Nat'l Resources Conservation Board

Blaine City Hall City of Blaine 10801 Town Sq Dr NE Blaine, MN 55449 Anoka County, Minnesota Minutes 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 16, 2017 7:00 PM Council Chambers 1. Call To Order 1. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call Others Present: Recreation Manager Shari Kunza. Present: 7 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Rafferty, Perkins, Truchon, Lizakowski, and Theisen Absent: 3 - Ruth, Castillo, and Genet 3. Approval of the Agenda Approval of the Agenda MOVED by Boardmember Truchon, seconded by Boardmember Villella, to approve the May 16, 2017 Board Agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Rafferty, Perkins, Truchon, Lizakowski, and Theisen 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Attachments: 04-18-17nrcb.doc Boardmember Rafferty noted on page two item six should read East Lake Park rather than East Leaf Park. City of Blaine Page 1 Nat'l Resources Conservation Board Minutes May 16, 2017 MOVED by Boardmember Theisen, seconded by Boardmember Truchon, to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2017 Board Meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously. Aye: 6 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Perkins, Lizakowski, Genet, and Theisen 5. Open Forum for Citizen Input No one appeared to address the Commission. 6. Old Business 6.-1 UPDATE ON BLAINE WETLAND SANCTUARY NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS Boardmember Truchon reviewed the BWS Committee has held two meetings. The first meeting entailed identifying locations for BWS maintenance access, setting a 40-foot buffer between private property lines that would be left untouched, and replacing trees that were taken down within the 40-foot buffer as part of the wetland restoration. She noted there were 4-5 residents present and only one Councilmember was present. The three main items discussed were the access, plantings and money as to how things would be paid for. It was suggested by the neighborhood that the access be moved to Lexington Avenue and they asked what it would cost to cross the ditch and were told it would be $60,000. It is unknown when the monies will be available to work on the 109th Avenue entrance. Many different opinions were expressed regarding the access at the BWS Committee Meeting. There was a request for the work crews not to begin work until 7am. The second meeting concluded with scheduling a meeting with the City Council for one of the upcoming Workshops to request a $100,000 be allocated for landscaping along the maintenance access and the residential lots where trees were removed. Also, a request that a 100-foot buffer be required for any future trails north of Austin Court. The Committee’s next meeting will be on-site to walk the area where trees were removed. The date of the meeting is to be determined. Chair McKinley asked about the 100’ buffer and Boardmember Truchon stated that was a suggestion which really wasn’t discussed further. Boardmember Perkins asked if Council is looking for a recommendation from the Natural Resource Conservation Board. Boardmember Truchon stated early in the meeting neighbors gave their point of view however that was not the consensus of the entire group. Boardmember Truchon City of Blaine Page 2 Nat'l Resources Conservation Board Minutes May 16, 2017 suggested at a future meeting the Board decide what they would like to see happen. Chair McKinley agreed the Board should come up with a list of their consensus. This could be discussed at the June Board Meeting. The list could be presented at the Council workshop (estimated to be June-July). Boardmember Lizakowski commented the Committee was made up of a variety of people to represent all areas and to present recommendations to the City Council on what should be done. Chair McKinley stated the Board should discuss this as a group. Boardmember Perkins thanked Boardmember Truchon for her involvement in the Committee. Boardmember Truchon suggested Chair McKinley prepare an outline to assist in the discussion. Discussed. 6.