Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023/06/07 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - Regular Official minutes Environment & sustainability commission St. Louis Park, Minnesota 6/7/2023 1. Call to order – 6:30 p.m. 1a. Roll call Members present: Chair Shaina Ashare, Abigail Oppegaard, Dave Wilsey, Marisa Bayer, Eric Zweber, Lillian Hertel, Sasha Shahidi, Paul Zeigle Members absent: Vice Chair Tatiana Giraldo, Ramil Goonetilleke, Ryan Griffin, Andrew Willette Staff present: Emily Ziring, Sustainability Manager Guests: Danny McCullough, Three Rivers Park District; Nick Kieser, resident 3. Approval of minutes – May 3, 2023 – The minutes were approved unanimously as presented with one abstention. 4. Business 4a. Trail connections workshop with Danny McCullough, Regional Trail System Manager at Three Rivers Park District Mr. McCullough explained that Three Rivers is planning for a new regional trail connection going north-south through St. Louis Park. He asked the commission for feedback on this project prior to presenting it to the city council in the next few months. He noted they have been working with city staff on route options and will also engage the public for feedback. Commission Zeigle stated he likes the option that connects to the middle school and provides more access to schools. Commissioner Bayer added Louisiana Ave does have a lot of traffic and Dakota Ave feels safer. Commissioner Wilsey stated the triple roundabout on Louisiana Ave is complicated for some people, adding that an inexperienced cyclist might be scared to ride through that area. Commissioner Bayer asked if the new trail will be multi-use. Mr. McCullough stated yes, all Three Rivers trails are multi-use. Commissioner Shahidi asked about implications with existing tree cover and what might be lost with either option. Mr. McCullough stated tree loss is a concern as this will be going through residential areas. He added they try as much as possible to do tree assessments Environmental & Sustainability Commission June 7, 2023 and determine how many might be lost, as well as plant trees afterwards. He noted they also work with adjacent homeowners to replant trees and look for ash trees that may already be slated for removal. He stated they will do a tree analysis and look at the impacts. Commissioner Shahidi stated this project is coming forward amid the loss of trees in other areas of the city due to other projects, including the light rail and Texa-Tonka, so Three Rivers should be mindful of that. Commissioner Oppegaard asked if the trail is planned near the St. Louis Park library and Louisiana Oaks intersection, which is a difficult area for pedestrians to cross. Mr. McCullough stated that the trail along Louisiana Ave would go under that pedestrian bridge. Commissioner Zweber noted he likes the option on Pennsylvania Ave with the connection to Golden Valley. He added that the option near Menards might not be as workable. Commissioner Bayer asked if the trails will be built into connections with other trails, such as Cedar Lake trail. Mr. McCullough stated they would but added that Cedar Lake trail is a tough place to connect. Commissioner Bayer asked if they do any vehicle miles traveled (VMT) studies. Mr. McCullough stated it’s not an exact science, but based on the data some rough guess calculations can be made and are usually used in applying for grants and in long-range planning. Ms. Ziring pointed out this trail also touches on the VMT goal of the climate action plan under transportation. Commissioner Oppegaard asked if there will be crosswalks and stop signs for pedestrians. Mr. McCullough stated yes, that level of detail would be addressed in later years. Commissioner Bayer asked about impacts of routes and certain priority census tracks. Mr. McCullough stated yes, they do consider this information and include it in the public engagement report. Commissioner Zeigle asked if these connections are based on feedback from adjacent communities. Mr. McCullough said yes. Commissioner Zweber stated he is not able to envision how the Cedar Lake Road connection would work. Mr. McCullough asked where people in St. Louis Park walk and bike to. Commissioner Shahidi stated the Rec Center is a place people bike to, as well as Environmental & Sustainability Commission June 7, 2023 the library, grocery stores, and West End, although she noted it’s difficult to bike there. Mr. McCullough stated they did explore the West End area for bike trails, but they decided this would not be a popular option as it’s a very high traffic area so they removed it from the plan. 4b. Legislative session in review Ms. Ziring reviewed recent bills that passed the legislature, including: • Grants for climate action plans to local government agencies • State competitiveness funds – fills in gap for matching funds • MN climate innovation financial authority – financing for green initiatives • Solar grant program for public buildings • Statewide benchmarking for buildings larger than 50,000 square feet • ECO income definition clarification • Heat pump rebate program • Electric panel upgrade rebate program • Advanced energy code for new commercial buildings • Biodegradable product labeling • Anaerobic digester and closing of the HERC • EV rebates • E-bike rebates • Met Council sales tax revenue allowances • Transportation greenhouse gas emissions impact assessment • Cumulative impacts bill 5. Staff updates Ms. Ziring updated the commission on the following items: • Electrify Everything workshop • Bike to Work day events • Wheelie Fun Community Bike Ride • Electrification pilot with Eden Prairie and Edina • Benchmarking – at 52% compliance • Environmental stewardship system priority beginning in July – reports being planned • Climate Champions programs • Prepping for Ecotacular on June 17 6. Work plan update 6a. Expand our outreach – Events group update Commissioner Shahidi described the recent climate trivia night and explained that the seating arrangement and meal service at Park Tavern make it more awkward for people Environmental & Sustainability Commission June 7, 2023 to approach the community tables. She stated it is still a good event and next time they will look at another venue that’s more conducive to trivia night tabling. All commissioners were encouraged to sign up for tabling at Ecotacular. Commissioner Shahidi asked about the Friends of the Arts collaboration with the ESC and if there was anything in the works. Ms. Ziring stated she emailed Friends of the Arts but had not heard back. 6b. Measure our progress – Staff and volunteer reports Ms. Ziring noted year-to-date progress. 7. Environmental justice and current events open discussion - none 8. Upcoming/proposed events - Ecotacular: Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Wolfe Park - Next ESC meeting is July 12 - National Night Out – Aug. 1 – commissioners encouraged to visit various neighborhoods during the event - National Cheesecake Day – July 30 at Muddy Paws 9. Adjournment – 8:16 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Emily Ziring, liaison Shaina Ashare, chair member