HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-09-22 PacketMinutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Energy and Environment Commission
Edina City Hall Community Room
Wednesday, September 22, 2010, 7:00 P.M.
Members In Attendance and Roll Call: Dianne Plunkett Latham, Michael Platteter ( arrived 8:30), Bill Sierks,
Julie Risser, Paul Thompson, Susan Tucker, Bob Gubrud, M. Germana Paterlini, Karwehn Kata, Alma Pronove
Absent: Surya Iyer
Staff Present: Jane Timm, Heather Worthington
1. Welcome
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Latham.
2. Approval of Agenda and Topic Time Allocation
The agenda was approved as written with additions — Turf Management. The Hara presentation
was taken off agenda.
3. Approval of August 12, minutes
The August 12, 2010 minutes were unanimously approved.
4. Community Comment
None
5. Hara Software Demonstration rescheduled to October 2010 meeting.
Staff Liason, Heather Worthington announced her resignation from the EEC and the City of Edina. The
commissioners expressed their gratitude for all her hard work.
6. Chair Report
Chair Latham asked the commissioners to discuss and approve the amended bylaws.
Commissioner Tucker made a motion to approve the amended bylaws. Commissioner Gubrud
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Chair Latham asked the commissioners to approve the new members of the Working Groups. She also
announced the resignation of working group members Ron Rich and Laura Benson.
Chair Latham asked for approval of new Working Group members.
Commissioner Tucker made a motion to approve Mary Jo Straub to the Air & Water Quality Working
Group. Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve Flora Delaney to the Education and Outreach
Working Group. Commissioner Gubrud seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Chair Latham asked the commissioners about residents attending the meeting and if the minutes should
reflect the names of each resident attending.
Commissioner Tucker made a motion that if members of the public came to speak at the meeting
only then would the minutes reflect their names. Commissioner Thompson seconded. Motion
carried unanimously.
Chair Latham made positive comments about the Farmers Market at Centennial Lakes Park Centrum. She
asked for the commissioners to discuss if a recommendation letter be sent to Edina City Council members
for an extension of hours (Noon to 7 pm) and a longer season (May — October).
Page 12
Commissioner Tucker made a motion to send a letter of recommendation to City Council members
extending the season of the Farmers Market at Centennial Park Centrum. The recommended season
for the Farmers Market was May to October and hours from Noon to 7 p.m. Commissioner Gubrud
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
There was a discussion about an Energy Home Tour for next summer and a video produced through Edina's
Communications Department. They will discuss this again at a later meeting.
7. Education and Outreach Working Group Report
Commissioner Thompson gave an update on the Energy Champion program. Chair Latham will send a
copy to John Henry, Energy Champion and to Jennifer Bennerotte for publishing. The commission made
a decision to drop the Energy Champion Program at this time.
An email was sent to Commissioner Thompson from Sarah Zarrin of Edina Go Green about using their
name "Edina Go Green". The decision was made that Commissioner Thompson would speak to Sarah
Zarrin and the group. He would report back at October meeting.
Commissioner Thompson gave information about 10-10-10 celebration at Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis.
8. Residential Energy Project
Commissioner Platteter told the commission about a presentation he did at the Morningside Rotary about
the HES, EEC and GreenStep. He offered the use of this presentation to any commissioner to use in the
future.
Commissioner Gubrud gave an update on the October 9, 2010 at Edina's Day of Service. They are
looking for four homes to do pro bono work by the Home Energy Squad (HES) installers that day.
9. Recycling and Solid Waste Report
Chair Latham gave an update on the residential compost letter. The council approved the letter and it
was forwarded to the MPCA. Chair Latham and Solvei Wilmot will attend meeting in November.
Chair Latham gave an update on the Art Recycling Containers at 50th and France.
Chair Latham gave an update on a first draft updating the Recycling ordinances they are working on in
the working group.
10. Air & Water Quality Working Group Report
Commissioner Tucker gave an update on a Water Summit at the Minnesota Arboretum that she attended.
It was a two day program and she asked for reimbursement of $100.
Commissioner Tucker made a motion to approve $100 tuition for the Water Summit at the
Minnesota Arboretum that she attended. Commissioner Gubrud seconded. Motion carried
unanimously.
Commissioner Tucker asked for approval to purchase 30 Water Quality Manuals to be handed out at the
Nemo Workshop November 8, 2010.
Commissioner Tucker made a motion to approve $500 to purchase Water Quality Manuals for the
Nemo Workshop. Commissioner Sierks seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Tucker gave a short presentation on Blue Star assessment and proposed it be added to
Substep #1 to Best Practice #17 of GreenStep.
Commissioner Risser made a motion to add Blue Star Assessment to substep #1, Best Practice
#17 of the GreenStep Program. Commissioner Sierks seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Page 13
11. Alternative Energy Working Group
Commissioner Gubrud gave an update on the Public/Private Wind Turbine Project by the Olsen Energy
Corporation.
12. GreenStep
Chair Latham gave a few updates of the GreenSteps Program and asked that it be approved by the EEC
and forwarded to Edina City Council for approval.
Commissioner Platteter made a motion to approve the GreenStep Cities Pilot Report and
recommended the adoption of the best practices and continued involvement in the GreenStep
Cities Program to be submitted for approval to the Edina City Council. Commissioner Gubrud
seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
13. Budget
Staff Liason Heather Worthington reminded the commissioners that the Hara software was included in
the Edina budget for next year.
Commissioner Paterlini went over the draft budget included in the monthly packet. The commissioners
discussed separating GreenStep items from regular budget items. Commissioner Paterlini was instructed
to work on a 5 year budget plan to present to the City Council at a work session.
