HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-08 PacketDraft MINUTES
CITY OF EDINA MINNESOTA
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
EDINA CITY HALL COMMUNITY ROOM
Thurs., Sept. 8, 2011
7:03 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Latham called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
11. ROLL CALL Answering Roll Call were Members Gubrud, Gupta, Iyer, Jennings, Kostuch, Paterlini, Risser, Sierks,
Thompson, Tucker, Zarrin and Chair Latham.
Staff Present: Jesse Struve and Rebecca Foster
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA Agenda was approved as written.
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA Agenda was approved as written.
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
John Dolphin, 5809 Eastview Dr, was pleased to hear that the solar project was approved and would like to join
the Energy Working Group.
VI. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Working Group members.
Motion made by Member Sierks and seconded by Member Paterlini to delete prospects Alan Glotzman and
Scott Weicht from the Energy Working Group. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Member Zarrin and seconded by Member Thompson to delete prospects Annie Berge, Scott
Davidson, Tim Jordheim, Karl Juhnke and Eric Strobel from the Education Outreach Working Group and Air
Quality Working Group Chair Risser requested that Karwehn Kata be deleted from the Air Quality Working
Group. Motion carried unanimously..
Chair Latham welcomed the Commission's two new student members Tara Gupta and Bevlin Jennings.
B. ULI benchmark report:`` Rick Carter did a presentation on MN GreenStep Cities and Regional Indicators
Project plus a B3 Benchmarking data live demo. Commissioner's asked Jesse Struve to request the water
usage from Film Tech and Southdale.
C. Water Quality WG. Chair Latham did a presentation with photos showing the difference between driveways
that used Coal Tar -Based Sealer and those that didn't.
Motion made by Member Paterlini and seconded by Member Zarrin to remove section about Sale of Coal Tar -
Based Sealer Restricted from proposed ordinance. Motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment.
Richard Griffith, 7009 Comanche Ct, retired 3M Engineer, presented some history of PAH's.
Motion made by Member Tucker and seconded by Member Sierks to approve an ordinance regulating the use
of Coal Tar -Based Sealer products within the city with amendment.
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Roll Call was taken:
Ayes: Gubrud, Iyer, Paterlini, Risser, Sierks, Thompson, Tucker, Zarrin, Latham
Nays: Kostuch
Motion carried.
D. Air Quality WG
1. Centrum. Mayor Hovland suggested to Chair Latham that the EEC to propose a resolution to change out
the three wood burning Centrum fireplaces to gas.
Motion made by Member Zarrin and seconded by Member Thompson to accept resolution as is and add it to
the Council Work Session on September 20th. Motion carried unanimously.
E. Energy WG
1. Solar panel project. City Hall will receive the Solar Panel Project and Jesse Struve will email EEC
Members the bid winner.
2. Solar/wind ordinance amendments task force. The topic was tabled.
3. PACE commercial energy district. Member Sierks gave an update on how the City Council requested the
Energy Working Group to write the procedures for the PACE program.
F. Recycling & Solid Waste WG. The RSW WG reviewed and incorporated the Haulers' comments on the
proposed Refuse Report.
Motion made by Member Zarrin and seconded by Member Tucker to delete "per Edina City Code 1300.05
" and insert "as defined in Edina City Code 1300.05 and Edina City Code 705.01". Motion carried
unanimously.
1. Proposed Refuse Report. Chair Latham did a Powerpoint photographic survey on the success of the
Dow recycling bins at Lewis & Pamela Parks. The RSW WG is proposing that the trash can and recycling
bins have to be paired in order to reduce contamination in recycling bins and that recycling bins must
be placed in all city parks.
G. Turf Management Task Force
Motion made by Member Zarrin and seconded by Member Thompson to approve Turf Management Plan.
Motion carried unanimously.
H. Education Outreach WG. Mayor Hovland will be a keynote speaker at Moving Planet on September 24tH
1. October educational program. Move educational program to November and each Working Group Chair
should let Member Thompson or Member Gubrud know what topics should be discussed on the panel.
2. Edina Public Works Landscaping. The EEC reviewed Member Gubrud article about ATS Program and
John Howard's Edina Sun Current article on the Edina Public Works Landscaping.
Motion made by Member Sierks and seconded by Member Gubrud to approve the two articles. Motion
carried unanimously.
3. Eco Film Festival. The topic was tabled.
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I. City Website. The topic was tabled.
J. EEC Website. The topic was tabled.
K. GreenStep Cities. The topic was tabled.
L. City Council Work Session. Agenda approved as written.
VII. CORRESPONDENCE & PETITIONS
VIII. CHAIR AND COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
1. Meeting with Senator Frankin and Green Step City Mayors. Chair Latham attended and gave an update.
IX. STAFF COMMENTS
A. Jesse Struve
1. EEC budget. The $5000 ULI invoice was taken out of the EEC budget, so the remaining balance is $1800.
2. Green Corps Intern. No Report.
There being no further business on the Commission Agenda, Chair Latham declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Motion made by Member Sierks and seconded by Member Thompson to adjourn meeting. Motion carried
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca Foster
GIS Administrator
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
NAME
TERM
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A
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J
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A
S O N D
Gubrud, Bob
2/1/2013
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
I
IX
Gupta, Tara
student
I
X
Iyer, Surya
2/1/2012
X I
X
X
X
X
Ix
X
Jennings, Bevlin
student
X
Kata, Karwehn
student
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Kostuch, Keith
2/1/2013
X
X
X
X
X
Ix
Latham, Dianne
2/1/2012
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
ix
Paterlini, Germana
2/1/2013
X I
X
X
X
X
X
X
Ix
X
Pronove, Alma
student
X
X
X
X
X
Risser, Julie
2/1/2012
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Sierks, Bill
2/1/2013
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Thompson, Paul
2/1/2013
X
X
X
X
X
IX
X
X
Tucker, Susan
2/1/20121
X I
X
XX
X
X
X
Zarrin, Sarah
2/1/2012
X
X
X
X
Ix
Ix
I
ix
CITY OF EDINA MINNESOTA
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
EDINA CITY HALL COMMUNITY ROOM
Thurs., Oct. 13, 2011
7:00 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA
A. Minutes
B. Attendance Report
C. Contacts Roster
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT
During "Community Comment, " the Energy & Environment Commission will invite residents to share new issues
or concerns that haven't been considered in the past 30 days by the Commission, or which aren't slated for future
consideration. Individuals must limit their testimony to three minutes. The Chair may limit the number of
speakers on the same issue in the interest of time and topic. Generally speaking, items that are elsewhere on
tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment. Individuals should not expect the Chair or
Commission Members to respond to their comments tonight. Instead the Commission might refer the matter to
staff or to an EEC Working Group for consideration at a future meeting.
VI. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A.
Working Group
B.
B3 data update
C.
GreenStep Cities
D.
Energy WG
1. Solar panel project
2. Solar/wind ordinance amendments task force
3. PACE commercial energy district
E.
Air Quality WG
1. Centrum Resolution
2. Drive Through City Code Amendments
F.
Recycling & Solid Waste WG
1. Refuse Report
2. City park recycling
G.
Turf Management Task Force
H.
Education Outreach WG
1. Educational Program
2. Eco Film Festival
1.
Water Quality WG
1. Coal Tar ordinance
2. Blue Star Award
J.
City Website
K.
EEC Website
VII. CORRESPONDENCE & PETITIONS
VIII. CHAIR AND COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS
1
1. Scott Neal
IX. STAFF COMMENTS
A. Jesse Struve
1. EEC Budget
2. Green Corps Intern
Next EEC Meeting—Thursday, Nov. 10, 5:00 in Community Room
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way
of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large -print documents or something else, please call 952-927-886172 hours in
advance of the meeting.
CITY OF EDINA MINNESOTA
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
EDINA CITY HALL COMMUNITY ROOM
Thurs., Oct. 13, 2011
7:00 PM
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL (1 min)
III. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA (1 min)
IV. ADOPTION OF CONSENT AGENDA (1 min)
A. Minutes (attached)
B. Attendance Report (attached)
C. Contacts Roster — Update in progress
V. COMMUNITY COMMENT (10 min)
During "Community Comment, " the Energy & Environment Commission will invite residents to share new issues or concerns
that haven't been considered in the past 30 days by the Commission, or which aren't slatedfor future consideration.
Individuals must limit their testimony to three minutes. The Chair may limit the number of speakers on the same issue in the
interest of time and topic. Generally speaking, items that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during
Community Comment. Individuals should not expect the Chair or Commission Members to respond to their comments
tonight. Instead the Commission might refer the matter to staff or to an EEC Working Group for consideration at a future
meeting.
VI. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Working Group member additions/deletions. (2 min) (attached).
B. B3 data update (5 min) — Jesse Struve
C. GreenStep Cities (20 min) DP Latham — See http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/bestPractices.cfm for updated
practices as well as www.MnGreenStep.org; Progress update (attached)
D. Energy WG — (15 min) Surya Iyer/ Bill Sierks — Minutes of 7-6-11 (awaiting approval), 8-16-11 (attached) 9-
20-11 (awaiting approval). Next meeting 10-18-11.
1. Solar panel project — Installation update (Jesse Struve)
2. Solar/wind ordinance amendments task force — Progress report (Surya Iyer & Bill Sierks)
3. PACE commercial energy district— P party funding framework update (Bill Sierks) 9-28-11 meeting
with Scott Neal. Pace Checklist (attached); Pace Intake Packet (attached); Pace Resolution (attached).
E. Air Quality WG Report (5 min) J. Risser — 8-25-11 (awaiting receipt), 9-29-11 (awaiting approval). The 10-
27-11 meeting is canceled.
1. Resolution on converting the Centrum wood burning fire place to gas. (See attached revised resolution).
2. Drive Through City Code Amendments
F. Recycling & Solid Waste WG (5 min) DP Latham —Minutes of 9-1-11 (attached) 10-6-11 (awaiting
approval). 11-3-09 meeting is canceled.
1. 1300.09 Proposed Refuse Report and ordinance amendments scheduled for 11-15-11 council meeting.
2. Revised City park recycling bin recommendation (attached)
G. Turf Management Task Force (5 min) - Germana Paterlini -Considered at 9-13-11 Pk Bd mtg and revised
accordingly (see attached).
H. Education Outreach Working Group Report — (20 min) Bob Gubrud/Paul Thompson - Met 10-4-11. Next
meeting 11-1-11
1. Proposal for April 2012 educational program — Zarrin (attached)
2. Proposed Eco Film Festival — DP Latham
I. Water Quality WG — (5 min) Susan Tucker—7-18-11 meeting (canceled).
1. Proposed Coal Tar ordinance — Report on MPCA revisions to rationale document. Update 27 & 28 Sept.
2011 from MPCA's Judy Crane (attached). Coal Tar proposed amendment scheduled for 11-15-11 City
Council meeting.
2. Edina received Excellence In Community Storm Sewer Blue Star Award at 10-4-11 City Council
meeting.
J. City Website Update —Jesse Struve (5 min)
K. Update of EEC Website (see attachment in 6-9-11 EEC packet) (5 min)
VII. CORRESPONDENCE & PETITIONS
VIII. CHAIR AND COMMISSION MEMBER COMMENTS (5 min)
1. Report on meeting with Scott Neal (DP Latham)
IX. STAFF COMMENTS
A. Jesse Struve (5 min)
1. EEC year end budget balance of $1,800 is anticipated as of 9-8-11 after staff time and the $5,000 ULI fee
is deducted. The dedicated ECF account had $691. An additional $1,058 was added to it from the 7-31-11
Eco tour and plant sale.
2. Green Corps Intern — Funding was found, but Edina did not receive an intern.
Next EEC Meeting —Regular meeting Thurs., Nov. 10 13 in Community Room (required); Should December
meeting be canceled? Motion required for date of televised EEC meeting (Chair Latham recommends Thurs., Jan.
12).
The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way
of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 72 hours in
advance of the meeting.
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Gubrud
Bob
4421 Ellsworth Drive
55435
2/1/2013
952-920-1442
regubrudl@aim.com
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Iyer
Surya
6621 Southcrest Drive
55435
2/1/2012
952-922-2924
612-309-2392
suryaiyer@yahoo.com
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Kostuch
Keith
4511 Lakeview Drive
55424
2/1/2013
kostuch.eec@gmail.com
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Latham
Dianne Plunkett
6013 Comanche Court
55439
2/1/2012
952-941-3542
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Patedini
M. Germana
5117 Duggan Plaza
55439
2/1/2013
germana.patedini@gmail.com
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Risser
Julie
6112 Ashcroft Avenue
55424
2/1/2012
952-927-7538
651-962-5512
jadsser@stthomas.edu
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Sierks
Bill
5713 Brooks Drive
55439
2/1/2013
952-829-5683
651-757-2722
wsierks@comcast.net
Enema
& Environment Comm.
Thompson
Paul
4244 CrockerAve
55416
2/1/2013
952-920-1547
pfflydisc@aol.com
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Tucker
Susan Sheridan
5200 Meadow Ridge
55439
2/1/2012
sstucker5200@comcast.net
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Zarrin
Sarah
7609 Stonewood Court
55439
2/1/2012
sz.computer@yahoo.com
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Gupta
Tara
7505 Hyde Park Drive
55439
9/1/2012
952-944-5655
tara.gupta@sevafootball.org
Energy
& Environment Comm.
Jennings
Bevlin
6409 Cherokee Trail
55439
9/1/2012
952-826-7382
952-846-9532
bev3l632@gmaii.com
Edina Energy & Environment Commission
Working Groups, Task Forces and Projects
Draft of 10-9-11
Air Quali Working Group (AQ WG) – 4"' Thrusday at 7:00 pm – Chair Julie Risser - Members Julie Mellum, Laura
Eaton, David B. VanDongen, Ray O'Connell
Prospective Members – George Hunter (10-4-11)
Water Quality Working Group (WQ WG) – Yd Monday at 7:00 pm - Chair Susan Tucker – Members: Bill Johnson, Nina
Holiday -Lynch, Jon Moon, Robert Skrentner, Laura Eaton
Prospective Members —Susan Danzl – BS & MS in environmental engineering & worked 5 yrs in water and waste
water industry. Also has done some work in solid waste estimations and energy production from solid waste (waste to
energy). Relocated from California 1 year ago.
George Hunter (10-4-11)
End Working Group (AE WG)– 3rd Tuesday at 7:00 pm – Co -Chairs Surya Iyer and Bill Sierks, Commissioner Bob
Gubrud - Members Richard Griffith, Richard Oriani, Greg Nelson, Gary Wahman, John Howard, Bill Glahn, Brad
Hanson
Resignation – John Spanhake
Prospective Members – Phil Hirschey – Works at Enhanced Home Systems, Inc. with Greg Nelson. John Dolphin, 5809
Eastview Dr
Education Outreach Working Group (EO WG) – I" Tuesday at 7:00 pm - Co -Chairs Paul Thompson and Bob Gubrud –
Members: Laura Eaton, John Howard, Alma Pronove, Carlin Struckman, Todd Willmert.
Prospective Members:
Caroline Berg– (7-31-11 inq)
Home Energy Squad Task Force (HES) – Meets as needed - Chair Bill Sierks – Commissioners - Paul Thompson, Bob
Gubrud
Project & Policy Group – Meets as needed - Bill Sierks, Surya Iyer
Purchasing – Meets as needed – Co -Chairs Germana Paterlini, Keith Kostuch
Recycling & Solid Waste Working Grog (RSW WG) – 0 Thursday at 7:00 pm - Chair DP Latham, Commissioner Sara
Zarrin - Members Michelle Horan, Tim Rudnicki, Melissa Seeley – City Staff Solvei Wilmot
Turf Management Plan Task Force (TMP TF) – Meetings as needed over lunch hour - Chair Germana Paterlini (EEC) –
Commissioners - Ellen Jones (Pk Bd), Mary Jo Kingston (Community Health), Vince Cockriel (Staff); Ex Officio DP
Latham (EEC) and John Keprios (Dir. Pk & Rec. Dept)
Urban Forest Task Force (UF TF) – Meets as needed over lunch hour - Chair DP Latham – Commissioners - Joseph
Hulbert (Pk Bd), Michael Schroeder (Planning Commission) & City Forester Tom Horwath (Staff).
EEC Website Task Force – Commissioners Dianne P. Latham, Germana Paterlini, Julie Risser, Bob Gubrud – Members
John Howard.
Solar & Wind Ordinance Task Force – Surya Iyer (EEC), Chair, Members – Bill Sierks (EEC) Michael Platteter
(Planning), Ken Potts (Planning) with support from the EEC Energy Working Group.
10
Category A City: Edina
Which assessment: final
Assessor and date: Emily Hosek 5/17/11
Total BPs implemented out of 16: 5 Are all required BPs implemented? NO
Ready for which: Step 2 (any 8 BPs) or 3 (16 including required BPs) recognition?
Ready for Step 1
Best practices (required) BP implemented? Action summary by #
Action rules
BUILDINGS: 2 BPs required
1. Public
NO
1.1: U N DERWAY —(Complete — B3 data has been entered)
1 & 2; & one action from 3-7
1.2: UNDERWAY
2. Private
YES
2.1: COMPLETE -Edina partnered with Xcel and Centerpoint
any two actions
to bring the Home Energy Squad (HES) to residents. The
program was promoted through the EEC's Education &
Outreach Working Group. Door hangers were distributed,
literature was distributed in the 7-3-10 parade, booths
were set up at school football games and a program was
given for the Rotary Club. Although the initial outreach
action is complete, the public awareness campaign
regarding the HES will be continuing.
2.5: COMPLETE
3. New
NO
1 or 2; one from 3-6
4. Lighting/Signals
NO
2 actions; one from 5-8
5. Reuse
NO
any one action
LAND USE: 2 BPs required
6. Comp Plan
NO
6.1: COMPLETE
1&2
6.2 UNDERWAY (Complete — See 850.01 of City Code)
7. Density
NO
any one action
8. Mixed Uses
NO
any two actions
9. Highway Development
NO
any one action
10. Conservation Development
NO
any one action
11
12
TRANSPORTATION: 2 BPs required
11. Complete Green Streets
NO
11.1: UNDERWAY
1; & two additional actions
11.4: UNDERWAY
11.6: UNDERWAY (Complete with Valley View Roundabout)
12. Mobility Options
YES
12.1: COMPLETE -The Edina Transportation Commission
any two actions
(ETC) which promotes a range of sustainable
transportation including complete green streets, and The
Bike Edina Task Force (BETF) leading community bike
rides and education.
12.2: COMPLETE
13. Fleets
NO
any two actions
14. TOD / TDM
NO
any two actions
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: 4 BPs required
15. Purchasing
NO
15.1: UNDERWAY
1; and one additional action
15.4: UNDERWAY
16. Trees
NO
16.1: UNDERWAY
any two actions
16.4: UNDERWAY (Complete with 50th and France Trees)
17. Stormwater
YES
17.1: COMPLETE
any one action
18. Parks & Trails
YES
18.5: COMPLETE
any three actions
18.6: COMPLETE
18.8: COMPLETE
19. Surface Water
NO
19.3: UNDERWAY
if state public water: 4; and
19.4: UNDERWAY
one additional action
others: any one action
20. Water/ Wastewater
NO
1 & 2; and one additional
21. Septics
NO
any one action
22. Solid Waste
NO
22.2: UNDERWAY
1 or 2; & one from 4-8
22.5: COMPLETE
23. Local Air Quality
NO
23.2: COMPLETE, PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAIL ON
any two actions
REGULATIONS (Incomplete - Rec fires or Outdoor Wood Boilers)
23.3: UNDERWAY
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: 3 BPs required
24. Benchmarks & Involvement
NO
24.1: INCOMPLETE- PLEASE REPORT TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS
1&2
1 ON CITY WEBSITE/PAPER, ETC.
12
13
24.4: COMPLETE
25. Green Businesses
YES
25.2: COMPLETE
any two actions
25.4: COMPLETE
26. Renewable Energy
NO
26.5: UNDERWAY
any two actions
26.6: UNDERWAY
27. Local Food
NO
any one action
28. Business Synergies
NO
2,3or4
13
#23 Local Air Ouality Best Practice — Progress is being made on 3.a. Should the 2nd action be changed
from #2 (a or b) to another more immediately achievable action? Or should #2a be implemented by banning
wood burning on days when the pollution alert reaches an MPCA defined level similar to a San Francisco
ordinance? Could #2a also be implemented by banning future installation of wood burning fireplaces indoors
and outdoors, requiring all new fireplace construction to be gas; an ordinance model would be needed for this
alternative.
1. Conduct an education/financial assistance campaign around one of the following wood burning/auto exhaust
issues:
a. Indoor and outdoor wood burning behavior, to ensure that wood burning is only done with seasoned
wood and in a manner that doesn't negatively impact neighbors.
b. Indoor wood burning technology, to result in community members upgrading from inefficient/more
polluting fireplaces and wood stoves to natural gas/biogas stoves and fireplaces or the most efficient certified
wood stoves.
c. Smoker cars - older model/high polluting vehicles, to result in repairs spurred by repair vouchers.
2. Regulate outdoor wood burning, using model ordinance language, performance standards and bans as
appropriate, for at least one of the following:
a. Recreational burning.
b. Outdoor wood boilers.
3. Conduct one or more education/behavior change campaigns on the topics below and document:a
a. Decreased vehicle idling in specific locales or by specific fleets.
b. Increased sales by retail stores of low and no-VOC household products.
c. Replacement of gasoline -powered equipment with lower polluting equipment.
4. Document the participation of at least 3 larger businesses using trucks in at least one of the following:a.
a. Clean Air Minnesota's Project GreenFleet.
b. U.S. EPA's SmartWay Transport program.
c. Installation of auxiliary power units that reduce truck and bus idling.
5. Install at least two public charging stations for plug-in hybrid and full electric vehicles.
#26 Renewable Energy Best Practice — Edina is listed for actions #5 & 6. Consider deleting #6 and
adding #4. Continue working on #1.
1. Adopt, with modifications as necessary, at least one of the following from Minnesota's 2009 Model
Ordinances for Sustainable Development:
a. Solar Energy Standards.
b. Model Wind Energy ordinance.
2. Consistently promote at least one of the following means of increasing renewable generation:
a. A local utility's green power purchasing program for homes and businesses.
b. Local, state and federal financial incentives for property owners to install renewable energy systems.
3. Create a renewable energy financing program for property owners to install generation capacity.
4. Support or create a program that enables property owners to participate in a community renewable energy
project.
14
5. Install a public sector renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), solar hot water or hot air,
micro -hydro or wind.
6. Work with private/public partners to create renewable energy / energy efficient generation capacity with two
or more of the following attributes:
a. Fueled by flowing water, sun, wind, or biogas.
b. Fueled in part or whole by woody biomass, optimized for minimal air and other environmental impacts
and for energy efficiency and water conservation.
C. Distributing heating/cooling services in a district energy system.
d. Producing combined heat and power.
15
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16
PACE Checklist
10-10-11
By Bill Sierks
1. City Resolution authorizing PACE - Drafting complete by Bill Sierks
2. Intake Packet — Prepared by Grandview & Clean Fund
a. Energy Audit
b. Solar Feasibility study
c. Grandview -Clean Fund Finance Agreement (conditioned on special assessment)
d. Prepare Draft Revenue Bond Purchase Agreement
e. Prepare Draft Petition for Special Assessment
i. Include waiver of appeal language
f. Grandview -Solar Installer contract
g. Prepare demonstration of ability to repay and show current payment on taxes and mortgage
3. City Review (by City Staff, bond counsel, finance consultant, or McKinstry)
a. Verify Energy Audit and Solar FS adequacy
i. Verify all reasonable EE measures are completed
b. Verify Financial agreement has timely repayment (see statutory requirements on term; % value of
property)
c. Verify that Solar installer and any EE contractor are licensed
d. Verify Grandview ability to repay and current on taxes & mortgage
e. Review draft Petition for Special Assessment
f. Review draft Revenue Bond Purchase Agreement
4. City Action (City Council & above)
a. Approve authorizing Resolution (#1)
b. Approve Revenue Bond Purchase Agreement
c. Approve Petition for Special Assessment
i. Assure language does not provide for acceleration for default and runs with the land
ii. Include waiver of appeal for requested special assessment
d. Comply with any public notice requirements
e. City inspect final installation; may choose to verify Solar performance
17
3. Create an Easy Intake Packet: A process and assembly of documents provided and PAID
FOR for by owners/lenders/contractors for requirements of MS 216C.436 and 429.101.
Subd. 2. Program requirements. (Statutory language with proposed process/content in bold)
(1) impose requirements and conditions on financing arrangements to
ensure timely repayment;
File Copies of documentation of finance agreement between lender,
owner and contractors
Q including mortgagee consent.
Mortgage lender (Name of Lender) consents
to the special assessment for property located at
(Street and Plat Address)
Q Mortgagee understands the role and conditions of this petitioned
assessment in securing the financing for the energy improvements
on this property including the first lien position of the assessment
and in the event of foreclosure, only the delinquent payments of
the assessment require settlement. Mortgagee further understands
that the financed value may not exceed 10% of the improved
property's assessed value and the term of the assessment may not
exceed 20 years.
(2) require an energy audit or renewable energy system feasibility
study to be conducted on the qualifying real property and
reviewed by the implementing entity prior to approval of the
financing;
Q File Copies of documented energy audit and/or renewable energy
installation specs and expected performance.
(3) require the inspection of installations and a performance
verification of the energy improvements financed by the program;
(City should approve the M/V protocol to be used and File Copies of
ESCO Measurement and Verification protocol.)
Q File copies of owners engineering review of performance data (In-
house or contract). Include sign -off completion documents by
18
appropriate inspector(s). City may elect to reduce the number of
projects requiring performance verification, however, at least 10%
of all projects must have a performance verification.
(a) require that all cost-effective energy improvements be made to a
qualifying real property prior to, or in conjunction with, an
applicant's repayment of financing for energy improvements for
that property; (Why am I having a problem with this sentence after I insisted
we include it in the legislation?)
O Inform project applicant that special assessments begin at the
earliest point of collection after project sign off by appropriate
inspector(s) (Include sign -off documents) and that notification of
assessment payment may take up to 90 days to process.
(5) have energy improvements financed by the program performed by
licensed contractors as required by chapter 3268 or other law or
ordinance;
File Copies of contractors applicable licenses.
(6) require disclosures to borrowers by the implementing entity of the
risks involved in borrowing, including the risk of foreclosure if a
tax delinquency results from a default;
=File copy of signed risk of borrowing and foreclosure from uncured
tax delinquency. As owner of property address)
I, (Name of Property Owner(s)
understand that default on the special assessment used to finance
this energy improvement may lead to foreclosure.
(7) provide financing only to those who demonstrate an ability to
repay and is current on mortgage or real property tax payments;
=File documents demonstrating credit -worthiness.
=File documents that owner is current on mortgage and
property taxes.
=As owner of (Property Address)
I (Name of Property Owner) attest to
being current with mortgage payments on record with
(Mortgage Company)
and property taxes on record at (County of Residence)
19
(8) require a petition to the implementing entity by all owners of the
qualifying real property requesting collections of repayments as a
special assessment under section 429.101;
❑ File both the petition and record of council approval of the
project's petition for special assessment.
(9) provide that payments and assessments are not accelerated due
to a default and that a tax delinquency exists only for
assessments not paid when due;
❑ Inform Owner in writing of this provision Owner
acknowledges receiving and understanding this provision of
the financing.
(10) require that liability for special assessments related to the
financing runs with the qualifying real property.
❑ Inform Owner in writing at intake of this provision. Owner
acknowledges receiving and understanding this provision of
the financing.
(11) ❑Local gas and electric utility service providers have informed
property owner(s) of, and assisted with acquiring the state,
federal and other applicable rebates available due to the PACE
financed property improvements.
(11) Financing terms. Financing provided under this section must have:
(a) a weighted average maturity not exceeding the useful life of the energy improvements
installed, as determined by the implementing entity, but in no event may a term exceed
20 years;
Confirm Documents provide set finance terms that do not exceed 20 years or the useful
life of the energy improvement, whichever is less . ❑
(b) a principal amount not to exceed the lesser of ten percent of the assessed value of the
real property on which the improvements are to be installed or the actual cost of
installing the energy improvements, including the costs of necessary equipment,
materials, and labor, the costs of each related energy audit or renewable energy system
feasibility study, and the cost of verification of installation;
Confirm Documents provided show the financed value does not exceed ten percent
of the improved properties assessed value. 0
Preliminary approval: For the City of EdinaDate
Owner/Contractor— _ _Date
20
Final Approval: For the City of Edina
Owner
Date
Date
City shall provider petition awardee with a certificate of participation and completion of a
PACE financed energy improvements on above property including a inventory of the energy
improvements performed and information leading to the access of M&V data.
21
City of Edina Resolution # 2011-xx
Establishing Commercial Property Assessed
Clean Energy Demonstration Program in Edina
WHEREAS, The Minnesota Legislature enacted a law in 2010 known as the "Energy
Improvements Program For Local Governments", Minn. Stat. § 216C.436, authorizing a
municipality to establish a program to finance energy improvements to enable owners of
qualifying real property to pay for cost-effective energy improvements to the qualifying
real property with the net proceeds and interest earnings of revenue bonds authorized
in this section.
WHEREAS, The City of Edina wishes to establish a Property Assessed Clean Energy
(PACE) program in Edina so that owners of qualifying property can access financing for
energy saving improvements to their properties located in the City. The City intends to
undertake a pilot project with a commercial business owner in the City to finance the
installation of a solar PV system using the PACE procedures outlined in Minn. Stat. §
216C.436.
WHEREAS, The City further intends that this project will serve as a step to developing
and implementing a broader PACE program that will be available to Edina businesses
and residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Edina,
Hennepin County, Minnesota, that it is the intention of the city to establish a
demonstration commercial property PACE program in the City consistent with the goals
and requirements of Minn. State. § 216C.436.
22
Resolution: Conversion of the Three Wood Burning Centrum Fire Places to Gas
Date: 11 Oct. 2011
Action Requested: Due to the hazards of wood smoke to human health, to the global environment, and to
our urban forest, the Aug. 25, 2011 meeting of the Air and Water Quality Working Group recommended
to the Edina Energy and Environment Commission that Edina's three wood burning Centrum fire places
be converted to gas. There are two indoor fireplaces and one outdoor fireplace at the Centrum. The EEC
adopted this resolution on 8-8-11 and it was discussed at the EEC/City Council Work Session on 9-20-11.
Information Background:
Wood smoke:
1. Is a major source of carbon dioxide and black carbon soot in the atmosphere.
2. is hazardous to human health.
3. Contributes to the spread of insect -borne tree disease, such as emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease.
Gas inserts for fireplaces and fire rings are safer and more environmentally sound then burning wood.
Such inserts also reduce the number of trees that must be destroyed for fuel; trees help absorb carbon
dioxide, a greenhouse gas.
The head of the United Nations Environment Program recommends measures to slash non -carbon dioxide
greenhouse gas pollutants, including black carbon, "because they make up some 50 percent of toxic
atmospheric emissions". He stressed that "The world must deploy all available means to reduce this
pollution and that no substance contributing to this pollution should be overlooked." '
Wood smoke emits fine particulates that contain many of the same deadly toxins that are in tobacco
smoke and vehicle exhaust. They are comprised of formaldehydeZ, benzene, toluene3, polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins4 and other noxious and persistent organic compounds and greenhouse
pollutants that build up in our lungs, crops and water supply. Wood smoke is more concentrated than
tobacco smoke, travels farther and remains chemically active in the body for up to 40 hours longer5.
Everyone is at risk from wood -smoke exposure. But children of all ages6, unborn children, the elderly,
and anyone with asthma, allergies, or heart disease are in the highest -risk categories. The US Center for
Disease Control states that wood smoke is a trigger for asthma attacks. Wood smoke is also implicated in
cancers, reproductive birth defects and in sudden infant death syndrome.
A study found that people who burn wood or other "biofuels" for heat or cooking may have a heightened
risk of emphysema and related lung conditions. Among non-smokers, exposure to biomass smoke was
linked to a 2.5 -fold increase in the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smokers
' See 4 Sept. 2009 UN News Service at http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=31952&Cr=unep&Crl).
2 See http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/environ/fonnaldehyde-eng.php ;
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/725.pdf
3 See http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/htmlpubs/htm04232327/pageOl.htm;
http://www.epa.gov/teach/chem_summ/BENZ_summary.pdf
4 See "The Health Effects of Wood Smoke", www.ehhi.org1woodsmokelhealth_effects.shtml.
5 See www.bumingissues.org.
6 See Science Daily (Nov. 7, 2009) "Air Pollution Increases Infants' Risk Of Bronchiolitis"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091106084243.htm.
See "Important asthma triggers," "You can control your asthma", CDC, USA.gov, updated April 27, 2009.
23
exposed to biomass smoke, meanwhile, had a more than four -fold greater risk of COPD than non-smokers
who did not burn biomass fuels at home. s
The Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency to set limits on black
carbon, a/k/a "soot." Generated from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass, black carbon
is a solid particle that warms the atmosphere because its dark color absorbs heat -- both when it
accumulates in the air, raising the air's temperature, and when it lands on snow and ice, accelerating
melting. Black carbon also has profound effects on public health, causing hundreds of thousands of
premature deaths each year.9
The movement of firewood contributes to the spread of tree pathogens. Emerald ash borer will soon be
killing trees in Edina. According to a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) document, "America's
neighborhoods are under attack. The emerald ash borer lives in firewood. Move firewood and you
spread the destruction."10
Minnesota's antismoking ordinance allows people to go to bars and restaurants and avoid smoke, because
tobacco smoke is a proven killer. Edina's City ordinance prohibits smoking in City parks and facilities.
Yet residents have no choice but to breathe wood smoke in the Centrum. The Edina Energy and
Environment Commission respectfully requests the Edina City Council to set an example by reducing the
City of Edina's wood burning by converting the three wood burning fireplaces in the Centrum to gas.
Tom Shirley, the Centennial Lakes Grounds Manager estimates that the cost of converting the two indoor
fireplaces plus the one outdoor fireplace to gas is approximately $5,000 given that the gas lines already
exist. Conversion to gas would save on the cost of wood for the 3 fireplaces, which according to Shirley's
records is $900-$1,375 annually depending upon the year. The cost of cleaning the 3 chimneys would also
be saved by the gas conversion, which is approximately $175 every 3 — 4 years. Assuming an average of
$1,182 in annual wood costs plus an average of $44 in annual chimney cleaning costs, then the total
annual costs for operating the 3 wood fire burning places is approximately $1,182. This would be offset in
part by the cost of the natural gas. Based on a total fireplace usage of 2360 hours per year and an hourly
cost of $0.20 (medium flame output), it would cost roughly $472 per year for all three units combined.
The effect that the gas fireplaces would have on the heating cost for the building is assumed to be
comparable to the wood burning fireplaces. Therefore $1,182 - $472 = $710 into $5,000 yields a pay back
of approximately 7 years. Please note that the cost data in the 9-29-11 Edina Sun Current article was not
accurate.
Air and Water Quality Working Group
Of the Edina Energy and Environment Commission
8 See New York (Reuters Health) 2-25-2010, http:/ibumingissues.org/forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=ll&t=3497.
9 See Los Angeles Times, February 22, 2010, http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/center/articles/2010/los-
angeles-times-02-22-2010.html.
10 See Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E-2940, "Promise not to move firewood." March 2007.
24
Minutes for the Recycling & Solid Waste Working Group
of Edina's Energy and Environment Commission
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011 Time 7:00 P.M. - Location: City Hall, Community Room
The meeting was convened by Chair Latham at 7:05 pm in the Community Room.
Present: Chair Latham, Melissa Seeley, Tim Rudnicki, Michelle Horan; Staff Solvei Wilmot
Absent: Sarah Zarrin
The agenda and 7-7-11 minutes were approved. There were no resident Comments.
1. Reports
a. Tim Rudnicki — Grant opportunities — McKnight Foundation seems unlikely
b. DP Latham — An informative tour was held on Aug. 16 of the Novus Energy portable biodigester. Those
attending were Chair Latham, staff Solvei Wilmot, Michelle Horan, Paul Thompson, Bob Gubrud. The portable
biodigester uses 400 lbs of raw materials/day. The plant in Oregon uses 110 tons/day.
2. GreenStep Cities Update — See http://gyeenstep.pca.state.mn.us/bestPractices.cfm; e�nstep.pca.state.mn.us/bestPractices.cfm; Work Session with City Council is
scheduled for 9-20-11.
5. Pamela and Lewis Pk Recycling bins report. Photographs of paired recycling bin & trash interiors will be taken by
Chair Latham at Lewis Pk and by Melissa Seeley at Pamela Pk.
6. BP 22.6 MPCA PROPOSES NEW ACTION — 5-17-11 e-mail from Phil Muessig: "will probably, in September,
modify the BP action 22.6, which is about organized collection, to include two other challenging optional actions,
including business recycling. Depending on the business type, recycling can be fairly common, but a city mandate, as
few MN cities have, is a big step, but I think the solid waste people here want to include it as a challenging option (and,
like organized collection, not one lightly pursued!).
Implement one or more city-wide solid waste collection/recycling systems from the list below:
A) Organize regular, ongoing residential solid waste collection by private and/or public operations citywide to
link one (or more) geographic district(s) to only one hauler.
B) Mandate collection of recyclables from multi -unit residential buildings, providing education in support of
programs and compliance and enforcement of the requirement.
C) Mandate collection of three or more recyclable materials (e.g., paper, plastic, metal) from commercial entities,
supporting the mandate with compliance and enforcement assistance."
3. Hennepin Co Requests Increase recycling in multifamily units - Currently Edina Single family and duplexes =
$7.50/month; Multi -family of 3 to 8 units = $7.50/month. The March 2007 Multi Unit Survey results showed that
most comply. An updated survey in the event there are new facilities could be considered. The Recycling RFP could
be updated to include multi units.
4. 1300.09 Refuse Reports — Proposed report format was modified to take into consideration hauler comments
5. Commercial Recycling Certification — Sarah Zarrin to track Hennepin Co progress on setting up a certification
program.
9. Compost Rulemaking: MPCA permitting process for organic collection sites. Track the compost rulemaking at the
following web page: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.pht)/waste/waste-permits-and-rules/waste-
rulemaking/proposed-changes-to-compost-rules.html A 2" a stakeholder meeting was to be held at the MPCA early
in 2011 to discuss a preliminary rule draft, prior to formal publication to review draft rule language and provide
feedback, prior to public notice. Publish dual notice Feb. 2012. Final adoption 3 mo after dual notice if no public
hearing or 6 mo after dual notice if there is a public hearing. The addition of a new section in chapter 7035 to address
the combination of food and yard waste with the addition of bulking agents would remove an existing barrier to
expanded composting of organics by clarifying requirements. The MPCA is considering amendments to address the
regulation of the combination of food and yard waste with the addition of bulking agents.
10. RSW WG approved city-wide municipal facility recycling policy 11-4-10 recommending that only compostable
tableware will be used, that bottled water will be reduced, and that organic composting will be implemented. EEC
approved this recommendation at the 8-11-11 meeting. The 2011 city facility solid waste and recycling RFP will take
this into consideration to accomplish GreenStep #22 sub step 1 a (overall waste reduction in city operations).
11. Organized hauling. Reportedly Maplewood has issued an RFP and the RSW WG awaits seeing the results.
25
12. RSW WG page on EEC website. Members should review to see if we need to add any links.
13. The process for city Code amendment was distributed and explained by Chair Latham.
14. The next RSW WG meeting will be Oct. 6 at 7 pm in the Community Room. The Nov. 3 meeting is canceled.
The meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Attachments: 9-1-11 Agenda
Minutes of 7-7-11 meeting
Hauler comments on proposed amendments to 1300
Proposed revised hauler reporting form
City Code Amendment Process
Dianne Plunkett Latham
Chair, Edina Energy & Environment Commission, Chair Recycling & Solid Waste Working Group
26
Edina Park Recycling Bin Recommendations
By
Recycling & Solid Waste Working Group (RSW WG) of the
Energy & Environment Commission
Proposal of 10-10-11
Objective: Recycling in Edina parks is an important component Edina's commitment to the Green Step Cities program.
All Edina Parks must have outdoor recycling bins for bottles/cans paired with each outdoor trash can within one foot of
each other. In addition, there must be indoor recycling bins for bottles/cans in all facilities plus paper/cardboard recycling
bins for those facilities where paper/cardboard is used. Outdoor recycling bins must be suitable for outdoor use such that
they will withstand the elements, damage and/or theft. The outdoor recycling bins must be of sufficient capacity with at
least 60 gallons. At such time as the City Sanitarian implements the RFP currently in progress, which includes organics
composting, recycling for compostables must be implemented in all park facilities.
Survey: A survey of the effectiveness of the Dow grant of 3 recycling bins for Lewis Park and 5 recycling bins for
Pamela Park was made by photographing the contents of the outdoor recycling bins and outdoor trash cans by members of
the RSW WG during early September 2011. The photographic survey showed that almost no recyclable office paper or
cardboard was being placed in either the outdoor trash cans or recycling bins. Consequently, a 3 bin system of 1) trash, 2)
bottles/cans and 3) paper, is not required. Only two outdoor receptacles are necessary, one for trash and another for bottles
and cans. A three bin outdoor system would only have applicability when organics composting is implemented.
According to the attached 28 July 2004 Three Rivers Waste Committee Receptacle report, the cost of a three bin system is
in the $1,000 range depending on the product. The RSW WG's photographic survey also showed that very little
contaminants were accidentally being placed in the recycling bins. City Park Superintendent Vince Cockriel indicated
that 60% of the contents of the recycling bins were being thrown out. Apparently the park staff did not understand that
small amounts of residual contaminants are acceptable and can be removed at the Materials Recycling Plant. City park
staff should be instructed to discontinue throwing out the contents of the recycling bins. The RSW WG members have
been informally monitoring the contents of the recycling bins since May 2010 a couple of times per month and have
found no instances of contamination so severe that the contents would have needed to have been disposed of. The only
exception being dog feces. Throughout all the RSW WG monitoring, only 1 bag of dog feces was found in one recycling
bin by the Pamela Park tot lot. The RSW WG will write a Spring opinion piece for the Edina Sun Current reminding
residents to cooperate and place only recycling in the recycling bins and to be especially careful to place dog feces in the
trash. Sanitarian/Recycling Coordinator Solvei Wilmot will write a counterpart Spring article for About Town to better
educate the public.
Outdoor recycling bins are presently located in only 3 of Edina's 50 outdoor city parks. These are located at: Lewis Park
(3 donated by Dow), Pamela Pk (5 donated by Dow) plus a few at Braemar Park. Indoor recycling bins are also found at
Edinborough and City Hall. Park Superintendent Vince Cockriel did not know how many trash cans were in Edina city
parks, only that they were emptied daily, undoubtedly to avoid unpleasant odors and to avoid scavenging animals.
Inventory: An inventory must be made of the number and kind of outdoor and indoor trash cans in each park. The
inventory also needs to indicate if the hoods are damaged. The report should include a recommendation on the number,
kind and cost of recycling bins to be ordered. Most outdoor trash cans observed by the RSW WG are made of either
concrete with a beige plastic hood, or of black plastic with an orange plastic hood. The dimensions of these are as follows:
Concrete Trash Can: Base outer diameter = 25.5", inner diameter = 21.75" — Hood outer diameter = 26.5", inner = 26.25"
Black Plastic Trash Can: Base outer diameter = 21.5", inner = 21" — Orange hood outer diameter = 22.75", inner = 22.25"
Dow Recycling Bins: Base outer diameter = 24", inner = 22.75" — Green hood outer diameter = 24.5", inner = 24.25"
27
Options: The most cost effective options for meeting the above objective are:
Obtaining donors for recycling bins like those donated by Dow Chemical. These are approximately $600 for each
60 gal recycling bin. Under Park and Rec policy, local Organizations donating recycling bins could have a
donor's name placed on a donated item, but advertising cannot be placed there. In other words, the recycling bin
could say "Donated by Joe's", but not "Eat at Joe's." The organization's logo would be permissible as on the Dow
recycling bins at Lewis and Pamela Parks. Park and Rec policy states that a donor must donate at least $5,000
before their name can be placed on an item. This policy should be amended to make an exception for recycling
bins given that Dow had their name on each recycling bin despite the $600 cost of each.
2. At least some of the hoods on trash cans are cracked or otherwise damaged (especially those on the concrete trash
cans) and in need of replacement. The damaged trash can hoods should be replaced instead with recycling hoods
for bottles and cans. New recycling hoods for bottles and cans would cost under $100 each depending on the style
hood chosen. Only 2 of Edina's 50 outdoor parks have a sufficient quantity of recycling bins — Lewis Park and
Pamela Park. Assume that each park has 6 trash bins. If half of the trash bins were converted to recycling bins by
purchasing new hoods (some of which are cracked and in need of replacement anyway), the approximate cost
would be 3 X 50 X $100 = $15,000. Spread out over 2 years the cost would be $7,500/year. Obtaining recycling
bins by changing out trash can hoods is also preferable because it eliminates having to throw out or store the
surplus trash cans and is consistent with the 3 R's — Reuse, Reduce, Recycle. If a trash bin is destroyed or stolen,
it should be replaced with a recycling bin until such time as all trash cans are paired with recycling bins.
Replacing 50% of the trash can hoods with recycling hoods results in no extra work on the part of park
maintenance in emptying them because they are empting the same number. The only difference is that half the
contents are going to trash and half the contents are going to recycling.
28
EDINA PARK AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
TURF MANAGEMENT PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Revised September 2011
29
Introduction
The City of Edina owns and maintains over 1,500 acres of beautiful park land, wooded areas and
open space within its city boundaries. Approximately 600 acres are grassy areas that are
routinely maintained on a mowing schedule. In addition, the Edina Park and Recreation
Department also maintains many acres of highway islands and boulevards. Part of the
maintenance responsibility includes controlling undesirable and/or injurious pests, such as
weeds, insects and fungus to an acceptable level of tolerance. Some of the Edina Park
Maintenance Department turf management practices that have been used in the past have
included the use of fertilizers and herbicides.
Terminology
By dictionary definition, pesticides are chemicals used to kill pests, such as insects and rodents.
Herbicides are chemicals used to eradicate (kill) plants, such as weeds and grasses. In fact, the
term "cide" means killer. The word "pesticides", however, is commonly used as the term that
includes all the "cides" in the industry, such as fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. In other
words, all herbicides are considered to be a type of pesticide. There are 18 major pesticides that
are used in approximately 2,100 different lawn care products.
Selective herbicides are chemicals that are designed to eradicate specific plants, such as broad
leaf weeds, while not harmfully affecting other plant species that share common turf, such as
desirable grasses. One of the most commonly used selective herbicide chemical is 2,4-D.
Non-selective herbicides are chemicals that are designed to eradicate all "green" plant life. In
other words, Non-selective herbicides, such as Roundup (a water soluble Non-selective herbicide
brand name manufactured by Monsanto Company), are used to kill all green plants, such as all
turf grasses and weeds. Non-selective herbicides essentially block the photosynthetic process in
plants. Turf areas that have been treated with Non-selective herbicides can be re -turfed (seeded
or sodded) within a week after application.
