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EPB Member Lewis stated in its current format, he does not know whether it makes sense for the <br />EPB to exist as an Environmental Policy Board but maybe it would be appropriate as an <br />environmental awareness group or environmental task force created on an as needed basis for <br />specific projects. He stated he still questions the worthiness going forward. <br />Community Development Director Gladhill stated it may be valuable to consider whether a <br />monthly meeting is the best structure for the EPB. <br />EPB Member Valentine stated he has not been involved with the EPB that long but one of the <br />things that has crystallized for him, is the difference between education/bringing issues to the <br />surface for discussion, and advocacy. He stated his impression the City does not want the EPB <br />to be advocates but to be an early warning system for issues that may be important to Ramsey. <br />He stated he is unsure whether the EPB has the skill to do that without sounding like advocacy <br />and, therefore, a problem. He did not think the EPB had been very well received when acting in <br />that mode. <br />Mayor Strommen agreed that was a struggle in the past but she knows there are currently issues <br />relating to storm water and wetland preservation that merit digging into as well as the state of the <br />current knowledge and also what community values identify the City's stance. She stated as <br />standalone policy issues and how they are incorporated into the next Comprehensive Plan is <br />another question. Mayor Strommen felt there was a role for somebody to play there though she <br />does not know the form it should take. She felt that purpose drove form so it could be a Task <br />Force or an established Committee, depending on the issue to be addressed. She noted that those <br />present added to the purpose suggestion board so it appears the Council finds there is merit for <br />the EPB to continue. <br />Councilmember Riley agreed that enough topics were offered to show there is merit for the EPB <br />though he does not know whether it needs to meet monthly. In addition, he wondered whether <br />`Policy' should be part of the group's name. <br />EPB Member Lewis noted the EPB does not set policy and has an advisory role. <br />Councilmember Riley felt the group could meet as necessary to address issues as they arise. <br />City Planner Anderson stated historically speaking, it had originally been proposed as <br />Environmental . Quality Board but because of potential confusion with the State EQB, the name <br />was changed to EPB. He indicated a change in name is a fairly straight - forward approach. <br />Community Development Director Gladhill stated Mayor Strommen brought up some good <br />issues about addressing components that will come up during the update of the Comprehensive <br />Plan. <br />EPB Member Bentz stated the Work Plan does have projects but there are also on -going topics <br />such as community education, environmental component to the Happy Days Celebration, and to <br />prepare early on to get a speaker. He stated there are on -going issues so if the EPB only meets <br />quarterly, staff may need to address some of those issues. <br />City Council Work Session / September 23, 2014 <br />Page 4 of 10 <br />