14. Future Meetings
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Gubrud seconded. Motion
carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting
at 7:00 p.m. October 14, 2010 at Edina City Hall.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane M. Timm, Deputy City Clerk
EDINA PUBLIC MEETING PROCEDURES
During "Public Hearings, " the Chair will ask for public testimony after City staff members make their presentations. If you wish to
testify on the topic, you are welcome to do so as long as your testimony is relevant to the discussion. To ensure fairness to all speakers
and to allow the efficient conduct of a public hearing, speakers must observe the following guidelines:
• Individuals must limit their testimony to three minutes. The Chair may modify times, as deemed necessary.
• Try not to repeat remarks or points of view made by prior speakers and limit testimony to the matter under consideration.
• In order to maintain a respectful environment for all those in attendance, the use of signs, clapping, cheering or booing or any other
form of verbal or nonverbal communication is not allowed.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
MEETING AGENDA
Oct. 14,2010,7:00 PM — 9:00 PM — Council Chambers, Edina City Hall
1. Welcome, Call to Order and Roll Call (2 min)
2. Approval of Agenda and Topic Time Allocation (2 min)
3. Approval of Sept. 22 minutes. See attached. (1 min) Updated Attendance — See attached in Packet II.
4. Community Comment (10 min)
5. Hara Software Demonstration (60 min) Geoffrey Mohr
6. Chair Report (5 min)
a. Approve new WG members (See attached 10-8-10 GmSteps List).
b. 3 Rivers Regional Trail — 9/29/10 Work Session; Pk Bd Testimony on 10/12/10; Attached recommendation
approved by EEC on 8-12-10.
c. Proposed policy on seminar tuition reimbursement (See attached revised proposal)
d. New City Manager, Scott Neal.
e. Farmer's Market — See survey at www.SurveyMonkey.con/s/centennial—market
7. GreenStep (5 min) — See http:// re'- e�nstep..pca.state.mn.us/bestPractices.cfm for updated practices as well as
www.MnGreenStep.org; Edina is a Class A city for Green Step purposes.
a. Motion for Green Steps priority — 9 required steps are higher priority than the 6 optional steps.
8. Budget — (10 min) Germana. See attached in Packet II
9. Alternative Energy WG — (5 min) Surya Iyer — Minutes of 7-20-10 (awaiting WG approval), 8-17-10 minutes
(awaiting correction and WG approval), 9-21-10 (awaiting WG approval).
Next meeting 10-19-10.
10. Air & Water Quality WG (5 min) Susan Tucker — 8-17-10 minutes (attached); Next meeting 9/20/10 (minutes
awaiting WG approval) 10-18-10 meeting is canceled; next meeting NEMO workshop 11-8-10 and regular
meeting 11-15-10.
11. Recycling & Solid Waste WG (5 min) DP Latham
a. 9-2-10 minutes (attached), 10/7/10 (awaiting WG approval), next meeting 11-4-10.
b. Compost Rule: WG/EEC/Council Comments forwarded to MPCA 8-23-10. MPCA meeting 11-19-10.
c. Art Recycling Container Task Force (ARC TF) Report
d. Container deposit legislation — HF 1128; Proposed licensing ordinance revisions.
12. Residential Energy Project (Home Energy Squad) — (3 min) Michael Platteter — 10-09-10 Training Session
13. Turf Management Task Force — (2 min) Germana
14. Education Outreach Working Group Report — Paul Thomson/Bob Gubrud (5 Min); Budget request; Next meeting
10/5/10
15. Future Meetings — Note that Nov. 11 Regular Meeting has been moved to Thurs., Nov. 18 at 7:00 in Mayor's
Conference Rm.
10-08-10
Best Practices Selected by Edina for the Green Steps Program
GreenStep Cities - www.MnGreenStep.org and best practices page at
http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/bestPractices.cfm (See icon upper left hand side)
9 Required Steps for Category A Cities
Counts as 11 Steps with 2 Floating BP's - #24.4 & #24.5
Oct. 8, 2010 - Draft
GrnStep# Responsible Commissioner/Staff
1. Public Buildings & Lighting — #1 & 2 are required for Cat. A & B plus 1 additional for Cat. A
#1 B3 data base — Required - Complete Germana
#2 Building Audit - Required (Long Term Goal) Michael/Germana
#6 Internal Loan Fund - Complete Germana
6. Comp Plan - #1 and #2, required for Cat. A & B — Complete — Julie Risser
#1 Adopt a Comp Plan that is less than 10 years old — Required - Complete
#2 Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the Comp Plan including having the zoning
ordinance explicitly referenced in the Comp Plan - Required
11. Comylete Streets — #1 required plus 2 additional sub steps for Cat. A — Transportation Commission
(Jennifer Janovy) & Bike Task Force (Kirk Johnson).
#1 Required - Adopt a Complete Green Street Policy that addresses street trees and stormwater and
modify street standards accordingly — Complete for arterials but could be expanded to side streets
#4 Identify and remedy non -complete street segments by, for example, adding a bike lane or sidewalk
#6 Traffic Calming measures on at least 1 street redevelopment project — Complete but expand
12. Mobility Options — Required for Cat. A - Two sub steps are required — Transportation Commission
(Jennifer Janovy) & Bike Edina Task Force (Kirk Johnson).
le. Promote walking, biking and transit by an active living campaign in concert with your local
community health board.
2. Launch a Safe Routes to School program with educational, public health and other partners.
4. Promote carpooling or on -demand ridesharing among community members, city employees,
businesses, high schools and institutions of higher education.
15. Purchasing — Required for all cities - #1 is required for all plus 1 additional (A & B cities) sub step
#1 Purchasing Policy — Required - Complete Germana
#4 Require Purchase of US EPA Water Sense Certified Products Germana
16. Urban Forests — Required for A & B cities with 2 Sub Steps for A Cities — Dianne & UFTF
#1 Qualify as Tree City USA — City Forester Tom Horwath to apply for 2011
#4 Maximize tree planting on your main downtown street (50`h & France) - Complete
#5d Enact ordinances to protect trees in the development process.
17. Efficient Stormwater Management — Required for Cat. A — Susan & AWQ WG (Dianne & Julie),
Wayne Houle and 9MCWD
Complete at least one Sub step:
#1 Complete Blue Star City stormwater management assessment & achieve a minimum threshold of
specific activities detailed in the program (proposed to add as of 9-6-10).
#4 Create a stormwater utility, which uses variable fees to incentivize stormwater reduction and fund
community stormwater infrastructure and assistance.
#5 Adopt and implement design standards or guidelines for renovations or new construction in the
city addressing at least one of the following: Rain gardens, Green alleys, Green parking lots,
Green roofs with or without cisterns & water/grey water reuse systems
#6 Adopt, with modifications as needed, the model Stormwater and Erosion & Sediment Control
Ordinance.
24. Benchmarks and Community Engagement - Required for all cities with #1 & #2 required for Cat. A
#1 Carbon Benchmark — Required - Complete Germana
#2 City Measurement Reporting - Required Germana
#4 Energy efficiency Education Campaign (Floating BP) Paul, Bob & EO WG plus HES
#5 Conduct community education, visioning & planning using a sustainability framework (Floating
BP) Natural Step Framework Complete
25. Green Business Development — Required for Cat. A & B cities with at least 2 sub steps — Dianne, Bill
& RSW WG
#2 Invite Assistance providers such as Minnesota Waste Wise, EnergySmart to conduct personalized
energy, environmental sustainability, and waste audits with at least 5 businesses.
#4 Support businesses using local waste products — Complete - City brush currently goes to St. Paul
District Energy
EEC's 6 Top Optional GreenSteps for a Total of 15 Steps Plus #24.4 & #24.5
For a total of 17 BP's (16 Required for Category A Cities)
GrnStep# Responsible Commissioner/Staff
2. Efficient Private Existing Buildings & Li htg my 5 votes (2 sub steps must be selected)
#1 Work with local utility, tailor a utility conservation improvement pgm (CIP) for your city. Bill/Michael
#5b Watering Ordinance, Conservation Rate Structure — Complete — Wayne Houle
18. Green Infrastructure: 2 votes - Choose 3 sub steps - Dianne & Urban Forest Task Force
#5 Park Management Standards for at least one of the following:
a) Low Maintenance native landscaping
b) Organic or Integrated Pest Management — Germana & Edina Turf Management Task Force
c) Sources of Non potable water for irrigation — Complete - Braemar uses retired well #14
#6 Certify 1 golf course for Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary — Complete for Braemar & Richards
#8 Develop a program that involves community in land restoration and stewardship
19. Surface Water Quality: 4 votes — Susan (Dianne and Julie) & AWQ WG, 9MCWD, MCWD, Wayne
Houle - Sub Step #4 is required plus 1 additional sub step.
#3 Adopt measurable lake, stream and wetland health indicators or improvement targets, work with
private and non-profit organizations to support citizen education efforts and involve stakeholders in
actions to attain the targets, and annually report successes and failures. Targets may include measures
such as trophic state, pollutant levels, health measures, water levels, and recreational carrying
capacity.
#4 Adopt a shore -land ordinance consistent with MN Dept of Natural Resources rules as modified
22. Solid Waste: 2 votes - Dianne & RSW WG, Solvei Wilmot
2
#1 or #2 is required plus one of #4 - #8
#1 Percentage reduction goals from city operations in at least 3 areas — Areas chosen are: 1) Parks 2)
Junk mail 3) Toxicity reduction of cleaning supplies.
#5 Arrange for a residential organics collection program - Complete
#6 Organized Hauling — Dianne, Surya & RSW WG (long term goal) Invite MPCA's Peder Sandhei
to give PowerPoint presentation to City Council Work Session, survey residents regarding their
hauling preferences & work to amend MS 115A.94.
#23 Local Air Quality: 4 votes Susan (Dianne, Julie) & AWQ WG
Complete at least 2 sub steps
#2 Regulate outdoor wood burning, using model ordinance language, performance standards and bans
as appropriate for at least one of the following:
■ Recreational burning
■ Outdoor wood boilers
#3 Conduct one or more education/behavior change campaigns on the topics below and document:
■ Decreased vehicle idling in specific locales or by specific fleets
■ Increased sales by retail stores of low and no-VOC household products
■ Replacement of gasoline -powered equipment with lower polluting equipment.
26. Renewable Energy: 6 votes — At least 2 sub steps are required Surya & Alt. Energy Working Group
#5 Install renewable capacity on at least one city -owned building, street light, speed display or
chargeable message sign - Bill Sierks and Greg Nelson - ARRA grant to install solar panels on City
Hall.
#6 Work with private/public partners to create renewable energy generation capacity with one or
more of the following attributes
a. Fueled by wind — Utilize WindSource
Process Recommendation:
1. Each selected step and sub step has a Working Group or Champion to implement it. Every
Commissioner volunteers for at least 2 steps/sub steps and drafts the report for at least 1 step or sub step
using the template provided to report their (sub)step. Each report will include recommendations &
establish an implementation schedule.
2. July 6 - The report was discussed at the City Council Work Session, at 5:00 in the Community Rm.
3. July - Lay groundwork for the next step in the process, which will likely be that the City become a
formal Green Steps community. Meet with counterpart GreenStep city commissioners — When?
Counterpart staff have already met.
4. Sept. 22 — EEC final approval of the selected steps as well as prioritizing the optional steps.
5. Nov. - Council approval.
6. Nov — Begin staff training and involvement — Nov. 9 NEMO water quality program.
Working Groups, Task Forces and Projects
Air and Water Quality Working Group (AWQ WG) — 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 pm - Chair Susan Tucker — Commissioners -
Julie Risser, DP Latham; Air Members: Julie Mellum, Eric Kilberg
Water Members: Bill Johnson, Nina Holiday -Lynch, Jon Moon, Mary Jo Straub, Ryan Wilson
Alternative Energy Working Group (AE WG)— 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 pm - Interim Chair Surya Iyer - Members Richard
Griffith, Bob Gubrud, Richard Oriani, Greg Nelson, Renee DiVicino, Gary Wahman, John Spanhake
3
Art Recycling Container Task Force (ARC TF) — Meets as needed - Chair Michelle Horan (RSW WG) — Members -
Melissa Seeley (RSW WG), Solvei Wilmot (Staff), Nicolle Mills-Novoa (Edina Art Center Instructor), Amy Kerber
(Edina Public Art Committee) and Julie Wohlford (Edina resident and Event Planner); Ex Officio member DP Latham.
