HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation And Stewardship Board - Minutes - 02/10/2021
Land Conservation & Stewardship Board
February 10, 2021
Regular Meeting
February 10, 2021 – MINUTES
Page 1
1. CALL TO ORDER:
5:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL: Raymond Watts, Vicky McLane, David Tweedale, Alycia Crall, Joseph
Piesman, Kelly Ohlson, Cole Kramer, Mike Weber, Andrea Elson
3. NAD Staff Members: Matthew Parker, Aran Meyer, Michelle Vattano, Crystal Strouse,
Julia Feder, Bernadette Kuhn, Ryan Vincent, Dave Myers, Mary Boyts, Jennifer Roberts,
Mark Sears, Zoe Shark, Alycia Armbruster, Ryan Kogut, Justin Fredrickson, Mike
Auciello,
4. Other: Cameron Gloss, City Planning Manager
5. AGENDA REVIEW: Ray asked the Bicycle Advisory Committee Report, from Mike
Weber, be moved to the beginning of Unfinished Business. Kelly Smith is asking for a
memorandum of support for the revisions to the Lighting Code. Andre a wrote a brief
draft memo to City Council supporting the new Code. Ray would like the Board to
review the memo and discuss later in the agenda.
6. CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: Jeff Stahla, Northern Water; Rob Graves, Morning Fresh
Dairy
7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Andrea Elson made a motion to approve the LCSB
January meeting minutes. Vicky McLane seconded the motion. The motion was
unanimously approved 9-0
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bicycle Advisory Committee Update
Mike Weber reported the Committee reviewed the City Budget, there was discussion
about the alleyways in the Downtown Development Authority and some of the work that
is being done there. The Bicycle/Pedestrian Master Plan is being updated from 2014 .
Mike reported that the bike trails are part of the infrastructure they are looking at. The
next meeting will be a joint meeting with the Transportation Board next week.
Memos to City Council
Ray referred to the three memos that went to City Council; the Oil and Gas memo, the
Reimagining Boards and Commissions memo and the Lighting Code memo. These are
on the agenda to document that those items have wrapped up.
Next Steps in LCSB input process for NISP.
Ray felt we did not have much time for this discussion and would like to defer the topic
to the April Board Meeting. He thanked Jennifer Shanahan for sending a
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Land Conservation & Stewardship Board
Regular Meeting
February 10, 2021 MINUTES
Page 2
memorandum to the Board addressing some of their concerns and issues from the
January meeting. Zoe updated the Board that the SPAR process could take place
earlier than thought. She thought it might go before the Board again sooner than later.
Kelly reminded NAD staff he would like clarification on why the decision was made that
NISP would go through the SPAR process.
Lighting Code Revisions
Andrea drafted a memorandum to City Council. Board members agreed the
memorandum expressed their concerns.
Mike Weber made a motion to send the memorandum regarding Lighting Code
Revisions to City Council. David Tweedale seconded the motion. The motion
was unanimously approved 9-0.
9. NEW BUSINESS
Grassland Management Panel
Matthew Parker responded to the Board’s request to understand management tools for
grasslands by setting up this panel and the associated packet materials. The Board had
expressed concern about grazing, specifically at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. In the
last 25 years of Natural Areas, grazing has played a big role in grassland management.
Matt expressed that NAD currently maintains grazing leases with four partners at three
natural areas totaling roughly 25,000 acres. NAD is seeking to increase the use of
grazing to maintain and improve grassland health at a variety of additional sites currently
suffering from a slow degradation of the restoration efforts due to lack of grazing.
Terry Schultz, with the Nature Conservancy and John Sanderson, Director of CSU
Center for Collaboration were introduced and provided a lengthy summary and
discussion around grassland management. Matt and the panel covered topics such the
current state of grassland management, current best management practi ces and then
more specifically the role of grazing. Kelly O. asked if the only reason that NAD uses
grazing is for conservation and restoration purposes. Matt confirmed that is the case.
