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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 08/08/2006 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY,AUGUST 8, 2006 7:00 PM, 8080 Mitchell Road Prairie Room COMMISSION MEMBERS: Eapen Chacko (Chair), Jan Mosman (Vice Chair), Ray Daniels, Rita Krocak, Geneva MacMillan, David Seymour GUEST: Richard Akerlund, Heritage Preservation Commission COMMISSION STAFF: Leslie A. Stovring, Staff Liaison Allison Burr, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL Chair Chacko called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Mosman was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chacko indicated Daniels would like to speak about the motion tabled last time. Stovring noted she will address the motion under Reports of Staff, and Daniels can comment at that time if need be. Daniels stated he would like to have a brief discussion on Xcel's Wind Source program under Reports from Commission Members. Seymour added he would like to discuss a possible "big idea" for the Commission's charter statement. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JULY 25, 2006 A Second Draft of the Minutes was distributed for review. Questions from Chacko regarding the Riley Creek discussion were included in the Second Draft. Chacko stated he was concerned about the overall tone of the Riley Creek discussion as included in the minutes,he felt that the discussion was not as contentious as it was characterized. Daniels and Krocak noted they had no problem with the minutes as amended in the Second Draft. MOTION: MacMillan moved, seconded by Daniels, to approve the minutes as amended. The motion carried, 5-0. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission August 8, 2006 Page 2 IV. REPORTS OF STAFF A. STORMWATER POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAM (SWPPP) REVIEW OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES (BMPS) FOR 2007 Stovring stated she forgot to distribute the Best Management Practices (BMPs) prior to the meeting and distributed them tonight for discussion at the next meeting. She noted the format required by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) renders a few of the BMPs redundant. Chacko asked if the green lawn care brochure is included in this document. Stovring did not recall including that in the BMPs. Chacko asked about the storm drain labeling. Stovring responded there are kits available that can be handed out upon request, and that it is a program that could be promoted again. She explained the storm drain decals state "Do Not Dump, Drains to Lake" or similar. Stovring noted she writes a utility bill insert, The Environmental Times, on an annual basis,but it could be done twice a year if there were topics to discuss. Chacko suggested he can write something about natural fertilizers for the newsletter. Stovring noted that will be better-suited for the spring; she begins work on that newsletter in January. MacMillan asked if the Commission can submit things to the newspaper. Stovring responded affirmatively, noting if an individual wants to write an editorial or article as a Commission member, it would need to be reviewed by staff first. B. PROSPECT ROAD/RILEY CREEK — ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET STATUS / UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE / MEETING ON AUGUST 10, 2006 Stovring provided an update on the Oak Creek at Hennepin Village / Prospect Road project. She stated the Council reviewed the road alternatives and decided the Conservation Commission should have some role in commenting on the plans for the road alignments. Staff has ordered an Environmental Assessment Worksheet(EAW) for evaluating the road alternatives. Staff has decided this Commission will act as an advisory body for the EAW, so there will be an opportunity to review and comment on all six possible road alignments. Stovring stated that Staff expects that the EAW will be completed within 60 to 90 days and that a consultant is being hired to work on this project. This provides the Commission with the opportunity to work on environmental issues on significant projects that require an EAW or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Staff are currently working on establishing a process for the Commission to provide comments and/or act as an environmental advisor on these types of projects. Chacko asked if the consultant will present the findings to the Commission after the work is completed. Stovring stated she hopes the consultant will come in when the EAW is finished, but before the report goes out, but it will all depend on the timing in relation to regularly scheduled Commission meetings. It is something she will have to Eden Prairie Conservation Commission August 8, 2006 Page 3 work out with the City Manager. She asked that the Commission not comment until the EAW is complete and all the alternatives are reviewed. Daniels asked if other additional information will be supplied if there are further questions. Stovring responded the Commission will be able to ask further questions as part of the process. Daniels stated he would like an answer as to why Eden Prairie Road may be closed. Stovring stated options for realignment of the lower stretch of Eden Prairie Road will be included in the EAW. Currently the intersection with Highway 212 is very unsafe and there have been a number of accidents at that location as there is not a good sight line. Also, in the winter the road corridor can be very icy and slippery. She added those issues will come up in the EAW. Daniels stated this is an area in which north/south road connections are very important. Daniels noted the Ryan construction company is building houses on the west side of Eden Prairie Road; the development will be called Ridge at Riley Creek. He asked why there were no plans to build an second route out of this development. Stovring responded there are alternate routes planned. There are two road stubs available; one crosses through private property and one