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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/09/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA September 9, 2015 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Terry Gips, Ryan Griffin; Rachel Harris, Nancy Rose, Jayne Stevenson, Paul Zeigle. EXCUSED ABSENCE: Mark Eilers, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Karen Laumb, Renee McGarvey, Judy Voigt. STAFF PRESENT: Shannon Pinc and Recording Secretary (Mary Pappas). GUESTS: Abby Curtis-Water, Land, Wildlife Work Group Member 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Introductions were made. 2. The minutes of the July 8 and August 5, 2015, meetings were approved unanimously. 3. New Business a. Report on Climate Resilience Event Chair Gips thanked Shannon for pulling this event together and noted it was well done and a wonderful event. Shannon thanked the commissioners for their participation and for helping to set up. She noted the event produced a positive response and was a great public event, which featured great education and communication. The Commission stated that approximately 70 people had attended and they would ask Pat Hamilton about providing free passes to the Science Museum and their back yard display. b. Report on Plastic Bag Ban Listening Session & Written Position request – The Commission stated they had been asked by City Council to attend the listening session. There was an excellent turnout with approximately 30 citizens, 6 commissioners, 5 staff and 6 Council members in attendance. The Commissioners who attended provided feedback about the listening session. Ryan said he was impressed with the thoughtful feedback shared, which was not anti-environmental. He added it was a good sharing session. Rachel stated that of 20 that spoke, all spoke against the ban on plastic bags. She stated there were thoughtful comments. Nancy noted one work group member Bill Allen came in anti-bag, and changed his views after meeting, which was significant. She added emphasis was more on recycle and reuse vs. banning plastic bags. Shannon stated that she was impressed and added it took courage for folks to speak on the issue. She was impressed by those individuals and happy to see the good turnout, while noting she was glad all viewpoints were presented at the session also. Environment and Sustainability -2- September 9, 2015 Commission Meeting Chair Gips stated his takeaway was that plastic bags added into recycling is destroying recycling operations, and there is a need for a major education program on this issue, as it is very significant. He added that the lifecycle assessments were well-documented and provided helpful information. He stated he would like to see a more metro-wide effort going forward on this issue. He added that there is a lot of misinformation on this issue also, and normally the City of St. Louis Park guides staff to research an issue such as this, and then they ask staff for their input. This process did happen in November, 2014, but Council pursued the issue beyond what staff had suggested at that time. Chris stated that he didn’t recall the impact on the environment was discussed related to plastic bags. After further discussion, Chair Gips and the Commission concluded that Judy’s draft would be combined with Chris’ information and Ryan’s statement, and then sent to all the commissioners for review and suggestions for the final draft statement. The plan would be to provide this draft to the City Council within the next week to 10 days, and then have staff weigh in also. Shannon said it is important for the Commission to provide their position to the City Council. c. Communications Work Group The group has drafted a work plan. Shannon and Nicole have worked on the social media plan. All Commissioners are to forward any comments to Shannon, who will forward them to staff. Progress has been made, and the social media plan is now ready for the next phase of revisions, with input from the Commissioners. Shannon presented the Face Book page for Sustainability St. Louis Park and noted that new photos will be added. She added that the Twitter account is also up and running live now. d. Water, Land Wildlife Work Group Plan update The work plan is ready, and the Commissioners will now review it and respond with their feedback. Shannon will send it to the Commissioners for review. Nancy noted that the Commission Resolution for Council Stormwater Education (January 2015) has been withheld from the Council, this time by City Manager Tom Harmening. Minutes of the August 24 Council Study Session state, under Communications, verbal- “Mr. Harmening referred to his weekly email and the request from the Environment & Sustainability Commission to participate in a training session by the University of Minnesota on stormwater management. Councilmember Spano felt that the Environment & Sustainability Commission should attend the training session and bring any recommendations to the City Council and that the training session should be an opt-in for Councilmembers to attend if their schedule permits.” Chair Gips stated that Shannon had moved the resolution forward. The recommendation was not an agenda item. Rachel asked what is the Commission’s relationship to the City Council, and to staff, and how can the Commission’s goals move forward? What can be done to facilitate and move things forward? She added it would be helpful to have Commissioners attend the City Council Environment and Sustainability -3- September 9, 2015 Commission Meeting meetings quarterly and check in. She also suggested conducting a planning meeting with the Planning Commission to work on ideas and issues that align and overlap and also to notice how staff can work cross functionally with the Commission and City Council on issues such as stormwater. e. Zero Waste Work Group Jayne noted the composting fundraiser is in the works. f. Energy Work Group Ryan stated three weeks ago there was an energy meeting with First Partners, Xcel, Partners in Energy and 13 local businesses. There was a call to action to put together a vision statement, and at the Sept 24th meeting, this will be finalized and moved forward. g. Transportation Work Group Paul addressed all edits and feedback received on the work plan. He stated it will be presented to the City Council as a document. They are also collaborating with other work groups and setting priorities. Chair Gips stated that this is a very good plan. It is ready for formal approval; however, if Commissioners still have questions, they should please reach out to Paul with questions before the next meeting. h. Education and Action Work Group Chair Gips acknowledged Julie for her work on this group and their plan. i. GreenStepCities Nancy and Shannon will report on this item at the next meeting. Chair Gips thanked each group for all their hard work on their respective plans. j. General Updates – Shannon stated that she will address this nice consensus more next month and will send an email to commissioners on priorities, work and possible barriers, along with setting up a focus for the Commission. Chair Gips thanked Shannon for her efforts and hard work. 4. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.