-2 EVENT UPDATES Attachments: frog walk.pdf earth day form.pdf Green Expo - Chair McKinley reported she attended with Boardmember Ruth. She stated the Green Expo is a great opportunity to meet with the residents and hand out information. She had a lot of handouts on various topics. Frog Walk - Boardmember Genet provided a written summary which reviewed the frog walk as a success. There were about 20 people there and it was a good mix of kids and adults. We started out at East Lake Park talking about the species that would most likely be found in the Wetland Sanctuary and identifying them by sight. She had pictures of all and live specimens of a leopard frog and gray tree frog) and sound (she played recordings of each of the species). Also discussed was amphibian life cycles and they did an activity to order the stages of amphibian development. Then they walked the loop trail, listening and looking for frogs along the way. She offered to make this an annual event and the timing in May is good for both amphibian phenology as well as May being National Wetlands Month. She provided photographs for Board review. Boardmember Truchon stated Boardmember Genet did a wonderful job and it was the best event ever held. Chair McKinley agreed Boardmember Genet did a great job. City of Blaine Page 3 Nat'l Resources Conservation Board Minutes May 16, 2017 Earth Day - Recreation Manager Kunza reviewed the second function was held. Eighteen parks were cleaned by a variety of groups and residents. The volunteers did a great job. Chair McKinley commended Ms. Kunza on her work for the events. World Fest - Will be held May 20th and all food vendors will be provided with compostable products. It will be held rain or shine. Discussed. 6.-3 DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR THE BWS BROCHURE Boardmember Truchon and Genet presented their ideas to the Board for review. Boardmember Truchon stated Boardmember Genet cannot be present this evening. They met and the brochure information was passed onto Boardmember Genet. Boardmember Truchon suggested it be discussed at the June Meeting when Boardmember Genet is present. Boardmember Genet provided her written information stating she will develop a draft to share with the Board at the June Meeting. Included will be information about wildlife, wetland functions/ecosystem services and a map. There is a map available that shows the boardwalk trail from East Lake Park to Lexington Avenue as well as the proposed/planned trail on the south side off 109th Avenue. She asked if that should be included or should only a map that has the boardwalk trail that is almost completed. She requested a map from the city that only has the boardwalk trail shown, but the entire BWS parcel outlined. She can send that out via email as soon as it is ready and will bring printed copies to the June meeting. Chair McKinley suggested the wildlife, rare plant life, and explanation of the functions of a wetland be highlighted in the brochure. Boardmember Truchon stated Boardmember Genet was concerned because one of the editions of the brochure showed a number of trails. The only trail that should be highlighted is the boardwalk. This is the only trail that is currently in the plan. Chair McKinley stated the original concept map showed a number of trails. Discussed. 6.-4 BOARDWALK UPDATE Chair McKinley provided an update on the progress of the boardwalk. She visited the site earlier today and stated the boardwalk coming from East Lake Park to the upland area is completed. On the Lexington Avenue side the boardwalk still has considerable distance to go. The goal is to have it completed by July 1. A bridge will be installed over the drainage ditch. City of Blaine Page 4 Nat'l Resources Conservation Board Minutes May 16, 2017 Preparation of the parking lot area is being done. The boardwalks are not currently open. Informational; no action required. 7. New Business 7.-2 SUMMER OPEN SPACE TOUR Boardmember Perkins noted he visited the connection off of 131st Avenue off of Lexington (1 ½ miles near Savannah Grove Park). There are wood chips from 131st through the neighborhoods connecting to the paved trail. Some underbrush has been cleared from that area. He also visited the landlocked area (off of Lever Street) and it is the same. These open spaces do not have official names. Boardmember McKinley plans to visit Pioneer Park and invited Boardmembers Genet and Theisen to accompany her. Any other Boardmembers doing tours can invite the new members also. There was a discussion of when this could happen and it will be further discussed offline. Boardmember Truchon recalled a discussion of the Board having a tour of the Open Spaces. Boardmember Villella stated Jason Husveth was going to be asked to give the tour. Boardmember Truchon suggested waiting until the boardwalk is completed and then schedule the tour. Boardmember Truchon asked to show a map of the open spaces within the City at the next meeting to the residents viewing the meeting. Discussed. Adjournment MOVED by Boardmember Lizakowski, seconded by Boardmember Villella, to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. The motion carried unanimously. Aye: 7 - Chair McKinley, Villella, Rafferty, Perkins, Truchon, Lizakowski, and Theisen City of Blaine Page 5