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Conservation Commission - 01/08/2008 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY,JANUARY 8, 2008 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Prairie Room 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Eapen Chacko (Chair), Ray Daniels, Laura Jester, Sean Katof, Rita Krocak, Geneva MacMillan, Jan Mosman STUDENT MEMBERS: Vallari Ajgaonkar, James (JP) Maslyn, Ann Wachutka STAFF: Leslie A. Stovring, Staff Liaison Angela Perschnick, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Commission Chair Chacko called the meeting to order at 7:01 PM. Commissioners Katof, MacMillan, and Mosman were absent. In addition, student member Maslyn was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Krocak moved, seconded by Jester, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. DECEMBER 11, 2007 Approval of minutes from December 11, 2007 was deferred until the next meeting as not enough Commissioners were present who were also at that meeting. IV. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. COMMENDATION FOR CONSERVATION 1. Recosnition for Jim Nehl and David Jellison (Liberty Property Trust) Jim Nehl, Dave Eckstein, and Dallas Burns from the Mitchell Lake Association were present and commended for their conservation efforts. 2. Status Update from Mitchell Lake Association Jim Nehl reviewed the mission of the Mitchell Lake Association, which includes enhancing the water quality of Mitchell Lake. The Mitchell Lake Association is now a little over one year old, and has 109 members. They are working towards improving water clarity by reducing phosphorous and other nutrients entering the lake. The current focus of the group is on an education program with emphasis on Shoreland Restoration. The Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District also has a ten-year plan that includes improvements to Mitchell Lake and other lakes in the District. Chacko asked if this Watershed District project is working with the Mitchell Lake Association, and Nehl confirmed that they are. Jester asked if Mitchell Conservation Commission Minutes January 8, 2008 Page 2 Lake is classified as an impaired water and if the Association has looked at historical information to see if it was an open-water lake historically. Nehl responded affirmatively to both questions. Stovring said the lake is considered a shallow lake and will always have vegetative growth in the shallower depths of the water. Nehl indicated that the Association has applied to the Department of Natural Resources for a shoreland restoration grant; early conversations with the DNR indicate that they will receive a grant for $30,000 for a project on property owned by a Homeowner's Association on the lake. However, they are concerned that project funds could be incurred prior to distribution of the DNR grant funds. Stovring said she will talk to the DNR as well as her supervisor about participating in the shoreline restoration project. She also indicated that individual homeowners may have an opportunity for funding through the Proposed Native Plant Landscaping Rebate Program. Stovring indicated, however, that overall the Watershed District is likely to be a better funding option for the Association. B. PROPOSED NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPING REBATE PROGRAM Stovring is working on finding funding for a rebate program for homeowners who are conducting shoreland restoration, rain garden construction or native plant landscaping projects. The grant program would likely be similar to one the City of Plymouth has started. The total amount that is likely to become available is $1,500 with the thought that individual rebates would be available up to a maximum of$500 per rebate. The funding would need to be matched to an amount of at least 50% by the homeowner. Commissioners were asked to give Leslie comments regarding the proposed Rebate program by the next meeting. C. YARD & GARDEN EXPO/CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The group discussed speakers for the Yard & Garden Expo. It was suggested that McKinstry could talk about the work they are doing in Eden Prairie for the 20-40-15 program and how residents could use some of these principles. Stovring said that Rusty Schmidt(author of the Blue Thumb Guide for Raingardens) is planning to talk about rain garden construction and maintenance. So far two programs from Hennepin County and one from the Department of Natural Resources have signed up for booth space, but she will continue to try and find more. The intent is to have a booth space available for the Conservation Commission. The people from Art Start will be handling arts and crafts for kids, and the Zoomobile will be there with their animals. Chacko mentioned that the environmental ministry from Pax Christi is having a meeting this Saturday (Jan. 12) regarding the Environmental Expo they are hosing on January 20. The Eden Prairie Conservation Commission has been invited to participate in the Expo. Conservation Commission Minutes January 8, 2008 Page 3 V. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. POTENTIAL RAIN BARREL PROGRAM Ed Rudberg and his partner from Verde Strategies spoke about their rain barrel program. They offer classes where participants can make inexpensive rain barrels on their own. They also provide education to people on how to use them most effectively. Rain barrels can cost between $75 and $200 apiece. However, Verde Strategies provides the recycled 55 gallon barrels, materials to modify the barrels into rain barrels, and an educational class for$40 per barrel made. April through June is their peak time for classes, and they require a deposit and minimum number of participants. Stovring asked about the costs, and Rudberg said they are open to negotiation. Stovring said that, if a class were offered for Eden Prairie residents, she would need to discuss the costs and potential cost-sharing first. Chacko asked about the educational piece for how to set up and use the rain barrels. Chacko thought this could an important part of the workshop since the price of making your own is low and they could make additional barrels at home later. Rudberg indicated that education is a significant part of the workshop; installation is covered specifically to make sure participants can use the barrels effectively. The commission took a break from 7:40 until approximately 7:50 PM. B. REPORT FROM STUDENT COMMISSIONERS Stovring encouraged the student members to volunteer for the Expo. She asked if the students had any ideas for what they could participate in during the second half of their term. Wachutka mentioned that students in the National Honor Society at the high school are looking for ways to earn volunteer credit as part of their service requirement, and they would likely be interested in volunteering at the booth too. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. WORK PLAN FOR 2008 Chacko asked if the word "comprehensive" could be removed from part C. Stovring will ask how to get the Commission's 2008 Work Plan to the City Council for approval. MOTION: Krocak moved, seconded by Jester, to accept the work plan with the word "comprehensive" removed and Stovring's addition of some recycling items. Motion carried 4-0. B. EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL IDEAS FOR UPCOMING BOOTHS The group discussed what to display on the Conservation Commission booth display board, first for use at Pax Christi and then at future events. Daniels and MacMillan had put together and presented a sample board for the group to review and react to. Stovring and Jester clarified that only one side of the board should be used as the displays are typically up against a wall or backdrop. Discussion ensued on what Conservation Commission Minutes January 8, 2008 Page 4 could be used as handouts rather than display materials. Jester suggested that maybe there could be a separate recycling/solid waste management booth for the Chamber of Commerce Expo. Stovring said she would look into the ability to get a second table or booth space at that event. Daniels showed the group a book he has on the topic of building your own solar heating system which he planned to show as a reference copy at the Expos. Chacko suggested providing a one page resource list to hand out at the Commission's booth. For example, it could include either a summary of the basic information from the book (the basic message and what people can do with the information) or a list of resources where people could get more information. VII. NEW BUSINESS Stovring mentioned that Daniels, Krocak and MacMillan's terms are up in March. Krocak stated she does not plan to sign on for another term. Stovring had not heard whether or not MacMillan plans to sign on for another term. Daniels stated he did intend to sign on again. Chacko mentioned that he found out more about the Duluth wood harvesting project that MacMillan told the group about previously. The Mayor of Duluth was not initially aware of the project, so it is not being led by the City. It sounds like the project is being discussed but is not imminent. Chacko plans to attend the upcoming Conservation Commission meeting for the City of Chanhassen. Edina also has a Conservation Commission, and he hopes to be in touch with them in the future (along with the City of Plymouth). He intends to use these opportunities to share information and to see how the communities could work together on future events or programs. VIII. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS /HANDOUTS/COMMUNICATIONS IX. UPCOMING EVENTS A. PAX CHRISTI ENVIRONMENTAL EXPO —SUNDAY,JANUARY 20, 2008 B. PRESENTATION AT CITY COUNCIL—JANUARY 22, 2008 (potential) Stovring clarified that this presentation has been taken off of the City Council's agenda, and she is not sure when the Commission will be asked to present next. C. YARD & GARDEN EXPO—MARCH 8, 2008 D. LIVING GREEN EXPO—MAY 3 & 4, 2008 E. POND AND LAKE CARE SEMINAR—MAY 17, 2008 X. NEXT MEETING A. FEBRUARY 12, 2008 XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Daniels moved, seconded by Jester, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Chacko adjourned the meeting at 8:58 PM.