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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 03/07/2016 APPROVED MINUTES PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION CONSERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 7, 2016 7 P.M. CITY CENTER 8080 Mitchell Road, Heritage Rooms 1 & 2 PRNR COMMISSION MEMBERS: Larry Link, Chair; Debra McBride, Vice Chair; Donald Jacobson, Leonard Pesheck, Kirk Spresser, Deborah Termer STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Bridget Dillon, Emily Harvey, Piper Lincoln, Stefan Wenc CONSERVATION COMMISSION Greg Olson, Chair; Laura Jester, Vice Chair; MEMBERS: Amanda Anderson, Gena Gerard, Prashant Shrikhande, Lori Tritz STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Rachel Buckland, Emily Corpuz, Jenna Horner CITY STAFF: Jay Lotthammer, Parks & Recreation Director Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager Lori Brink, Recreation Manager Valerie Verley, Community Center Manager Tania Mahtani, Planner I Jodie Fenske, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALLANTRODUCTIONS McBride called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Roll call was taken. Chair Larry Link and Don Jacobson were absent. Student representatives Piper Lincoln and Jenna Horner were absent. Brink arrived at 7:40 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion: Spresser moved, seconded by Pesheck, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 10-0. III. APPROVAL OF PRNR MINUTES - FEBRUARY 1, 2016 Motion: Termer moved, seconded by Spresser, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried 4-0. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 2 IV. APPROVAL OF CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES-FEBRUARY 9, 2016 Motion: Anderson moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried 6-0. V. REPORT OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Lotthammer reported on several actions recently taken by the Council. A. DONATION Council accepted a $500 donation from the Eden Prairie Lions Club for the purchase of preschool furnishings for the Outdoor Center. This donation was preceded by a$500 donation from the Lioness Club for preschool appropriate tables and chairs at the Outdoor Center as well. B. COMMUNITY FESTIVALS A Resolution was adopted designating official community festivals. Lotthammer explained State liquor law allows one license per location every 30 days. Since Schooner Days and 4th of July Hometown Celebration dates may fall within 30 days of each other, this designation allows the Lions Club and other organizations to continue to provide beer tents and to continue to comply with State law. C. TRAIL CONSTRUCTION ON MNDOT PROPERTY Relating to Martin Blu Apartments, a Resolution was adopted for a limited use permit for trail construction on MnDOT property. Permit was needed to construct a trail connection from the apartment complex to existing trail that runs along MN-5 and crosses MnDOT property. D. CONTRACT FOR PHEASANT WOODS PLAY EQUIPMENT Council awarded a contract to St. Croix Recreation for updated play equipment at Pheasant Woods Park. E. CONTRACT FOR HIDDEN PONDS PLAY EQUIPMENT Council awarded a contract to Northland Recreation for updated play equipment at Hidden Ponds Park. F. POLLINATOR FRIENDLY RESOLUTION Council approved a Resolution supporting pollinator-friendly activities, plants, and maintenance practices. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 3 VI. REPORT OF PLANNING COMMISSION VII. PETITIONS, REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATION A. HANDOUTS OF UPCOMING EVENTS 1. Home, Landscape and Garden Expo Event will be held on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Church. A variety of exhibitors showcasing sustainable practices will be on hand. 2. Annual Ice Show "Frozen, Let's Heat Things Up" Three shows over the weekend of March 18 will be performed at EPCC ice rinks. 3. Park Clean-Up Day Event is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Forestry Technician Cordes is coordinating approximately 20 volunteer groups to assist with clean-up efforts. Jester inquired about recycling opportunities available for items picked up. Bourne will make a request to Cordes to include information on recycling and possibility of different colored trash bags. Olson inquired about publicity for the event. Bourne and Lotthammer responded usual methods are being used, including City website, email, and packets mailed directly to previous participants. Groups are assigned particular parks based on size of the park, size of the group, and how much time they can devote. Olson suggested publicizing in Eden Prairie News after the event to give credit to groups participating. Anderson recommended quantifying volume of trash collected and time put forth in the collection effort. Bourne noted facts are included in City's annual report. McBride added it may be a good idea to encourage residents to clean up public areas near their homes. 