Education Outreach Working Group (EO WG) — 1" Tuesday at 7:00 pm - Co -Chairs Paul Thompson and Bob Gubrud —
Members: Flora Delaney, Bob Genovese, Wendy Morris
Prospective Members: Annie Berge ('07 Macalester grad with Environmental Science minor, apprenticed at an organic
farm in Hawaii and managed professional development seminars), Scott Weicht (Works in commercial construction that
installs geo-exchange, solar systems, LEED certified buildings and invests/constructs biomass facilities as well as water
treatment/waste water plants around the country. His home has a geo-exchange ground loop system for heating/cooling,
and a rain water capture system for lawn/plant watering. The home is designed for future solar when it becomes more
efficient), Todd Willmert (Architect & Free Lance Writer).
Consider EEC sponsoring an eco yard and garden tour — requires a temporary subcommittee
Horne Energy Squad Task Force (HES) — Meets as needed - Chair Bill Sierks — Members - Michael Platteter, Paul
Thompson and Heather Worthington (Staff)
Project & Policy Group — Meets as needed - Bill Sierks, Surya Iyer and Michael Platteter
Purchasing — Meets as needed - Chair Germana Paterlini, Staff TBA
Prospective Members: Keith Kostuch (Retired Alltel VP of Strategic Planning where he was responsible for $313 in
procurement delivering $1B in cost reduction)
Recycling & Solid Waste Working Group (RSW WG) — 151 Thursday at 7:00 pm - Chair DP Latham- Members Susan
Tucker, Michelle Horan, Tim Rudnicki, Melissa Seeley & Solvei Wilmot (Staff)
Resignation: Jim Jones who is moving to Prescott Arizona in November — His services were much appreciated!
Turf Management Plan Task Force (TMP TF) — Meetings TBD - Chair Germana Paterlini (EEC) — Members - Ellen Jones
(Pk Bd), Mary Jo Kingston (Community Health), Vince Cockriel (Staff); Ex Officio DP Latham and John Keprios
Urban Forest Task Force (UF TF) — Meets as needed over lunch hour - Chair DP Latham — Members - Joseph Hulbert
(Pk Bd), Michael Schroeder (Planning Commission) & City Forester Tom Horwath (Staff)
4
EEC Attendance 2010 - 10-11-10
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
NAME
TERM
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S O N D
Gubrud, Bob
2/1/2013
2/1/20121M
NJ
X I
X
xx
X
X
Iyer, Surya
2/1/2012
X
xx
X
X
O
X
ox
X 1
O
Kata, Karwehn
student
X I
X
Latham, Dianne
2/1/2012
X
I xx I
X
X
X
X
xx
X
X
Paterlini, Germana
2/1/2013
X
oxi
X
X
X
I X
oo
X
X
Platteter, Michael
2/1/2012
X
xx I
X
X
X
I X
xx
X
X
Pronove, Alma
student
X
X
Risser, Julie
2/1/2013
X
oxJ
X
X
X
X
ox
O
X
Sierks, Bill
2/1/2013
X
xx I
X
X
X
X
oo
O
X
Thompson, Paul
2/1/2013
X
x"
X
X
X
xx
i
X
X
Tucker, Susan
2/1/20121W
ix
X
X
xx
X
X
O or o = missed meetings
Dear Edina City Council Members;
We, the Commissioners of the Edina Energy and Environmental Commission (EEC), support the
proposed Nine Mile Creek Regional trail through Edina, specifically the planned creek park route. We
ask you to do the same.
We believe the trail will provide many benefits to our great community. Benefits will include:
• A trail for people of all ages, specifically children, to recreate and enjoy safely without the
risk of automobile traffic. This trail system would signal support of resident desires to
make the immensely popular activity of biking safer and more accessible to all - nobody
wants to ride a bike with an automobile passing them only a few feet away.
• The trail would be a large community asset and finally provide a regional trail connection
through the city. Edina is currently deficient in bike trails for its citizens in comparison to
surrounding communities. This trail would finally integrate Edina into the very well used
and supported regional bike trail system, fostering use by both bike commuters and
recreational users alike. The Twin Cities area has one of the largest percentages of bike
commuters in the nation. Every bike commuter keeps an automobile's exhaust fumes out of
the air.
• The trail would allow access to public land that is currently inaccessible to the vast majority
of our residents. It will let everyone enjoy the beautiful creek area.
• This trail will provide consistency with City plans for a healthy and livable community,
encouraging recreational exercise. It will provide a crucial part of plans that have been
developed as part of the City's Comprehensive Plan, ICLEI and the Green Step Cities
Program.
There are obviously concerns about the impact the trail will have along the creek. However, the trail
will be routed through an area that has already been impacted by years of urbanization, including
chemical runoff from the lawns adjacent to the creek as well as road salt This project will open the
possibility of reversing some of that damage as Nine Mile Creek Watershed District (9MCWSD) will
be responsible for upkeep of this creek. The EEC's Air and Water Quality Working Group will
continue to work with 9MCWSD for continuous improvements.
In addition, no adverse environmental impacts have been identified by the 9MCWSD to flora and
fauna. Grass and brush in this wetland area has already been heavily impacted and overrun by non-
native species. This project may give the 9MCWSD the opportunity to repair some of this damage.
Promoting and building bike and pedestrian trails, especially regional trails, is a great action item in
helping Edina Go Green, and makes our community less dependent on auto transportation and the
associated environmental detriments.
