HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-NAC-2016-04-05 1
Natural Areas Commission Minutes
Tuesday, April 5, 2016.
In attendance: Joe McMahon (chair); Members Anna Stalter (co‐chair), Dan Hoffman,
Ashley Miller, Janet Edwards, Todd Bittner (Cornell Plantations Liaison), Josephine Martell
(Common Council Liaison)
Absent: Robert Wesley, Jon Meigs
Meeting minutes from March 2016 were approved by members present (no quorum).
Reports and Announcements
Dan reported that there was a tent still present near the recway off Juniper Drive.
He also inquired about the bright lights in the settling pond area on Giles St. Joe added that
he has had several complaints from people about bright lights in the generator room of the
new water plant that are visible from route 79. Seems unnecessary for these to be on
when the building is unoccupied.
Anna announced that Nature Journaling and Explore Your Watershed walks were
scheduled and she will send that info to NAC members. She also reported that she and
Jeanne had put together a proposal for a FL‐PRISM grant for stilt grass monitoring and
control in Six Mile Creek and elsewhere in the city.
Joe reported that he, Anna, Janet and Josh B. (IHS student) would be getting together to
talk about updating the Friends of Six Mile Creek website.
Priority Lands for Protection
Joe was asked by Common Council for updated list of properties.
Dan commented that the map included with the planning board agenda is ~10 years old
and needs updating. Guidelines for prioritizing how city Watershed Protection funds are
distributed: Water quality is first priority. Aesthetic and recreational qualities important,
but secondary. The City used to have a fund for land protection not specifically restricted
to water supply. Some parcels on the old NAC list are downstream. Dan will update the list
and send it to Josephine to present at the CC meeting.
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The city contribution of $25000 to FLLT for the Dryden parcel is up for vote on Council
tomorrow. Though there is $40000 in the city Watershed Protection Fund, NAC will make
a (unofficial?) recommendation to reduce this amount and reserve balance for other
pressing priorities.
Josephine will also broach topic of acquiring the Yelensky property with Joanne Cornish,
others. (2.33 acres between SH recway and Giles. Steep and wooded. Assessed at $68,000.
Risk to city (steep slope, some runoff, unstable). NAC recommends city accept donation of
property, forestalling future damage to Giles and protecting recway.)
Joe reported that he had been asked to participate in city’s Boards, Commissions,
Committees Reorganization discussion and will gladly do so.