Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 10/02/2006

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Board Member Bentz stated that he pulled his own site plan from the City that was recorded before the house was built. He stated that nothing is to scale. He stated that a new survey must have been completed with drainage ditches, but the City has no record of accurate information. Environmental Specialist Bacon stated that the surveyors have a property definition that may need to be resurveyed for things like fencing, roads, and other things. He stated that collecting of that data on the plat isn't always updated, but new surveys are usually recorded with the County for accurate property records. Property owners usually record their surveys to protect their property ownership interests with the County. Coordinator Anderson stated that private companies are hired to compile information for surveys. Board Member Bentz expressed interest in how to maintain the wetland inventory changes and updating the comprehensive plan. Board Member Hustvedt asked if the City has the power to put a fee on property purchases to update the plan. Environmental Specialist Bacon asked Board Member Bentz what he perceived was going to get measured and what data was important to retain. Board Member Bentz stated that it is no good to have a static point in time for compiling information, but the natural resource inventory should be updated from time-to-time. Acting Chairperson Olds clarified that Board Member Bentz was expressing concern about how the City would maintain the information and pay the cost of keeping it updated. Acting Chairperson Olds stated that a baseline would be set, but the inventory should be updated as changes occur. He stated the ongoing maintenance of the inventory should be an ongoing function of day-to-day business in the City. He stated that if there were to be a drastic change, then if there are costs associated with it that aren't planned for, they should be recouped. Board Member Bentz stated there may be a cost for a snapshot in time to do the inventory plan, but when budgeting for it, monies should be allocated to keep the program going in the future. He suggested that there be a two-year and five-year plan to update the inventory. Environmental Specialist Bacon clarified that there are two issues, one is measurement of the current inventory and the second issue would be an action plan for future measurements. Board Member Hustvedt stated that the data can be maintained but stop gaps should be established if something degrades to a certain level, then there should be an action plan. Acting Chairperson Olds clarified that based on discussion, the EPB members sounded like they were in favor of having a natural resources inventory. Secondly, there is a concern about once Environmental Policy Board! October 2, 2006 Page 70f9