Again, we ask you to support the Nine Mile Creek Regional Trail along the creek park route.
Sincerely,
The Edina Energy and Environmental Commission
EEC Policy on Seminar Tuition Reimbursement
Draft of 10-8-10
1. Seminars must be held in the Twin City metro area and be relevant to local Edina issues. Travel expenses will not
be reimbursed.
2. Tuition may be reimbursed for one voting EEC commissioner per seminar meeting this policy's criteria upon
approval of the EEC. Multiple EEC voting commissioners may be reimbursed for the same seminar if the total
tuition for all commissioners is less than $200 for seminars meeting this policy's criteria.
3. A voting commissioner will not be reimbursed for more than a total of $100 per year for all seminars attended,
provided that the total seminar tuition amount budgeted by the EEC for that year has not been exceeded.
4. If more than one voting commissioner seeks reimbursement and the topic is relevant to a specific Working Group
(WG), the WG Chair will have the first opportunity to attend. If the WG Chair cannot attend, other voting
commissioners from the relevant WG will be given the next opportunity to attend. If none of the voting
commissioners from the relevant WG are able to attend, then other non WG voting commissioners can be invited
to attend on a first come, first served basis. If no WG is relevant to the seminar, but the seminar meets the criteria
for this policy, other voting commissioners may attend on a first come, first served basis.
\-j Formatted: Font: (Default) Times New Roman
4-,5Requests for tuition reimbursement of over a dollar threshold as designated by City Council, or which request Formatted: Indent: Left: 0.5", No bullets or
reimbursement for travel expenses shall require City Council approval. I numbering
EEC - Three year budget 2010-2012
Green boxes indicate activities that are required by the Green Step Program. Other items may also be considered within the scope of the GSC, but they can be carried independently, as defined in the Commission bylaws.
UPDATED 10-10-11
Expected Revenue/Savings
Item Working Group Scope of Activity Goals of activity Item List 2010 2011 2012 2013 or Benefits Note
1 workshop per
Increased level of
P
Commissioners training and
Commissioner /year as expertise of
Workshops EEC Commissioners education detailied in Policy on $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 $ 1,000 commissioners advising
educational opportunitieis g
Tuition seminar.
the City Council.
Activities include To increase environmental
promotion of Edina Go awareness, encourage
Edina Go Green, 4th
Education and Green with residents and best practices, reward of July Parade, Edina
Outreach Activities
E&O WG businesses, Edina Day of residents and businesses Materials for activities $ 6,000 $ 6,000 $ 6,000 $ 6,000 Day of Service,
Service, 4th of July Parade, for their efforts, be an Home Energy Squad
Home Energy Squad and information resource for
School programs (B) the community
Three grant applications
To increase the number of
per year. We estimated
Grants amounts vary
Grant Writing
EEC
Hire professional grant
grant applications to
that each application
$ 8,400
$
8,400
$ 8,400 greatly depending of
writers
governmental agencies
requires 40 hours of grant
Pro1 ect.
and non -profits
writing @$70/hour
o
Increasing the number
residents
To further educate
utilizing BMP, rain
Public Education
Water &Air
Neighborhood workshops
residents to water quality
Printing materials
$ 500
$
500
$ 500 gardens, rain barrels,
Campaign
Quality
BMPs
organic fertilizer, no coal
tar products, etc.
Water &Air
City Staff and municipal
Best Management Practice
Booklets
$ 500
NEMO Woekshop
Quality
officers learn BMP
booklets
NEMO Woekshop
Water &Air
City Staff and municipal
Workshop
$ 200
$
200
$ 100 Building relationships
between staff & WQWG.
Quality
officers learn BMP
Activities include To increase environmental
promotion of Edina Go awareness, encourage
Edina Go Green, 4th
Education and Green with residents and best practices, reward of July Parade, Edina
Outreach Activities
E&O WG businesses, Edina Day of residents and businesses Materials for activities $ 6,000 $ 6,000 $ 6,000 $ 6,000 Day of Service,
Service, 4th of July Parade, for their efforts, be an Home Energy Squad
Home Energy Squad and information resource for
School programs (B) the community
Residential Energy Policy WG
Program
Promotional Materials
Promote the HES program Cost of materials
$ 1,000
$ 1,000
$ 1,000 $ 1,000
School Energy Policy WG
Educational Program
Promote Residential
$ 2,000
$ 2,000
$ 2,000 $ 2,000
Program
Energy Program
Quantify energy,savings,
ROI on green energy
Annual fees for
Monitoring Energy
projects; monitor progress Cost of software license
Substantial, based on ROI
subscription; initial
Use and Financing
Procurement
Purchase the HARA
in achieving goals; engage and initial implementation
of projects, renewable
fee for consulting
Energy-related
software platform
city staff into monitoring support ($8,000)
energy production
and installation
investments
energy use and implement
best practices
Renewal Energy IRE -WG
Explanations
(A) The EEC has developed a "Policy on Seminar" tuition reinbursment for commissioners attending seminar and
workshops in the Twin City area. Each Commissioner has a limit of $100 reinbursement per year
(B) Detailed Expenses for Education and Outreach Group, 2010 activities
Promote Home
Lawn signs for HES E&O WG Lawn sign
Energy Squads
Edina Go Green E&O WG Create and Produce a Promote the Edina
Banner banner Go Green Brand
$100 in door
Game and door prices at Environmental Youth prices per
six school carnivals Education school, total of
six schools
200 signs @
$2.5 each
$500 each
Elementary school E&O WG
carnivals
Edina Go Green
Reward Businesses with
Promote and support award
Business Certification E&O WG
Green Certificates
green practices by
certificates,
Project
Educate children
businesses
25@$20 each
about energy &
curriculum project
elementary Schools
matching funds
for energy
Matching Funds:
Home Energy Sqad:
Promote HES at
savings installs
Edina Day of Service E&0 WG
Provide matching funds
Edina Day of Service
at the Edina
HES installs,
to qualifying residences
Day of Service,
25@$25
"10 Steps to Energy
Produce Flyers that
Energy Saving 5000 flyers X
E&0 WG
Independence" Flyers
promote energy savings
Education $.010
Educate children
Elementary School
E&O WG
Develop a curriculum for
about energy &
curriculum project
elementary Schools
environment
Edina Go Green
Promote the Edina 5000 stickers
stickers: 4th of July E&O WG 4th of July Parade
Go Green Brand @$0.22
Parade
Printing of event E&O WG Miscellaneous Printing Promote Edina Go
flyers and posters needs Green
WATER AND AIR QUALITY GROUP
Name of Activity
Scope of Activity
Goals of activity
Item List
Start Date End Date Estimate( Expected Revenue
Presentations on
Learn about new tools to
Green
Susan Sheridan
Clean Water &
Infrastructure
adapt to changing
Tucker's
Educating Commission to
Climate Adaptation
BMPs in urban &
climate conditions and
Attendance at
16 -Sep -10 17 -Sep -10 $100
changes/ lessons
Summit 2010
green infrastructure
redevelopment
Summit
opportunities
areas
Presentations on
Learn about new tools to
Educating Commission to
Clean Water &
Green
adapt to changing
changes/ lessons at State ,
Climate Adaptation
InfrastructureBMPs
climate conditions and
EEC Commissioner
1 -Sep -11 $100 County and local levels as it
Summit 2010
in urban &
green infrastructure
relates to water quality
redevelopment
opportunities
issues
areas
Presentations on
Learn about new tools to
Educating Commission to
Clean Water &
Green
adapt to changing
changes/ lessons at State ,
Climate Adaptation
InfrastructureBMPs
climate conditions and
EEC Commissioner
1 -Sep -13 $100 County and local levels as it
Summit 2010
in urban &
green infrastructure
relates to water quality
redevelopment
opportunities
issues
areas
Increased monitoring may
Lake Water testing
bi-weekly water
to assess water quality
payment for tests
enable us to apply for
1 -Apr -11 30 -Oct -11 $2,500
tests
specific grants to mitigate
certain pollutants.
Increased monitoring may
bi-weekly water enable us to apply for
Lake Water testing to assess water quality payment for tests 1 -Apr -12 30 -Oct -12 $2,500
tests specific grants to mitigate
certain pollutants.
Increased monitoring may
Lake Water testing
bi-weekly water
to assess water quality
payment for tests
1 -Apr -13 30 -Oct -13
$2,500
enable us to apply for
specific to mitigate
tests
grants
certain pollutants.
Increasing the number of
To further educate
residents utilizing BMP,
Public Education
Neighborhood
residents to water
Printing materials
Spring 2011 twice a year
$500
rain gardens, rain barrels,
Campaign
workshops
quality BMPs
organic fertilizer, no coal
tar products, etc.
Building relationships
between staff & WQWG.
NEMO Workshop
Water Quality
City Staff and municipal
Best Management
8 -Nov -10 8 -Nov -10
$500
Working towards reducing
workshop
officers learn BMP
Practice booklets
pollutants to local
waterways
Building relationships
between staff & WQWG.
NEMO Workshop
Water Quality
City Staff and municipal
Potential printed
Winter 2011 -Feb
$100
Working towards reducing
workshop
officers learn BMP
resources
pollutants to local
waterways
NEMO Workshop
Water Quality
City Staff and municipal
Potential printed
Spring 2012
p g
$100
workshop
officers learn BMP
resources
NEMO Workshop
Water Quality
City Staff and municipal
Potential printed
Winter 2013
$100
workshop
officers learn BMP
resources
NEMO Workshop
Water Quality
City Staff and municipal
Potential printed
Fall 2013
$100
workshop
officers learn BMP
resources
City of Edina
Air Water Quality Working Group
Energy & Environment Commission
Minutes of August 17, 2010
7:00-9:OOpm
Edina City Hall
Community Room
Present: Eric Kilberg, Julie Mellum, Dianne Plunkett Latham, Nina Holiday Lynch, Jon Moon, Mary Jo Straub,
Karwehn Kata, Bill Johnson, Ryan Wilson, Susan Sheridan Tucker
Since many were first-time attendees, we spent some time introducing ourselves and finding out their
interests and motivations for participation.
Erick Kilberg is retired after serving on the MNPCA for 30 years. He's been involved with many EIS reviews. He
has experience and interest in improving water and air quality and reducing solid waste.
Julie Mellum leads an organization called "Take Back the Air". She's extremely committed to reducing air
pollution of all types. She is an advocate for persons with asthma and chemical sensitivities.
Dianne Plunkett Latham is the Chair of the Energy & Environment Commission and is extremely committed to
leading the Commission's efforts to reduce Edina's carbon footprint. Dianne is leading the Recycling working
group and working completing the urban forest report.
Nina Holiday Lynch lives in a condominium complex and developed an interest in the condo's choices in using
various pesticides/fertilizers around their property. She wants to learn more and work towards reducing the
amounts of toxic substances used by City residents. On a positive note, her condo association recently formed
a "green team" and Nina is a member.
Jon Moon has been a long time member of Conservation League of Edina, a group that recently disbanded.
While active the CLE conducted the water testing on City lakes and monitored the overall water quality. Jon
continues to be committed to water quality issues and will be instrumental in the near future as the
Commission works to revitalize the water testing program.
Mary Jo Straub was also a long time member of the Conservation League of Edina. Jon invited Mary to join our
group. Mary Jo will also provide her experience in water testing in the near future. Mary 10 will also learn more
about the Blue Thumb program and rain gardens.
Karwehn Kata is our Student Commissioner. Karwehn is entering hi s senior year at Edina High School.
Karwehn served on the Planning Commission last year. Karwehn is interested in learning more about the
processes of city government and will assist us develop revamped ordinances to further protect the water and
air quality.
