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POLICY BOARD BUSINESS <br />Case #1: Review of Wetland Buffer Ordinance Case Presentation to City Council <br />Council Member Strommen provided the Board with an overview stating that there is both good <br />news and bad news. She stated that the good news is that the City Council did approve the <br />funding and have cleared the way for Peterson Environmental to go forward. She stated that the <br />bad news is that the City Council has tabled action on the actual ordinance. She explained that <br />the issue was that the Council did not feel that they had reviewed the proposed ordinance <br />changes thoroughly and are not fully comfortable with the contents. She stated that the Council <br />has decided to discuss the proposed amendments further at a Council work session. She further <br />explained that the two residents came forward with concerns noting that both residents have a <br />significant amount of wetlands on their properties and raised several questions, which caused the <br />Council to believe that there is further need to review the changes, as they were not comfortable <br />enough with the answers included within the proposed ordinance. <br />Mr. Bacon also noted that one of the residents has one of the nesting pairs of Sandhill Cranes on <br />their property adding that they have nested in this area for at least the last five years. He stated <br />that there are concerns about the potential disruption to the nesting area. <br />Council Member Strommen clarified that none of the issues are new adding that the biggest <br />concerns are weeds, exotic grasses, land taking and fire hazards. She noted that all of these <br />issues are items that have been addressed in the proposed ordinance and would be reviewed at <br />the Council work session. She indicated that the other concern was that the residents were not <br />aware of the proposed ordinance or of the public hearings. She stated that they were concerned <br />and upset that the City did not contact them for their input. <br />Board Member Max noted that in all fairness to those who have raised these concerns, the <br />information on the proposed ordinance is available but could be difficult for some to find. <br />Council Member Strommen stated that a motion was on the floor to introduce the proposed <br />ordinance after the residents had their opportunity to speak. She stated that the Council <br />discussed whether to introduce the ordinance or table the discussion to a work session. She <br />stated that it was clear, after much discussion, that the Council needed more time to review the <br />proposed changes and withdrew the motion. She noted that the Council was concerned that they <br />not lose momentum on the proposal adding that she urged the Council to approve the funding so <br />that Peterson Environmental could move forward with the study. <br />Board Member Hustvedt asked if the Council would be making any amendments to the proposed <br />ordinance. <br />Council Member Strommen stated that the EPB, along with Peterson Environmental, should be <br />invited to the Council work session in the event that Council should have questions. She stated <br />that it would be very important to have EPB members present that have worked through the <br />proposed changes. <br />Mr. Anderson noted that the Council work session has not been scheduled yet adding that the <br />current plan is to schedule the work session for sometime in August. He stated that he would <br />notify the Board once a date has been determined. <br />Environmental Policy Board / August 1, 2005 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />