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Councilmember Kuzma stated the EPB reached out to the Council asking what the Work Plan <br />should be for 2015 but the Council may not have been too reactive to provide feedback. But, in <br />hearing the suggestions made tonight, he thinks there is purpose for the EPB to continue and <br />whether the name should be changed, can be addressed. He noted there is so much on the <br />Council's `plate' that it is helpful to receive the EPB's input and advice on certain issues. He <br />stated he would like the EPB to continue to meet on a monthly basis so that work can continue to <br />be accomplished <br />EPB Member Valentine stated his agreement with the comments offered by Councilmember <br />Kuzma but he does not think the EPB should get hung up on the name. He stated the meetings <br />can flow based on the purposes that need to be addressed. EPB Member Valentine stated when <br />he started, it was his hope the EPB would be an early alert system for items the Council should <br />be watching for in the Comprehensive Plan. He stated many of the Board Members are sensitive <br />of not being experts in environmental matters but by being immersed on a monthly basis to <br />consider those environmental matters, he thinks those doubts are unfounded. EPB Member <br />Valentine stated he is not troubled with using the EPB to address issues that come up. <br />Mayor Strommen stated as the EPB looks at the purpose suggestions offered, they can consider <br />how those items can be addressed. She noted there are a lot of aspects to be considered so rather <br />than moving towards one recommendation that the Council would either accept or reject, the <br />recommendation could be a range of important suggestions that should be considered. <br />EPB Member Stodola stated his agreement with the comments of Councilmember Kuzma about <br />not being able to address all of the topics if only meeting quarterly. In addition, he found it takes <br />several meetings to discuss the topic, do some research, and then come to a recommendation. <br />EPB Member Stodola noted that having the EPB looking ahead would fall into the self - direction <br />suggestion. He stated he has been on the EPB for seven to eight years and agreed the EPB has <br />been afraid to do that sort of thing because on occasion, the Council decided to not move forward <br />with some of the EPB proposals. He felt there needed to be a change in mind set so the EPB <br />understands it is making a suggestion and the decision rests with the Council. <br />EPB Member Hiatt stated he wholeheartedly concurred and agreed it is frustrating to always be <br />reacting to something that is a `done deal' but if the process is examined and if the City Council <br />values a citizen advisory group, that group needs to be `in the loop' earlier in the process so its <br />input is valuable. He stated that is part of the frustration, at times. EPB Member Hiatt stated he <br />is a music educator and has come to believe the topics addressed are some of the most serious <br />Ramsey will address in the next 10 to 30 years. He stated the EPB members have a wide variety <br />in backgrounds and have to think environmentally. He stated he does not know of other groups <br />that take the environmental view firsthand all of the time. <br />The consensus of the Council was to ask the EPB to discuss the list of suggested purposes and <br />topics discussed. <br />Community Development Director Gladhill asked those present to offer strategy suggestions that <br />the EPB can use to accomplish the purposes that had been identified. <br />City Council Work Session / September 23, 2014 <br />Page 5 of 10 <br />