Bill Johnson is a Civil Engineer with Bonestroo. Bill's experience is currently in sanitary sewers. Bill's past
professional experience also includes working with Met Council. Bill will work with Susan to further learn of
Edina's storm water management practices.
Ryan Wilson has been involved in improving water quality issues in the past and is interested in assisting with
resuming water quality testing on Edina's lakes.
Susan Sheridan Tucker is the Chair of the Air & Water Quality working group and a member of the EEC. Susan
is trained as a city planner and in past professional positions worked on the Clean Water Act in the early 90's
as well as numerous land use projects. Susan is interested in renewing her involvement in environmental
issues at the city level.
Susan provided an overview of the Green Steps City Program and that this working group (AWQWG) would
primarily be focusing on implementing the selected Best Management Practices within the pilot program's
guidelines. The AWQWG will undertake the designated steps for three specific steps; Efficient Storm Water
Management (17), Surface Water Quality (19) and Air Quality (23).
The pilot program, under the auspices of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) continues to
undergo small tweaks. We anticipate the Edina City Council to vote in favor of the City's participation
sometime in the early fall. The EEC continues to monitor the changes and each Commissioner responds within
their particular area. At the time of our meeting it was still unclear as to which category city Edina fell into.
Despite some uncertainties, the Commission and its working groups will continue to move ahead assuming
there won't be dramatic changes.
(I'm attaching the most current version of the Best Management Steps posted on the MPCA website. I'm also
attaching various links the MPCA suggested as potential resources to assist in our progress to achieve our
goals.)
We went over each best management practice and which steps the EEC had selected to complete.
Efficient Storm Water Management #17
Step 1— City of Edina completing the Blue Star assessment (this is a new addition as of 9.6.2010)
Step 4 — creating fee plan to incentive less water usage.
Step 5 — researching design & guideline standards for rain gardens, green roofs, and green parking lots.
Step 6—Adopt/modify Stormwater Erosion & Sediment Control Ordinance.
Surface Water Quality #19
Step 3 —Assemble a reliable working group to monitor the water quality of Arrowhead and Indianhead Lakes.
Step 4—Adopt a shoreline ordinance consistent with Department of Natural Resources (DNA).
Air Quality #23
Step 1— Conduct education/financial assistance campaign around indoor wood burning behavior, indoor wood
burning technology.
Step 2 — Create an ordinance to regulate outdoor wood burning: recreational burning and outdoor wood
boilers.
Because the group's composition is heavily weighted to water quality, we will focus initially on completing
BMP 17 and 19, though Julie will continue to collect information with Dianne on air quality. Karwehn will
review the 2009 City Ordinance change relating to drive -up windows. The EEC will work to overturn the zone
change as a means of prohibiting future coffee/food drive -up window service.
A NEMO workshop is planned for Monday, November 8, a program through the U of M Extension Service that
offers presentations and workshops for local municipal boards and employees. This workshop will focus on
some introductory information on best management practices that relate specifically to Edina and discussions
around problems and ways to fix the problem. We'll plan to hold a second workshop sometime in February to
specifically address Green Step Cities #4 on BMP 19 and Edina learning more about the Blue Star Assessment.
The group decided to meet the 3`d Mondays from 7-9pm. Location to be determined, but will make every
effort to meet in City Hall.
NEXT MEETING
Monday, September 20 at 7-9 pm
CORNELIA WARMING HOUSE
Cornelia Drive far parking lot
Back of school
Future Meetings all at 7-9pm, unless noted:
Monday, Oct. 18
Monday, Nov. 8
Monday, Nov. 15
Monday, Dec. 20
Monday, Jan. 17
Monday, Feb. 21
Monday, Mar. 21
Monday, April 18
Monday, May 16
Monday, June 20
Monday, July 18
Monday, Aug. 15
Monday, Sept. 19
Monday, Oct. 17
Monday, Nov 21
Cornelia Warming House
NEMO workshop 5:00 -6:30 pm City Hall
(we'll decide if we want to meet again) Community Room City Hall
Community Room, City Hall
Community Room (I need to check if building is open it's MLK day)
Community Room (I need to check if building is open it's President's day)
Community Room
Community Room
Community Room
Community Room
Community Room
Community Room
Community Room
Community Room
Community Room
Please review contact information and make any necessary changes.
Minutes for the Recycling & Solid Waste Working Group (RSW WG)
of Edina's Energy and Environment Commission
Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, Time 7:00 P.M., Location: City Hall, Community Room
The meeting chaired by Dianne Plunkett Latham began at 7:04 pm and adjourned at 9:00 pm.
Approved Aug. 5, 2010 minutes as submitted.
Present: Dianne Plunkett Latham, Tim Rudnicki, Melissa Seeley
Absent: Laura Benson, Michelle Horan, Jim Jones
Chair Latham will recommend to EEC that Laura Benson be removed from membership on the RSW WG because she has
only been able to attend one meeting since joining over 6 months ago.
Community Comment - No members of the community were present.
Role of Solvei Wilmot in the RSW WG — Chair Latham reported that Asst City Manager Heather Worthington
indicated that the City Recycling Coordinator Solvei Wilmot would no longer be allowed to attend our evening
meetings unless the RSW WG were working on contracts or on ordinance amendments that resulted in haulers
attending our meetings. Ms Worthington said that Ms Wilmot could continue to attend daytime meetings involving
50`x' and France and the Art Recycling Container Task Force. The members present expressed disappointment, but
great appreciation for all Ms Wilmot's work on behalf of recycling and solid waste issues in Edina for the past 13
years and look forward to continuing to keep her informed of RSW WG activities and receive her valuable advice.