through airport property. The corridor through airport property is being used for a utility corridor and there is hope to have a road through there someday. Daniels suggested east/west access through that area would mitigate the development of Prospect Road. Stovring stated this alignment would not solve the issue with access to Site A within Hennepin Village which is on the other side of the creek. Daniels asked how all of the proposals will address that problem. Stovring responded the only one that would address it is Prospect Road. Daniels stated he walked the area and looked for alternate sites. There is a blacktop road that goes from Sky Lane and across the way is Tilia Ridge; that may be another possible route. Stovring responded she is not familiar with that road, as the engineering department is handling evaluation of the road alternatives. Chacko referenced the Planning Commission's minutes from July 10 and noted there was a broad discussion held, and Jan Mosman made some comments in a personal capacity. Some of the Commission's comments were expressed in that meeting. He noted the Planning Commission will take this up again on the 14"' and asked whether the consultant will be on board by then. Stovring responded the Commission will either open the public hearing and continue the plans for 60 to 90 days, or the developer will withdraw the project entirely until after the EAW is done, whereupon he will revise his plans and bring them back as a fresh plan. If the public hearing is opened, there might be an opportunity to speak,but it would be moot at that point. Chacko noted it would be nice to have the consultant on board by then. Stovring stated an open house at City Hall will be held on August 10 to review the alternate road alignments and discuss how the EAW will be done. The open house is for neighbors to come in and ask questions. She asked that you let her know if you were planning on attending. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission August 8, 2006 Page 4 Daniels commented the Commission is not a decision-making body but rather an advisory body, and he is not sure why the quorum rules apply. Stovring responded the City Attorney has indicated quorum rules are applicable for all Commissions. Daniels stated there are certain restrictions on what can be discussed but not regarding members' presence at the same location. Stovring responded the issue is once there is a quorum, it is an official meeting whether they are discussing a planned topic or not. Daniels asked if the clubhouse will be taken care of on the 14d' or if that will also be postponed. Stovring responded it will postpone the whole project. Daniels suggested the clubhouse would make a good educational center. V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION CHAIR A. PROJECT GREEN FLEET UPDATE Chacko stated he has not spoken to anybody with Eden Prairie Schools, but he assumes the project is moving ahead. He noted asked for comments on his draft letter to superintendent of schools, Dr. Melissa Krull. The Commission expressed support for the letter. Chacko indicated he will send out the letter this week and will copy Kristen Johnson. VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISION MEMBERS OR SUBCOMMITTEES A. WIND SOURCE—RAY DANIELS Daniels reviewed Xcel Energy's Wind Source program and recalled his conversation with an Xcel Energy employee, who confirmed 15 wind turbines are currently in use but did not provide any further information. He asked Stovring if the City is involved in the program at all. Stovring responded she is not sure but will ask. Daniels suggested the City could do something symbolic in terms of buying wind power and promoting its purchase, but he is not sure what is possible legally. It sounds like what needs to be done is buying up wind power so that consumer demand for these projects increases. Akerlund asked if any evaluations have been done regarding whether Eden Prairie sites are suitable for wind turbines. Daniels stated Eden Prairie is not a particularly good area in terms of land. He added there are 3 million Xcel customers, and about 3 percent are involved in Wind Source currently. Daniels indicated a rain garden workshop and tour will be held on August 22nd and August 29d'by the Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR). He noted the details can be reviewed at www.fmr.or0calendar.html. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS/INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS A. RAIN GARDEN PROJECT—DAVID SEYMOUR Eden Prairie Conservation Commission August 8, 2006 Page 5 Seymour noted he has talked to Greg Thompson of the municipal soil and water conservation district, who has significant experience and knowledge in the area of rain gardens. He proposed scouting some possible locations in the City with Thompson for a rain garden. One possibility is the Education Center attached to the City Hall. Stovring responded there is nowhere to locate a rain garden, and the parking lot was just redesigned to add in additional spaces. Stovring indicated the one existing rain garden in the City is at Dunn Brother's Coffee; there will also be a rain garden system at the new fire station on Dell Road. Seymour suggested the next route to pursue is a residential area. He noted Thompson indicated it is difficult to get individual homeowners to buy into one idea, which is why the public space may make more sense for a rain garden. MacMillan commented it would be good for the public to be involved. Stovring stated City typically recommends rain gardens for commercial sites or for residential developments if there is a homeowners association established that could care for the gardens. It can be onerous for one homeowner to be responsible for a rainwater garden that treats rain water for more than one lot. Furthermore, if the current homeowner agrees to put it in, the next buyer of the property may not want to be responsible. Stovring stated the City code needs to be updated to have a section on rainwater garden