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Mr. Shcllcrud indicated the recommendations that have been put forth tonight will not be a <br />pro},lcm and thc plans will be revised accordingly. <br /> <br />Mayor Pro Tern Elvig directed staff to provide the Council with further information on future <br />plans Ibr the existing Fire Hall and City Hall. <br /> <br />Mayor (;amec stated promises were made to the Fire Department regarding a new building, and <br />it is important for the Council to discuss future plans for the Fire Hall. <br /> <br />Cib' Administrator Norman indicated a future agenda item will be scheduled to discuss the City <br />I tall builclings and the future of Fire Station No. 2. <br /> <br />'1 hc meeting was recessed at 7:53 p.m. and reconvened at 8:00 p.m. <br /> <br />Agenda Item No. 4 was moved up next in the agenda. <br /> <br />4) Wetland Buffer Ordinance <br /> <br />('ommunity Development Director Trudgeon reviewed that the Wetland Buffer Ordinance was <br />discussed by thc Council at a recent work session and was tabled at a regular Council meeting to <br />be discussed at a work session. If the Council is in agreement to proceed with the ordinance it <br />will bc scheduled for a future Council meeting. <br /> <br />Zoning and Recycling Coordinator Anderson provided a brief overview of the Wetland Buffer <br />(~rclinancc. I Ic explained in general, the purpose of the ordinance is to provide protection of <br />wetlands in the City based on their quality and other relevant factors through the establishment <br />o F natural vegetative buffers. Establishment of wetland buffers will be triggered by development <br />o t' a property containing wetlands or on a voluntary basis for existing lots. The width of a buffer <br />it', based on wetland quality, topography, soils, and other environmental conditions. Generally, a <br />natural vegetative strip serving as a wetland buffer will range between 5 and 50 feet in width. A <br />building setback of 15 feet is also required from the edge of the buffer for fire safety purpose. <br />l lc advised the ordinance includes a list of prohibited activities within the buffer area to help <br />cnsm'c the performance of the buffer strips. However, there are also provisions that would allow <br />certain activities with an approved management plan. Furthermore, this ordinance would not <br />prevent an individual from engaging in active management of invasive, non-native trees and <br />shrubs as well as spot applications of herbicides to control or eradicate prohibited, restricted or <br />secondary noxious weeds. He explained there is a variance process that could be gone through. <br />'[hcrc was one concern from an individual that would like to cross country ski on a wetland <br />throughout the winter, and there is no reason this could not be allowed. He advised Peterson <br />lmvirtmmcntal Consulting is currently conducting a wetlands study that will be used in <br />conj unction with the ordinance. This study will provide the framework for a Municipal Wetland <br />Management Classification map that clearly identifies the environmental attributes of a wetland <br />and thc associated required buffer widths. <br /> <br />Council discussed the following issues associated with the Wetland Buffer Ordinance: <br /> l~;mphasis on preservation rather than restoration <br /> Timing tbr the completion of the wetland study <br /> l)cveloping properties as the only affected properties <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / September 20, 2005 <br /> Page 4 of 7 <br /> <br /> <br />