HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/01/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
January 7, 2015
Community Room, City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Judy Voigt, Terry Gips, Nancy Rose, Rachel Harris, Alex Sundvall,
Ryan Griffin, Karen Kaphingst and Mark Eilers.
EXCUSED ABSENCE: Cindy Larson O’Neil, Chris Anderson and Renee McGarvey
STAFF PRESENT: Phillip Elkin
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. The minutes of the December 3, 2014, meeting were unanimously approved.
3. Guest Presenter –John Bilotta, University of Minnesota Extension Services
The Water, Land and Native Landscapes Work Group had previously heard Mr. Bilotta’s
presentation and had asked him to address the full commission. Mr. Bilotta’s gave a 30
minute presentation on stormwater runoff and its relationship to impervious surface. Mr.
Bilotta stressed that this was a brief summary of his presentation and that he usually
presents to decision makers such as planners, council persons and commissions in a half-
day seminar setting.
Commissioner Rose made a motion: “The water-land-wildlife work group proposes that
the St. Louis Park City Council host a presentation of NEMO for a combined group of
the Council, the Environmental Commission and affected City Staff to establish a
common base of knowledge for future decisions regarding stormwater, development and
redevelopment, and land management.” The motion passed unanimously.
4. Commissioner Gips raised the issue that the commission would be required to hold an
election of new officers as per the by-laws of the commission. The Staff had been
unaware of this requirement and had not prepared to hold the election. After further
discussion and research, it was determined that the commission could hold elections at
the next meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Sundvall and seconded by
Commissioner Eilers.
5. 2015 Goals- Phil announced that most of the work groups had submitted 2015 goals to
him and that he would send them out to the ESC for review. Chair Harris commented
that the Education and Action Work Group included a broad list of activities and asked if
it should be edited to a more manageable list. Commissioner Gips stated that he would
consider this after viewing all of the work plans.
Phil pointed out that since the departure of Commissioner Hillstrom, the Communications
Work Group was in need of leadership and asked for a volunteer to take that position.
Having no takers, he asked that current commissioners look for a volunteer outside the
commission to fill this role.
Commissioner Griffin proposed forming a Transportation Work Group. Chair Harris
stated that the Health in the Park already had such a group – Connect the Park. Ryan
stated that his idea would be focused on reducing the carbon footprint by reducing the use
of cars. After further discussion, Ryan made a motion to form a Transportation Work
Group. Commissioner Eilers seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
6. Vision Statement- discussion on the vision statement was tabled to a future meeting.
7. Phil gave updates on activities related to the Environment and Sustainability Commission
including:
• The Energy Work Group recently won a grant from the CERTS program to have the
organization complete the City’s B3 energy use assessment.
• The request to join Xcel Energy’s Partner in Energy program was moving on to
Council for approval.
• The City of St. Louis Park is in the process of hiring a Sustainability Coordinator to
be responsible for supporting the ESC. It is unclear at this time when or what
responsibilities will be included with the position.
• City Staff had requested some clarification on the proposed Environmentally
Preferred Purchasing Policy (EPP) and had planned meetings with the EPP Work
Group to understand the policy.
8. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15