FCTV was present to record the panel as an educational resource for the public, staff,
and volunteers. A link to the panel discussion will be posted online when available.
Residential Metro District
Cameron Gloss, City Planning Manager presented the evaluation system for
Residential Metropolitan District Service Plans. Cameron noted the evaluation system
would solely apply to residential development and not commercial or industrial projects
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Land Conservation & Stewardship Board
Regular Meeting
February 10, 2021 MINUTES
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as the approach responds to concerns about the potential monetary impacts to
residential consumers. Cameron went on to explain the Metro District policy and in in-
depth requirements. This plan is at the discretion of City Council. Relevant plans to the
Metro District policy include City Plan, Climate Action Plan, Housing Plan, Water
Efficiency Plan, Energy Policy, and others. Cameron went through individual metrics
and the evaluation system components that are being considered.
Discussion:
Vicky felt strongly that the issue presented was not rele vant to the LCSB. The Board
was not involved in the Metro District Policy and she was not in favor of supporting the
proposal. Kelly felt it did have natural area and habitat component thus was relevant to
the Board. Cole agreed with Kelly, in that there are some permanent parts of the policy
related to adjacent natural areas and habitat. Kelly had some concerns with the
proposed scoring points for affordable and attainable housing that Cameron presented.
He felt the points should be greater for true habitat expansion and improvement.
Cameron felt the current City Council would like to act on the issue versus handing it
down to the future City Council members. With the City Council hearing scheduled for
March 2nd and an April election the timeframe is a little tight. Vicky suggested sending a
memorandum supporting the issue to City Council but she would prefer to not make a
recommendation.
Kelly suggested passing the option of a Council memo and not sending a
recommendation. He is not for residential metro district but feels it is an attempt that is a
slight improvement to the current policy.
After a lengthy discussion, the Board resolved to not take a stand on the issue.
Zoe reminded Board members to feel comfortable, as ind ividual community members,
sending something to City Council independently.
Nature in the City
Julia Feder, NAD Environmental Planning Manager
Nature in the City’s grant projects and awardees were detailed in a packet memo. Kelly
felt Nature in the City is moving in the right direction. There might be some public
monies in the future to maximize the efforts for connecting community members to
nature. Alycia was on the NIC committee and commended the process for selecting the
grantees. She provided feedback to Julia for future improvements of the process and
was thankful for the opportunity. Julia will come to LCSB in April with a more
comprehensive Nature in the City update.
Election of Officers:
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Land Conservation & Stewardship Board
Regular Meeting
February 10, 2021 MINUTES
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Ray opened the floor for nominations for Chair and Vice Chair. Joe Piesman
nominated Raymond Watts as Chair and Andrea Elson as Vice Chair for the Land
Conservation & Stewardship Board. Vicky McLane seconded the nomination. The
Board unanimously agreed 9-0
Joe commended Ray for being the Chair as well as writing memorandums. He
suggested Andrea agree to take that position. Joe and Alycia agreed to assist with the
necessary writing on behalf of the Board.
The Board discussed member expired terms at the e nd of the year. Kelly Ohlson,
running for City Council, will not be attending the March Board meeting. Should Kelly be
elected to a City Council position, his Board term will expire. Board members and staff
gave appreciation for all the work Kelly has d one over the last 30 years or more to
improve and maintain natural areas.
Zoe announced John Stokes retirement in June of 2021. He will be leaving the City to
begin a new chapter. NAD will begin the process of reviewing Mark and John’s position
and what that structure will look like. Zoe will keep the Board updated on how those
positions will be structured.
Land Conservation Executive Session
Ray moved the Board into Executive Session at 8:18 for the purpose of discussion land
acquisitions and or sales as stated in City Code 2-31(a)(3). All Board members were
present for the Executive Session, as well as Zoe Shark, Dave Myers, Mark Sears,
Michelle Vattano and Julia Feder.
Ray concluded the Executive Session and returned to the meeting at 8:39 pm, at which
time the meeting adjourned.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
Meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
_____________________ __________________
Raymond Watts, Chair Date
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3/11/2021