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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/08/06 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA August 6, 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, Whitney Thesing and Rene McGarvey MEMBERS ABSENT: Ryan Griffin STAFF PRESENT: Phillip Elkin, Nicole Pribbenow GUESTS PRESENT: Judith Moore 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:33 p.m. 2. The minutes of the July 9, 2014, meeting were amended by Rachel Harris to include the statement, “Chairperson Harris made motion to have commissioners work with City Staff to develop sustainability-themed questions for the upcoming city-wide survey” Commissioner Anderson moved that the minutes be approved as amended. Motion was seconded by Commissioner Hillstrom and approved by the Commission unanimously. 3. Guest Presentation – Judith Moore spoke to the commission on the use of pesticides and herbicides in city parks and on city lawns and fields. She distributed Material Data Safety Sheets on a variety of herbicides readily available in hardware and landscaping stores such as Lowes and Home Depot. She handed out current State and City codes regarding the use of herbicides and pesticides. She cited research on the toxicity of these ingredients and the “cocktail compound effect” of combining the ingredients. Her goal is to increase public awareness and pursue the City to take a more aggressive stand on regulating the use of these products. a) Create a response plan for complaints or inquiries about the ingredients and/or effects of the exposure to these products. b) Require all vendors in town to make material data sheets available prior to being able to do business in the City. c) Require applicators (such as TruGreen, Scotts, city parks etc.) to use signage before applying chemicals for lawn and turf treatment. d) Challenge State Statutes 18.2 to regulate the use and distribution of herbicide and pesticide products. Commissioner Harris thanked her for her commitment and supported her in her effort. 4. Old Business Nicole Pribbenow, Communications Specialist with the City of St. Louis Park, presented the final three logo recommendations submitted by the branding work group. She walked through the decision process and cited examples of other cities which were the inspiration for the designs presented to the commission. Each of the commissioners where asked their thoughts on the logos. The commissioners discussed the merits of each design and selected their favorites. Two logos were selected as the favorites, one having a circular shape and the other a rectangular shape. Commissioner Gips suggested that since a square logo and rectangular shaped logos would be needed for the various media uses, both logos be used. Nicole was given the direction to make adjustments in the colors, remove the x from the round logo and return next meeting with a final logo. Commissioner Tom Hillstrom led the next discussion on the communications plan submitted at the last meeting. He pointed out that, while it was a thorough, well thought out plan, the deadlines and work involved seemed too aggressive for the Commission to meet. At the previous meeting, each commissioner was asked to prepare 10 ideas for content and forward them to the Sustainable SLP Brand Work Group. None of the commissioners responded. Because of the time and effort involved, Tom suggested that the Commission focus on one element of the communications plan at a time. He went on to say that developing a website after the logo was selected seemed to be the most logical step. He suggested that the staff could set new deadlines in the plan, which reflected the ability of the group. Rachel asked Nicole what the staff understood by “providing content”? Nicole responded that since the commissioners where the “experts” on both the topics and details, that the commissioners would provide the information to be distributed, and the communication staff would make clerical edits. Rachel asked if other commissions have to provide their own content or if staff provides content. Rachel stated that she believed that City staff provided content for the Connect the Park website and publications. She went on to state that the Commission needed more direction in their role of preparing material. Commissioner Gips led the next discussion on a proposal to conduct Sustainability Workshops. Terry presented a proposal on behalf of the Education/Behavior Change Workgroup to hold several introductory workshops on sustainability which would be open to the public. One would be held in the southern part of the city (Rec Center) and one in the northern part (Aquila Elementary). The plan includes two night workshops and one at noon, possibly at a Chamber of Commerce or Rotary lunch. These workshops would be followed up with full workshops. This proposal is in jeopardy due to a conflict of interest. Access to the public through his involvement in the ESC would be an unfair advantage-since Commissioner Gips’ consulting business also provides information on the subject. Commissioner Harris asked what would be covered in the training and was told that the “Natural Steps” program would be covered. Commissioner Glennon suggested that the presentations should be streamed online. Commissioner Harris commented that the group had not explored other sustainability programs other than the Natural Step and asked whether the group was comfortable using that approach. Commissioner Hillstrom added that while the Natural Step offers a great philosophical approach, he found that it took too long to get to the point, and that attendees of short programs may lose patience with the program. He suggested that the presentations be written to “get to the point.” 5. Old Business: Work Groups submitted brief summaries of activities: a. GreenStep Cities - Rene McGarvey reported that the group was waiting for the staff presentations to be completed and that they would be pursuing a meeting with Phil to discuss a strategy. b. Education/Behavior Change- Terry reported that the group had met with Jim Vaughan to promote stewardship through projects such as buckthorn removal and the Master Water Gardener program, in conjunction with the Sean Gosiewski of the Alliance for Sustainability. The group would like to start a program to “empower champions” and get involved in programs such as Earth Day 2015, National Night Out and with the local schools. c. Energy – Cindy Larson O’Neil presented the group’s progress. The group was working on disseminating City data on energy use to see where the best and most effective use of their energy would be placed. The group now has scheduled monthly meetings on the last Wednesday of each month in the Minnehaha Room at City Hall. Trying to locate and connect with partners who already have effective programs in place such as Excel Outreach. d. Preferred Purchasing was presented by Rachel Harris. The group has completed meeting with staff and is in the process of drafting a policy for the City to adopt as an ordinance. They hope to have this proposal in front of Council by the end of the year. 6. The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.