Environmental Citizen's Committee Meeting

Regular Meeting Environmental Citizens Committee January 12, 2023 A Regular Meeting of the Environmental Citizens Committee was held on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Municipal Building at 300 West Thirteen Mile Road, Madison Heights, Michigan. Present: Chairman Salley and Members: Ms. Bartleman, Mr. Klepacki, Ms. Porter, and Councilor Rohrbach Absent: Ms. Fox and Mr. Theodoroff Also Present: Public Works Supervisor Ballantine and Deputy City Clerk Boucher 23-01. Minutes Motion by Councilor Rohrbach, seconded by Ms. Bartleman, to adopt the minutes from the Regular Meeting of October 13, 2022, as printed. Yeas: Bartleman, Klepacki, Porter, Rohrbach, and Salley Nays: None Absent: Fox and Theodoroff Motion Carried. 23-02. Excuse member(s) Motion by Ms. Bartleman, seconded by Councilor Rohrbach, to excuse Ms. Fox and Mr. Theodoroff from today’s meeting. Yeas: Bartleman, Klepacki, Porter, Rohrbach, and Salley Nays: None Absent: Fox and Theodoroff Motion Carried. 23-03. Meeting Open to the Public There were no members of the public wishing to speak. 23-04. Financial Update Public Works Supervisor Ballantine informed everyone that the Environmental Citizens Committee (ECC) has a current account balance of $11,696.93. 23-05. Seed Library 1 01-12-23 ECC Regular Meeting Environmental Citizens Committee January 12, 2023 Ms. Porter updated that she and Ms. Fox are organizing the Seed Library. Councilor Rohrbach asked that Ms. Porter and Ms. Fox work with Public Works Supervisor Ballantine to temporarily relocate the Seed Library to the City Hall in March. 23-06. Plant Sale Councilor Rohrbach shared that Ms. Fox is working with the plant sale vendor on a date this year. The ECC holds two plants sales each year and has decided to only host one this year in the Spring. 23-07. Nuisance Tree Ordinance Discussion Public Works Supervisor Ballantine spoke about healthy existing trees, property maintenance, and the code of ordinance is under review for grammicle errors. Councilor Rohrbach suggests that there are no ordinance recommendations to the City Council therefore this discussion does not need to be added to the next meeting agenda. 23-08. ECC Workplan Councilor Rohrbach briefly reviewed the ECC workplan to include energy & sustainability, natural environment & Ecosystem, designation for Tree City USA, No Mow May, pollinator protection & community garden, and resident education & awareness. The City Council approved the ECC workplan at their January 9th regular meeting. Public Works Supervisor Ballantine inquired if any members want a city identification card to be used during the plant sale and other ECC events. 23-09. Bloom Project Mini-Grant Program Councilor Rohrbach discussed the Bloom Project Mini-Grant Program that is available to residents and community groups to establish native gardens on private property and/or commercial space. An application form must be completed, a resident may receive a single award not to exceed $400, a public group may receive a single award not to exceed $3,000, the first-year funding will not exceed $3,400, the application deadline will be April 2nd, and the awards will be approved at the April 20th ECC regular meeting. 2 01-12-23 ECC Regular Meeting Environmental Citizens Committee January 12, 2023 Motion by Councilor Rohrbach, seconded by Ms. Bartleman, to approve the Bloom Project Mini-Grant Program. Yeas: Bartleman, Klepacki, Porter, Rohrbach, and Salley Nays: None Absent: Fox and Theodoroff Motion Carried. 23-10. Tree City Public Works Supervisor Ballantine reminded everyone that Arbor Day is April 28th, and the board must promote and acknowledge it either prior to or shortly after that date. A resolution is due to City Council by their April 24th regular meeting. The City of Madison Heights will have had their Tree City designation for three years in 2023. The OAKSTEM grant provided Madison Heights with 103 tree plantings in 2022. Ms. Bartleman will contact Wild Types to purchase native trees as giveaways at the Arbor Day event. Councilor Rohrbach will contact ReLeaf Michigan to schedule someone to do a tree planting education at the Arbor Day event. She suggests giving away 10-20 native trees not to exceed a total cost of $500 and announce the Bloom Project Mini-Grant recipient(s). 23-11. Other Business The board talked about the MDOT project along I-696 to include plants, mulch, the walls, the bridge, and green corridor. 23-12. Adjournment. There being no further business, Chair Salley adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m. A Special meeting will be held on Thursday, March 23rd for the Arbor Day Planning and the next Regular meeting will be held on Thursday, April 20th to award the Bloom Project Mini-Grant Program at 10 a.m. in the City Hall conference room. Phommady A. Boucher Deputy City Clerk 3 01-12-23 ECC