p.m. Boardmember Rafferty noted on page 3 first paragraph sentence should read “Boardmember Rafferty asked how many private wells are near City wells in areas that have City water already”. MOVED by Boardmember Truchon, seconded by Boardmember Gunter to approve the minutes of the June 21, 2016 Board Meeting as revised. Motion carried unanimously. City of Blaine Page 1 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final July 19, 2016 Board Aye: 9 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Gunter, Castillo, and Wilder 4. Approval of Agenda MOVED by Boardmember Perkins, seconded by Boardmember Wilder, to approve the July 19, 2016 Board Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 9 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Gunter, Castillo, and Wilder 5. Open Forum for Citizen Input There was none. 6. New Business 6.a Update on Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Project Chair McKinley reviewed as mentioned last month the lowest bid came in at $1.2M and there is only $900,000 in the budget. The project will be divided into two separate bids one for the parking lot and the trail on the east side and the trail from East Lake Park to the east would be a separate bid. Boardmember Truchon asked since the funds are low if the City is eligible for legacy grants for this project. She noted Springbrook Nature Center received a very large grant from legacy. Chair McKinley stated that suggestion was brought up last month but she will relay the suggestion to Mr. Hafner again. Chair McKinley suggested the Boardmembers speak to their City Council representative about the lack of funds going to the NRCB from development. Boardmember Truchon stated the community has established a standard of support for Open Space within the City. The EDA has wetland bank credits. Boardmember Perkins stated it is a disadvantage there is nothing to look at presently to gain support from the Community. Boardmember Truchon suggested a large sign be constructed for the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. Boardmember Villella stated there may not be many people that are aware of the reduction in monies going for open space. He suggested City of Blaine Page 2 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final July 19, 2016 Board a Letter to the Editor may be a good idea. He agrees speaking with the Council is a good idea. Boardmember Perkins asked if a motion can be made stating the Board’s consensus. MOVED by Boardmember Perkins, seconded by Boardmember Villella to make a statement that the NRCB expects the return of the Open Space funds be returned in 2017 per the agreement. Motion Carried unanimously. Aye: 9 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Gunter, Castillo, and Wilder Chair McKinley will speak with Mr. Hafner whether a letter is appropriate outlining the expectations and formulate the letter if appropriate. Boardmember Perkins suggested a letter be drafted that all Boardmembers can sign at the next meeting. Boardmember Truchon suggested someone attend the City Council Meeting and voice the Board’s concerns. Boardmember Truchon stated she watched a City Council Meeting where this was discussed. MOVED by Boardmember Truchon, seconded by Boardmember Perkins to have Chair McKinley work with Staff Liaison Hafner to draft a letter for the Board to sign at the next meeting stating their request. Motion Carried unanimously. Aye: 9 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Gunter, Castillo, and Wilder Boardmember Villella suggested bullet points be provided indicating the points of the agreement that was made. Boardmember Villella suggested the facts be emailed to the Board prior to the next meeting relating to the agreement. Boardmember Truchon asked that any Boardmember who speaks to City Councilmembers report back as to the discussion that was held. Boardmember Ruth asked if the information regarding the agreement should be shared with other residents who may have an interest. Chair McKinley stated she will check the protocol. 6.b Report on NRCB Booth at Blaine Festival Chair McKinley reviewed the event was frustrating and disappointing. The entire tent was reorganized and the amount of space available was limited. There were three businesses within the Community Tent. She has written a letter to the organizers, but has not mailed it yet. Discussed. City of Blaine Page 3 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final July 19, 2016 Board 6.c Continued Discussion on Promotion of the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Boardmember Truchon suggested Roark Haver be utilized in promotion of the BWS. Previously he had created a video that was televised. There were actually three shows. A brochure had been discussed previously or something put on the City’s website. More displays could be made for tabletop presentations of the BWS. The cost of these displays is $85/each. Boardmember Truchon will research and report back to the Board. The same materials could be put on the website. Boardmember Perkins suggested putting that same information on large signs on the property of the BWS. Boardmember Truchon suggested the bill board on Highway 10. The cost of that was not known. Boardmember Truchon will ask Chris Lord (ACD) what information is needed to create these materials. Suggestions for materials made were acres of BWS, miles of trails, wildlife, website address, Watch our Sanctuary Grow as Our Community Grows, logo, etc. Boardmember Villella stated if it was posted on the site many people drive by and would see it. Boardmember Ruth suggested it be a brief message as people would only have 1-2 seconds to read it. Chair McKinley will speak with Mr. Hafner about signage on the site. Discussed. 7. Other Business There was no other business. 8. Adjournment MOVED by Boardmember Wilder, seconded by Boardmember Gunter, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. Aye: 9 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, Ruth, Gunter, Castillo, and Wilder City of Blaine Page 4