HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/02/05 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
February 5, 2014
Community Room, City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Tim Brausen, Mark Eilers, Terry Gips, Caitlin
Glennon, Rachel Harris, Tom Hillstrom, Mary Karius, Renee McGarvey, Cindy Larson O’Neil,
Alex Sundvall, Judy Voigt
MEMBERS ABSENT: Whitney Thesing
STAFF PRESENT: Bridget Gothberg, Cindy Walsh, Debra Heiser, Phil Elkin
CONSULTANTS: Mike Lamb, Fred Rozumalski, Barr Engineering Company
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:37 p.m.
2. The minutes of the January 8, 2014 meeting were moved by the Chair and were
unanimously approved.
3. Unfinished Business
a. Update on meeting with City Council
Chair Harris shared the positive response of the City Council regarding the Work
Plan. Commissioners Gips, Voigt and Eilers also made comments regarding the
City Council’s response to the work of the Commission, stating that the
Commission had Council support and they were impressed with all that was
completed.
4. New Business:
a. Begin plan for Natural Steps
New business focused on The Natural Step training, with an introduction by Mike
Lamb, followed by an overview by Terry Gips. Discussion addressed potential
dates and times based on two 2.5 hour long meetings. The group thought meeting
on Wednesdays would be the best day of the week. Initial optional dates included
February 26th and March 5th (the regularly scheduled Commission meeting date).
Bridget will check with the absent Commissioners to see what dates will work.
b. Determine Groups/Timelines for the areas using the Priorities Framework:
The Commission had a discussion about forming work groups. After a bit of back
and forth, they decided to wait until after the TNS training was complete. Mike
Lamb did conduct an informal poll of the Commissioners to see what work
groups they would be interested in.
5. Communications:
a. Commissioner Sundvall shared information on the Minneapolis Roberts Bird
Sanctuary. The Met Council has responsibility for the sewer line, which needs
maintenance and unfortunately runs through the sanctuary. This puts the
sanctuary in peril. Commissioner Sundvall said that he would get further
information to Ms. Gothberg to share with the entire Commission.
b. Commissioner Glennon shared that the high school has a family science night on
March 13th and would like the Commission to be a part of the event.
Commissioners Sundvall, Gips and Karius agreed to assist.
c. Ms. Gothberg shared Health in the Park with the Commissioners. She said this is
important work involving our citizens to have a voice in the health of our
community. Two community conversations will be held: Thursday, Feb. 20 from
6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Marriott in St. Louis Park, and Sunday, March 2, from
1:30—4:40 p.m. at Central Community Center. Transportation and child care are
available.
d. Commissioners had some discussion about getting a website going. Ms.
Gothberg said that Jamie Zwilling, Communications and Marketing, has branding
of Environment and Sustainability Commission: Sustainable SLP as a part of his
Communication Plan for 2014.
6. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.