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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014/10/01 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA October 1, 2014 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Mark Eilers, Terry Gips, Rachel Harris, Tom Hillstrom, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Alex Sundvall, Judy Voigt, Whitney Jacobs, Rene McGarvey and Ryan Griffin MEMBERS ABSENT: Chris Anderson STAFF PRESENT: Phillip Elkin 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:34 p.m. 2. The minutes of the September 3, 2014 meeting were unanimously approved. 3. Old Business Commissioner Hillstrom updated the Commission on the communication plan. The City’s communications staff has updated the ESC website with the new logo and has it up and running. The communications work group met with Jamie Zwilling and discussed how material would be presented and reviewed for inclusion on the site. Jamie and Nicole were to produce a form for ESC commissioners to fill out when submitting material for the site, but had not been finished before the meeting. The group discussion then focused on options for submitting material for the website and what filtering or editing process should be employed. One suggestion was for commissioners to work within their work groups and bring ideas and content to smaller groups for consideration. The Commission reviewed the website and found some mistakes and misinformation (dated commissioner list). Rachel asked each work group to produce a one paragraph description of their group and submit it to Phil for inclusion on the website. Commissioner Hillstrom recommended that members review the website and at the next meeting we include a discussion on ideas for improvements. Commissioner Hillstrom will share environmental and sustainability websites from other cities for examples. 4. New Business Commissioner Griffin presented a Preferable Purchasing Policy for consideration to move to the City Council for adoption as City Policy. This policy was developed by the Preferred Purchasing Work Group after month of research. Commissioner Gips had several comments and recommendations for the policy, including adding the word “Sustainability” to the policy and the including health, safety and social justice as justification terms. Commissioner Hillstrom made a motion for the work group to meet, review the proposed changes, incorporate these comments and any Staff comments into the policy, and forward them on to the City Council. The ensuing discussion focused on the necessity of the full Commission to review changes before the policy received the Commission endorsement. The motion passed 9-1, with Commissioner Gips in opposition. Commissioner Larson O’Neil presented the Energy Work Group’s findings on the PACE Program, a financing mechanism for local governments to finance clean energy incentives for local businesses. The commission unanimously supported a motion to formally endorse the PACE program to the City Council. 5. The Vision/Mission Statement discussion was tabled 6. Work Group Reports- Environmental Preferred Purchasing, Energy and Branding Groups had discussed their progress earlier in the meeting. The Education/Behavior Change Work Group is developing questions to use in resident surveys. The group is exploring possible formats - a sample group of 500-1000 residents. Green Steps Cities Work Group - no new updates Native Landscapes Work Group – Commissioner Jacobs gave a brief introduction to their workgroup description and goals. The group has met with City Forester Jim Vaughan and is looking for opportunities with existing programs where they can be involved in native plantings and restoration. While Commissioner Jacobs will be leaving the commission as she pursues her master’s degree, she will continue to be active in this group. 7. The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.