4. Arbor Day Walk and Green Fair Event will be held on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Round Lake Park. Bourne stated commitments are already received from several groups. City will provide free tree saplings at the event. Tree health information, concessions, and family activities will be available. Jester inquired if a buckthorn removal workshop or education will be provided. Bourne responded Forestry Technician Cordes has worked with West Metro PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 4 Master Naturalists in the past and he will ask him to again offer buckthorn removal information or education. 5. Earth Day Retreat Parish retreat and symposium will be held at Pax Christi Catholic Community on April 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 6. Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District Group is offering an online survey requesting community input and feedback about health of lakes and streams to assist with planning processes. Three informational meeting dates are offered in May. 7. Sprinp,/Summer 2016 Parks and Recreation Brochure Verley stated brochures should arrive in resident mailboxes early this week and copies will again be available at City buildings. Program information is currently available online and registration begins Wednesday, March 16, at 7 a.m., allowing patrons time to plan. VIII. NEW BUSINESS A. GREENSTEP CITIES Mahtani reported that since 2011 the City has been a part of the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program that is led by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). GreenStep is a voluntary challenge, assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. The program is based on twenty-nine best practices focusing on cost savings and energy use reductions and encouraging public participation around sustainability efforts. Eden Prairie is currently a Step 3 city and was selected to be one of four cities in Minnesota to serve as a Step 4 pilot city. The purpose of Step 4 is focusing on metrics and giving a mechanism for cities to report data and maintain achievements over time. Eden Prairie participated in the pilot program and provided feedback to the MPCA. The official Step 4 program will be rolling out to other Minnesota cities in the coming weeks. The final recognition level is Step 5 which challenges cities to show how they have made improvements on Step 4 metrics. B. GREEN TEAM Lotthammer presented the Living Green section of the City's webpage which includes a list of ideas and resources for residents to become greener. The plan is to add a Green Team section for residents to join to promote and inspire residents to take action. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 5 The first step in joining the Green Team would include online registration. This data would provide the City with a list of residents interested in receiving email updates regarding information, events and workshops. By signing up, team members would receive a Green Team t-shirt, which would encourage questions by others and drive the idea that as a city, we want to be as green as possible. In the future, a scoring system will be developed for residents to self-report activities performed and steps taken to become greener. Each level of achievement would result in a prize being awarded, possibly a reusable water bottle or grocery bag with Green Team logo. Publicity of this new program will include the City's website, social media outlets, Life in the Prairie newsletter, quarterly Parks and Recreation brochure, and Eden Prairie News articles. Tritz suggested a more robust reward system could possibly be developed for those who are able to provide skilled help for larger projects. She will share those ideas in the future. Pesheck recommended sharing combined metrics of the program in the future so community can see proof of their combined efforts. Examples could include number of gallons of water saved, number of rain barrels purchased, number of kilowatts dropped. Spresser suggested grouping ideas by month and publicizing on an ongoing basis. For example, publicize water conservation and reduced emissions in summer months. Shrikhande inquired about the possibility of a live chat function for purchases or improvements. Tritz added responses could be monitored by staff, an expert or simply another resident with expertise. Shrikhande commended Green Team idea and felt self-submitting results and being held accountable is better than simply making a pledge. Lotthammer acknowledged the concept and ideas are in place. Next steps are contingent upon Communications and website expertise coming together to complete the project. Brink arrived at 7:40 p.m. C. 20-40-15 & BEYOND Mahtani provided a recap of the 20-40-15 program as recently presented by Fleet Services Division Manager Paul Schlueter and Facilities Manager Paul Sticha. The program, which was rolled out in 2006, called for the City to improve energy efficiency in all of its facilities by 20 percent, increase fuel efficiency of its vehicle fleet by 40 percent and accomplish both goals by the year 2015. The City exceeded both goals by the end of 2015. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 6 Fleet Services' goals included increased use of renewable fuels, reducing both impacts to the environment and operating costs. By the end of 2015 annual fuel economy had increased by 44.4%. Strategies included increasing employee awareness of fuel efficiency and replacing vehicles with more fuel efficient vehicles including diesel and hybrids. Facilities' goal of achieving a 20% energy improvement in city-owned buildings was achieved with a final increase of 21.8% at the end of 2015. Strategies included more energy efficient lighting and replacement of HVAC equipment. Mahtani reported the next sustainability program has been discussed by the Conservation Commission over several meetings. She shared City Manager Getschow has provided the Commission with background information on several initiatives the City Council has researched as a successor program. At the City Council workshop, Getschow acknowledged the GreenStep Cities program, as well as the metrics the City is already gathering. Mr. Getschow gave an overview of the Commission's feedback on the program, including the Commission's interest in focusing on water and solid waste. The Council feels it is important for the new program to be measurable and communicated to residents on an ongoing basis. Mahtani informed the Commission that Getschow shared the potential name of the new program as "Sustainable Eden Prairie." The focus will be on goals that may change over time, as well as benchmarking and reporting that dovetails with the work the City is already doing with GreenStep Cities and other efforts. Council members agreed and suggested looking at costs and benefits of sustainability improvements for the City. Mahtani concluded by reporting on the next steps which include the City finalizing a contract with a consultant, Great Plains Institute. GPI will help create the new sustainability chapter that will be incorporated as part of City's comprehensive guide plan update in 2018. GPI's scope of work will also include framework for the Sustainable Eden Prairie program, including areas of focus, action steps, timelines and potential measures. D. DEER MANAGEMENT Bourne informed the Commission 2016 will be another deer management year and provided a brief history of the deer management program. In 1994 City Council acted on resident complaints received on a number of deer- vehicle collisions. A task force was then created consisting of residents and City staff. A 75-page deer management report was created and adopted unanimously by the City Council. DNR findings and other naturalist recommendations suggested keeping the deer population at 25 deer per square mile of natural habitat. Early aerial census counts PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 7 revealed there were nearly 700 deer in Eden Prairie before the management program began, with some habitat areas having a deer population density of 60 to 80 deer per square mile. In conjunction with Three Rivers Parks District, the City conducts aerial helicopter surveys of natural habitat areas in winter months when snow cover makes spotting and counting deer easier. The January 13, 2016, survey revealed a count of 287 deer. Using this data, the City will contact the Minnesota DNR Wildlife Section and apply for a permit to reduce the deer population to keep it in line with its management plan. A contracted professional firm will conduct the reduction work escorted by Police to provide a presence and answer citizen questions. The harvested deer will be processed and donated to a local food shelf. Anderson inquired about, and Bourne responded to, coyote concerns. The City follows resident concerns but does not have a formal program in place at this time. Lotthammer informed the Commission research indicates if a coyote is removed, birth rates increase exponentially,partly due to territorial issues and partly due to natural ability to populate. He further stated the DNR does not recommend removal due to risk of actually increasing the population but they do recommend harassment techniques. E. RECYCLING & ORGANICS EFFORTS Mahtani reported City Center has offered organics recycling since October 2015 and has realized approximately 14% savings in trash bills. A four-year payback of the initial organics investment is estimated. Lotthammer reported Environmental Coordinator Stovring has researched private haulers providing organic recycling. At this point haulers are not seeing the economics justified in their opinion. It was discussed that Hennepin County has mandated garbage haulers must offer organics recycling as of 2017. Since there is currently not a market for organics recycling by haulers, a possible solution could be to offer drop-off organics recycling in conjunction with yard waste collection sites. Jester and Tritz suggested possibility of offering organics drop-off bins at City Center since Randy's picks up there periodically already. F. WATER CONSERVATION/TURF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES Bourne presented an overview of the Parks Maintenance irrigation and turf management strategies. Turf areas are maintained by proper seed/species selection, mowing at strategic times, cultural