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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-318 CCR Member Theodore Willard introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 69 -318 RESOLUTION CREATING A BROOKLYN CENTER CONSERVATION COMMISSION AND DEFINING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES THEREFOR WHEREAS, the citizens of Brooklyn Center, as well as those of many other communities in the State of Minnesota have become increasingly con cerned about the preservation of natural resources and the ever- growing pollution of our living environment; and WHEREAS, the City of Brooklyn Center has experienced a period of intensive growth and development, and it is anticipated that such growth will continue for an indeterminate period; and WHEREAS, substantial urbanization of a community is invariably accompanied by a loss of natural resources such as wildlife habitat, natural beauty, and access to lakes and streams; and by pollution of the environment; and WHEREAS, loss of these resources adversely affects the community potential for health, welfare and enjoyment of natural beauty, as well as the existence of suitable wildlife and naturalist areas for use by the schools as teaching aids; and WHEREAS, broad citizen participation in the affairs of the community is actively sought and promoted by the City Council on the premise that such participation promotes a better community: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center that the public policy of said City shall be to fulfill its responsibility in assuring all present and future citizens of the community the continued right to an unpolluted environment, to access to lakes and streams in the community, to parks which afford natural beauty as well as recreational enjoyment, and to nature sites which provide suitable habitat for maintaining certain wildlife. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that there is hereby established within the City of Brooklyn Center a commission for the conservation of environmental resources as follows: Subdivision 1. TITLE: This organization shall be known as the Brooklyn Center Conservation Commission. Subdivision 2. SCOPE: The scope of this commission shall be advisory to the City Council and to other Brooklyn Center appointive commissions to the extent that matters relevant to the field of con- servation are of mutual concern. Subdivision 3 PURPOSE: The purpose of this commission is to Resolution No. 69 -31$ Subdivision 3. (continued) stimulate interest in the conservation of environmental resources in the City of Brooklyn Center, to coordinate conservation projects within the community, to be informed of conservation matters at the County, Metropolitan, State and Federal levels of government to the extent that they affect Brooklyn Center, and to advise the City Council of actions that should be considered by said Council relevant to matters of conservation. Subdivision 4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: In fulfillment of its purpose, the duties and responsibilities of the commission shall be to: (1) Conduct an informational program to increase awareness of the public in conservation matters, such as wise use of parks, the pollution attendant to open burning, the value and importance of maintaining nature sites. (2) Know current problems and future plans as they relate to Brooklyn Center regarding clean air, watershed and clean water, beautification, land use as it relates to conservation, and solid waste disposal, utilizing resources such as District Soil, Land and Water Managers, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Minnesota Environmental Con cerned Citizens Association, Minnesota Environmental Resources Council, Inc. Metropolitan Council and others as appropriate. (3) Provide information to, and coordination with, the school districts of Brooklyn Center to encourage educational use of wild areas by all age groups, using curriculum and training resources available through such organizations as the Golden Valley Environmental Center and the Long Lake Conservation Camp. (4) Provide information to, and coordination with, Brooklyn Center organizations interested in conservation such as youth groups', sportsman groups, garden clubs, civic organizations and the like. (5) Coordinate activities with other communities and agencies to the extent appropriate in matters pertinent to the con servation of environmental resources such as water and land boundaries, waste disposal, and air pollution. (6) Consult with the Brooklyn Center Park and Recreation Commission on the conservation and naturalist aspects of parks such as the acquisition of open land, the improvement of habitat for wild species, and the planned use for parks having natural wild life areas. Resolution No. 6� 318 Subdivision 5. COMPOSITION: The commission shall be composed of a chairman and six members, all of whom shall be appointed and serve as set forth in Subdivision 6. Subdivision 6. METHOD OF SELECTION TERM OF OFFICE REMOVAL: Chairman: The Chairman shall be appointed by the Mayor with majority consent of the Council, and shall serve three year terms. The Chairman may be removed upon recommendation of the Mayor with approval by a majority vote of the Council. The Chairman shall assure fulfillment of the following responsibilities in addition to those otherwise described herein: (a) Preside over meetings of the Commission; (b) Appear, or appoint a representative to appear, before all City advisory commissions, as well as the City Council, to present the viewpoint of the Commission on matters pertaining to the conservation of environmental resources as it relates to business under consideration by said Commissions or Council; (c) Review all City Council, Planning Commission and Park Recreation Commission agendas and minutes and inform the Conservation Commission of matters therein pertaining to conservation of environmental resources; (d) Provide liaison with other governmental and volunteer units in matters of conservation of environmental resources for the purpose of obtaining timely information for the Commission regarding matters that are relevant to the City of Brooklyn Center. Members' Terms of Office: Members of the Commission shall be appointed for terms of three years, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term. Upon expiration of his term of office a member shall con tinue to serve until his successor is appointed and shall have qualified. Initial Appointment: The first Commission shall become effective January 1, 1970, and shall consist of a Chairman and two members appointed for a term of three years, two members appointed for a term of two years, and two members appointed for a term of one year. Vacancies Resianations Removals from Office: Commissioners may resign voluntarily or be removed from office by a majority vote of the Council. Vacancies of the Commission shall be filled by the Mayor upon approval by a majority vote, of the Council. Compensation: Commissions shall serve without compensation. Resolution No. 69 -318 Oualification for Mwhership: Members of the Commission shall be residents.of the City of Brooklyn Center while serving on the Commission, and shall have demonstrated through their actions a broad range of interest in, and some knowledge of, the field of conservation. Subdivision 7. VICE CHAIRMAN: The Chairman shall, within thirty days following the initial meeting of the Commission, appoint a Vice Chairman who shall hold said position at the pleasure of the Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall perform such duties as may be assigned by the Chairman, and shall assume the chair in the absence of the Chairman. Subdivision 8. RULES AND PROCEDURES: The Commission shall adopt such rules and procedures not inconsistent with these pro- visions as may be necessary for the proper execution and conduct of business; provided, however, that such procedures shall make provision for the establishment of specific conservation task groups to further the objectives of the Commission, which are appointed by the Commission, whose qualifications for membership shall be at the discretion of the Commission, which include at least one Commission member on each task group, and which shall include, but not be limited to the following: (a) A task group to promote the educational use of naturalist sites in Brooklyn Center; (b) A task group to advise the Park and Recreation Commission and the City Council on the beautification of parks and the use of parks for encouragement of wild life development; (c) A task group to work with other Brooklyn Center volunteer groups toward the furtherance of conservation projects in Brooklyn Center. No task group shall promote or otherwise lend its name or support any conservation activity or project which has not been approved by majority vote of the Commission. Subdivision 9. MEETINGS: The initial meeting of the Commission shall be convened at the call of the Chairman by February 1, 1970. Thereafter, regular meetings shall be held with date and time to be determined by the Commission. Special meetings may be called by the Chairman. Subdivision 10. SECRETARY: The City Manager shall assign one member of the administrative staff to serve as Secretary to the Commission. The Secretary shall perform such clerical duties on behalf of the Commission as may be assigned by the Chairman. Resolution No. 69 -318 Subdivision 11. OFFICIO MEMBERS: The Mayor or his Councilman appointee shall serve as an ex- officio member of the Commission, privileged to speak on any question but without a vote, and shall provide a liaison between the Commission and the Council. December 1, 1969 Date Mayor ATTEST: Clerk The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by member Howard Heck and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor thereof: Philip Cohen, John Leary, Earl Rydberg Howard Heck and Theodore Willard; and the following voted against the same: none, whereupon said resolution was duly passed and adopted.