Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 01/05/2015

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Board Member Bentz stated that he would prioritize the available land for business use. He stated that perhaps industrial manufacturers would not be as concerned with the risk because they also generate waste. Board Member Hiatt stated that perhaps the oak savanna could be preserved on that portion of the site with a business park developed on the other portion of the site. City Councilmember LeTourneau confirmed that could be done. He stated that the current business park being developed is 93 acres. He stated that the challenge currently is that the desire is for some of the larger scale tracts of business park development. City Planner Anderson stated that the responsibility of the Board is to review applications relating to natural resources. He stated that this is a unique ecotype that could accommodate preservation of the oak savanna while still allowing for future development on the larger site. He acknowledged the well thought out statements from the Board regarding potential contamination concerns from prospective business owners. City Councilmember LeTourneau stated that he would agree with the desire to preserve the oak savanna, noting that in terms of development the site would be low priority. Motion by Board Member Valentine and seconded by Board Member Hiatt to recommend to the MPCA that the City will commit to preserving the oak savanna in return for the City being allowed to pursue commercial development on the eastern portion of the site, contingent upon the City providing municipal services to avoid the use of ground water. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Stodola, Board Member Valentine, Hiatt, Bentz and Bernard. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Lewis and Prendergast. City Planner Anderson confirmed that the oak savanna is high quality but has not been maintained and described some of the maintenance activities being discussed for the area. 5.03: Consider Potential Recycling Activities /Opportunities City Planner Anderson presented the staff report and reviewed the potential recycling events currently being considered that would qualify for Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment (SCORE) funding. He asked for feedback from the Board, including any additional recycling ideas. He stated that the funding request must be submit to the County by the end of February, noting that the Board could continue to think about ideas and provide that input at the February Board meeting. Chairperson Stodola stated that he would be in favor of a zero waste Happy Days event, as that would not only be a recycling event but also an educational opportunity. City Planner Anderson stated that the public works staff has received many positive comments acknowledging the opportunity to recycle at Happy Days the past few years. Board Member Hiatt stated that he would support the promotion of apartment complex recycling event as apartment complexes have the lowest rate of recycling currently. He stated would Environmental Policy Board / January 5, 2015 Page 4 of 6