practices (aeration, dethatching, over-seeding, and fertilizer application), and irrigation to supplement rain water. Historically, the majority of turf areas in Minnesota are a mix of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial rye grass which require extra maintenance. The City now PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 8 seeds all new athletic fields with a turf type tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass mix. Research has determined this grass has a deeper root system for better drought tolerance,better resistance to stress caused by soil compaction,better resistance to wear, and better disease resistance. In addition, the City incorporates cultural maintenance practices including frequent mowing to promote plant health, aerating to relieve stress due to compaction, topdressing to level the surface, reducing thatch, and improving soil structure. The City also uses multiple technologies to improve irrigation efficiency, including Rain-Click sensor(turns off irrigation when it has rained), Weather Station (measures key climatic conditions to calculate amount of water lost in and around a plant) and baseline control system(uses a soil-based sensor to measure soil moisture every ten minutes and produces reports and graphs for analysis). Bourne presented several graphics illustrating reports the Department periodically analyzes. He advised by using all strategies mentioned together in an overall maintenance plan, the City provides conditioned athletic fields while being stewards of the environment. Olson inquired and Bourne responded City's best practices are established through education obtained from turf management programs at universities, University of Minnesota research, and association presentations, not through county or state mandates. Lotthammer commended Bourne for implementing most of the practices currently in use. Shrikhande inquired if City parks are chemically treated. Bourne responded no insecticides have been recently used, or plan to be used. Tenner inquired and Bourne responded the City actively maintains one thousand acres of turf and has identified over forty acres to return to native grass in the near future. Tenner inquired about fertilizers used by the City. Bourne responded organics are used on sand-based turf due to their quick release nature. Most other turfs are treated with ureas applied in spring to last through mid-summer, along with seaweed extracts. Bourne stated glyphosates are only used on lower-use fields and along fence lines in order to save on labor costs for weed-eating. Dragging and tilling is used on the majority of fields. H. BUCKTHORN REMOVAL Bourne reported much buckthorn removal has been performed by City staff as well as volunteers. In the last two years, the Edenbrook Conservation area has been a major focus due to heavy infestation. The cut and burn process may be difficult this year due to an early spring. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 9 Rice Marsh Lake buckthorn removal was performed by obtaining a permit since a portion is on MnDOT property. Along with the Department of Corrections Institution/Community Work Crew, City staff cleared almost 20 acres this winter. Other smaller projects completed by volunteer groups and City staff include Smetana Lake Park, Staring Lake Park, Edgewood Park, Round Lake Park, Mitchell Lake, Richard T. Anderson Conservation Area, Camp Edenwood, and Rustic Hills Park. Jester inquired and Bourne responded that priority is determined by the site that is currently most invaded or where the most impact can be made at the time. I. CONSERVATION COMMISSION EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS Now that the Pollinator Resolution is adopted, Tritz explained the next step is communication to, and education of, citizens. She shared drafts of water conservation graphics recently created. To ensure future water supply, aquifers must be allowed to recharge which can be done by avoiding using more water than can be replaced. Future water sources are depleted by wasting water and blocking water absorption into the aquifer. By conserving water and allowing water to reabsorb into the aquifer, water supply is renewed. In keeping with quality water conservation initiatives, Tritz shared another graphic describing nature's recycling plan. Native plants in raingardens support native pollinators while filtering and returning storm water to the ground. Reducing storm water runoff and pollution promotes healthier lakes and streams. Healthier habitats allow native bees, butterflies and hummingbirds to thrive. She invited other ideas and suggestions. Tritz reiterated desire to promote citizen awareness and engagement by encouraging the public to get involved and take action. She added information abounds online but can be difficult for the average citizen to find or be aware it exists. She shared the goal of publicizing messages where people see them daily, not just when searching for information. A possibility could be to use the outdoor signs the City uses to advertise community events when not needed. It would be ideal to