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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015/05/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA May 6, 2015 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Terry Gips, Rachel Harris, Paul Zeigle, Ryan Griffin, Karen Laumb Judy Voigt, Chris Anderson, Nancy Rose, and Jayne Stevenson EXCUSED ABSENCE: Alex Sundvall, Mark Eilers, Cindy Larson O’Neil and Renee McGarvey STAFF PRESENT: Phillip Elkin 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:38 p.m. 2. Roll Call was taken 3. The minutes of the April 7, 2015 meeting were approved unanimously. 4. Unfinished Business a. Study Session Follow-up An informal discussion was held asking each of the commissioners their impression and takeaways from the City Council Study Session. Overall the commissioners felt that it was a positive experience and enjoyed the interaction with the Council. Commissioner Voigt asked the rest of the group about Councilmember Mavity’s comment on the ESC becoming engaged in the community. A brief discussion followed on how the ESC could reach out and connect with more residents and businesses on sustainability issues. Health in the Park and efforts in the Light Rail discussion were cited as examples of successful community engagement. Some ideas mentioned included; attending neighborhood meetings; connecting with neighborhood groups; and using the Education Outreach and Action workgroup as a focal point. b. Partners in Energy Commissioner Griffin gave a report on the activities of the Energy workgroup, specifically the partnership with Xcel Energy in their Partners in Energy (PIE) program. The workgroup is looking for representatives to sit on the project team to develop an energy use evaluation of the City. Commissioner Griffin’s “Big Ask” was to have each commissioner forward to the energy workgroup the names of potential volunteers for this project. c. Organic Living Festival/Earth Day 3 commissioners attended the City of St. Louis Park’s Organic Living workshop on Saturday April 18 at the Rec Center. The ESC was listed as a sponsoring organization. One of the successes of the workshop was that twelve residents signed up to volunteer on ESC workgroups. Commissioner Voigt also made a connection with a representative of the organics compost site which receives the organic waste from the City of St. Louis Park. Commissioner Voigt recommended a tour of the facility as a potential ESC activity. Three of the Organic Living sessions were videotaped and available for viewing on the City’s website. The commissioners who attended recommended that the ESC get more involved next year by increasing advertising exposure; including kids activities; and possibly setting up a plant sale as part of the event. 5. New Business a. Work Group Reports Communications No new actions. The work group needs to reconvene and pick up the communication plan prepared by City’s Communications Staff. Water Land and Wildlife The work group will be participating in the upcoming Arbor Day event at the Bass Lake Preserve on Saturday May 9. Commissioner Voigt also reported that the work group recruited three more members at the Organics Workshop and will be holding the May meeting at the Municipal Service Center so that they can incorporate a walk along the new Minnehaha Creek trail as part of their meeting. The group has also been working to find more information on where the City purchases trees, specifically finding the source supplier to ensure that the trees are free of neonicotinoides. Commissioner Gips suggested that the group work with Jim Vaughan and bring the issue to the full commission later in the year. Transportation The workgroup is currently brainstorming on ideas looking to Health in the Park and Connect the Park as models for future actions. Commissioner Eilers did some research on Car2Go, currently operating in St. Paul and Minneapolis, and began inquiring about having their business in St. Louis Park. Commissioner Gips noted that his was one of three car services operating the metro area and suggested using a locally based company. Energy The work group has been working on three separate subgroups; B3 energy assessment, Community Solar; and Partners in Energy. Education and Action Commissioner Gips announced that the work group was looking for new members. b. Organics/Recycling/Solid Waste work group Commissioner Gips introduced the idea of starting a new work group involved in organics and recycling. After commissioner Stevenson volunteered to be in the group, Commissioner Gips asked for two more volunteers. The issue will be discussed further at the next commission meeting, as Scott Merkley and Kala Fisher will be speaking to the ESC about the organics/recycling program at the City, as well as the proposed ban on plastic bags. Commissioner Voigt made a motion to form a organics work group. Commissioner Anderson seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously. 6. Communications Commissioner Gips requested that all work groups forward to him their meeting dates and times so that other commissioners and residents would be encouraged to attend. He also asked that the ESC meeting minutes be available earlier in the month, preferable within a week of the meeting so that corrections could be made while it was still fresh in the minds of the commissioners. Commissioner Zeigle also asked that minutes from individual work groups be available to share with the ESC. a. Upcoming Events Commissioner Harris shared that the Active Connections Group of Health in the Park would be meeting on May 27 at 5:15 in the Community Room at City Hall. She also added that June 7th would be the second annual Park the Street event from 12:00 noon - 4:00 pm. The event will be held on Texas Avenue between Minnetonka Boulevard and the regional bike trail. b. Commissioner Griffin announced that June 6 was also the date of the Tar Sands March in St. Paul. The event will start at noon on Shepard Street, and more information can be found on 350.org. c. Commissioner Gips asked the group to think about re-scheduling the July ESC meeting to avoid absences due to the Fourth of July holiday. Further discussion will be held at next month’s meeting. 7. The meeting was adjourned at 8:06.