2. Legislative update
a. Bottle Recycling Refund Legislation - See recyclingrefund.com for more information — Speaker Jessica Schaum,
Government Affairs Manager, Conservation Minnesota, 1101 West River Parkway, Suite 250, Minneapolis,
Minnesota 55415, jessica@conservationminnesota.org. Also attending with her were Ben Olson and Sarah
Heuer of the MN Environmental Responsibility Network (MERN). The 60 minute presentation was very
thorough and those RSW WG members present received it favorably. Ms Schram agreed to forward
HF 1128 to Chair Latham so that it could be forwarded to the RSW WG for further study as a similar bill
will be reintroduced into the legislature in 2011. Ms Schram expressed a willingness for them to provide
a similar Q & A presentation for EEC and the Edina City Council.
b. Tim Rudnicki reported that the election must be settled before there can be actionable policy initiatives for the
2011-2012 legislative session for him to report on. Some new and legacy issues may include: MPCA
rulemaking process for compostable materials; Solid Waste Mgt Coordinating Board issues; Biodigester -
beyond merely discussion; Extended Producer Responsibility/ Product Stewardship for which the bottle refund
legislation could be one component; Rx drugs take -back will receive further refinement.
c. Hennepin County is proposing new collection strategies. They are suggesting recycling be co -collected with
organics. Currently, the collection of organics could be offered by a city only after it has gone through the
organized collection process. It appears that Hennepin Co will try to get organics exempted from the organizing
statutes.
3. Reports
a. Jim Jones — Absent — Commercial Recycling project — Chair Latham reported that Jim is scheduled to present to
the Sept. 28 Morningside Rotary meeting at 7:30 am at the Edina Country Club.
b. Michelle Horan and Melissa Seeley - Youth athletic association recycling project — No report
c. Michelle Horan — Public Art/Recycling bin project; — Absent - Chair Latham reported that Ms Worthington
indicated that the bins would need to be 60 gals because the 30 gals were small enough that they were
sometimes stolen. In addition, the 30 gals would need to be emptied more often. Ms Worthington also
indicated that although sponsorship information could be placed on the bins, the City would not likely
approve a license application for advertising on the bins. RSW WG members present indicated that they
were not favorably disposed to Mr. Michael Barcelow (Green Mavericks Group) proposal at the Aug. 5
meeting to provide the bins to the city at no charge in return for receiving 100% of the revenue from
licensing the space for the sponsorship information. Such a proposal could only be entertained if the City
could find no other way to finance the bins in the city's commercial areas of town. The WG awaits resolution
of the impass with the 50`h and France merchants regarding the cost of the bins. 50`x' and France
representatives are willing to pay $300 - $500 for the bins for a 3 year option, but the ARC TF proposes
$1,000 - $1,5001bin.
d. DP Latham — GreenStep Cities Update — See http:// reg enstep.pca.state.mn.us/bestPractices.cfm;
Chair Latham expects the final proposal to be approved by EEC at the Sept. 22 meeting and for City Council to
approve it in October; Pamela and Lewis Pk Recycling bin report — Ms Wilmot has asked Vince Cockriel to have
the Dow recycling bins moved next to the garbage cans as the two were not together at the tot lot in Lewis Park
and Chair Latham observed garbage was being thrown into that recycling bin. All were asked to monitor the Dow
bins at Pamela Park as Chair Latham is not able to inspect those.
4. Licensing Ordinance Amendments were reviewed. These included adding Pay as you Throw (PayT) weight pricing
for waste, requiring haulers to provide yard waste carts upon a resident's request, requiring haulers to file reports on
the weight of solid waste removed in addition to that of recycling collected given that it is needed for Green Steps
benchmarking purposes. In addition, change of hauler procedures were included. The WG members present
favorably received the amendments. All were in agreement with Mr. Rudnicki's recommendation of raising the
insurance and bonding requirements as they are not sufficient to adequately indemnify the city.
Compost Rulemaking: RSW's comments were approved at the 8-12-10 EEC meeting with an amendment removing
hauler company names. The proposal was placed on the Council consent agenda and approved at the 8-17-10 City
Council meeting. Jane Timm forwarded it to MPCA on 8-23-10 prior to 8-31-10 deadline. MPCA will be hosting a
1't stakeholder meeting November 18 from 9:00 — noon regarding the need to change the permitting process for
organic collection sites. Track the compost rulemaking at the following web page:
http•//www pca state mn us/index php/waste/waste-permits-and-rules/waste-rulemakinWproposed-chanes-to-
compost-rules.html A 2nd stakeholder meeting will be held at the MPCA early in 2011 to discuss a preliminary rule
draft, prior to formal publication. This meeting will be an opportunity to review draft rule language and provide
feedback, prior to public notice. The RSW WG recommends that the City of Edina be represented at these meetings.
6. The next RSW WG meeting is Oct. 7,2010— Community Room, City Hall
Respectfully Submitted,
Dianne Plunkett Latham
Chair, Edina Energy & Environment Commission
Chair Recycling & Solid Waste Working Group
10/11/2010
DRAFT Edina Residental Energy Program - School Marketing Penetration. Plan for Home Energy Squad Program
School
# of
Students
Est # of
o
Familes (75 /o)
# - 3%
Goal
Incentive
Amount foril
Goal ($)
Gas Savings
(therms/year)
#-5%
Goal
Incentive
Amount for
Goal ($)
Electric
Savings
`(kWh/year
Gas Sayings
Notes
(therms/year)
Concord Elementary719
539
16
250
712
27
500
29,389
1,186
Cornelia Elementary556
417
13
250
550
21
500
22,727
917
Countryside Elementary544
408
12
250
539
20
500
22,236
898
Creek Valley Elementary
582
437
13
250
14,274
576
22
500
23,789
960
Highlands Elementary
544
408
12
250
13,342
539
20
500
22,236
898
Normandale Elementary
631
473
14
250
15,475
625
24
500
25,792
1,041
Totals
3,576
2,682
80
$1,500
87,701
3,540
134
$3,000
146,169
5,900 Est HES Savings: 1,090 kWh &
44 therms per home per year.
Homes removed from grid with
savings (12,000 kWh/home)
7
12i
i I
10/11/2010