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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022/11/02 - ADMIN - Minutes - Environment & Sustainability Commission - Regular Official minutes Environment & sustainability commission St. Louis Park, Minnesota 11/2/2022 1. Call to order 1a. Roll call Members present: Chair Andrew Willette, Vice Chair Shaina Ashare, Ryan Griffin, Sasha Shahidi, Abigail Oppegaard, Marisa Bayer, Lillian Hertel, Hailey Sexton, Ramil Goonetilleke, Eric Zweber Members absent: Tatiana Giraldo, Dave Wilsey Staff present: Emily Ziring, Sustainability Manager; Michael Bahe, Natural Resources Manager; Vanessa Larson, Climate Impact Corps Member Guests: Jacob Willette, community member; Jerome Lee, Center for Energy and Environment; Rosalie Braun, University of MN student; Tano Yonekawa, University of MN student 3. Approval of minutes from Oct. 5, 2022 – the minutes were approved unanimously as presented (Commissioners Shahidi and Oppegaard abstained; Commissioner Griffin was not yet present). 4. Business a. Electrify Everything project discussion with Jerome Lee, GreenCorps member with Center for Energy and Environment Mr. Lee presented his survey results, noting that St. Louis Park is currently leading in number of responses. He noted overarching trends show that in St. Louis Park knowledge of electrification is high. He noted most respondents in St. Louis Park have made energy improvements in their homes, and he will be doing follow up case studies. Ms. Ziring stated Electrify Everything is the program being launched in January with St. Louis Park, Edina, Eden Prairie and Minneapolis. She noted the first phase will be to build a website with Center for Energy and Environment to educate the public on the basics of electrification that will include an FAQ section. She stated Mr. Lee’s research will help identify barriers for people to electrify. Commissioner Oppegaard asked if there are concerns with the online survey, and those who have more knowledge about electrification. Mr. Lee stated he has sent out newsletters, posted in grocery stores, pet stores and talked to the Geek Squad. He noted differences in Minneapolis, Edina and Eden Prairie, compared to St. Louis Park, which seems to have more knowledge and concern about sustainability and community involvement. Ms. Ziring stated they will work to encourage early adopters who care about climate and perhaps are not as concerned with the cost premium. She stated they will target more low-to-moderate-income folks with cost saving measures. Environmental & Sustainability Commission Nov. 2, 2022 Commissioner Shahidi asked about the survey timeline. Mr. Lee stated the deadline is Nov. 15. Ms. Ziring encouraged the commissioners to view the survey and fill it out if they have not yet done so. b. Discuss the spring art walk Ms. Ziring presented the information. Commissioner Shahidi asked if the commission is being asked to be on the spring art walk committee, and to develop the theme. Ms. Ziring stated yes and noted sustainability can be part of the theme and the event. Commissioner Shahidi stated she has concerns about being over involved in this endeavor, and that it could become too much work for the ESC members. Ms. Ziring stated she would check into this. Commissioner Bayer asked what the expectation would be if a workgroup was created, and what the duration of the planning would be. Mr. Ziring stated she will follow up and told the commissioners to email her if they had any additional questions. c. Vote on Canceling the Dec. 7 monthly meeting Commissioner Shahidi moved, and Commissioner Ryan seconded, the cancelation of the Dec. 7 meeting given the Dec. 4 retreat. The motion passed unanimously. 5. Staff updates Ms. Ziring noted the following updates: • Electrify Everything cohort ongoing, with launch early 2023 • ECO Act rules – legislature passed, but rules won’t be in place until 2024. In the meantime, the city may be offering rebates for 1–4 unit homes to further encourage insulation, fuel switching and high efficiency natural gas equipment. Commissioner Griffin asked whether the city should continue to give out rebates for any natural gas equipment, Ms. Ziring responded that they would need to draw distinctions between commercial boilers and residential furnaces, and consider the equity impacts of only offering rebates for switching to residential heat pumps. • Benchmarking scorecards going out soon as well as surveys for those who participate in the program • Budget report preparation for city council • Working with Bloomington and other cities on energy assistance outreach • Successfully led idling campaign poster-making event at SLP Middle School • Working on Climate Champions for homes and nonprofits • Costing out utility rate increase scenarios • Presenting to Rotary Club on Friday, Nov. 4 6. Workgroup and/or project updates a. Year of Climate Action/events workgroup Environmental & Sustainability Commission Nov. 2, 2022 Commissioner Shahidi noted that