HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-16 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE JOINT WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL AND
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY HALL
OCTOBER 16, 2007
5:00 P.M.
Mayor Hovland called the meeting to order at 5:00 P.M. in the Community Room of
Edina City Hall. Answering rollcall were: Members Bennett, Housh, Masica, Swenson
and Mayor Hovland. Present from the Energy and Environment Commission were:
Members Iyer, Plunkett Latham, Nelson, O'Connell, Owens, Paterlini, Risser, and Chair
Sierks. Staff present included: Gordon Hughes, City Manager; Wayne Houle, City
Engineer, Laura Fulton, Communications Coordinator; and Debra Mangen, City Clerk.
Mayor Hovland said the purpose of the special work session was to review the
proposed work plan of the Energy and Environment Commission. He turned to Chair
Sierks who had each member introduce themselves and give a bit of their background.
Chair Sierks handed a draft workplan out for review. He noted the Commission has
formed three subcommittees: 1) Recycling and Solid Waste Committee, 2) Education
and Outreach Committee, and 3) Climate Change Committee. Chair Sierks said the
Commission will be inviting persons who originally applied for appointment to the
Commission to join one of the subcommittees to enable them to be active groups. It was
discussed that the Commission and its subcommittees would follow the same process
for notification of meetings and use the standard format for their agendas and minutes.
The Commission's workplan was reviewed as follows:
Recycling and Solid Waste Committee - Chaired by Member Plunket Latham
• Draft an RFP for city recycling vendors; existing City contract expires 12-31-08;
RFP could include single sort vs. dual stream, hazardous waste recycling,
organic recycling and others;
• Education and outreach regarding recycling and solid waste
• Participation in updating 2008 Edina Comprehensive Plan
Education and Outreach Committee - Chaired by Member Wenham
• Student and Parent Initiative - coordinate with schools and parent organizations;
research/survey to determine children/parents approach and understanding of
environmental issues; develop a weekly tip for students to take home.
• Business Initiative - present survey to Edina Chamber Board of Directors for
approval, distribute survey at regular Chamber events to gain input on local
business approach and understanding of environmental issues; develop
presentations, dialogs and tips to engage local businesses in more effective
environmentally sensitive decision making
Minutes/Edina City Council/Work Session October 16, 2007
• Residents Initiative - Non Student/Parent Residents - under development
Climate Change Committee - Chaired by Member Paterlini
• Energy Efficiency - work with utility companies to identify EE opportunities
in community; work with city and school district to identify EE opportunities;
U.S. Women's Open- opportunity for recycling, energy and outreach
• Renewable Energy - develop solar PV demonstration project involving city
and business potentially using Pentagon Park development; evaluate wind
energy project with other cities or utilities; expand and refine city green
building policies; evaluate other RE option s- solar thermal; geothermal;
green tag
• Reduce Carbon Footprint - follow 5 step plan to address carbon change
(ICLEI); evaluate city purchasing policy; prioritize purchase of
environmentally friendly products; evaluate opportunities to reduce carbon
footprint of city fleet
• Carbon tracking and Measure - International Council for Local
Environmental Initiative (ICLEI) or similar software; with City staff, utilities
to determine City's carbon footprint; determine emission baseline year and
tracking system
The Council discussed with the Commission the workplan as outlined by each
committee. Many ideas were exchanged and information shared. The pros and cons of
the City's participation in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiative
(ICLEI) was discussed. The issue will be placed on a future Council agenda for
consideration and action.
Mayor Hovland declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
L
D bra MAngen, City Clerk