Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 02/05/2007

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He suggested finding something to replace the tree sale to keep the environment on the forefront. . He stated that he wants to keep nature and preservation a priority for Ramsey. Board Member Olds suggested placing something in the Ramsey Resident to survey whether there is an interest. He suggested that if there is a good response, then it suggests more validity to the tree sale. He stated that the Expo is a good environmental education opportunity. Chairperson McDilda stated that it was important to be realistic about what the EPB members can take on. Board Member Bentz ~oted his concern that losing the Environmental Expo could potentially lose opportunities for grant applications. Chairperson McDilda stated that the EPB meets 12 times a year for approximately two hours, which is a grand total of24 hours. He stated that Mr. Bacon would spend 24 hours on a weekend doing the Expo. He stated that until someone steps up with the same level of passion, planning an Expo may not be realistic for one commission. Board Member Olds stated that the topic of the Expo should be presented to the City Council. . Chairperson McDilda recommended that one or two board members sit down with Coordinator Anderson to draft a proper response to the City Council that can be discussed at a work session. He suggested explaining that the person who previously planned and worked the Expo is no longer with the City. He suggested explaining that the EPB still thinks there is value in the Expo, but unless directed by City Council to run the Expo, it isn't something the EPB necessarily wants to do. Planning and running an Expo would most likely cut out four months of the year when the EPB could be doing other things on the agenda. . Board Member Max stated that an Expo causes a loss of momentum because members get burned out. Board Member aids asked Mr. Bacon whether there was any allocation of funding from the school or City of Ramsey for hosting an Expo. Mr. Bacon stated the budget climbed every year since Community Development Director Pat Trudgeon came to the City. He assumed that last year's budget was somewhere around $3,000. . Coordinator Anderson stated that the Expo was accounted for in this year's budget. He stated that since Mr. Bacon retired, he has assumed his responsibilities for the Expo. He is also responsible for coordinating recycling events, which typically have always been the same weekend. He stated that he can't be in two places at the same time. He stated that since his experience has been with the recycling event, he has already started pinning down vendors for that event. He stated a date of April 28, 2007 has been chosen for the recycling event. He expressed concern that the ACD tree sale is on that same date. He stated that since this is part of his job duties, an Expo could be held earlier in the month of April. He acknowledged that planning for it now might be last minute. He stated that the Expo should continue in the future. He stated there is an opportunity to build on what Mr. Bacon started. He stated that while there Environmental Policy Board! February 5, 2007 Page 5 of 13