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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/12/11 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - Regular (2)MINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA December 11, 2013 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Tim Brausen, Mark Eilers, Terry Gips, Caitlin Glennon, Rachel Harris, Tom Hillstrom, Renee McGarvey, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Alex Sundvall, Whitney Thesing, Judy Voigt MEMBERS ABSENT: Mary Karius, Excused STAFF PRESENT: Bridget Gothberg, Cindy Walsh CONSULTANTS: Mike Lamb, Fred Rozumalski, Barr Engineering Company 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. 2. The minutes of the November 6, 2013 meeting were moved by the Chair and were unanimously approved. 3. Election of Commission Chair for 2014 Commissioner McGarvey indicated that her work schedule would not allow her to move from the Vice Chair to the Chair. And, she said that she would be happy to stay on as the Vice Chair. Commissioner Anderson moved and Commissioner Hillstrom seconded a motion to make Commissioner Harris the Chair for 2014. It was unanimously approved. Commissioner Gips reminded the group that they had agreed that there would be a gender balance in the Chair and Vice Chair positions. Commissioner McGarvey said she would step down from being the Vice Chair. It was moved by Commissioner Eilers and seconded by Commissioner Anderson to approved Terry Gips as Vice Chair for 2014. It was unanimously approved. 4. Unfinished Business a. Commissioner Gips explained the Natural Step Process to the Commissioners. He reviewed the background of the Natural Step Process. He reviewed the ABCD process and how it could work in St. Louis Park. There was a good dialogue with questions. b. Green Steps and Natural Steps. There was focus on developing visioning and systems. Finishing Green Steps can be a partner of the Natural Step process. c. The focus leaned toward the concept of beginning the vision process for the Natural Step Process and learning what else needs to be done in Green Steps. Commissioner Hillstrom reminded the group to make sure that what we want to do is feasible, cost effective, and has a return on investment. The commissioners also felt strongly that they need to know more about what is already happening with St. Louis Park. They also wanted to start the groups to begin working on some of these ideas. Mike Lamb will bring information to the next meeting, based on the conversations and ideas of the Commissioners. 5. New Business: a. The January meeting will be held on the 8th due to the fact that the first Wednesday of the month would be January 1st. The meeting will be from 6:30- 8:30pm and will be held at the Community Room on the first floor of City Hall. 6. Communications: a. Commissioner Rachel Harris shared how her Master’s Degree presentation went. She thanked those who attended. b. Commissioner Voigt shared the positive feedback from her neighborhood on the new recycling, including the one-sort garbage and the organic pick-up. 7. The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p.m.