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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/10/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA October 7, 2015 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Mark Eilers, Terry Gips, Ryan Griffin; Rachel Harris, Karen Laumb, Renee McGarvey, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Nancy Rose, Jayne Stevenson, Judy Voigt, Paul Zeigle. EXCUSED ABSENCE: None STAFF PRESENT: Shannon Pinc and Recording Secretary (Mary Pappas). GUESTS: Elliott Rickert, 8th grade student, St. Louis Park Middle School – will volunteer with a work group; Julie Rappaport, work group member. 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Introductions were made. 2. The minutes of the September 9, 2015 meeting were approved unanimously. 3. Business/Work Groups a. Water, Land, Wildlife Work Group Plan: A plan for approval was distributed to the commission for review. Suggestions about trees on private lands; clean, sustainable water; and elimination of use of detrimental chemicals were discussed. Motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to accept the plan with changes. b. Education and Action Work Group: Chair Gips noted that he and Shannon had a positive meeting with City Manager Tom Harmening, regarding the Education and Action Group, which included deep discussion on vision and work plan. He added there is real alignment and direction now. Chair Gips said they will move forward with the proposed vision and begin scheduling some workshops. Julie commented on the Community Garden Harvest Festival and the successful event highlights. Chair Gips noted all the work that went into this event and thanked all involved for the great job in organizing the event. c. Energy Work Group: Cindy noted the Partners in Energy had their second meeting, and are crafting a vision for St. Louis Park. She said more information will be available on this workgroup at the November Commission meeting. She noted the top items they are working on include energy efficiency in businesses, partnership with youth, climate action plan, renewable energy, solar and alternative energy sources. She stated there will be four more meetings, and then they will start the implementation phase. She added the group is working with two St. Louis Park businesses to help with financing, and they are discussing a case study. PACE financing will be one funding option, and both Park Tavern and Hardcoat are interested in this project and how to conserve on their large energy bills. Chair Gips noted this is an important outreach effort, and the Commission is building relationships with businesses especially in working to clean up the creek area in St. Louis Park. The Commission noted that Nordicware has been awarded a sustainability award and they should be approached by the Commission to see if they like to be involved with the Energy Group. d. Zero Waste Work Group: Judy explained the Plate to Garden fundraiser, which will be held this weekend. She asked the Commissioners to volunteer to help at the event at Central Community Center. She added that City Staff has been directed to develop a policy on zero waste and that work is currently being done on this effort. Chair Gips added if any Commissioners have thoughts or ideas on plastic bag education, they should forward them to Shannon Pinc. He added that staff needs to weigh in on their concerns related to this issue and that it might we worthwhile to have a meeting with City Manager Harmening. Also, the Commission noted there is a Polystyrene public listening session on Monday, October 12 at 5:30 p.m. Both Rachel and Chair Gips will attend. e. Transportation Work Group Plan: Paul noted the first bike lanes on Texas Avenue, near St. Louis Park Jr. High, did pass in the City Council, after much rallying by citizens. He added the group also met with Jack Sullivan and Debra Heiser and prioritized communication and education, while noting the focus was on Living Streets. They will also work with City Staff and the Planning Commission on updates to the Comprehensive Plan and how transportation issues will be incorporated into the next updated version. Motion was made and seconded to unanimously accept the plan as presented. f. Communications Work Group: Chris explained the group prioritized their goals and made progress. He noted that the goals include upgrading the website, and utilizing social media and video He added that the Commissioner’s recommendations will be taken back to the work group. Shannon updated the Commissioners on the Face Book page, stating it is ready to go live as soon as there is information to be posted. She noted some photographs had been changed and content will be funneled through the work group, and to City Communication Staff and to Shannon. She also discussed how Twitter and retweeting could be incorporated and used as often and possible, in order to create more awareness of the commission. Chris added they will need staff and commissioners who may be Face Book administrators, adding that administrators will need training in both posting and the rules and regulations related to Face Book and its use in St. Louis Park. He added if anyone is interested in creating content, to let him know, while Julie stated she is willing to help. Comments will also need to be monitored as well. Chris stated there will be a variety of content, all related to sustainability. Additionally, contributions will be needed from all of the work groups. The Commission discussed having a training session for all Commissioners on website posting, and any additional social media that would be utilized. Further updates will be presented at the November meeting. g. GreenStepCities Work Group – Recap and action: Shannon gave a high-level overview, reviewed the website and noted that she, Renee and Nancy had met. They discussed the best framework for documentation and also how St. Louis Park compares to other cities in the Metro. She noted there will be a need to have someone dive into the details on this work group and develop supporting documentation in order to move forward, and achieve a level 2 or 3. The Commissioners noted the reporting related to the GreenStepCities will take time. One thought would be to engage a volunteer or intern to help with the project. The Commission will explore this. Shannon explained that a study session may be needed, along with a conversation with the City Manager on strategy. h. Other business • Elections – Shannon noted that five Commissioners terms end at the end of 2015, however the City Council will be working on adjusting terms. She added Staff will need to know if Commissioners would like to continue on the Commission, or step down • Shannon also noted she has reviewed the bylaws, and the first meeting of each year, a chair is elected, as well as a vice chair. She added that if new Commissioners are elected, orientation will be needed as well as a celebratory meeting in January of 2016. She noted she will also add a discussion of the bylaws and possible changes to the November agenda. • Work/Life balance – Shannon stated this is being prioritized in the work groups, but the agendas are always pressed for time. She suggested doing a visioning process to help with this issue. She added she will have a conversation with Tom Harmening on visioning and will draft a high-level document that can be reviewed by Council ongoing. • Sharing the Natural Step – Shannon noted this presentation may be given to a wider audience, and conversations have been ongoing with Chair Gips and the City Manager, related to this program. Chair Gips said he wants to also bring this back to the Commission for a more in depth discussion. • Shannon added next steps will need to happen with the Communications Work Group and social media training. Additionally there will need to be more work on the Green Steps program and the Comprehensive Plan. She noted there is concern for how to manage all of these items. • It was noted it might be helpful to have Commissioners serve on the Advisory Committee for the Comprehensive Plan also, while also forming a work group for the Comprehensive Plan, touches all the other work groups. • The Commissioners asked if there was potential of having an all-day or half day retreat and the possibility of two-hour meetings in the remainder of 2015 that would go more in-depth on issues facing the Sustainability Commission. A joint meeting with the Planning Commission was also discussed. 4. The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.