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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017/08/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - RegularMINUTES ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION: SUSTAINABLE SLP ST. LOUIS PARK, MINNESOTA August 2, 2017 Community Room, City Hall MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Ryan Griffin, Sue Bloyer, Nicole Ciulla, Terry Gips, Jayne Stevenson, Bridget Rathsack, Keir Stiegler, Claire Lukens, Stefan Collinet. EXCUSED ABSENCE: Julie Rappaport STAFF PRESENT: Ms. Pappas (Recording Secretary) GUESTS: Nancy Rose 1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.by Chair Griffin and the commissioners introduced themselves. 2. The minutes of the June 2017 meeting were approved with 1 abstention (Stefan). 3. Updates: a. Fall Retreat – the commission discussed potential retreat dates. Chair Griffin will send out a doodle poll to the group for dates in November – the retreat will be held in the 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. timeframe. Venues will be discussed with Shannon, and the agenda planned in October. b. Ecotacular – Bridget said the event and booth went very well. Stefan noted there were many folks interested in recycling, but not as many interested in alternative energy. Chair Griffin said more information on organics and composting will be provided for residents of St. Louis Park. Stefan suggested that it might be valuable to explore opportunities to increase business and residential participation in renewable energy with Xcel energy. Chair Griffin stated it will be positive for the commission to partner like this on other events going forward, adding the commission should brainstorm on this. Terry mentioned riding bikes again next year in the parade, noting it was fun and engaging when done in years past. Additionally, he noted National Night out is another good event to be involved with, and hand out flyers in each neighborhood. Chair Griffin noted the Edina July 4th parade had a large sustainability group walking, and was very impressive. Bridget asked if we can drive folks to the website, and Terry stated the commission will do this and Niki can help with this also. Environment and Sustainability -2- August 2, 2017 Commission Meeting c. Community Visioning – Chair Griffin noted that Ms. Deno stated there is no summarized version of the community visioning as yet. Jayne noted the presentation she and Julie worked on related to the visioning session conducted by the commission last spring. She presented the power point on it to the group, noting the ideas were organized into categories. While it is not a formal set of recommendations or a proposal, Terry noted it should have gone to the consultant right away, and he thought that was the intention. Chair Griffin stated the intent was to give the context behind our mission to the council, but added this presentation can still be given to the visioning steering committee. He added it would need more explanation, in order to note this is the audacious vision of the commission – and more context would need to be added. He added the group needs to decide if the new commissioners should provide input also, and if the document should go as is to the council, or if it needs changes. Bridget stated the presentation may need a disclaimer noting that the commission was speaking as community members, during this visioning process, and not as commissioners. Commissioner Gips made a motion to have Chair Griffin check with Ms. Deno and Julie about their understanding on the visioning process and about showing the commission’s presentation to council - and with context behind it - along with a presentation with all the caveats included. Commissioner Lukens seconded the motion. The motion passed (Sue opposed, Keir abstained). A friendly amendment was made by Commissioner Lukens, to table the presentation and utilize it in the future for the commission’s visioning process. Chair Ryan seconded. The motion passed. Terry also noted some edits should be made to the presentation, and the original list be given to Ms. Deno with an introductory page. Chair Griffin stated this topic will be discussed further at the retreat. d. Energy Action Plan – Chair Griffin stated this is an ongoing committee, with a bi- weekly phone call. He added if anyone is interested in joining that call, they can do so. It is held at 10 a.m. every other Friday, with Xcel Partners in Energy. He asked the commissioners to email him if they are interested in joining the 30- minute phone call. e. Climate Action Plan – Chair Griffin stated there is no update except the Great Plains Institute is working on this also, and staff is looking into this further. Ms. Deno wants to make sure the ESC and city staff are in lock-step before bringing this to council. He added this is expected to go to council in September. Environment and Sustainability -3- August 2, 2017 Commission Meeting f. Living Streets Policy – Chair Griffin stated there are no new updates or action by staff. He added the commission was not in agreement on the staff plan, and staff was directed to go back to the drawing board on this policy. This will continue to be worked on and will be presented again at a future study session. g. Other - Jayne stated she will be presenting to both the school board and the council on August 7, on food security topics. Claire also noted St. Louis Park has drop offs for organics now, which is great. Terry noted he will send out the five presentations he is doing at the MN State Fair. He noted the recent presentation on CNN by Al Gore also, which address climate change issues. He noted it was very articulate and well done. 4. The commission recessed to workgroup discussion at 8:00 p.m.