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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018/12/05 - 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 Dec. 5, 2018 Community Room, St. Louis Park City Hall Members present: Chair Bridget Rathsack, Hannah Ampe, Sue Bloyer, Katie Christiansen, Nicole Ciulla, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Larry Kraft, Jim Leuthner, Claire Lukens Excused absence: Ryan Griffin, Shaina Ashare, Zoe Frank Staff present: Shannon Pinc, ESC coordinator and Lauren Michaels, ESC intern Guests: None 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Rathsack, and the members introduced themselves. 2. The minutes of the June 2018 meeting were approved, with minor changes and one abstention (Larry Kraft). 3. Business a. Shannon’s updates – Will review roles and details with Larry, Shaina and Jim after tonight’s meeting. - New ESC members – Shaina Ashare and Larry Kraft – Shannon will get name tags for the new members and intern. - Lauren Michaels, ESC intern b. Work group updates Recap from June – Chair Rathsack noted the two work groups. Communications – Will discuss how to continue on with this group. May also post educational materials on various topics and produce ongoing content, or can be a work group also. Could stay broad with education and resident outreach focus. Will also need a point person for communications work group. National Night Out is Aug. 7 and communications work group is producing a handout which will help start discussions with residents related to emission reductions and broader sustainability issues. The commission reviewed the handout, and Shannon will coordinate production for distribution to the neighborhood groups. Chair Rathsack said if commissioners can attend their own St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 National Night Out and discuss the items on the handout that is fine, but not necessary. Shannon noted if there are any other changes, to email them to Chair Rathsack tomorrow morning so changes can be made by the end of the day. Niki met with Emily Barker from solid waste to review their program as a model for the Climate Action Plan. Niki said this is something to think about and a first step that could be pursued. She stated it’s a different way to get people involved, to become a part the program and tocontribute. Niki will forward her notes from the meeting to the commissioners. City staff does training for people who want to be involved as a Recycling Champion. Ryan asked if Emily could help jumpstart this program. Shannon will check with Emily on this. Training could be done on the Climate Action Plan or transportation to begin with, and then look at programs that can be done in resident’s homes. Ryan mentioned the Bike the Park event from two years ago. Now the Bike and Walk the Park Groups are on Facebook, and could be reached out to about transportation issues, and also leveraged as possible “Sustainability Champions” listserv. Business outreach – Larry said the group talked to businesses; however, nothing happened, but there is still follow-up to do with many of the businesses. Stefan noted there were not responses back from emails sent to several businesses , and Stefan followed with in-person visits to the businesses. Shannon said Hennepin County is trying to set this up as a model for the county, and the ordinance would be for smaller businesses to begin with and then add in mid- size businesses, and then the schools. Shannon is working to set up St. Louis Park as a pilot city, which will include city buildings. She added there are some issues with privacy about energy use, but estimates are being worked on. She noted this will be a public process, but not dates are set yet, and it is still in the development stages. Shannon noted staff is looking to hire a consultant to help with implementing the Climate Action Plan for the city. She and staff will be reviewing applications soon and working to get this started in early January. The focus for the consultant group will be businesses, and to work on the gaps that city staff is not able to get to. She added it will all be based on the strategies of the Climate Action Plan. Roots & Shoots and open youth position - Katie said the school district is looking at putting solar panels on new roofs of several buildings. Larry asked about St. Louis Park City Hall • 5005 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55416 www.stlouispark.org • Phone: 952.924.2500 • TTY: 952.924.2518 messaging and talking points related to businesses, and wondered if the climate pledge is too complex. Shannon said the consultant might be able to help with this. Larry noted some businesses might be interested in signing a resolution to work on climate action, and then attend a meeting, conference call or webinar. c. Events for ESC to attend/community engagement – The ESC will work on the events list for this coming year and discuss if they are a good fit for the commission to participate in. Any of the commissioners can make connections and work on events, not just the communications group.  National Night Out  West Metro Home Remodeling Fair (Feb. 10) and Home Tour – maybe do a Green Home Tour. Shannon said this event should be worked on sooner rather than later.  Parktacular – It was noted the ESC Ecotacular table was not as well attended this year, but that the eco car area was very popular.  MPCA environmental education grant – Larry noted an opportunity to apply for a grant around behavior change at home, work or on the go. Great Plains Institute might lead this, and grants can be upwards of $40,000. They are interested in supporting this for St. Louis Park, and possibly iMatter could apply. This application is due by Aug. 24, but would be difficult for Shannon to assist with this short timeline. However, she said she could write a letter of support from staff and the commission, and how this links to the Climate Action Plan. Ryan made a motion to support this concept, and if pursued, a letter of support would be included from the commission. Niki seconded. The motion passed unanimously. d. Fall retreat Conflicts – holidays, weekends, evenings – Chair Rathsack will poll the commissioners on potential dates. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.