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Asst. Community Development Director Sylvia Frolik expressed that she is of the understanding <br />that this body functions as a Task Force until such time as the City Council takes official action <br />to appoint the individual members to the newly created Environmental Policy Board. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that in order to eliminate any confusion the public might have <br />regarding the Task Force versus the Board, Ms. Frolik should take the action necessary to have <br />the City's website and future minutes reflect that the Task Force is being transitioned to an <br />Environmental Policy Board. <br /> <br />Motion by Committee Member Olds and seconded by Committee Member Bauer to approve the <br />February 28, 2005, meeting minutes. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson McDilda, Committee Members Olds and Bauer. <br />Voting No: None. Absent: Committee Member Connolly, Sitz and Max. <br /> <br />TASK FORCE BUSINESS <br /> <br />Case #1: Review Draft Wetland Buffer Ordinance <br /> <br />Committee Member Sitz arrived at this point. <br /> <br />Members present proceeded to review the draft wetland buffer ordinance and make the <br />following changes: <br /> <br />9.26.01 - Ms. Strommen was to draft new text regarding economic benefits of wetlands. She <br />indicated that she will email the new text to Ms. Frolik on March 8. City Staff received the <br />following text from Ms. Strommen: <br /> <br /> "The City has determined that wetlands and wetland buffers serve to promote the health, <br />safety, and welfare of the residents of Ramsey by protecting surface and ground water supplies <br />from impairment and by providing safe and sanitary drainage. The City further recognizes the <br />economic value of these services and understands that, in the absence of wetlands and wetland <br />buffers, provision of such services would require significant public cost." <br /> <br />9.26.01 - Mr. Bacon submitted the following text regarding environmental health aspects for <br />inclusion in this section: <br /> <br /> "Vegetative buffer strips meliorate and filter runoff and discharge into wetlands. <br />Wetlands are instrumental in maintaining and improving both water quantity and quality for <br />aquifer recharge. In addition to the mechanical and physical function of impeding sediment run <br />off and transport, buffer strip and wetland vegetation are indicators of the biological functioning <br />that serves to metabolize or sequester nutrients as well as contaminants and sediment. The <br />ability to support microbial life, macroinvertebrates, and common wildlife is a proximate <br />indicator of the value and quality ('health') of the wetlands and their associated buffer region. <br />In turn, the water quality desired for human use and human health is the functional result of <br />biological processes in wetlands and associated buffers. <br /> <br />EPTF March 7, 2005 <br />Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />