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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021/03/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - Regular Official minutes Environment & sustainability commission St. Louis Park, Minnesota 3/3/2021 1. Call to order 1a. Roll call Members present: Chair Marisa Bayer, Shaina Ashare, Stefan Collinet-Adler, Lillian Hertel, Paige Kane, Claire Lukens, Ryan Griffin, Bridget Rathsack, McKenna Taylor, Andy Willette, and Eric Zweber Members absent: Zoe Frank Staff present: Emily Ziring, Sustainability Manager; Annie Pottorff, Sustainability Specialist Guests: Mike Bull, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Center for Energy & Environment 2. Approval of Minutes The minutes from the February 2021 meeting were approved with one abstention. 3. Business A. Presentation on legislative issues – Mike Bull, Director of Policy and External Affairs, Center for Energy & Environment Mr. Bull presented a legislative update for the commission. He discussed five bills including: Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO), MN Efficient Technology Accelerator (META), Net Zero Commercial Energy Code, Clean Energy First, and Natural Gas Innovation Act. He noted natural gas emissions are up in MN. He explained the MN Efficient Technology Accelerator includes emerging technologies, engaging supply chain, and accelerating technology deployment. The Net Zero Commercial Energy Code was discussed. Mr. Bull stated the current approach is to move to a three-year adoption process and put buildings on an accelerated track towards carbon neutrality. Mr. Hoffman stated St. Louis Park has been involved in this initiative for two years. Mr. Bull explained the Clean Energy First bill also. He noted this requires careful planning for power plant retirements and integration with utility resource planning. It also requires utilities look first to clean energy resources to fill supply needs and then implement those if they are reliable and affordable. Mr. Bull also explained the Natural Gas Innovation Act, including innovation plans, pilot projects and resource alternatives, including efficiency, electrification, district energy, hydrogen, and biogas. 2 Ms. Ziring asked if there is any talk of preemption laws that would prevent cities from banning further natural gas infrastructure (essentially requiring electrification) in MN. Mr. Bull stated it will not be banned, but some are opposing clean energy progress so it makes it more difficult. Commissioner Willette asked if carbon sequestration could be a compromise method. Mr. Bull stated possibly as part of the Clean Energy First but there is some opposition from some who see it as an investment in R&D vs. investment in wind and solar. He added in order to meet the requirements of carbon elimination, this might be an option. B. Discussion of long-term funding proposal for climate action – Brian Hoffman, Director of Building & Energy Mr. Hoffman noted the city is looking to partner with businesses to help reduce their carbon footprint and is looking at creating an energy efficiency assessment program. He stated there is a bill is being presented at the state legislature later this week, with hopes of it moving forward and working with property owners. He noted this will be another tool in the city’s tool kit to reduce carbon emissions. Mr. Hoffman noted the ESC will be going back to the city council to discuss long-term funding for the CAP. He noted the Climate Champions and Solar Sundown programs that will be promoted as cost sharing programs. He also stated the city will need to have programs to motivate and plant seeds so when property owners are ready, they can take action. He stated this will be a fund for cost sharing. Mr. Hoffman proposes asking the council to create a Climate Fund, initially using leftover funds from the 2020 fund balance, to fund all incentive programs. He added a separate levy could also be assessed to fund these programs over time as well, while also leveraging private funds. Commissioner Collinet-Adler asked if there are elements of the city budget where savings could be found and funds diverted to the CAP from programs that are not as important any longer. Mr. Hoffman stated this could happen, but the reality is we are always trying to do more in our community so in order to find savings to move over, something else would have to be discontinued. He added there are also basic services that cannot be moved or discontinued, such as police and fire. Commissioner Willette asked if there were a levy proposed, does it need to be voted on by the city. Mr. Hoffman stated the council could impose the levy. He added the commission will need to see how much interest there is in the community for the CAP. Commissioner Collinet-Adler pointed out the school district proposes a levy and then folks vote on it. He asked if this could be voted on as well so as to see some support for the CAP. Mr. Hoffman stated detailed surveys could be used rather than a vote. He added instead of a separate levy, the regular levy could be increased and the extra percent be used for the CAP. Commissioner Griffin asked if the city could tax users based on utility consumption and emissions generated. Mr. Hoffman stated the city does not have authority to do that but could pursue it at the state legislature. 