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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/07/08 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA July 8, 2015 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Mark Eilers, Terry Gips, Rachel Harris, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Karen Laumb, Renee McGarvey, Nancy Rose, Jayne Stevenson, Alex Sundvall, Judy Voigt, and Paul Zeigle. EXCUSED ABSENCE: Ryan Griffin STAFF PRESENT: Ms. Shannon Pinc; and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). GUESTS: Ms. Julie Rappaport, member of the Seeds team and noted she is working on a food charter for St. Louis Park. She is currently planning weekend neighborhood events for September, and added she serves on the Education Work Group. 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m. 2. The minutes of the June 3rd, 2015 meeting were approved unanimously with one correction which noted that Ms. Laumb is on the Water and Land and Wildlife Work Group, but not the Energy Work Group. 3. Chairperson Gips opened the meeting and the committee members shared activities they had participated in over the July 4th holiday. 4. New Business a. Discuss proposed change of Sept 2 meeting to Sept 9 - after Labor Day. Motion was made, seconded and passed 11-1 (Commission Sundvall abstained.) b. Report on Parktacular Event & Feedback on Materials Created Chairperson Gips reported. Ryan Griffin, his wife and son participated, as did Terry Gips and his two sons. He noted 200 informational sheets on sustainability were handed out to citizens at the parade. He added this generated a lot of interest and encouraged all of the commissioners to attend next year, and possibly wear and sell t-shirts promoting sustainability in St. Louis Park. Terry also handled a table in the Expo with materials that Shannon and Judy pulled together. However, there was only minimal attendance and few connections so it’s a question as to whether that part is worth it. He thanked those who attended and asked if anyone had additional feedback. He encouraged the commissioners to email him with their comments. Chairman Gips added that next year, the Commission will want to include the mission and vision on the informational sheets to be handed out. c. Report on the City Council Plastic Bag Study Session Judy Voigt, Ryan Griffin and Terry Gips attended the study session. It was noted that the information presented was in graph and table form to help educate on the impact of plastic bags on the environment. A new Organics, Recycling and Solid Waste (now Zero Waste) work group will be developed to address this issue and after hearing from citizens, the Commission will forward findings to the City Council and make recommendations. There was a discussion about the email Ryan Griffin sent to City Environment and Sustainability -2- July 8, 2015 Commission Meeting Council member Tim Brausen and whether we should vote on it and send it on to the City Council as our recommendation. Chairperson Gips said there was not adequate time to discuss and vote on it during this meeting and advised that the Commission wait until after the upcoming City Council Study Session on Polystyrene and a meeting of the Organics, Recycling and Solid Waste Work Group (Zero Waste). The Commission will work further on this topic and then discuss and decide next steps at the August meeting. d. Discuss Ideas for National Night Out – Tuesday Aug 4 Chairperson Gips stated the City Council would like the Commissioners connecting with citizens and reaching out to as many as people of possible on National Night out. The Council would like citizens to be made aware of the Commission and its efforts, and also ask citizens to join work groups. A sign-up sheet was circulated to the Commission and those willing to attend and speak on behalf of the Commission and its goals signed up. Ms. McGarvey volunteered to speak at several National Night Out groups, while Ms. Rappaport noted she will also speak to her neighborhood National Night Out group. Citizens will be asked to sign up to be involved in sustainability Work Groups. e. August 6 Presentation to the St. Louis Park Business Council Chairperson Gips noted the August 6th presentation to the St. Louis Park Business Council at 7:30 a.m. at Wolfe Lake Professional Center, located at 5000 – 36th St. He noted sustainable St. Louis Park will be discussed as will energy issues and partnership. Additionally, business people will be invited to become involved in Work Groups. Mr. Zeigle added he would be available to do a presentation for this event and will discuss this option with Chairman Gips. f. Status on Sustainable SLP Website Updates Ms. Pinc noted that 350 have now accessed the website. However, she added the website needs updating and a new platform will be implemented soon to make it easier for staff to make updates. The Commission also discussed social media opportunities and the idea of creating a Facebook page and Twitter account. It was noted the Communications Work Group will discuss these options further. g. Work Group Updates and Discuss of Inter-work Group Collaboration Each Work Group representative presented an update. Intergroup collaboration was discussed as well as barriers and what the groups are excited about. Energy Work Group Ms. Larson O’Neil noted the RFP community solar project currently in the works. She also noted work being conducted with businesses, in order to move forward in August. Ms. Voigt has been involved in the B3 project and stated it would be helpful to have information on the website related to St. Louis Park data. Ms. Pinc noted that dedicated data entry person will be hired by city staff in order to make regular data updates. Transportation