Consider Approval of Environmental Policy Board's 2012-2013 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, and 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. The draft work plan was presented to the City Council earlier this evening at the City Council work session.  Any revisions requested during the work session will need to be incorporated into the 2012-2013 Work Plan by motion this evening.

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).

The EPB operates with no budget. Any costs incurred with their work plan would be covered as part of Staff's regular duties.

Motion to adopt Resolution #12-06-___ approving the EPB's annual work plan.