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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/06/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA June 6, 2018 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Bridget Rathsack, Sue Bloyer, Katie Christianson, Nicole Ciulla, Stefan Collinet, Jim Leuthner, Claire Lukens, Julie Rappaport EXCUSED ABSENCE: Ryan Griffin, Lukas Wrede STAFF PRESENT: Shannon Pinc, ESC Coordinator; Maria Carrillo Perez, Management Associate GUESTS: Nick Kieser 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Rathsack. 2. The minutes of the May 2, 2018, meeting were approved unanimously with suggested changes as noted. 3. Chair Rathsack opened the meeting and introductions were made. 4. Business a. Overview of ESC – Chair Rathsack stated ESC was created in 2013, and was a taskforce prior to that time. Shannon was hired in June of 2015 as Coordinator. Shannon noted Terry Gips had been on the ESC for approximately 6 years. In 2016 the Climate Inheritance Resolution was passed by our high school students and Root and Shoots, and in 2018 the Climate Action Plan passed and it was presented to the community at the Earth Day. Shannon noted the plastic bag ban also, and explained the council had asked the ESC to review this issue, and they did extensively, and in the end, it was not supported in order to focus on other areas. b. Shannon’s Updates – Maria started in April working as Administrative Management Assistant for the meetings in case Shannon is unable to attend a meeting, and will be attending meetings to learn more about what the commission does. Maria explained her background, noting one of her main staff responsibilities will be to work with boards and commissions as administrative support and backup. She also noted information about the membership of the commission, and if approved by the council, will allow for more flexibility related to business members who can serve on the commission. Maria added preference given to residents and business-owners, however business-owners do not need to be residents. Council will formally adopt the membership changes and it will be at their discretion as to next steps, and Shannon will be notified of the final changes and language, so the commission can discuss. Environment and Sustainability -2- June 6, 2018 Commission Meeting Chair Rathsack stated it would be useful if the council could reopen applications adding it would be great to have more diversity on this commission as well. Julie added folks are encouraged to visit the commission during meetings and learn about what the commission does. Parktacular/Ecotacular – Shannon said there will be 20x20 tent set up under “Ecotacular” with most of the same activities as last year. Free bulbs will be handed out with an information card, and table copies of the climate action plan for visitors to review. Sue said she was committed to a time slot during the day and volunteers are needed during the 2-4 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. timeframe on the event date June 16th. Shannon asked members to contact her if they are able to volunteer. Shannon added a couple talking points will be available for folks, along with a sign-up sheet for those interested in the commission and what they do. Also, the city-owned electric car will be featured at Ecotacular. Julie mentioned she can supply handouts from the U of M regarding sustainability that can be featured also at Ecotacular. She added she can also supply seeds as giveaway items at the tent also if needed. c. Decision on planning a July “make-up” meeting – The Wednesday July 4 meeting will need to be cancelled. The commission discussed various options for rescheduling, but adding a July meeting was not feasible, so the commission did not move forward with it. d. Niki - presentation on U of M project – Niki is a PhD student at the U of M and on the commission for the past year. She presented on her research at tonight’s meeting, noting she is eager to do research on the work the ESC is doing. She noted the work being done is important both inside and outside St. Louis Park, while the work being done can be influential on other communities and cities across the country. She asked the commissioners how involved they would like to be in her research. Niki stated she is also interested in community engagement as it relates to the ESC as well. She added she would like to interview the commissioners, and is interested in their participation, if they would like to be involved. She stated she would like to finalize the IRB next week, and would like the group’s thoughts on the project. Stefan stated this could be very useful and also in furthering the climate action plan. He asked if Niki is planning on publishing her findings. She stated yes, and Stefan said this would be helpful in furthering the work being done by the ESC and the city. He added the more publicity Niki can get on her research, the more chance it might be picked up by major media outlets. Julie said she would be happy to participate in the research. She mentioned other cities sustainability action plans, across the country, and stated it might be helpful for the ESC to review their charters or projects. Environment and Sustainability -3- June 6, 2018 Commission Meeting Commissioners will email their questions and/or interest in the research project to Niki, while Niki will also provide information on the research project to the commission via email through Shannon. e. CAP Work Group • Status Report – Stefan, Kate and Ryan on this group. Stefan said Lucas, Katie, Larry and he went door to door to businesses and viewed a webinar also. They discussed about which are the businesses to reach out to. Other than events, door to door will be the way to reach out to businesses. Stefan explained they went out as a pilot, and will try to set up a meeting with McCoy’s, and several others, to ask about Energy Smart. Julie asked about what other schools can be reached out to, including Jewish and Charter schools. Stefan is doing that also, he said, along with working with Park Nicollet – one of the largest energy users in St. Louis Park. Shannon said she is pushing for resources on this, to possibly hire an engagement consultant, to help with this, in order to meet commission goals related to the Climate Action Plan for 2019. Niki said doing something similar to what the recycling champion group is doing might be a great way to get the word out, and get volunteers to help. She said the meetings are great, and maybe the CAP work group could do the same, to help get the word out. Stefan said the residential piece is more delicate vs. talking to businesses, and this division of labor will be important. Shannon discussed the potential of a website also for business and residents related to Meatless Monday, and ideas around the initiative. The commission also discussed the possibility of a survey around the goals and strategy, and how to get this baseline of understanding of the climate action plan, by residents. The commissioners discussed and agreed that going forward the working groups will be divided into two: 1 for resident outreach (was the communications work group) and 2. CAP work group focused on business outreach. f. Rough Scope 3 Emissions discussion – Julie stated Councilmember Rog had a meeting in Ward 1 regarding the climate action plan, and food. She noted several residents talked about various changes they are making in their lives related to food issues. Julie said the Scope 3 is something the commission should look at in light of the Climate Action Plan, adding it will be a living document. Environment and Sustainability -4- June 6, 2018 Commission Meeting Julie added a sustainability action plan is needed, and starting to research and compile information will be important for this effort. Stefan stated he has concerns about the commission taking on too many projects, and not focusing and building on the basics and then going on from there. Shannon noted also that the council will want an update from the commission on climate action plan by the end of summer. Jim stated he has a friend who builds green buildings, and he would like to have him come in and present this to the commission at some point. Stefan added it will be important to include multi-family residential included in the climate action plan vision also. g. Additional Items Shannon asked the group about google docs, and if the commissioners want to use this tool. The commissioners will think about this and discuss again, and decide if there is another tool that might work better. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.