Work Group Mr. Zeigle reported along with Mr. Eilers. He presented the group’s mission and noted this work will help to connect people and places while providing alternate modes of transportation. He added the group does not want to focus on areas that other groups are working on, so will work to collaborate. Along with engaging the community and gaining more members, areas that are currently being addressed are sidewalk and bike Environment and Sustainability -3- July 8, 2015 Commission Meeting plans, complete streets, the LRT and additional funding. The group is working to be more proactive on replacing bike paths or sidewalks that are removed and will work to stay ahead of the process and do more long-range planning. The work group also met with staff member Sean Walther regarding the Comprehensive Plan, and how the transportation group can be involved in the process during the update of the plan coming soon. Areas to review include more green space, biking, parking and transportation and other work groups will be involved in this review process also. Chairperson Gips and several Commissioners thanked the Transportation Work Group for their work. Chairperson Gips made a motion recommending approval of the Transportation Work Group’s plan pending any additional comments that are submitted by email. The motion passed unanimously. Communication Work Group Mr. Anderson, Mr. Sundvall, Chairman Gips and Ms. Voigt are on the Communications Work Group. Mr. Anderson stated the initial focus has been branding and a logo was created last summer. The group is working on other communications projects currently, but has had trouble with implementation. This year the group will prioritize the communications plan, and come up with an action plan. They added they will want to meet with the City Staff communications staff member, and then decide next steps. Green Steps Cities Work Group – Ms. McGarvey presented noting that the Work Group will work with Ms. Pinc to come up with work plan and goals. Water Land Wildlife Work Group Ms. Rose noted that the Commission’s resolution on stormwater training passed in January is being reactivated. It was withheld by previous staff liaison. Ms. Voigt noted that Mr. John Bilotta will conduct an educational session on shoreline restoration on July 23rd and Commissioners are invited to attend. Ms. Rose added that the Work Group will look at the Green Steps Cities best practice actions as a framework for projects. They will also continue to search for existing programs within their scope. The Audubon Society has a “Bird City” certification, for example. Ms. McGarvey added that additional shoreline information was available through her work with the Army Corp of Engineers, if needed. Organics, Recycling and Solid Waste Work Group – Ms. Voigt and Ms. Stevenson had conducted their first meeting last Thursday and had just begun their work. Chairman Gips noted that it is important that all work group members be invited to participate, including Rick Person and Clark Gregor. Ms. Voigt explained they are looking into participation in an organics recycling event, and possibly fundraising with a company that makes compost. They will meet on July 15th to discuss further and are hoping to partner with St. Louis Park High School or STEP on the project. Chairman Gips expressed concern and noted the Organics Group must present their mission and goals to the City Council prior to working on any projects. He added they will also need a name for their Work Group by the August Commission meeting and suggested Zero Waste. Ms. Voigt added the Organics group would like to work in collaboration with the Edina or Linden Hills Organics groups and would also like to tour a recycling and/or organics facility. Environment and Sustainability -4- July 8, 2015 Commission Meeting Education Work Group- Chairman Gips and Ms. O’Neil noted they are working to recruit more citizens for this group, and are making connections. They will set up tours of gardens, and present monthly tips on the topics of composting and pest control. Additional Ideas: Mr. Zeigle asked that on future meeting agendas it would be helpful to include which other groups are collaborating and let the Commission know in advance of meetings, which topics will be discussed on Work Group meeting agendas. Additionally, the Commissioners would like to have access to a master schedule of Work Group meetings so all are informed. 5. Communications a. Climate Resilience Event & Booklet (grant) Ms. Pinc noted City Staff continues work on this project as grant monies were received and the deadline for the event is prior to the MN State Fair. The event will be held August 11 at the St. Louis Park Rec Center at 7 p.m. and there will be two speakers and a question and answer session. This event is open to the public and details are currently being finalized. The focus is on climate resilience and climate changes in MN. The event will be marketed and promoted heavily and it will be most helpful to have as many Commissioners at this event handing out materials to participants. b. Upcoming Meetings and Events The Commissioners discussed the upcoming events for July and August. c. Feedback on Meetings The Commission noted it appreciated Chairman Gips’ holding to time and keeping the meeting moving. It was also noted the August meeting will be Mr. Sundvall’s last meeting. Mr. Sundvall added he will be going off the Commission, but will continue to be a member of various Work Groups. The Commission noted they were grateful to have Ms. Pinc on City Staff and at the meeting. They asked Ms. Pinc to send an email to the Commission on what to distribute to citizens at National Night Out. 6. The meeting was adjourned at 8:09 p.m.