place a message where people would see it and be engaged. Commission commended Tritz's ideas and efforts. The group discussed the possibility of a city-wide messaging plan focusing on certain topics at different times of the year, similar to efforts discussed for the Green Team. It would be ideal to relay a single message at a time and then offer action steps to take and opportunities to get involved. The group concurred strategizing would be needed to coordinate the effort. PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 10 J. OUTDOOR CENTER MASTER PLAN Lotthammer presented the most recent master plan of the Staring Lake Outdoor Center, noting how beneficial it is to have a lake, stream, and wetland together in the same area. Goals include making the entire area more user-friendly for people stopping in by using directional and interpretive signage and making the site more apparent from the road by adding vehicle and pedestrian gateways. Public art nodes have been identified along a looped hiking trail which will provide hands-on educational opportunities. The public will be invited to participate by providing art or possibly Eagle Scout or other group projects. He mentioned plans to add a small greenhouse next to the existing garden with the help of a Girl Scout troop. The raptor mew was recently built. Additional amenities will be added so school groups can experience more hands-on activities in a natural habitat. The master plan accomplishes the goal of making the entire site more open and inviting. A full experience can be achieved even without staff to offer guidance. Actual improvements will continue to evolve over time,but plan is now in place. Mahtani thanked the ongoing commission members for their years of service and valuable contributions to the Conservation Commission. Commissions separated to discuss respective Commission issues. IX. CONSERVATION COMMISSION OLD BUSINESS A. BOOTH AT HOME AND GARDEN EXPO Mahtani provided a list of materials and staffing needed for the event on March 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. She unveiled the new water conservation graphic display. The Commission commended efforts of all involved in creating the display. The water conservation display and recycling display will both be used at the event. Anderson developed a quiz centered around recycling water and is currently working on preparing iPads so the quiz can be completed without wireless internet service at the event. The City will provide cloth grocery bags as prizes for visitors completing the quiz. Staff is working on completing the water conservation rebate and composting handouts. Mahtani advised Environmental Coordinator Stovring will provide training for the button maker. Jester requested staff provide a rain barrel for display at the event or she will bring one of her own. Stovring will inform Commission of set-up times on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Jester plans on picking up supplies from City Center on Friday afternoon and set up the booth on Friday evening. Mahtani will coordinate staff to load PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 11 supplies and she will also be available for take-down and return of supplies after the event. B. EARTH DAY Corpuz reported the event is planned for Saturday, April 23, at Pax Christi Church from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. She informed the group the coordinator of the event, Jane Schmitz, is looking for a Commission representative if anyone is interested. Mahtani will send an email to Commission members to determine if anyone is available to attend. Commission materials being used for Home and Garden Expo can be used for this event. C. ARBOR DAY WALK AND GREEN FAIR Mahtani advised planning of the event scheduled for May 7 is still in beginning stages. Commission previously expressed interest in displaying a booth at the event. Tritz inquired if"Join Nature's Recycling Plan" graphic could possibly be produced quickly and used at this event. D. EDUCATION PLAN Mahtani encouraged Commission to send her additional ideas for educational opportunities which she will forward to Environmental Coordinator Stovring. Anderson mentioned some ideas shared earlier in the evening during joint session may provide excellent learning opportunities. E. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION/STUDENTS X. PRNR OLD BUSINESS A. STARING LAKE PARK PLAY STRUCTURE Bourne and Lotthammer reviewed the latest play structure plans for Staring Lake Park. They highlighted the overall improvement to accessibility and the theming of the play features to highlight music and drama activities. XI. NEXT MEETING Next PRNR Commission Meeting—Monday, April 4 at 7 p.m., Outdoor Center. Joint meeting with Heritage Preservation Commission Next Conservation Commission Meeting—Tuesday, April 12 at 7 p.m., City Center in Prairie Room XII. ADJOURNMENT PARKS, RECREATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MINUTES March 7, 2016 Page 12 McBride adjourned the PRNR Commission meeting at 9:30 p.m. Chair Olson adjourned the Conservation Commission meeting at 9:50 p.m.