Non-selective herbicides are commonly used to kill green growth around trees and under fencing
to eliminate the need for labor intensive grass/weed trimming.
Organic herbicides are non -chemicals, often plant -based such as corn gluten, that work by
inhibiting root formation at the time of germination. The timing of application is very important
for the treatment to be effective. Turf must be treated before weeds germinate. Organic
herbicides have low or no toxicity for humans and animals and break down rapidly in the
environment after application.
History
One of the turf management practices that has been used by the Edina Park Maintenance
30
Department to control weeds and other undesirable grasses has included broadcast applications
of selective herbicides by licensed herbicide applicators. This practice has long been viewed as
an economical approach to weed control. The largest grassy areas of the Edina Park System
have typically been treated with selective herbicides (sprayed on in a liquid form) once per year
in the Spring. These large area applications have been carried out by Edina Park Maintenance
staff who have been trained and licensed by the Minnesota State Department of Agriculture. The
smaller areas, such as roadway triangles and islands, that are more labor intensive to maintain,
have been annually treated with selective herbicides in the Spring by contracted turf care
companies, such as True Green ChemLawn.
The heavily scheduled athletic fields throughout the Edina Park System have typically been
treated with selective herbicides in a liquid form in the Spring and have received an application
of weed and feed granular (combination fertilizer and selective herbicide) in the Fall of the year.
Fertilizers are typically applied once or twice annually to turf areas in need of nutrients to
maintain healthy grasses. Fertilizers are not herbicides and are not considered to be a member of
the "pesticide" family. Fertilizers are essentially nutrients (food) for grass plants. The large
open grassy areas throughout the Edina Park System have not been treated with fertilizers in past
practices, mainly due to economic reasons.
In the past, the Edina Park and Recreation Department has used non-selective herbicides, such as
Roundup, to eliminate green growth around trees, under fencing, around hockey boards and in
cracks that develop in tennis courts and hard surface areas, such as basketball courts. This
practice has been an economical approach to grass and weed trimming, mainly for aesthetic
purposes. The eradication of weeds and grasses that develop in cracks in tennis courts and hard
surfaces courts has been done for two main reasons:
1 Eliminate hazardous play surface conditions (safety reasons).
2 Minimize further damage to the hard surface area (economic reasons).
The main goal of the Edina Park and Recreation Department's turf management plan has long
been to maintain safe and aesthetic turf in the most economical fashion allowed by law. The
Edina Park and Recreation Department's past practices have been carried out by hard working,
dedicated and well trained maintenance personnel who take great pride in their work. The City
of Edina and its Park Maintenance Department have always been concerned and conscious of the
impact of its turf maintenance practices on human and animal health and the environment.
Because the most important factor in applying herbicides is safety (especially that of children),
the Park and Recreation Department has voluntarily made (and continues to make) changes in its
own methodology in the application of herbicides to help minimize herbicide exposure to
children.
During the Spring of 1994, several concerned residents questioned the potential health hazards
associated with the Edina Park and Recreation Department's turf management practices. At the
Edina City Council meeting on Monday, June 20, 1994, the Edina City Council directed staff to
work with Edina Community Health Advisory Committee (ECHSAC) to establish a plan and a
process that addresses the concerns of the use of herbicides on City owned property.
31
ECHSAC July 13, 1994, Meeting
The ECHSAC met on Monday, July 13, 1994, to discuss this issue. After lengthy discussion, it
was determined that the goal should be to find alternative methods of turf management to control
pests, such as weeds, that require considerably less or no herbicides. The issue regarding the
potential health hazards and environmental impact associated with the use of herbicides was
discussed and there was clearly debate on both sides of the issue. It was determined by the
ECHSAC that, at this point in time, there is not enough undisputed conclusive evidence that
suggests that the Edina Park and Recreation Department's current use of herbicides does or does
not pose potential health or environmental hazards. Therefore, the recommendation of the
ECHSAC was for the City of Edina to establish a turf management plan that errs on the safe side
of herbicide use. The action taken by the ECHSAC at that meeting was as follows:
Bob Wilkins MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE PARK AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT WORK WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE PUBLIC
WORKS DEPARTMENT IN CREATING A CLASSIFICATION OF PARK
PROPERTIES AND RECOMMEND AN APPLICATION PROCESS THAT WOULD
LIMIT AND REDUCE USE OF HERBICIDES IN RESPONSE TO CITIZENS
CONCERN. AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO HERBICIDE USE, THE COMMUNITY
HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS INVESTIGATING
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM), A PROGRAM EMPHASIZING
FERTILIZING, SEEDING, AND MOWING. THIS PROGRAM WOULD BE
REVIEWED BY THE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES ADVISORY
COMMITTEE FOR IMPLEMENTATION IF THERE IS PROVEN EFFECTIVENESS.
Audrey Runyan SECONDED. MOTION CARRIED.
At the August 1, 1994, City Council meeting, the Edina City Council directed the staff to
research and recommend a plan to reduce the use of herbicides on public properties and present
the recommendations initially to the Edina Community Health Services Advisory Committee.
The ECHSAC was asked to review staff s recommendations for alternatives for turf management
during the month of December, 1994. The plan was to then have staff take the ECHSAC's
recommendations to the Edina Park Board at the January, 1995, Park Board meeting. The Edina
City Council has further directed that the matter then be brought before the Edina City Council
on Monday, February 6, 1995.
At the November 16`h ECHSAC meeting, the ECHSAC was concerned about the long term
effects of herbicide use, as well as, recommending a realistic and acceptable plan using
preventative measures that will benefit people 20 to 30 years from now.
The ECHSAC determined that there is good reason to establish a plan and policy that reduces the
amount of herbicide use on public and private lands. Through this study, it was learned that the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registers, rather than licenses, herbicides and
pesticides. Therefore, the EPA does not guarantee the safety of the products they review. The
EPA can, however, require testing of products and recently stipulated, for example, that the 2-4,
D manufacturers repeat an animal -cancer study. The EPA has also asked the industry to take
voluntary risk -reduction measures while the study proceeds. According to the 1993 General
32
Accounting Office (GAO) Report, the EPA is more concerned with the health effects of one-time
or short-term exposures to MCPP and dicamba along with 2,4-D (which are "licensed
herbicides" currently used by the Edina Park and Recreation Department). The 1993 GAO
Report also states that dicamba and 2,4-D are deemed "restricted use candidates" by the EPA due
to groundwater concerns.
The one fact that is most commonly misunderstood by the public is that an EPA "licensed
herbicide" is not necessarily "safe" with regards to human and /or environmental health.
Through this study we have further learned that the EPA has not yet developed guidelines to
assess the health effects of human exposure to pesticides after they are applied to lawns. In
particular, the EPA is concerned about the persistence of pesticides in the environment and
potential effect on children, who may have more contact with treated lawns than adults (1993
GAO report).
Edina Park Board January 10, 1995 Meeting
At the January 10, 1995 Edina Park Board meeting, the Edina Park Board took the following
action:
Mr. Fee MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WE ACCEPT
THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ECHSAC AND RECOMMEND TO THE
CITY COUNCIL THAT THEY ADOPT THE TURF MANAGEMENT PLAN AS
PRESENTED IN THE REPORT SUBJECT TO ANNUAL REVIEW OR SOONER IF
DETERMINED NECESSARY. John Dovolis SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
There are various but limited turf management practices that promote healthy grass
growth and turf stability while minimizing weed growth without the use of herbicides.
The goal is to create a strong and healthy grass that dominates weed growth. Ideally, the
goal is to maintain healthy turf grasses while controlling the percentage of pests (weeds)
within a predetermined tolerance level without the use of herbicides.
Desirable grasses need four main elements to survive:
1 Air
2 Water
3 Food (nutrients)
4 Sunlight
Grasses cannot survive when any of the above elements are absent. The most important element
is air. In other words, if soil is too compacted, grasses cannot breath. The second most critical
element is water. Desirable grasses do not compete well against weeds and undesirable grass
plants in drought conditions.
33
The fact is that weed plants (such as knotweed) and undesirable grass plants (such as sandbur)
are typically much hardier plants than desirable grasses (such as bluegrass or ryegrass). If left to
nature without any interference of turf maintenance, weeds and undesirable grasses will
eventually dominate the turf. In some cases, a weed dominated turf can lead to unsafe or
intolerable turf conditions for certain turf users, such as softball, baseball, soccer and football
players and golfers.
Integrated pest management practices that help desirable grasses best compete with weeds are as
follows:
1 Irrigation
2 Aeration
3 Proper drainage
4 More frequent mowing schedule whenever possible (ideally never cut more than 1/3
of the grass plant each cut)
5 Set mowers higher (cut grasses ideally at 2 'i/2")
6 Proper fertilization schedule (more frequent and smaller quantities per application,
plus proper timing)
7 Over seeding (slit seeding)
8 Top dressing
9 Use most durable grass seed mixture selections
10 Sodding where practical
11 Minimizing thatch where needed
12 Spot use applications (as opposed to broadcast applications) of least toxic herbicides
only in cases where the intended activity would be intolerably compromised or when
an economic or potential human injury is at risk
To achieve the goal to use the least amount of herbicides possible, staff is proposing the
following IPM based turf management plan:
TURF MANAGEMENT PLAN (GOALS)
1 Identify existing pests, such as weeds, and their current percentage make up of existing
ground cover.
2 Identify stressed areas of turf and evaluate IPM based options for treatment of the problem.
3 Establish a classification of Edina's public -owned park lands and open space and establish a
weed tolerance level to each property.
4 Establish reasonable investments needed and desired to assure best results utilizing IPM
based principles in turf management.
