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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/02/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA February 3, 2016 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Terry Gips, Ryan Griffin; Rachel Harris, Nancy Rose, Jayne Stevenson, Judy Voigt. EXCUSED ABSENCE: Renee McGarvey, Cindy Larson-O’Neil STAFF PRESENT: Shannon Pinc, City Staff; Recording Secretary (Mary Pappas). GUESTS: None. 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Introductions were made. 2. The minutes of the December 2, 2015 and the January 6, 2016 meeting were approved unanimously. Business – a. Annual Report to Council – Shannon reviewed the overall priorities and thanked the Commission for their feedback on the template she had begun. She noted she had summarized the information submitted by each work group and if there are changes, she needs them by end of the day tomorrow. Rachel thanked Shannon for a great job, stating the work of the groups has expanded 10- fold, with many accomplishments. She stated this is an amazing report and added her appreciation to the work group leaders for getting their information in on time. Shannon asked the group who would be in attendance at the Council meeting and who would like to present, with the use of visual aids. There are three focus areas to review with the Council: visioning, climate action plan, and Green Step Cities plan. Rachel noted in the past, the chair and vice chair have presented to the Council. Shannon would help facilitate. b. Retreat comments on priorities and meetings – Shannon summarized what was discussed. She noted the work group priorities summary stating that each group chose three priorities to work on this year. Shannon asked the Commission for further input. The Commission agreed three priorities per group is a lot, in light of limited capacity. They agreed also they must be careful of overextending their work groups, or burdening the Commissioners, who are volunteers. Rachel presented a Gant Chart, which showed a timeline of projects and priorities that work groups could use as a tool for time managements. They discussed the fact that 24 Environment and Sustainability -2- Feb 3, 2016 Commission Meeting goals may be overreaching. Prioritizing will be helpful and the Commission will look at various tools for doing this, along with better meeting format, possibly longer meetings, and earlier agenda planning. The group also discussed Trello, Excel, Microsoft Project and various project management tools. The Commission agreed the chair, vice chair and Shannon will select the final version/tool to use, after reviewing all with the Commissioners first. Ryan also pointed out that the Planning Commission meets on the same evening at the Environment and Sustainability Commission (ESC). Although there are two Planning Commission meetings each month, it is critical that one of the Commissioners attend the Planning Commission meeting each month, especially with the review and work coming up on the Comprehensive Plan. Chris noted they may want to look at moving the ESC meetings to a different day. Ryan added the ESC could schedule study sessions after the Commission meetings and/or work group meetings with breakout sessions, in addition to Commission meetings, in order to complete the work that is needed. This will be discussed further after the new Commissioners are selected. c. Update on potential solar projects for Municipal Service Building and Fire Station 2 including Made in Minnesota – Shannon stated she has been exploring projects that can be conducted with the City, and added that Cindy will report on the Partners in Energy Plan at the next meeting. Shannon summarized the MSC project noting the newer area of flat sunny roof would fit a solar system, and this would be an opportunity to offset electricity use on that building. She added a solar company would do the install. She added that access is an issue with the Fire Station 2, but if it did work, Made in MN could do the project. Nancy asked the timing on this project. Shannon noted the MSC project could begin in the spring. Chair Gips noted the importance of being transparent on this issue, especially in the bidding process. Local developers should be aware of the opportunity. d. Energy Work Group updates - In Cindy’s absence, there was no report from the Work Group. Jayne Stevenson described a project of the Roots & Shoots group at the High School to conduct an Environmental audit of St. Louis Park, using the iMatter Youth scoring system. The audit is complete, and Jayne will try to get 700 student signatures on petitions, then present them to the City Council. Jayne is requesting the support of the Commission and Partners in Energy. Chair Gips stated it is difficult to approve the scorecard at this point. Shannon noted she will send more detail to the Commission to review on this program, prior to presenting to the Council. Environment and Sustainability -3- Feb 3, 2016 Commission Meeting Motion was made and seconded to unanimously support the effort of Roots and Shoots and iMatter Youth, to present their findings to the Council. A friendly amendment was made to support the presentation to the Council; however, the Commission has not reviewed and is not making a statement about methodology and grades related to the scorecard. The friendly amendment was seconded and passed unanimously. e. Water-Land-Wildlife Update – Nancy explained that Jo Colleran, a St. Louis Park resident, had agreed to join the work group. She is a resident on Cobblecrest Lake and is the