City Council Minutes 11-10-2008 SpecialNovember 10, 2008 Special Council Minutes
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING - MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
NATURAL RESOURCES INVENTORY
Monday November 10, 2008 - 5 p.m.
Members Present: Clint Herbst, Tom Perrault, Brian Stumpf and Susie Wojchouski
Members Absent: Wayne Mayer
1. Call to Order.
The meeting was called to order at 5 p.m. The purpose of the special meeting was to provide
information to the public and the Council on the Natural Resources Inventory.
2. Review of the Natural Resources Inventory.
Community Development Director, Angela Schumann explained that with the completion of
the Natural Resources Inventory the decision needs to be made by the governing body on
how this information will be used in future policy making. She introduced Andrea Moffatt
and Jed Chesnut from WSB & Associates, Inc. who prepared the Natural Resources
Inventory.
The natural resources were inventoried and assessed as far as quality of the natural resource.
The City's Comprehensive Plan called for the completion of the Natural Resources Inventory.
The inventory details what natural resources are in the project area and where they are
located. Andrea Moffatt indicated that the Bertram Chain of Lakes was a surprise as far as
type and quality of a natural resource. She said the inventory was a scientific study of the
natural resources in the project area which encompasses the area of the orderly annexation
agreement.
Jed Chesnut explained the process used in collecting the data and the various resources they
used. The City had earlier scheduled a public meeting providing residents an opportunity to
comment on the inventory. After that a field review was done and a draft copy of the
inventory was completed. As part of this process they looked at existing and past mining
areas and other areas of aggregate resources. The Natural Resources Inventory
is based on the MLCCS (Minnesota Land Covering Classification System). There are five
levels within the MLCCS. A natural resource is classified from A-D as far as quality. Brian
Stumpf asked where the river falls in as a natural resource. Jed Chesnut replied that there
isn't a quality ranking given to a feature such as the river. Jed Chesnut said while they do not
look at water quality they do look at the vegetation along the river bank. A natural resource
that is classified as "High Quality" has an abundance of native vegetation and a minimum of
non-native species. They are also high in biodiversity with a minimum of disturbance.
The results of the inventory showed that the majority of land covering was agricultural uses
(approximately 50%). The second largest area was herbaceous which includes wetlands and
grasslands. Jed Chesnut reviewed the various types of forests and the quality levels for
wetlands and grasslands.
November 10, 2008 Special Council Minutes
Jeff Young asked about the future impact caused by the change in the Green Acres statute.
Jed Chesnut replied that the study was an inventory and did not determine impacts.
Jed Chesnut reviewed some of the high quality natural areas which include: 1) The remnant
prairies and oak forests in the area of the Monticello Nuclear Plant and Montissippi Park;
2) The wetlands and meadowlands in the YMCA land holdings; 3) The shrub area east of 90tb
Street; 4) The meadowlands north of Pelican Lake; 5) Monte Club Hill which is a restored
savannah and 6) The wetland vegetation in the County Ditch 33 drainage area. Jed Chesnut
showed a sketch of the greenway boundary which he stated is purely conceptual and could be
adjusted.
Jeff Young questioned the impact that identifying these natural resources would have on how
the land is used. Clint Herbst stated that this question came up at the informational meeting.
Because the plan does not fully reflect the input of the meeting does not mean the input was
not listened to. Jeff Young said the City needs to address the value of the land use plan.
There was continued and heated discussion between Jeff Young and Clint Herbst as to
whether identifying the natural resources impacts the value of the property or restricts how it
may be used by the owner.
Another township resident asked if this endeavor was a local one or if it was tied in with
another entity such as county or state and who was funding it. Staff explained it was a local
effort but the information contained in the inventory could be shared with other entities. The
resident said she was concerned about where and how this information is utilized. She added
that most property owners consider their land as part of the family's assets. She suggested in
these economic times the property owners be given wide flexibility in how they can use their
land. Clint Herbst said the Natural Resources Inventory is another tool that can be used in
planning for the future. Staff explained that the data in the inventory tells them not only the
best areas but also the worse areas. This is valuable information to have as far as situating
infrastructure.
Brian Stumpf asked the resident if there was a particular area that she was interested in. He
added that the information in this inventory would have been a valuable tool to have when
Carlisle Village was developed and the City had to set up a tree preservation plan for the
development. Jed Chesnut said MLCCS is neither pro-development nor is it trying to save
everything natural.
In looking to the future the City will want to develop: 1) Natural Resources Management
Plan; 2) Public Education Plan; 3) Updated ordinances and regulations; and 4) Plan for future
designation of public lands. Dan Lemm, a township resident, stated that whether they like it
or not Monticello is a growth area and it is important that growth be managed. Brian Stumpf
wondered if people aren't getting development mixed up with the actual inventory. Brian
Stumpf asked what it entails to update the ordinances and how the updated ordinances apply
to the large amount of land outside the city limits. Staff indicated it would apply only to
property within the city limits. Brian Stumpf reiterated that the city would not apply their
regulations to property outside the city limits. Dan Lemm asked about the updated
regulations and if that would impact the quality level of the natural resources.
2
November 10, 2008 Special Council Minutes
Staff stated that any of the next steps taken with the Natural Resources Inventory would
require planning and decision making by the Council. In December the City Council and
Planning Commission will formally adopt the Natural Resources Inventory. Brian Stumpf
asked in the field research if WSB came across any areas of wild parsnip. Jed Chesnut said he
would check with the County. Susie Wojchouski asked if the Natural Resources Inventory
would inhibit at any time the ability of the property owner to split his land. She also asked for
a definition of a greenway. Jed Chesnut responded that it could be a trail, natural open area,
power line corridor or any area set aside for the preservation of trees. A township resident
suggested it would be helpful to have the city area included in the study.
3. Adiourn.
The workshop closed at 6:10 p.m.
~J Ou~tTr~ ~ .~~ S S.U.--~, Q _
Recording Secretary
3