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, January 17, 2017 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. Roll Call Others Present: Recording Secretary Debbie Wolfe Boardmember Wilder tendered his resignation by email January 17, 2017 from the Natural Resources Conservation Board. He has moved out of the City of Blaine. Present: 7 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Ruth, Perkins, Gunter, Castillo, and Lizakowski Absent: 3 - Rafferty, Truchon, and Wilder 3. Approval of Minutes MOVED by Boardmember Perkins, seconded by Boardmember Villella, to approve the minutes of the December 20, 2016 Board Meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Ruth, Perkins, Castillo, and Lizakowski 4. Approval of Agenda MOVED by Boardmember Castillo, seconded by Boardmember Lizakowski, to City of Blaine Page 1 Nat'l Resources Conservation Board Minutes - Final January 17, 2017 approve the January 17, 2017 Board Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Ruth, Perkins, Castillo, and Lizakowski 5. Open Forum for Citizen Input There was none. There was none. 6. New Business 6.a Blaine Wetland Sanctuary Project Update Chair McKinley read a report Mr. Hafner provided stating work began last Tuesday, January 11, on the wetland restoration project. There were quite a few trees to be removed as the management of this ecosystem is changing to be mainly managed as a wetland area. They started on the west side and will take about two weeks to complete the work there before moving to the east. Volume of phone calls has been high. Most are supportive of the project but some do not like the loss of trees regardless of the alternatives. Work on the boardwalk is scheduled to begin the week of January 23. The plan is to have the boardwalk completed by the first week of March. Of course, this is weather dependent, with cold weather being preferred. Boardmember Castillo stated he lives in The Lakes and noted on The Lakes of Blaine Facebook page there were 25 (likes) and some comments on a comment Dave Clark had made on the page. The feedback has been generally positive. Informational; no action required. 6.b Year End Financial Update Chair McKinley had requested a financial update from Mr. Hafner and he was not able to put together the financial update. This will be prepared for the February Meeting which he plans to attend. Shari Kunza will also be in attendance as she will become the new Staff Liaison to the Natural Resources Conservation Board. Informational; no action required. 6.c Discuss Sign for BWS Site Chair McKinley provided a draft of the 3 x 5 foot size sign prepared by City of Blaine Page 2 Nat'l Resources Conservation Board Minutes - Final January 17, 2017 ABC Sign & Graphic. The quote includes one sign printed on both sides for a total cost of $485.74 (including sales tax). If the City’s tax exempt number is provided the total cost would be $453.43. The consensus of the Board was approval of the sign. The suggestion by ABC Sign was to frame the sign in with wood. Chair McKinley spoke with Steve Dahl in the City sign shop, and his recommendation was to frame it in wood and have wood posts and he will provide heavy iron brackets. Spiked braces could also be put in for extra support. This would make the sign easily moved. Chair McKinley stated she will donate the treated wood for the installation, along with the hardware necessary. Chair McKinley asked for volunteers to frame the signs with the wood. Boardmember Perkins offered to cut the wood for the frame along with Boardmember Villella helping. Chair McKinley read a report Mr. Hafner prepared stating he suggests the Board look at the signs on 109th that direct people to city hall, the green signs just west and east of Town Square Drive. These signs are 4 feet by 6 feet and would be very adequate for the BWS site. Also, would be easier to install and move to the other location later. Staff is requesting Board’s support of a 4 x 6 foot size sign. MOVED by Boardmember Lizakowski, seconded by Boardmember Perkins, to approve and order the sign from ABC Sign & Graphic. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Ruth, Perkins, Castillo, and Lizakowski Chair McKinley will get City staff support for the sign and order it. Full payment will be due on delivery. 6.d Discuss 2017 NRCB Goals Chair McKinley prepared a list of goals for 2017 which were very similar to the goals for 2016. 1. Continue to focus on plans for development of the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary (BWS) 2. Continue to utilize the Open Space Management Plan for guidance and setting priorities. 3. Continue to explore ideas for enhancing public awareness & use of our open spaces and trails. List of ideas/suggestions for NRCB members to choose and pursue this year: Temporary BWS sign in place City of Blaine Page 3 Nat'l Resources Conservation Board Minutes - Final January 17, 2017 North Metro Home & Garden Show - Feb 4th Green Expo - April 22 - a table has been reserved Earth Day events with P&R Apr 15 - May 15 - promoted by Shari Kunza American Wetlands Month in May Blazing Festival in June Adopt-A-Park program Write a column for the city newsletter Website updating? Name more trails this year? Plan, promote, and conduct activities with youth or neighborhood groups in our open spaces or parks & trails: Establish a Bluebird Trail, Plant trees/shrubs in a public area, Create a game for hiking a trail or open space Conduct Open Space & Special Use Parks tours this year - Choose one to report on: Pioneer Lochness - Boardmember Castillo Laddie Lake Kane Meadows Hidden Ponds Oak Savannah 131st & Lever Street Chair McKinley requested Boardmembers bring any other ideas to the next meeting. Informational; no action required. 6.e NRCB History Nothing to report at this time. 7. Other Business None. Adjournment MOVED by Boardmember Perkins, seconded by Boardmember Castillo, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Ruth, Perkins, Castillo, and Lizakowski City of Blaine Page 4