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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/03/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 4, 2015 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Terry Gips, Rachel Harris, Paul Zeigle, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Judy Voigt, Chris Anderson, Nancy Rose and Karen Laumb EXCUSED ABSENCE: Renee McGarvey, Alex Sundvall and Mark Eilers STAFF PRESENT: Phillip Elkin and Brian Hoffman GUESTS: Kristen Fornes, SoCore Energy, and Mark Brinkman 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. 2. The minutes of the March 4, 2015, meeting were approved unanimously. 3. Chairperson Gips opened the meeting, thanking his fellow commissioners for electing him Chairperson; Rachel Harris for her accomplishments as the former Chairperson; and the introduction of new commissioner Paul Zeigle. 4. Guest Presenter – Brian Hoffman, Director and Chief Building Inspector for the City, introduced the subject of solar gardens and the guest speaker Kristen Fornes of SoCore Energy. Previous submittals by solar energy groups were for the City to host a solar garden on the rooftop of a municipal building. Kristen presented SoCore’s proposal to build solar gardens outside of the metro area and sell energy subscriptions to solar power to the City. Brian emphasized the City’s interest in this proposal was that it did not involve a capital project. The City could benefit from the use of solar, but Brian emphasized that he wanted to use the ESC expertise to make a decision. When asked what the next steps were, Brian asked the commission, “Is this worth pursuing?” and if so, “How does the commission see this moving forward? “ It w as recommended that the idea be submitted to the Energy Work Group to work with staff to make a recommendation to the full commission. Commissioner Anderson made a motion recommending that this commission use City staff to work with the Energy Work Group to explore being a subscriber with SoCore or another solar energy company. Commissioner Harris seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Griffin amended the motion to “think about the sustainability – what are we trying to accomplish?” Not to limit energy to solar. Chairperson Gips added “community solar and other solar options.” The motion passed unanimously. 5. 2015 Goals and Commission Vision Statement Chairperson Gips introduced the subject of the 2015 goals, offering that the summaries from work groups did not allow enough face time to discuss the work plan. He offered two options: 1) Delay presentation to Council until after the April meeting or 2) Consider a second meeting in April or March or set up a conference call to talk through the issues. He would like to give the commission an opportunity to “beef up the plan.” After discussion, it was agreed that all of the work groups would submit a one paragraph summary to Phil for inclusion in the annual submittal to Council for the March 23 Study Session. Chairperson Gips emphasized that he wanted to meet the April 1 deadline for submitting a work plan but did not want to go to the Council until the commission was ready. Commissioner Harris asked, “What is the commitment from each group that will allow us to make corrections in time?” After discussion, it was agreed that work group leaders would each submit a summary paragraph of the 2015 Work Plan to Phil by Tuesday. Phil would then distribute copies to everyone, who would return any comments to Phil by Friday. Phil emphasized the need to submit a completed agenda item by noon on March 18, setting a drop deadline time of 10:00 on Wednesday the 18th. Chairperson Gips made a motion to discuss and approve detailed work plans in April. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. 6. Communications - Phil gave the commissioners an update on the search for an Environment and Sustainability Coordinator. The City received 147 applications for the newly created position and would start screening applications this week. Based on the number of applicants, HR anticipated several levels of interviews. Phil also reminded the commissioners of the upcoming removal of the Minnetonka Bridge as part of the Hwy. 100 construction project. Chairperson Gips requested that name plaques be created for commissioners to identify them during upcoming meetings. 7. The meeting was adjourned at 8:22.