Minutes Environmental Stewardship 4 3 07MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ADVISORY COMMISSION
APRIL 3, 2007
4:00 P.M.
CITY HALL ANNEX, 1300 MAIN, CONFERENCE ROOM # 1
Mike Buelow called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Claire Miller, Wayne Klostermann, Sr. Mary Clare O'Toole,
Gayle Casel, Mike Buelow
MEMBERS ABSENT: John Nemmers, Joe Suarez
STAFF PRESENT: Don Vogt, Jon Brown
Mike Buelow completed the Certification of Compliance with the Iowa Open Meetings
Law.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Sister Mary Clare O'Toole moved to accept the Minutes of the March 6, 2007 meeting.
Wayne Klostermann seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
TEST AGENDA:
Wayne Klostermann moved to accept the agenda. Claire Miller seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously.
ITEMS FROM COMMISSION:
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Committee Reports.
-Developers Roundtable (Mike Buelow) -Mike stated that he had missed the March meeting,
but would attend the April meeting and he'd have a report at the May Commission meeting.
- Unified Development Code Citizen Advisory Committee (Wayne Klostermann) -Wayne
reported that the group is working on ordinance related to big box retailers and greenspace
requirements (50%).
- Sformwater/Erosion Control Committee (Sr. Mary Clare O'Toole) - no report. She said
that she had not been notified of any meetings.
- Bluffland Advisory Committee (John Nemmers) -John sent in the following report because
he could not attend the meeting:
There was a meeting on March 14, 2007, which I was unable to attend. I have not received
notice of any further meetings, but I will do my best to attend future meetings. At this point, a
focus group was asked to answer four questions regarding bluffland development.
The questions were:
1. Where should protection of the bluffland extend?
2. What property should be protected?
3. How should the area be protected?
4. Why should the bluffland and these identified areas be protected?
The answers the focus group provided are probably intended to be a starting point for discussion
of bluffland protection. I have not received any information regarding what was accomplished at
the March 14th meeting. I assume I will receive notice of any future meetings.
- Comprehensive Plan Update (Joe Suarez) - no report.
2. Emerald Ash Borer -Steve Pregler
Mike Buelow introduced Steve Pregler, City Forester, to the Commission.
Steve passed out information to the Commissioners and gave a presentation on the
Emerald Ash Borer, including a brief history of the pest, where infestations currently
exist, ongoing research that is being done, possible devastating results if an infestations
occurs in a community, and possible future actions the City could consider
implementing. He stated that he will be meeting with his supervisors on the subject and
then make recommendations to the City Council on possible actions.
He answered questions from Commissioners and a brief discussion took place.
ITEMS FROM STAFF:
1. Deer Program
Mike Buelow stated that he did not have a problem with the draft of the 2007-2008 Deer
Plan that was sent to Commissioners. He expressed concern that the numbers had
increased drastically and felt that hunters need more encouragement to harvest more
animals. He stated that he was concerned that when these numbers "got out", people
would be calling for drastic measures, i.e., sharpshooting, and that he could never
support that. He suggested another meeting with hunters before the season to inform
them of the importance of harvesting more animals. There was a consensus that we
need to get more hunters involved and encourage property owners to allow more than
one hunter on their property. Mike also touched on the subject of people feeding the
deer, thereby drawing more deer into the area.
Wayne Klostermann moved to accept the draft 2007-2008 Deer Plan with the addition
of a statement to the City Council that if the deer totals don't decrease next year, money
should be added to the budget to try something else. Sister Mary Clare O'Toole
seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC:
No one present to address the Commission.
CLARIFICATION OF TASKS:
Reports from Commissioners on boards/commission meetings (can be e-mailed to
Chris for inclusion in the packets.)
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Board/Commission reports.
NEXT MEETING DATE:
May 1, 2007.
ADJOURNMENT:
Wayne Klostermann moved to adjourn the meeting. Gayle Casel seconded the motion.
Motion passed unanimously and the meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.
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