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HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.A.2. Future of Environmental Advisory Committee _ _ ___ I�J, /( , � � CITY OF SHAKOPEE MEMORANDUM I To: Mayor and City Council � Mark McNeill, City Administrator From: Jamie Polley, Director of Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources Meeting Date: November 1, 2011 � . Subject: Future of the Environmental Advisory Committee INTR��UCTI�N This item seeks Councils direction on the future of the Environmental Advisory Committee prior , to the advertisement for openings for the City's boards and commissions. ! DISCUSSION � ' During the 2012 budget discussions the City Council decided that the Natural Resources i I Coordinator osition will not be filled and will not be discussed until develo ment activit I P P Y ; warrants the position. In the absence of a Natural Resources Coordinator the Environmental Advisory Committee has been meeting only if there are action items to discuss. In 2009 the committee met 6 times; in � 2010 the committee met 3 times; and in 2011 the committee will meet 5 times. During that time, the committee has finalized the Forest S ecifications Manual im lemented rairie lantin s ' rY P , p p P 9 within 4 parks and 4 ponds, and discussed two development tree management plans. The five member board is currently a four member board, as one member has become employed by the City, and is therefore unable to remain on the committee. � Due to the limited amount of development and staff time, the City Council should determine , whether the EAC should meet on a regular basis; change to an as needed committee to be ' called upon when environmental issues arise; or become inactive until development picks up in , the future. � RELATIONSHIP TO VISION ' B. Positively manage the challenges and opportunities presented by growth, development and change. RECOMMENDED ACTION Staff recommends that the EAC become an "as needed" committee to be called upon when environmental issues arise. The committee would therefore not meet on a regular basis. However so as to be re ared for convenin on short notice the Cit Council should advertise � , P P 9 , Y for, and fill any vacant positions during its annual call for boards and commissions applications. � i REQUESTED ACTION If the Council concurs, it should authorize Environmental advisory Committee to meet, as needed, when environmental policy issues arise. � � i