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, November 15, 2016 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 - Staff Liaison Hafner called the roll call. Those present include: Boardmembers Perkins, Rafferty, Ruth, Truchon, Villella, and Chair McKinley Absent - Boardmembers Castillo, Gunter, Lizakowski, and Wilder Others Present: Staff Liaison Jim Hafner and Recording Secretary Debbie Wolfe Present: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, and Ruth Absent: 4 - Gunter, Castillo, Wilder, and Lizakowski 3. Approval of Minutes MOVED by Boardmember Rafferty, seconded by Boardmember Perkins to approve the minutes of the October 18, 2016 Board Meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, and Ruth 4. Approve Agenda City of Blaine Page 1 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final November 15, 2016 Board MOVED by Boardmember Truchon, seconded by Boardmember Villella to approve the November 15, 2016 Board Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, and Ruth 5. Open Forum for Citizen Input There was none. There was none. 6. New Business 6.a Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Project Updates Staff Liaison Hafner reviewed the Open Space Area trails project and the Wetland Banking Project. Regarding the Wetland Banking Project, there was a meeting with the technical evaluation panel to review the plans with all the regulatory parties involved. The goal was to learn receive input as to what information was needed to complete the plan and have it meet all necessary requirements. The goal was accomplished at this meeting. Mr. Hafner anticipates the final signed document from the Army Corps by March 2017. All the regulatory agencies approved some clearing can be done over the winter of 2016/17 with restoration work starting in the spring of 2017. Work will begin this winter. As of January 1, 2018 there is an automatic release of a portion of the wetland credits. For the trails project Mr. Hafner showed a drawing of the proposed trails. Bids were solicited the first of October for the trails and the parking lot. Permits have been approved from the Watershed District. The bid opening was on November 8. There are six companies bidding on the parking lot and the estimate from consultant was $200,000. The low bid was $247,414 (Dunaway) with contingency it will total $272,155. For the trails the low bid was $1,052,396 (Peterson). With contingency the total would be $1,157,636. Mr. Hafner stated the cost of two projects together is $1.4 million. By the end of 2016, there will only be $1.4 million in the fund balance. However, there are funds needed for the wetland banking project and other open space management. That will make the fund about $300,000 short. The City Manager stated the bids cannot be awarded until the funding is in place. City of Blaine Page 2 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final November 15, 2016 Board Mr. Hafner stated the bids cannot go to Council for approval before the funding is present. There needs to be a larger overall plan with parks and open space. A meeting will be held tomorrow (11/16) and a proposal will go to the EDA to request a loan. Once that is in place Council can award the bids. This will likely take place at the December 15 Council meeting, possibly at the December 1 meeting. There is some work that can be done in the winter. The trails that previously were proposed to be paved will now be aggregate. Work will be done by July 2017 to include the loop trail and the parking lot. Mr. Hafner reviewed the information communicated to the City Council during a work shop and referenced the letter written by the NRCB. The consensus of the Council was the funds could come from the EDA to make up the difference. Mr. Hafner reviewed the updated estimated revenue expenses spreadsheet provided for Board review. Park dedication fees were up in 2016 (more than expected). Mr. Hafner provided a second page spreadsheet with the potential EDA Loan considered which would bring the balance to positive. He indicated the number of wetland credits that would need to be sold each year to cover expenses to finish the project. Mr. Hafner referred to the old concept map and provided an explanation of the elements of that plan. The phases have been spread over 2017 - 2022. This is still a viable project and has been gaining support as it progresses. Indicators show the market is good for selling wetland credits. Currently the EDA bank does not show up for public purchase as they will be kept for City use to help with development. Once completed, the Open Space wetland bank will be publicly marketed. Mr. Hafner will speak with Mayor Ryan about obtaining possible corporate donors. Boardmember Truchon asked about the parking lot and asked if the contractor is aware of the value of the wetland. Mr. Hafner stated the plan is very specific and the consultant is paid for the oversight work. Boardmember Truchon stated there are funds available from Rice Creek Watershed District if storm water can be utilized. Boardmember Villella asked how the Council received the letter and Mr. Hafner stated there were some adjustments made. There was no specific answer given. The earliest anything relating to this would be on the Council agenda would be December 1, 2016. Mr. Hafner noted on the spreadsheet the numbers shown for 2014 - City of Blaine Page 3 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final November 15, 2016 Board 2017 are actual numbers. Any amount loaned to the NRCB from the EDA will need to be paid back. Cash would be the recommended method of the loan rather than transferring credits or land. Discussed. 6.b Open Space Fund Update These items were addressed in previous agenda item. Discussed previously. 6.c Report on Staff Presentation at Council Workshop - October 20, 2016 These items were addressed in previous agenda item. Discussed previously. 6.d Further Discussion on BWS Sign Chair McKinley stated a second quote was received for the sign and a sample of the material that would be used was provided for Board review. The second bid was received from ABC Signs. The cost would be for 4 x 6 size $344.00. The previous quote received was over $600. Boardmember Perkins asked what the process was for getting the sign. Chair McKinley stated a well will be drilled and from experience she stated that process is very noisy and this would not be a good time to install the sign. The consensus was no date should be put on the sign. Chair McKinley suggested the sign be installed in May of 2017. Boardmember Villella stated the Board cannot control what people think. Boardmember Rafferty asked how the sign would be paid for and would this be the proper use of funds. Mr. Hafner stated the sign could be paid for. Mr. Hafner suggested no sign be constructed on 109th. If a sign is constructed and nothing happens people will wonder what’s going on. He suggested the second sign be delayed. The City’s social media can be utilized to communicate to the residents. Boardmember Ruth asked if a 4 x 6 sign is adequate. Mr. Hafner will speak with City staff regarding sign size recommendations. The wording on the sign will be determined at the December meeting. Boardmembers should bring their ideas for wording to the next City of Blaine Page 4 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final November 15, 2016 Board meeting. The first sign could be moved to 109th when the permanent sign is installed. “Future Home of Blaine Wetland Sanctuary” with the Blaine City Logo. Boardmember Perkins will contact Jason Husveth to get some pictures for the sign. Discussed. 6.e History of NRCB Report Chair McKinley provided a written NRCB History for Board review. Informational; no action required. 6.f Review 2016 Goals and Progress Chair McKinley provided a review of 2016 Goals/Activities: · Continue to focus on plans for development of Blaine Wetland Sanctuary. · Continue to utilize the Open Space Management plan for guidance and setting priorities. · Continue to explore ideas/activities for enhancing public awareness of the NRCB and use of our open spaces and trails. The following goals were reviewed: · Earth Day with P&R · Green Expo @ NSC April 23 · American Wetlands Month in May · Blaine Festival in June · Monitor kiosks for contents · Promote Adopt-A-Park · Write a newsletter column · Conduct park/open space tours · Consider trail names · Complete NRCB history Chair McKinley requested Boardmembers bring ideas for 2017 goals to the next meeting. Discussed. 6.g Discuss Cancellation of December NRCB Monthly Meeting It was decided the NRCB will hold their regular meeting in December (12/20/16) to finalize the wording on the BWS sign. Discussed. City of Blaine Page 5 Nat'l Resources Conservation Minutes - Final November 15, 2016 Board 7. Other Business Chair McKinley thanked the Boardmembers for their participation this year and Mr. Hafner for all his work Informational, no action required. 8. Adjournment MOVED by Boardmember Perkins, seconded by Boardmember Villella, to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Truchon, Rafferty, and Ruth City of Blaine Page 6