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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/01/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - Regular St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Environment and sustainability commission (ESC): Sustainable SLP Minutes Jan. 9, 2019 Community Room, St. Louis Park City Hall Members present: Chair Bridget Rathsack, Hannah Ampe, Shaina Ashare, Sue Bloyer, Katie Christiansen, Nicole Ciulla, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Zoe Frank, Larry Kraft, Jim Leuthner, Claire Lukens Excused absense: Ryan Griffin Staff present: Meg McMonigal, staff liaison; Lauren Michaels, intern Guests: Kim Erickson 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Rathsack. 2. The minutes of the December 2018 meeting were approved unanimously. Going forward minutes will reflect both first and last names. 3. Staff updates Meg McMonigal stated the annual boards and commissions meeting will be Monday, Feb. 25, and all will be invited. One of the ESC commissioners will need to attend, and dinner will be served. The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m., and all are encouraged to attend to hear from the other commissions. Each commission presents for 10 minutes on their past years’ accomplishments and goals for the upcoming year. Chair Rathsack encouraged all commissioners to attend. Meg shared that the first electric vehicle ordinance reading passed this week with the council, and a second reading will be held next week. Also, the 2040 Comp Plan draft is out to the Metropolitan Council for review and is on the city website for review. Meg invited the commission to review the climate and energy section and said modifications can still be made. She said there was strong support for retrofitting homes and energy efficient options. She added there is strong support for transportation options and the Living Streets plan will be updated. She also shared that the Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) project broke ground in December, which is huge for energy and lowering emissions. Lauren Michaels presented results from solar power hour. Four contracts were signed to put up solar panels, and compared to other cities, St. Louis Park did well, and will be a St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 significant discount for those who signed up. Lauren shared that the city received the bronze designation through the SolSmart program. Lauren added a tool kit carrying case was obtained as well. She said they have all the materials for the toolkit, which can be used for the upcoming remodeling fair in February. Larry Kraft noted the grant received will be addressing solar and energy goals for the city. More information will be distributed to the commission. 4. Discussion items a. Survey results – Bridget Rathsack led the discussion around the 2019 work plan survey results that was distributed via email a week prior to the January meeting. Ten commissioners gave responses to the survey. Bridget explained there were key themes amongst responses, some of which were; the desire to work on projects that lower emissions, implementing and tracking goals on the progress on the Climate Action Plan, hosting events to engage the community and giving recommendations to council and staff. What individual commissioners hope to accomplish in 2019 – Some responses from the group were; creating a resident outreach program, tracking progress and reduced emissions, events, influencing policy and implementation through to city council and staff, and bringing the Climate Action Plan live online. What commissioners hope the ESC will accomplish in 2019: Responses were focused on the desire to participate in business outreach and increase resident outreach on the Climate Action Plan. Work of commission – Support youth efforts and affect goals of Climate Action Plan and collect tools for toolkit and implementation of Climate Action Plan. Be advisors council and staff. Events – Additional ideas on solar energy and doing event on this, doing business engagement meetings, bike rides around the city. Changes for year – Make progress on Climate Action Plan, business outreach program, advise and collaborate with city staff and council. The 2019 work plan and goals will go to council in February at the annual meeting. b. Draft work plan for 2019 discussion – Divided into three areas – ambassador role – share the Climate Action Plan with residents. St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 Sustainability champions – Develop ESC toolkit, develop awareness, develop plan on sustainability resources, create sustainability champions program, partner with communications and ensure fit into city policies. Meg McMonigal asked if sustainability champion’s work goes outside of the Climate Action Plan and if so, would it involve working on the CAP, and other items as well. Claire said yes, it would extend beyond the CAP, but the primary work will be involving the CAP. Larry Kraft said sustainability is the large circle and the CAP is inside of that, adding the commission needs to be careful about the language used and the narrative of the commission. He added CAP is a component of sustainability. Stefan Collinet-Adler said the toolkits go beyond the Climate Action Plan, and it all fits inside of sustainability. Lauren Michaels noted the buckets could be organized better. She stated the commission will be able to work further on this to bring out details within each bucket and change items. Actions around the CAP include building awareness, materials to share with residents, host and attend events, share resources, effective outreach with focus on residential outreach, and target certain neighborhoods. Youth efforts involving Roots and Shoots projects. Support staff efforts and consultant regarding the CAP, being partners. The consultant will come to the February or March ESC meeting to discuss the projects they’ve been working on. Larry Kraft noted the three areas of work could be business, residential and CAP specifics. Niki noted it is important to distinguish the specific roles and distinguish when the commission is in an advisory role, as it relates to the CAP. Additional comments related to draft work plan:  Under business engagement will be important to have education and information sessions.  Under resident engagement, include sustainability champions program.  Toolkit under CAP tracking, along with develop community resources.  Under CAP tracking, add residential tracking strategies, and later add in businesses.  Increase communication and serve as ambassadors of ESC, for residents, businesses, staff and council. St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 A revised version will be distributed to the ESC within the next two weeks for further review. 5. Other updates a. EV event update – Lauren Michaels shared that a meeting was held with Kori Shingles, facilities supervisor at the Rec Center, to discuss hosting the EV event at the ROC. Three dates were given to the American Lung Association (ALA) for the event. Stefan spoke to the American Lung Association and confirmed that June 8, 2019 is the best date for the 2-3 hour event. The ALA stated that tickets to giveaway for to water park might be helpful, as well as a raffle for year-long pass to the waterpark. The appropriate vendors are being contacted by ALA and this will help determine the best time for the event, but lunch hour might be best. More information to come. b. Roots and Shoots update – Katie Christiansen said that the group will continue business door knocking sessions. The next session will be Sunday, Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. and Jan. 17 at 3:30 p.m. Brochures with contact information will be distributed at Knollwood. c. Home Remodeling Fair shift signup – This event is on Sunday, Feb. 10 from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The ESC has registered for this event and will have a table in the cafeteria. There are three two-hour shifts to sign up for. Two volunteers will be needed for each shift. d. Windsource flyers - add to the toolkit 6. Topics for next meeting – - Toolkit - Items to ask staff for at the March meeting - EV event update - CAP consultant update The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.