Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/08/03 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - Regular Official minutes Environment & sustainability commission St. Louis Park, Minnesota 8/3/2022 1. Call to order 1a. Roll call Members present: Chair Andrew Willette, Dave Wilsey, Ryan Griffin, Tatiana Giraldo, Ramil Goonetilleke, Eric Zweber Members absent: Vice Chair Shaina Ashare, Paige Kane, Sasha Shahidi, Marisa Bayer, Lillian Hertel, Hailey Sexton Staff present: Emily Ziring, Sustainability Manager Guests: Barb, community member 3. Approval of minutes – July 13, 2022 – tabled to next month’s meeting as there was no quorum. 4. Business a. Preview of 2023 sustainability programs Ms. Ziring presented information on proposed 2023 programs and projects. She stated for 2023 the Climate Champions program will expand from businesses to also including large and industrial users, nonprofits, and homes. She added if businesses go solar, there will be extra incentives included, as well as energy efficiency incentives to multifamily properties that meet a rent threshold. Ms. Ziring also noted the Electrify Cohort pilot program, a program the city is working on with Minneapolis, Edina and Eden Prairie to promote replacement of fossil gas-powered water heaters with electric heat pump water heaters. She discussed the tree planting programs and a depaving program concept, where commercial parking lots are shrunk and land is beautified with trees and landscaping to reduce heat island effect and reduce storm water runoff. Chair Willette asked if businesses have a sign to hang out that says they are a climate champion. Ms. Ziring stated businesses can display window clings that are mailed to them. Ms. Ziring also noted other programs being worked on include the idling reduction campaign, with schools and neighborhoods the first target audiences. She added they will discuss this program with Park Nicollet next week as well. Ms. Ziring stated other projects include the climate equity map and environmental stewardship dashboard. Environmental & Sustainability Commission Aug. 3, 2022 Ms. Ziring described the ways to measure outcomes including the regional indicators, the climate metric spreadsheet and the environmental stewardship dashboard. She also noted the city’s commitment to environmental justice and equity in all areas of sustainability. Chair Willette asked about incentives and how staff decides the dollar amounts. Ms. Ziring stated budgets are based on what has been spent already and what is projected to be spent, building types, as well as the scale of incentive projects. Ms. Ziring stated all programs will be funded out of the city’s climate investment fund. Barb asked a number of questions about the proposed programs, and whether the commission is familiar with chloride reduction programs (i.e. smart salting) and policy ideas to incentivize commercial buildings to reduce salt use. Commissioner Griffin asked about collaboration between city departments and how closely they work together on sustainability issues. Ms. Ziring stated departments are very collaborative and they continue to work very closely together on projects. She noted that she does not proceed unless departments buy in, and the division works most closely with engineering, planning and zoning and natural resources. 5. Staff updates Ms. Ziring noted the following projects staff is working on: • Electrification cohort • Benchmarking compliance – final notices sent today, currently at 74% compliance rate • Limited time Climate Champions bonus incentive for restaurants • Outreach and engagement – meeting with community leaders • Energy efficiency breakfast program partnering with Edina • Looking for volunteers to table at Fire Department open house – all opportunities are on sign up genius • Staff is seeking feedback on sponsoring a trivia night on climate change at Steel Toe Brewery – looking at Tuesday, Sept. 27, but Rosh Hashanah ends that evening at sundown (7:00 p.m.). Other Tuesdays in the fall are not available. The commissioners agreed to move forward with the Sept. 27th date, beginning at 6:30 p.m., noting that there will likely be future opportunities for those who cannot attend on Sept. 27. 6. Workgroup and/or project updates a. Year of Climate Action workgroup The trivia night at Steel Toe Brewery on Sept. 27 is the main project being worked on currently. b. Gas-powered lawn equipment workgroup Working on a survey for lawn care companies in the area. The target is to have survey draft completed by mid-Aug., while approval from city leadership is needed to send it out by Sept. 1st. Environmental & Sustainability Commission Aug. 3, 2022 c. Tree policies workgroup The group has been exploring areas around tree policies and is waiting on city council for direction on trees. There will be a city council study session this fall or winter when the environmental stewardship strategic priority items come up for discussion. The workgroup will be invited to work on the staff report and the ESC may send a letter to council via staff, however, the council won’t discuss this issue until the fall or winter. 7. City council engagement Chair Wilette asked if the ESC has other ideas, when should the commission present them to council? Ms. Ziring stated it depends on the idea and whether it requires council action. Discussion items would be brought during the environmental stewardship strategic priority. Ms. Ziring stated the city council did not discuss 2021 commission work plans and she does not know if they will look at them next year. Commissioner Zweber stated the ESC could develop the work plan and then send it to council in early 2023. 8. Environmental Justice and current events open discussion Ms. Ziring noted there have been yard waste collection changes due to CDL-licensed driver shortages, which is what Metro Transit and many school districts are also facing. Commissioner Goonetilleke also mentioned that his neighbors have complained about missed city organics pick-ups and this might add to residents not wanting to participate in the program. He noted possibly pick-ups every other week might be helpful. Chair Willette noted two articles that were sent to the commissioners on the Hiawatha golf course proposal in Minneapolis, and Prairie Island’s net zero goals. 9. Upcoming/proposed events o Media Swap: August 24, 4 - 6 p.m. at the ROC o September ESC meeting: September 7 o Ride & Drive: October 6, 5 - 7 p.m. at Lenox community Center o Commissioners are encouraged to review the sign-up genius for tabling opportunities 10. Adjournment – 8:10 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Emily Ziring, liaison Andrew Willette, chair member