Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 11/06/2006

Home

Board Member Sibilski noted that this study seems to tie well into the Natural Resources Inventory update. Acting Chairperson Max stated that if the methodology were truly random, it could be tied into a Natural Resources Inventory. Board Member Bentz asked if Kunde Co used targeted data instead of randomly choosing data. Environmental Specialist Bacon stated he asked Mr. Nicholson to address the invasive species and it showed up on the report. Council Member Strommen gave a brief update on the Ramsey 3 project that starts next spring. She stated the City applied for a grant from the McKnight Foundation and was awarded a $50,000 grant. She explained that the goal was to find a different outcome with focus on three areas for capacity building in the community through the visioning process. The areas are: transportation alternatives; community ecology, and innovative zoning. Council Member Strommen noted that one of the topics will cover regional intersections to talk about Ramsey's place in the greater metro area. She stated that Dan Marckel will be the speaker for that subject. Council Member Strommen stated the concept involves bringing in speakers. There will be one large event to excite people and open their minds to hear about what is going on in the country. She stated that person will spend enough time in Ramsey to do some one- on-one to build community awareness. Council Member Strommen explained that there will be an opportunity for community visioning. She stated there will be a facilitative method used through an open space community meeting. She stated the idea is to have participants create the agenda. She stated that people can move around in groups to learn about issues. She explained that at the end of the day people will vote on the issues of greatest concern. She stated the facilitator will then sit down with the City Council to provide input from the residents. She explained the third component will be to incorporate the visioning process to the Comprehensive Plan. She referred EPB members to a website www.ramsey3.org to research more information about the project. To tie in with the concept of visioning for the future, Board Member Freeburg mentioned an article in the Minneapolis newspaper about a bicycle trail coming down from the north through the City. He asked if EPB members had heard about it. Council Member Strommen stated she was unaware of the bicycle trail. Environmental Policy Board/ November 6, 2006 Page 10 of 12