Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/07/09 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA July 9, 2014 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Terry Gips, Caitlin Glennon, Rachel Harris, Tom Hillstrom, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Alex Sundvall, Judy Voigt and Ryan Griffin MEMBERS ABSENT: Renee McGarvey, Whitney Thesing and Mark Eilers Excused STAFF PRESENT: Phillip Elkin, Nicole Pribbenow 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. 2. The minutes of the June 4, 2014 meeting were moved by the Chair and were unanimously approved. 3. New Business a. Nicole Pribbenow, Communications Specialist with the City of St. Louis Park, presented Sustainable SLP!, a communication plan for the Environment and Sustainability Commission. Her presentation outlined Goals, Communication Tools and Strategies. Her presentation led to discussion on specific items: • Website - The discussion on the webpage focused on content, format and location. Caitlin suggested that each member come up with 10 ideas for content and that we brainstorm at the next commission meeting. Rachel suggested that ideas be funneled through Tom and the branding work group to consolidate and “package” the ideas. Cindy asked the question, “What is the difference between having a page on the City’s website and a stand-alone website?” Terry r esponded that he felt the benefit of a stand-alone website was that it reduced the “clutter” of other content and focused on the branding of the ESC. Cindy wanted to see ESC information and content to be included on the Environmental Information page of the existing City website. • Social Media - Ideas in the Park -Another tool used for City engagement. Ryan asked what the site looked like and how much participation has occurred in the past. Nicole answered that it depended on the subject. Issues such as Southwest LRT were very active, while local street projects did not generate much discussion. Cindy asked about participation in other social media, and Nicole answered that there are currently around 4,000 Facebook users subscribed to the City’s page and about 3,000 followers on Twitter. Cindy also added that “Next Door” was another tool to reach out to neighbors. Nicole will monitor that use. • Other Communications - Each neighborhood has their own leaders who utilize email to reach more people quickly. QR codes are used at the Nature Center and on compost bins. Chris suggested that the group might want to consider paid advertising to expand the awareness and brand of the ESC. Cindy added that People in the Park has led to personal interactions. Terry suggested that the upcoming National Night Out would be a good opportunity to get out the work of the group. Rachel added that maybe we could use the event to piggy back with existing publications to promote the Sustainability SLP. The event was the ESC’s target audience - “People Who Care about Environment and Neighborhoods”. • Logo s- Two logos were presented to the commission; each one presented a different style and perspective. One used watercolors and focused on the natural scene. The second was a contrast showing hands and brighter colors. Each commissioner commented on their preferred style, with the second style winning. Nicole will forward the responses to Misty, who created the logos, and will develop new choices for the next meeting. Tom suggested that the branding work group meet with Misty in advance of the next (August) meeting and narrow the scope of choices. The group will see final versions to select at the next meeting. b. Commissioner Harris shared the topics of conversation she had with City Manager Tom Harmening in June. The meeting was an opportunity for the City Manager to hear what the commission was working on and the successes and obstacles of the work plans. Other topics of discussion were: the role of the commission in working with City Staff; clarity of expectations; guidance in deciding where the City will get the most “bang for the buck” in sustainability efforts; and the process in which the commission makes recommendations to the City Council. As a result of this meeting, the ESC has been invited to a City Council study session on July 14, to update the Council on the group’s progress as a commission. Commission work group leaders will be invited to speak focusing on research conducted, obstacles met and successes. c. Phil Elkin handed out information provided from the League of Minnesota Cities on electronic communication and open meeting laws. Phil pointed out two occurrences over the last week which prompted him to have a discussion on the open meeting laws and conflicts of interest. Phil explained a string of emails was distributed to 8 members of the commission, violating open meeting law. Within this string of emails, a work group member, who is not on the commission and works for a private consulting firm, was suggesting projects for the work group to undertake. Phil went on to explain that while no action was taken or proposed on these issues, it has the appearance of collusion by the work group - making decisions outside of open meetings. There were several questions on this issue, so the item was tabled until next meeting when Phil could provide answers. d. Chairperson Harris made motion to have commissioners work with City Staff to develop Sustainability-themed questions for the upcoming city-wide survey. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Anderson and passed unanimously. 4. Old Business: a. Work Groups submitted brief summaries which were distributed with the agenda. 5. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.