HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/06/04 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP
ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA
June 4, 2014
Community Room, City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT: Terry Gips, Rachel Harris, Whitney Thesing, Ryan Griffin, Chris
Anderson, Tom Hillstrom, Renee McGarvey, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Judy Voigt, Caitlin Glennon
and Alex Sundvall
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Eilers (excused), Mary Karius (resigned)
STAFF PRESENT: Phillip Elkin
GUESTS: Jim Vaughan - Environmental Coordinator, City of St. Louis Park
Sean Walther – Senior Planner, City of St. Louis Park
Deb Heiser – Director of Engineering, City of St. Louis Park
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
2. Roll Call was taken
3. May meeting minutes were moved by Commissioner Thesing and seconded by
Commissioner Glennon and unanimously approved.
4. New Business:
Jim Vaughan began the discussion by reviewing the history of GreenStep Cities in St.
Louis Park and reviewing energy efficiency in City buildings, green purchasing policies
and natural resources.
Sean Walther continued the discussion from the Community Development standpoint.
He detailed how a Green Building policy had been adopted by the City, which was
employed during the planning and construction of the City’s new fire stations.
“Complete Streets,” Form Based Codes and higher density along the anticipated Green
Line train transit line were also cited as programs designed to improve sustainability.
Deb Heiser detailed improvements to street lighting; sidewalk projects; bicycle and train
transit projects; and water treatment as ways the Public Works and Engineering
Departments were enhancing the sustainability of the City.
When asked by the Commissioners in what ways the Commission could help staff, City
staff responded that the Commission could support City-wide initiatives such as:
• Adopt-a-Park Program
• Volunteering at Westwood Hills Nature Center -Jr. Naturalist Program
• Taking part in Home Energy Audit programs
• Support “Connect the Park” projects - attend public meetings and speak in support of
City efforts
• Support “Form Based Code” efforts to set land use guidance
5. Communications
a. Commissioner Harris introduced a proposal from Commissioner Gips to move the
July meeting date from the first Wednesday, July 2, to the second Wednesday of
the month, due to the fourth of July holiday. A show of hands was taken to
determine which meeting would have the higher turnout, and is was decided to
change the meeting date as proposed.
b. Commissioner Gips asked that the Commission vote on his proposal introduced at
the May meeting to extend the Commission meetings (up to an additional half
hour) until the Commission is up to speed on each of the areas of the GreenStep
Cities. This motion was approved unanimously.
c. Commissioner Hillstrom noted that he was expecting Jamie Zwilling to attend
tonight’s meeting. He noted that the Sustainable SLP Brand Work Group had a
productive meeting with Jamie and requested that he be invited to the next
commission meeting.
d. Phil Elkin requested that commissioners, who wish to propose agenda items, send
these items two weeks in advance of the meetings for consideration.
e. Commissioner Gips requested that his work group, Education and Behavior
Change, had previously submitted items that have yet to be included for
commission discussion.
f. Chairperson Harris announced that Mike Lamb’s contract was up with the City,
and that he would no longer be attending commission meetings. She thanked him
for his past contributions. She will send him a thank-you card and would be
inviting the rest of the commissioners to sign.
g. Chairperson Harris also announced that commissioner Karius had submitted her
resignation from the commission earlier in the day and also thanked her for her
contributions to the commission. It was noted that it was too early to know when
a replacement for her position would be found.
6. Chair Harris adjourned the meeting at 8:15.