design. She added there are no standards, criteria or guidelines currently in the code, only that the ability to use infiltration must be evaluated and used when it would work. Daniels noted residents pay a fee for storm water maintenance; he asked if that money can be used for rain garden maintenance. Stovring responded if it was a site where a drainage and utility easement would be obtained as there is public drainage; the City could take care of it. Daniels suggested identifying places where there are easements or public property. Krocak asked if Purgatory Creek Recreation Area would be a good site. Stovring responded they already have a large storm water system and do not need additional treatment. Seymour noted there is a playground near Eden Lake where it is so wet the area is like a bog. Stovring responded there is a project in the works to install drain tile to improve the problem, but there is another area where a rain garden may be possible. Stovring suggested Seymour contact the Parks Director, as it is a park project. She added there is also a significant goose problem at the location, and they would be happy to eliminate additional water. Chacko suggested Seymour not spread himself too thin and that he do what he can to be effective. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission August 8, 2006 Page 6 Daniels asked what the City is planning on doing as far as the goose problem. Stovring explained the annual round-up process. B. GREEN ROOF MEMORANDUM TO COUNCIL (SENT AUGUST 4, 2006) Seymour stated his understanding is the Parks Commission has agreed to build a green roof over a portion of the community center expansion. Though the project has taken off on its own, he would like the Commission to stay abreast of the situation. Stovring stated she is hoping there will be an open house once it opens to showcase the green roof to the public. Chacko asked Stovring to find out who the contact person is so the Commission can stay informed about the roof's progress. Stovring responded that she would find out, but that it would probably be the Parks Director, Bob Lambert. She wondered if perhaps a letter could still be written suggesting features such as an observation deck could still be added and that the Commission would like to work with them on the plans. Seymour confirmed he will work with Stovring on writing the letter. Seymour added he would like to see that the roof is constructed in a logical place. Stovring explained there is an area of the community center that was designed to support a future second story. That area has enough structural load capacity to put the roof there, and if it is successful, the green roof will be moved up when the second story is added. Seymour concurred it is important for the community to be able to get up there and see it. VIII. FUTURE EVENTS A. GLOBAL WARMING SEMINAR—PAX CHRISTI—OCTOBER 29, 2006 MacMillan stated this seminar will be just like the previous one held at St. Andrew's. Stovring stated the Commission can have a booth at the event; it is just a matter of picking out the materials to display. She suggested creating a brochure highlighting the activities of the Commission. Stovring added she can publish a notice that the Conservation Commission will attend this event. MacMillan also suggested distributing a list of things consumers can do at home to promote energy conservation. B. ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR—JANUARY 2007 Daniels suggested contacting Fresh Energy and Greater Midwest Hydrogen Initiative for possible speakers. He asked about the process for contacting possible speakers. Stovring explained she puts together a list of potential exhibitors and sends out a mass mailing, followed by a phone call. Speakers would be contacted in advance. She suggested Xcel could attend to discuss their Wind Source program. Daniels suggested Eden Prairie Conservation Commission August 8, 2006 Page 7 the speakers could use the auditorium for additional seating. Seymour indicated he will contact Greg Thompson as a potential speaker as well. Stovring asked the Commissioners to think of names and addresses for exhibitors also. Chacko suggested contacting the Department of Commerce for their handouts regarding water heating and cooling. Daniels indicated he will contact Wind Source about a possible speaker. He also has a contact connected with solar energy, and he will touch base with him. Stovring stated she usually has child-oriented exhibits like Art Scraps or the Minnesota ZooMobile attend the fair, along with various state agencies, watershed districts, etcetera. C. PUBLIC RECYCLING IN CITY AREAS —DAVID SEYMOUR Seymour stated he has observed a lack of recycling containers in public spaces, and parks in particular, where they could be very useful. Stovring stated the City has tried such recycling efforts, but there were problems with contamination of the recyclables. She suggested Seymour contact the Parks Department to see if could add recycling containers during public events. Chacko noted St. Louis Park commissioned a study on single-point recycling which found that if people throw in glass with newsprint and it breaks, the value of the newsprint is destroyed. He noted Allied Waste has a single-point recycling program now. Waste Management has also gone to single-point recycling. Seymour wondered why such a small amount of contamination causes such a huge problem. Stovring responded she is not sure, but that is what she has been told. A common problem is food waste getting into the print and the paper. Seymour concurred it is a real temperamental process. Stovring stated she will send Seymour the name of a contact person at Allied Waste. IX. NEXT MEETING A. SEPTEMBER 19, 2006 Seymour suggested Greg Thompson may be able to attend the next meeting to discuss rain gardens. X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: MacMillan moved, seconded by Krocak, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried, 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:43p.m.