Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 02/22/2017

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Stodola, Board Member Covart, Anderson, Bernard, Trossen, and Valentine. Voting No: None. Absent: Board Member Hiatt. It was the consensus of the Board to direct staff to vet out the opportunity to encourage more native landscaping within project, with the use of some sort of landscaping credit for projects incorporating a native grass and plant community; as well as the possibility to retrofit existing irrigation systems. 5.03: Consider Potential Topics for a 2017 Work Plan City Planner Anderson presented the staff report. He stated that in 2016 the Board focused on developing a Statement of Purpose to better define the role of the EPB. He stated that this was done in lieu of a Work Plan for the year. He stated that with that process now complete and implemented, the Board can once again focus on developing a Work Plan to outline what their efforts will focus on in 2017, and possibly beyond. He asked the Board to suggest some topics that they would like to focus on and include some reasoning as to why the Board should focus on the topic. He provided an update on recent Council action noting the Council approved Mayor Strommen to take the Mayors for Monarchs Pledge. He stated that he would suggest pollinator initiatives as one of the Work Plan items. He also suggested including the development of the incentive/rebate program as discussed by the Board. He also suggested including prioritization of the shoreline inventory along the Mississippi. Board Member Valentine asked for more details on how the Board would be involved on the pollinator item. City Planner Anderson stated that at one point in time the Board was proactively working on articles for a standing column on the City newsletter. He stated that there are some underutilized areas in the parks that the Board could work cooperatively with the Parks and Recreation Commission to determine where native planting could occur to support pollinators. He noted that the Parks and Recreation Commission is on board for the idea as well. He noted that education would also be a possibility for the Board, explaining that the Board Members would not themselves be in the field doing the work. Board Member Valentine stated that he was also confused on how the Board would fit into the prioritization of the shoreline inventory. City Planner Anderson stated that after potential properties are identified and there are willing property owners identified, the Board could work on letters of support for grant applications and other items of that level. He stated that if there are a lot of interested property owners the Board could also help to prioritize and select the candidates. He explained that the Work Plan is a tool that staff uses mainly with input and assistance from the Board. Board Member Covart stated that perhaps the potential landscaping credits mentioned at the end of the last case would also be a good fit. City Planner Anderson noted that item could fit in well under the pollinator item and would not need to be a standalone item. Environmental Policy Board / February 22, 2017 Page 4 of 6