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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016/03/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA March 2, 2016 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Anderson, Terry Gips, Ryan Griffin; Chairperson Rachel Harris, Cindy Larson O’Neil, Renee McGarvey, Nancy Rose, Judy Voigt. EXCUSED ABSENCE: Karen Laumb, Jayne Stevenson STAFF PRESENT: Shannon Pinc, Sustainability Liaison/City Staff; and, Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas). GUESTS: Julie Rappaport, Education and Action Work Group; Rob Bouta – from the City of Bloomington, who is working on creating an Environment & Sustainability Commission for Bloomington.; Sherie Bartsh – from the City of Bloomington, visiting the meeting to find original task force members and work to convince the Bloomington City Council that they need a sustainability commission. Shannon will connect the Commissioners with these two guests by email so they can exchange ideas. 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. The minutes of the February 3, 2016 meeting were with two additions noted: 3. Chairperson Harris opened the meeting and started with roll call and check in. Attendees shared highlights from the past month. Chairperson Harris acknowledged Terry for his leadership over the past year as Chair. She stated his knowledge base is vast, and the Commission has benefitted by his being a part of this group. Cindy thanked Terry on behalf of the Commission and said they appreciate his inspiration, passion and “full steam ahead” attitude and work. She added he has been inspiring to all, and that he touches people in an intimate way. She said the commission appreciates your work and thanked him for all that he has done. Shannon also thanked Terry for all the time he has spent training her and getting me up to speed on the duties of her position. 4. Business a. Recap of Annual Meeting & State of the City – Chairperson Harris noted in the last two weeks there have been two wonderful City events: the Annual Meeting and the State of the City. She noted that during the annual meeting, various goals for 2015 were reviewed and key goals for 2016 were presented. The seven St. Louis Park Commissions presented including the Environment and Sustainability Commission and everyone stayed for the presentations. Environment and Sustainability -2- March 2, 2016 Commission Meeting She added one goal is to integrate diverse participants into all of the commissions, and the Human Rights Commission wants to work with all of the commissions to help in this area. Chairperson Harris noted they needed more than 10 minutes to present, and that each of the work groups completes more work than the other full commissions. She stated we are volunteers, and if any Commissioners feel they are getting burnt out, to let her know. Questions that came up in response to the report focused on energy, and Chairperson Harris noted it was helpful to have both Cindy and Ryan there to present. In general, she stated, the City Council was satisfied with the Sustainability Commissions goals, and also said they can do less. Ryan said he spoke with Council Member Mavity after the meeting and she said that the Commission is doing too much and that the Council needs to know their priorities. She added comments about communications deficiencies also. Additionally, Ryan noted that Council Member Mavity said rather than focus on day-to-day items, to focus on strategic items instead. Terry asked if the Council heard the 3 priorities that Ryan shared at the meeting. Ryan was uncertain if the Council noted these 3 priorities or not. Cindy added this same conversation with Council happens each year, and noted a liaison to the Commission from the Council will not happen. Chairperson Harris noted this is good feedback, and there will be opportunities to deal with this at another time. Terry stated Chairperson Harris may want to schedule a conversation with City Manager Tom Harmening, to get his feedback also. Nancy agreed and said she had heard the same feedback from Council Members also. Chairperson Harris thanked the Commissioners for their comments and stated she will reach out to the City Manager for more feedback. The State of the City 2016 report to the community was distributed to the Commissioners. There is an emphasis on inclusion in the new Mayor’s report and it was noted that during the presentation, each presenter was paired with a City Council member, as a person with expertise in that particular area. Chairperson Harris noted that Kayla gave environmental report, which included organics, and did a good job of representing what the Commission is doing. The resiliency brochure created by a team of people was well received and the Commissioners asked Shannon to bring copies to next meeting. Environment and Sustainability -3- March 2, 2016 Commission Meeting Terry added that it should have been noted St. Louis Park is a Green Step City and also some comments on the work groups in order to encourage those in the room to become engaged with the Commission. b. Discussion of 2016 work scope – Chairperson Harris noted there were many items to work on when it was discussed at the last meeting. She pointed out the Commissioners are volunteers, who only meet once per month. Each work group has 3 goals, and collectively the Commission has 21 goals. There is much to be done, and she presented a diagram that can be edited, with each month of the year, and the Commission’s goals. She asked the Commission to comment on the usefulness of the diagram. Overall, the Commissioners stated it was a useful tool and could be utilized as a chart to track priorities and progress over the year. c. Discussion on meeting time/use of time – During the retreat, Commissioner noted various suggestions and ideas on meeting time and use of time. These suggestions were posted in the room and the Commissioners invited to rank their top two. Shannon will compile the results and bring them back to the April meeting for review. the suggestions included the following: Longer monthly meetings, more frequent meetings, less time spent on work groups updates, focus every other month, engagement – how to include persons less inclined to speak in front of larger group, use of written reports to go out with the agenda in order to save on presentation time at the meetings, changing the date and time of meetings especially for those who have conflict, create a discussion board on line to have ongoing discussion, have 2 hour meetings, include more I-technology. d. Approval of Polystyrene To-Go position – This was brought back for discussion and edits were shared. Ryan asked about the language related to 100% support. Terry said this referred to 100% from the Council for the work of the Commission. Ryan added he doesn’t think the Commission should focus on zero waste, as the City does a great job with this already. He stressed the Commission has other things that are a priority and this is not a good use of Commissioners time. Terry pointed out the Eureka recycling study, and noted if everyone did as much recycling as possible, major waste reduction would occur. Terry made a motion to approve the position statement as the statement of the Commission. Renee seconded the motion. The motion passed with one abstention (Chris abstained). Terry made another motion to recommend this position statement be presented to the City Council with minor changes. Renee seconded the motion. After discussion, the motion failed. (Ayes- Terry, Cindy) (Nays-Chris, Ryan, Judy) (Abstentions-Renee, Chairperson Harris) Environment and Sustainability -4- March 2, 2016 Commission Meeting Terry made an alternative motion to revisit this topic after Chairperson Harris has a discussion with City Manager Harmening. Ryan seconded the motion. The motion passed. e. Education & Action – Julie Rappaport explained the upcoming events the City will host along with the Commission and SEEDS group. Sunday April 24 will be the 2nd annual St. Louis Park Earth Day, featuring speakers, facilitators, exhibitors, breakout sessions, workshops, and a community dinner. Shannon presented the online monthly calendar of events. It was also noted that Mayor Spano will emcee the community dinner. Julie asked the Commissioner if any would be available to work at a table, and speak about each of their work groups, handout items, and encourage attendance. Commissioners are to email Julie if they are interested in helping with the event, or if they have questions. f. Energy Work Group Update – Ryan presented a power point update of a climate action plan. The plan reviewed what can be done to mitigate climate change and agreements on how to work on and solve climate change, which he noted is a very significant problem today. Ryan explained personal carbon footprints in the United States and annual per capita emission for St Louis Park, which equals 21.9 tons/person of co2 going into the atmosphere. He noted ways that are being worked on to bring this number down, through reduction of electricity, gas and vehicle miles as a means to reduce emissions. He noted the Partners in Energy group has a great partner with Xcel Energy, and they do want to help. He added that electricity and transportation are trending down, but not fast enough. He added that natural gas also needs to trend down faster, especially to reach a goal of net 0 by 2040. He noted the Energy Work Group would like to propose to the City Council to get to net zero electricity in the next 10 years. Ryan presented the following motions that the work group will present to the City Council along with the iMatter group, and with their petition that is 0 emissions by 2040. The presentation to Council is scheduled for March 21, but Shannon will confirm that. The motions to the City Council include:  Recognize our responsibility as a City to address climate change in order to mitigate risk to local and global populations.  Provide resources to enact a detailed climate action plan to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.  Have staff collect data as they have since 2008.  Honoring commitment to switch to 100% renewable electricity purchases in 2016 (Windsource).  Get a commitment to switch to Green Balance natural gas purchases in 2016 in order to offset pollution from City natural gas consumption. He added the work group is partnering with businesses to help them reduce, save money, and reinvest into wind or solar alternatives. Cindy added there is a subgroup working on efficiencies in businesses. Environment and Sustainability -5- March 2, 2016 Commission Meeting Chairperson Harris asked for clarification as to the sole purpose of the presentation to the City Council. Ryan stated it will be to update and Council to act on the five motions noted above. Also, the presentation would help emphasize this is one of the Commission’s key goals for 2016, helping to create context for one of their top priorities. Nancy stated she would like this to be presented at a City Council study session first. Judy made a motion to bring this forward and present this information to the City Council. Nancy seconded. The motion passed. Ryan will send the presentation to Shannon to disperse to the Commissioners. g. Other Work Group Updates – Judy noted the zero waste workgroup is interested in Ryan’s thoughts on organics and will have further discussion. She added those Commissioners that would like to be involved with Organic Living or Earth Day can also email her. h. Upcoming Events  March 8 – MPCA – clean power listening session – 6:30 meeting - Shannon will email details to Commissioners.  Alliance for Sustainability – Terry noted they are sponsoring an event in the west metro about integrating climate information into City Comprehensive Plan updates. The event is for City staff, or for local elected officials, work group people, etc. and will be a great overview. It’s being held at the Minnetonka Community Center and Shannon will email further details to the Commissioners. 5. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.