5 Routinely monitor and analyze success of IPM based turf management program in writing:
a Identify the pest (weed) and the size (density) of its infestation.
34
b Keep records of effectiveness of treatment on solving each turf problem; irrigation,
fertilization, mowing, aeration, dethaching, and, as a last resort, use of least toxic
chemical.
c Keep records of citizen complaints and comments related to turf management
program.
6 Develop a list of acceptable management strategies for eradication of weeds when weed
dominance exceeds predetermined tolerance levels, such as:
a Predetermine a list of herbicides that are effective against the targeted pest (weed) but
is least disruptive to the environment, and human and animal health.
b Use methods of selective spot treatments instead of broadcast treatments whenever
possible.
c Post signage before, during and after applying herbicides. Signs should carry the
following information: 1 date of application: 2) advisory to keep off the grass for at
least 7 days after application. Signs should be clearly legible.
d Apply herbicides only as a last resort.
e Consult a professional turf restoration professional before determining that herbicides
are necessary. It is recommended to continue this practice for a minimum of two
years.
f Making sure that herbicides are applied by only licensed herbicide applicators.
7 Designate a responsible individual (or individuals) for making decisions to carry out and
evaluate the turf management plan.
8 Educate full-time maintenance staff as to best turf management practices using integrated
pest management approaches to pest control. In other words, become self-reliant to avoid
long-term reliance on consulting expertise.
9 Promote and educate the public as to responsible effective private lawn care practices.
Encourage the public to implement integrated pest management practices on their private
properties.
Turf Management Task Force
The Turf Management Task Force was formed in September 2010 at the request of the Energy
and Environment Commission (EEC) as a response to Edina residents' concerns on the use of
herbicides in parks and children play areas. The Task Force consisted of one member each from
the EEC commission, the Community and Health Committee and the Park Board. The City was
represented by the Superintendent of Parks. The Task Force reviewed the original Turf
Management Plan and evaluated how it was implemented from 1994 to date. It was discovered
that herbicides were not always applied according to the plan. Residents' concerns about
excessive dandelion weeds in untreated areas (classified as "C" in the plan) had prompted
treatment of those areas with one-time spraying of the herbicide 2,4 D early in the spring.
35
Organic herbicides have been shown to be as an effective non-toxic alternative for lawn care.
Unlike chemicals, however, organic applications require additional attention to proper timing
and weather conditions. Typically, it takes three to four seasons to eliminate weeds, compared
with just one application per season for the chemicals.
The Turf Management Task Force concluded that organics can be easily integrated within the
current turf management practiced by staff. Organics will be the environmental preferable
alternative to treating areas that have 25% tolerance for weeds and are located at or near children
play areas. The revised plan uses a new label "O" to indicate turf areas that will be treated with
organics. Signs will be posted near children play areas to make it known that they have not been
chemically treated. The Turf Management Task Force recommends reviewing turf management
practices every five years, with theog al of progressively decreasing the use of chemical
pesticides.
36
WEED TOLERANCE
CLASSIFICATION
FOR CITY OF EDINA OWNED
PROPERTY
37
WEED TOLERANCE CLASSIFICATION FOR CITY OF EDINA OWNED PROPERTY
In 1995, the City of Edina adopted the following standards to Edina's public -owned parklands
and open space. Next to each classified public land or open space, is a suggested category (A -D)
designation as to the level of weed tolerance proposed for that particular area. In turn, each
classification dictates the type of turf management needed for that specific ground cover.
The definition of each category is as follows:
CATEGORY A
These areas shall have a 0-5% tolerance for weeds. In other words, herbicides will not be
applied to these ground covers until weed growth makes up 5% of the total ground cover and it
has been determined that there are no other reasonable methods of weed control.
CATEGORY B
These areas shall have a 15%-25% tolerance for weeds. In other words, herbicides will not be
applied to these ground covers until weed growth makes up 15%-25% of the total ground cover
and it has been determined that there are no other reasonable methods of weed control (Deleted:.
CATEGORY C
These areas shall have a 100% tolerance for weeds. In other words, herbicides will not be used
as a means to eradicate weeds with the exception of noxious weeds or other exotics mandated by
State Law. If necessary, where needed or desired, these areas will undergo a returfinent
(restoration which will replace or restore existing ground cover. Deleted:
CATEGORY D
These are areas that are subject to special herbicide applications, such as eradication of noxious
weeds as mandated by Minnesota State law and the creation of oak savanna forests. In essence,
all public -owned and private -owned properties are subject to category in the event that noxious
weeds are present.
CATEGORY O
These areas shall have a 15%-25% tolerance for weeds. These areas are scheduled and non-
scheduled athletic fields located near schools or untreated areas. It is desirable to reduce the
amount of chemicals in these areas to avoid unnecessary health and environmental risks. These
areas shall either be treated with orizanics, or revert to category C. These areas are indicated
below as "O/C"
*These areas were changed from staff's recommended category `B" to category "C" by the
Edina Community Health Services Advisory Committee. These were changed for reasons of
minimizing potential herbicide exposure to children (Cornelia School fields, Creek Valley
School fields and the Yorktown Park field next to the Southdale YMCA).
38
CATEGORY
1 GOLF COURSES:
• Braemar Golf Course (36 holes) A
• Braemar Golf Driving Range A
• Normandale Golf Course (9 holes) A
2 FLOWER GARDENS:
• 72 different sites throughout park system A
• Formal Gardens at Arneson Acres Park A
3 SCHEDULED ATHLETIC FIELDS (CAN BE LOCKED/SECURED):
• Braemar soccer field (one field) A
• Courtney Fields Baseball Complex (4 fields) A
• Garden Park baseball field (one field) A
• Van Valkenburg Park Softball Complex (3 fields) A
4 MULTIPLE -USE SCHEDULED ATHLETIC FIELDS:
• Alden Park soccer field (1 field) B
• Cornelia School softball fields Q_field)
• Cornelia School baseball field (fields)
•
Countryside Park baseball fields (Lfields)
B
•
Creek Valley soccer fields (5 fields)
B&
•
Garden Park softball field (1 field)
B
•
Garden Park soccer fields fields)
B
•
Highlands Park soccer field (fields)
B
•
Highlands Park softball field (1 field)
B
•o
and Parkbaseball field 1 field
•
Rosland Park Disc Golf (1 field)
O/C
•
Lewis Park soccer/football fields ( fields)
B
•
Normandale Park baseball field (1 field)
B
•
Pamela Park softball fields (field)
B
•
Pamela Park soccer fields (fields)
B
•
Strachauer Park (2 soccer)
B
•
Todd Park softball field (1 field)
*O/C
•
Walnut Ridee Park (2 Lacrosse)
B
•
Weber Park baseball/softball fields (fields)
B
•
Wooddale Park baseball/softball field (1 field)
B
5 MULTIPLE -USE NON-SCHEDULED ATHLETIC FIELDS:
(one field each)
• Arden Park O/Cr
• Birchcrest Park O/CS
39
Deleted: 2
Deleted: s
Deleted: C*to B
Deleted: 1
Deleted: C*to B
- Deleted:3
Deleted: 3
- Deleted: C*to B
- - Formatted: Font: Bold
Deleted: 2
-- Deleted: i
Deleted: Lake Cornelia
- Deleted: e
Deleted: softball
Deleted: B
Deleted: 2
Deleted: <#>Pwnela Park baseball
- - fields (2 fields) B¶
Deleted: i
Deleted: 2
Deleted: B
Deleted: 5
Deleted: Yorktown Park softball field
0 field .. C*delete¶
Deleted: <#>Alden Park
C to B¶
Deleted: to B
Deleted: to B
•
Bristol
O/C
•
Browndale
O/C
•
Chowen Park
O/C,
•
Heights Park
O/C
•
Kojetin Park
_O/CMcGuire
Boulevards adjoining, Bredesen Park
O/C
•
•
Normandale Park
•
•
Roseland Park
O/C
•
Sherwood Park
O/C,
•
St. Johns's Park
O/C,
•
Tingdale Park
O/C,
•
York Park
O/C,
6 SPECIAL USE MAINTAINED FACILITIES (Outdoor areas):
•
Arneson Park (arboretum and general grounds)
A
•
Braemar Arena grounds area
B
•
Braemar Golf Dome grounds area
C
•
Centennial Lakes
A
•
Edina City Hall
O/ C
•
Edina Art Center
9
•
Edina Fire Department
A
•
Edina Public Woks Building grounds
O/C
•
Edinborough Park (one acre exterior area)
A
•
Frank Tupa Park (historical site)
O/C,
•
Williams Park (historical site)
-0/C -
7 MAINTAINED OPEN PLAY AREAS/OPEN GREEN SPACE:
•
All 38 parks (approx. 400 acres)
C
8 DESIGNATED PICNIC AREAS:
•
Lake Cornelia Park
C
•
Braemar Park
C
9 PLAYGROUND AREAS:
•
24 playground equipment sites
C
10 MEDIAN GRASS AREAS (ISLANDS AND TRIANGLES):
•
Frontage roads
B
•
Boulevards
B
•
Triangles/medians
B
•
York Ave. Island
B
•
Boulevards adjoining, Bredesen Park
O/C
•
Boulevards adjoining Duggan Plaza
O/C
•
The "Circle" area of Duggan Plaza
O/C
40
Deleted: to B
Deleted: CB (organic treatment)
Deleted: CB (organic treatment)
Deleted: I
Deleted: C to
Deleted: to B
Deleted: to B
Deleted: <#>Strachauer
Park C to B¶
Deleted: to B
Deleted: <#>Walnut Ridge
Park C to B¶
Deleted: to B
Deleted: <#>Brian Wippermann Gun
Range. C delete¶
Deleted: A
Deleted: B
Deleted: A
Deleted: to B)
Deleted: CB (organic treatment)
11 WOODED/NATURE AREAS:
• Braemar Park savanna forest areas D
• Bredesen Park C
• Lake Cornelia Park C
12 NON -MAINTAINED OPEN SPACE/WOODED AREAS
AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS PARK LAND:
• Fox Meadow Park (park land)
O/C
• Garden Park Addition (open space)
C
• Highlands Park
O/C
• Krahl Hill (open space)
C
• Lincoln Drive Floodplain (open space)
C
• Moore Property on Melody Lake (open space)
C
• Todd Park
O/C
• Walnut Ridge Park
C
X13 HARD SURFACE AREAS:
• Basketball courts (8 sites) A
• Parking lots A
• Pathways A
• Tennis courts (15 sites) A
14 INDOOR PARK AREAS WITH PLANT GROWTH:
• Edinborough Park (trees, shrubs and flowers) A
• Arneson Park greenhouse (primarily flowers) A
15 PLANT GROWTH IN AND AROUND LAKES, PONDS AND CREEKS:
• Islands D
• Shoreline D
16 OUTDOOR HOCKEY RINKS:
• 10 sites C
17 AREAS WITH NOXIOUS WEEDS:
• Public -owned property D
• Private -owned property D
The premier athletic fields that are classified as "A" all have two things in common:
1 Irrigation
2 Fencing
Because all class "A" athletic fields have irrigation, they require the least amount of herbicides
(and possibly none) (delete) to maintain healthy turf with very few weeds. Irrigation is an
41
Deleted: I
important tool and key component in implementing IPM based turf management practices. The
only irrigated athletic fields that are suggested to have a class "A" tolerance to weeds are those
with fencing. If herbicides are ever needed to maintain their 5% weed tolerance, the entire area
can be locked and secured from users during and shortly after herbicide applications (typically
24 hours as recommended by herbicide manufacturers). This practice will minimize the potential
human exposure to herbicide chemicals.