Natural Resources Manager for the City of Minnetonka. Nancy also explained the upcoming Westwood Nature Center building proposal. She noted Miller-Dunwiddie will report on nature center features preferences from public input sessions and postcards. She said this would most likely be reported at the Park Board meeting on February 17th. She added the Great River Greening report on vegetation plan will be presented later. Nancy stated the Nature Center does not have an overall vision/mission statement, and may be interested in developing one. She added the Commission will need to develop a statement on the purpose of the nature center – and it will be needed soon. She added she will know more by the end of this week, and she will begin work on a vision statement for the Nature Center and send it to the Commissioners for input. Afterwards, it can be prepared to present to Council, possibly later in March. Statements for Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Woodlake Nature Center will be reviewed for models. f. Approval of Polystyrene To-Go position – The position statement was sent out prior to the meeting but voting on approving the statement was tabled until March so commissioners could review it again. g. Other Work Group Updates –  Green Step Cities committee needs to review some items with Shannon.  The MPCA Green Steps webinar on the new Best Practice 29, Resilience, will be held Tues Feb 9 from 9 -11 a.m. Shannon will be presenting.  Transportation work group update – Ryan said they had a good meeting but there was some resistance and City staff seemed to feel the Commission is trying to tell them what to do. He added the intent of meeting was to help conceptualize the Living Streets concept and noted that engineering, planning and Shannon were in attendance, along with the ESC. Some are comprehensive plan and some are engineering issues, and according to Ryan, it is unclear what the function is of the Commission when working on policies. Shannon noted it is unclear on how the Commission is directed by Council and City Staff. Environment and Sustainability -4- Feb 3, 2016 Commission Meeting Chair Gips suggested that Tom Harmening be brought in the conversations, to help with direction and alignment. Ryan will work with Shannon on this evolving process. Rachel added did work on some positive next steps, which involved a strategic summary. She added that engineering is interested in helping draft a policy. She also stated the work group is looking for a new lead, and Paul and Mark were emailed also to see if they would like to remain on the group or not. The Commissioners agreed when working with City Staff, a more collaborative atmosphere is needed. h. Upcoming Events – State of the City, Metrocerts, Organic Living Workshop – Shannon would like to know which Commissioners can be in attendance at these events, what time and when. She also asked that the Commissioner let her know what materials should be at the table, and noted she can repurpose existing materials, and use existing posters. Additionally, Shannon will let the Commissioners know about the State of the City Event – to be held end of February i. Elections for Chair and Vice Chair – Chair Gips opened the floor for nominations for Chair. Nancy nominated Rachel as Chair and it was seconded by Chris. Rachel stated her vision and noted that being on the Commission has been one of her proudest contributions. She added that all the work groups are great and the Commission is really starting to cultivate strong teamwork. She has been honored to serve as Vice Chair and wants to serve the Commissions needs and desires in the coming months. The Commission voted and Rachel was unanimously elected Chair. Chair Gips opened the floor for nominations for Vice Chair and Rachel nominated Chris as Vice Chair, which was seconded by Judy. Chris stated he has been on the Commission for two years and will do whatever he needs to in order to support with work being done and also to help support Rachel as Chair. The Commission voted and Chris was unanimously elected at Vice Chair. j. Thoughts from outgoing Chair – Chair Gips shared a few thoughts as he is now completing his term. He thanked the Commissioners and said it has been a joy and a privilege working with them. He said he is impressed by each of the Commissioners and their commitment, vision, and hard work, along with their giving up of personal things to help make St. Louis Park better and be a model as a municipality in order to inspire others. He added it has been very moving for him to hear what each member is doing, and the amazing amount of work. He noted he has been with the Commission since its inception as a task force, and added it is amazing what’s been created, amidst challenges. He said he has appreciated each Commissioner and their hard work. Environment and Sustainability -5- Feb 3, 2016 Commission Meeting He apologized if he had not answered emails or disappointed or hurt any of the Commissioners throughout their interactions and added his main concern has been to help support their visions. He also stated how grateful he is to Shannon and thanked her for all of her work and her skill and heart for connecting with people, while assisting the Commission. He congratulated Rachel and Chris as the new Chair and Vice Chair, and said he will support them in any way he can. He hopes to stay involved in the Commission going forward also. Shannon also thanked Chair Gips for his work and for helping her get up and running as she joined the City Staff. The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.