Consider EPB's Draft Annual Work Plan

As outlined in Section 2-159 of City Code, the primary objective of the Environmental Policy Board (EPB) is to review, consider, initiate and recommend to the City Council such policies, plans or projects which will enhance and preserve the natural environment of the City. Furthermore, the Board’s scope shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, matters of the preservation of the community forest, water quality, wetland preservation, ground water protection, ecological preservation, control of soil erosion and air, noise and light pollution. The EPB is responsible for developing an annual work plan that is subject to the approval of City Council. At their April meeting, the Board finalized its proposed work plan and directed Staff to forward it to City Council for consideration.

Over the past year, the EPB has been active and following are some of their accomplishments:

• Promoting improved recycling within the Municipal Center by recommending that each of the smaller conference rooms have a recycling receptacle next to each garbage receptacle.
• Recommending that the City participate in the Recycle Your Holidays program, which is a holiday lights recycling program initiated by the Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM).  Ramsey became a designated collection center for holiday lights and it was very well received and utilized by the public.
• Assisted with coordination of and participated in the annual Environmental Expo & Tree Sale event.
• While not completed yet, the creation of a 'mini' arboretum in North Commons park should be finalized this fall (identified as a demonstration project on work plan).

Beginning last year, the Board shifted its work plan to July 1- June 30, which not only gives new members an opportunity to participate in its development, but also provides an opportunity to review the strategic goals of the City Council and incorporate any actions that may have some overlap.  Although for this year, there did not appear to be any strategic goals that fell within the objective and mission of the EPB.

The Board and Staff are seeking input on the draft work plan.  The draft work plan is on the regular City Council agenda for later this evening.  If there are any additions or revisions, those should be identified and can be specified as part of the motion during the regular City Council meeting

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For information/discussion purposes. A case and resolution are on tonight's regular City Council agenda for approval.