the group is looking at another trivia night for the spring. b. Gas-powered lawn equipment workgroup - UMN ESPM capstone class- research update U of MN students Rosalie Braun and Tano Yonekawa presented, explaining that they are working on their senior capstone project related to sustainability with others in their class. Ms. Ziring stated 4-5 groups in the class are working with different sustainability focus areas within St. Louis Park. This group will focus on residential lawn care providers with their research, as well as energy assistance programs. She noted energy assistance programs will be key not only in paying bills but also in meeting the city’s climate action goals. Commissioner Shahidi asked about ideas related to lawn care equipment sharing programs. The students stated they are looking at this, and what would be feasible, and how to organize this, and will share this information with the ESC. c. Tree policies workgroup - Update on possible memo to council Mr. Bahe introduced Ms. Larson. Commissioner Shahidi presented an update on the workgroup. She noted the workgroup had drafted a letter to city council with recommendations and priorities the council should consider during their study session on tree policies. She noted some items have already been accomplished, and the workgroup encouraged council to continue supporting those. Commissioner Shahidi noted the workgroup is open to comments and questions from the ESC related to tree policies. She added they are looking for a vote to approve the letter by ESC. Commissioner Zweber asked if the replacement ordinance should apply to homes and asked about heritage trees. He asked if there should be a classification within the existing ordinance to encourage preservation of larger, more mature hardwood trees. He noted this would make heritage trees more special and would encourage higher standards for certain trees and certain species. Commissioner Griffin added powerline burial is not realistic from a cost perspective but could possibly be done to protect a heritage tree or could be looked at for future zoning. Commissioner Griffin also noted utility fees and franchise agreements, and how they might be leveraged in the future to support tree preservation. Environmental & Sustainability Commission Nov. 2, 2022 Commissioner Griffin noted the point on redlining but asked for this and comments on industrialization to be reworked to fully capture more causes for disparities in tree coverage. Commissioner Bayer stated the document is good and noted several word and formatting changes. Commissioner Griffin noted some comments seemed contradictory and pointed out several corrections that could be made. Commissioner Griffin asked about trees along the SWLRT. Commissioner Shahidi stated the city will be replanting those trees with native trees and plants, but this will be done only in targeted areas due to power lines and will be followed up on by staff at the appropriate time. Commissioner Oppegaard asked if pavers could be used near trees in order to allow them to receive more water. Commissioner Shahidi asked for commissioners to email their proposed changes to include in the letter. She added the workgroup wanted to make sure many aspects would be included before the council starts their conversations. Commissioner Shahidi stated she will make all the changes noted. Ms. Ziring stated this final version of the letter can be voted on by the ESC at the December retreat as long as there is a quorum in attendance. 7. City Council engagement - none 8. Environmental Justice and current event open discussion Ms. Ziring asked the commission how they feel about the protestors dumping things on works of art. Commissioner Hertel stated it does make a point, but there are more relevant ways to make a point that are not wasteful. Commissioner Griffin stated as long as it was not harmful, it’s acceptable to get the point across. Commissioner Oppegaard stated there was glass protecting the artwork, so it was not harmed. She added there is more attention now being paid to environmental issues because of these protests but that it can give environmentalists a bad reputation. Commissioner Hertel added that this type of protest can come from a place of privilege given the uneven impacts of climate change on countries around the world. Commissioner Shahidi noted environmental issues get put on the back burner as other issues seem more important. However, Chair Willette noted every issue leads back to environmental issues ultimately. 9. Upcoming/proposed events Environmental & Sustainability Commission Nov. 2, 2022 - Annual retreat: Dec. 4, 2022, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Westwood Hills Nature Center Interpretive Center - U of MN ESPM capstone class presentations: Dec. 12, 2022, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., Municipal Service Center 10. Adjournment – 8:31 p.m. ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Emily Ziring, liaison Andrew Willette, chair member