Environmental Advisory Council

EAC June 17, 2025, Minutes Members in Attendance: Grant Alger, Jason Wood, Steve Nelson, Karen Graziano, Dan Ford, Sustainability Coordinator Grant Rowe, and Karyn Hyland, Planning and Zoning Director. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:34 pm. Approval of Minutes, May 20, 2025: The minutes were approved as submitted. Reports: Farmer’s Market/Outreach & Communication: The Conservation District will be at the Farmer’s Market this weekend. Logistics and organization were discussed for the upcoming Farmer’s Market. DCAP: Steve reports that a draft of the DCAP is available. Steve would like to have the draft completed in time for the July meeting. Karyn will need to have a copy of it the week before the July 15 meeting for it to be included on the agenda. The biggest issue is the CCA and whether we will recalibrate greenhouse gas emissions to be at zero by 2050. Bird Town: Grant A. and Karen G. shared a report from Bird Safe, who had reached Bird Town and wanted to do bird strike counts at the County buildings in town. The conclusion from the count was a total of 22 counted, 18 of which were deceased, and four were injured. The glare from the administration building's windows is a chief contributor to the birds' deaths. Steve made a motion to send a draft letter to the Environment and Recreation Committee, requesting action from the County regarding the bird strikes at the County buildings. Karen G. seconded the motion. Index of Open Areas: Nothing to report Park Habitat Enhancement Plan: Karen G was pleased with the public’s turnout for the Mugwort removal project in Broad Commons. In Veterans Park at Maplewood, there is a fallen tree area that may require some cleanup from Public Works. There is also Mugwort in this same area, which should be removed. Karyn H. would like Parks and Recreation to be notified of any work being done in the parks before any work begins to remove plants from a park. Poison Ivy is also a concern in Veterans Park, particularly along the northern part of the park where the trails are located. Staff Report: Karyn introduced Grant Rowe to the EAC. Eventually, he will be the staff liaison to the EAC. He will be working on business interactions for sustainability, exploring ways to implement more green initiatives and coordinating among various departments. Grant will also be examining neighboring communities and their sustainable initiatives. Grant will also be working with the Shade Tree Commission. Karyn would like to introduce a sustainability component to Planning Commission review letters for land developments. Karyn reminded the EAC that budget time is approaching, and members should start thinking about what they will want and/or need for the 2026 fiscal year. Old/New Business: None Adjournment: There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by: Erika Fellman Minutes Secretary