3 Mr. Hoffman stated the one big question is there a way to gauge where the community is at if the tax levy were increased an additional percent to pay for the CAP. Commissioner Rathsack stated with Covid there have been many more folks that have been financially affected, so she noted the commission needs to be mindful that some folks will object to a higher tax for incentives for the CAP and pursuing increasing taxes seems unsympathetic to what people are facing. Commissioner Willette agreed, but added reducing emissions is also for the public good. He added if there were an incentive program to replace your gas furnace for an alternative heating method that could be looked at. Chair Bayer asked about using franchise fees for the CAP. Ms. Ziring stated these are long-term agreements but can be added as an idea for future funding sources. Mr. Hoffman noted the solid waste fund might also be an avenue for funding. Commissioner Griffin stated the city should take a data-driven approach and have a measure in place for meeting carbon reduction goals efficiently. If the city needs to buy carbon offsets to meet CAP goals every year, the city should consider doing that. 4. Staff updates • Solar Sundown has launched with 6 applications so far • Climate Champions launch and materials will be distributed soon • Long-term funding discussion with council • Green Building Policy – a report on best practices was created and will be presented to Community Development staff. Policy will be shared with ESC for review and discussion • GreenStep Cities inventory underway • Electric Vehicle charging station grant – waiting on response from MnDOT 5. Roots & Shoots update and collaborating with youth This item will be on hold for when Commissioner Frank is in attendance. 6. Workgroup/project updates Commissioner Taylor explained the group met earlier in March and are looking at doing a social media campaign related to Earth Month that would introduce ESC members and explain why Earth Day is important. Emily Barker will be tabling on May 20 at the Gardeners Swap and the ESC was invited to have a table there also. Commissioner Taylor asked for volunteers or they can leave brochures on the table and also look into creating some new brochures. Commissioner Rathsack stated Xcel donated light bulbs that can be used as giveaways at event. Chair Bayer added a label can be added to the light bulb to promote a specific call to action. 7. City Council report on Environmental Justice 4 Ms. Ziring stated this has been shared with several staff department directors and very few comments were suggested. She noted another short meeting of the work group would be helpful to finalize the document. 8. Environmental Justice open discussion Commissioner Ashare noted some media attention on a scrap metal place in Chicago moving to a lower income neighborhood and seemed like an example of an opportunity that had come up in discussion as a classic example of injustices taking place. Commissioner Ashare asked if the ESC might write a letter in support for this community. Ms. Pottorff stated she added an article in the ESC resource database for review. Chair Bayer added the impacts of climate change on residents and to keep in mind access to resources for all residents, and who may not always have access. Chair Bayer also asked Ms. Ziring about the Solar Sundown applications received and if any information can be shared publicly. Ms. Ziring stated so far there have been no applications for projects within the Environmental Justice area. Commissioner Rathsack noted toolboxes from Blue Cross Blue Shield and General Mills related to being an ally that she will pass on to Ms. Pottorff. Ms. Ziring pointed out a book called All We Can Save, which is also a good read related to environmental justice. Commissioner Pottorff noted a discussion with city community organizer, Darius Gray, and how the ESC can work on the Summer of Action programming (such as an outdoor film screening) with the HRC. Mr. Gray will present at the April ESC meeting in more detail. 10. Upcoming events a. Solar Works in St. Louis Park webinars Ms. Pottorff stated there will be two webinars on Solar Sundown and registration is now open. She added speakers are being recruited now, and she asked the ESC members for recommendations also. She stated she will send the link out for sharing on social media and on NextDoor, and through emails. 11. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Emily Ziring, liaison Marisa Bayer, chair member