There are currently five (5) irrigated athletic ball fields that are suggested to have a `B"
classification for weed tolerance because they do not have security fencing:
I Garden Park soccer fields (2 fields)
2 Lewis Park soccer/football field (I field) change to (3 fields)
3 Pamela Park soccer fields (2 fields)
There are currently three (3) irrigated athletic ball fields that are suggested to have a "O/C"
classification for weed tolerance because they are located next to Creek Valley Elementary
Schoo�
I Creek Valley soccer field (3 fields)
The `B" classification irrigated athletic fields will rarely (if ever) need herbicide applications to
maintain a weed tolerance of 25%, whereas, the non -irrigated class `B" athletic fields present a
greater challenge to control weed dominance without the use of herbicides. The main reason for
the recommended `B" classification for the five irrigated athletic fields is due to their lack of
fencing to secure access to these areas. With proper equipment, labor and materials, IPM based
turf management practices should dramatically reduce or eliminate the use of herbicides on all
irrigated athletic fields.
The "Hard Surface Areas" have an "A" classification for 3 main reasons:
I Undesirable weeds that grow in cracks on hard surface areas can create an unsafe surface for
Deleted:
users.
2 Non -treated weeds in hard surface cracks can lead to further hard surface damage which
could lead intolerable or unreasonable economic injury.
3 Human exposure to spot treatment herbicide use on hard surface areas�s very minimal Deleted: are
(exposures are typically limited to footwear).
At this time, none of the class "C" turf areas have irrigation except the three Creek Valley soccer
fields. If this Turf Management Plan is adopted, it is staff's recommendation to direct the Edina
Park Maintenance Department to use IPM based turf management techniques to maintain these
class "C" weed tolerance areas to as high a standard as possible without the use of herbicides. and
using organics when needed Even though these are classified to have the highest level of
tolerance for weeds, it is staff s recommendation to attempt to maintain the best turf possible
with the available resources and labor (without the use of herbicides).
Without irrigation, even good turf management cannot avoid eventual domination of weeds,
42
Deleted: .
however, good turf management can successfully deter the inevitable. The length of time for
which a good turf management program will succeed on non -irrigated turf depends on turf use,
and soil and weather conditions.
As mentioned earlier, all property within the City of Edina boundaries (public or private) are
subject to a "D" classification if noxious weeds are present. Under the Minnesota Noxious Weed
Law (Minnesota Statutes Chapter 18, Sections 18.75 to 18.88), there are -thirteen noxious weeds_
that have been deemed by the Commissioner of Agriculture to be injurious to public health,
public roads, crops, livestock. In addition, there are any number of fifty-one (5 1) secondary
weeds that may be added to the noxious weed list by the Minnesota Commissioner of
Agriculture without a hearing or upon petition by the Edina City Mayor and approval by the
Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. The following is a list of the hirteen noxious
weeds:
Common Name
1. Yellow Star Thistle,
2. Grecian Foxglove,
Botanical Name
Centaurea solstitialis L.
Digitalis lanata Ehrh.
3. Oriental Bittersweet,
Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb.
4. Leaf
ySpurge
Euphorbia esula (L.)
5. Canada Thistle
6. Musk Thistle,
7. Zlumeless Thistle
Cirsium arvense L. Scop.
Carduus nutans -(U _ _
Carduus acanthoides (L.)-
8. Garlic Mustard
Alliaria petiolata (Bieb.)
9. Purple Loosestrife
Lvthrum salicaria virgatum (L.),
10. Wild Parshnip,
Pastinaca sativa L.
11. Common Tansy
Tanacetum vul are (L.)
12. Spotted Knapweed
Centaurea stoebe spp. micranthos
13. Poison ivy
Toxicodendron radicans (Ktze.)
CONCLUSION
It is reasonable to expect that the Edina Park and Recreation Department will likely receive
many complaints about increased visible weeds in the parks, however, this should not be viewed
as a lack of the program's success.
A moratorium on herbicide use is not a practical, realistic, or responsible approach to turf
management and weed (or pest) control. As previously mentioned, if left to nature without any
interference of turf maintenance, weeds and undesirable grasses will eventually dominate the
turf. It would be economically unreasonable to routinely replace ground cover with new turf in
efforts to avoid use of all herbicides in all areas at all cost. An IPM based Turf Management
Plan is the most reasonable approach to a reduction and, in some cases, elimination of herbicide
dependency.
To be successful, citizens should be expected to accept higher weed tolerance in many areas of
43
Deleted: ten
pForrriatted:
matted: Font color: Custom
or(RGB(31,73,125))
Font color: Custom
or(RGB(79,129,189))
Deleted: ten
Deleted: Field
Bindweed Convolvulus arvensis¶
Hemp Cannabis saliva¶
Loosestrife, purple Lythnun
salicaria or virgatum¶
Poison ivy Rhus radicans¶
Spurge, leafy Euphorbia esula¶
Sowthistle, perennial Sonchus
arvensis¶
Deleted: , bull Cirsium
vulgare
Deleted: , Canada
Deleted: , musk
Deleted: <#>Thistle,
plumeless Carduus acanthoides¶
<#>I
the park system that have previously been managed at a relatively low weed tolerance level. It is
reasonable to anticipate that the most visibly noticeable presence of weeds will be the few weeks
in early spring when dandelions (annuals) have flowered.
As pointed out at the December 14, 1994, Edina Community Health Services Advisory
Committee meeting, there are approximately 4,700 acres of privately owned and maintained
residential lawn turf and approximately 150 acres of commercial lawn turf. Combined, there are
approximately 4,850 acres of privately owned and maintained lawn turf within the City of Edina,
which is about 800% more ground cover than that which is maintained by the Edina Park and
Recreation Department. The point is that public education regarding environmentally conscious
approaches to lawn care is an important part of this proposal.
44
Edina Environmental Forum Proposal
The Oct 4 EWG meeting proposed an environmental forum and have it as an annual meeting. The time frame is in mid
April, on a Tuesday or Thursday before or after the Earth day depending on the speakers schedule and the Fick auditorium
availability. Possibly April 12 or 19.
EWG and the EEC will lead the meeting with the collaboration of Edina schools' Green teams, teachers, principals,
superintendent, faith community, any Edina environmental group, residents, businesses in Edina, as well as the Mayor and
the city council members.
Sarah Zarrin agrees to Chair the 2012 event with members of the EWG helping her to organize the event. We request 10
minutes from every EEC meeting for Sarah to brief the group, answer any questions, and get feedback/inputs from other
EEC commissioners.
Name: Edina Environmental forum, or What Can I Do ? Not final yet, any input/suggestion is welcome
Format of the meeting:
6:30-7 arrivals, food , networking, info tables, time for the crowd to build... background music playing by student
performers.
Food (possibly light dinner, all proceeds will go to Edina school green team)
Opening session. Welcome and overview by the mayor and the superintendent. - 5 min
Keynote presentation by Foley or Abraham- 30 min
Purpose of the Evening and inspiring music/ performance- someone from the organizing committee 5 min
Description of the break out sessions, meet the workshop leaders- 5-10 minutes
7:50 break and travel to rooms for sessions. (get more food/ drink)
8 -8:40 Work sessions, EEC chairs (air, water, energy, RWG) will lead the sessions along with environmental leaders in
the community.
8-8:40 students work sessions, open debate. Project earth students, other students in Edina schools, and some college
students form evni Inst (UM will have a debate and session.
8:40- 8:45- travel back to Fick Aud.
8:45 - 9 pm work session reports and action steps from chairs, people make personal pledges for what they are going to
do.
Adjourn
9-9:30 clean up and networking for those who stick around....
We will ask for accreditation, credits, for teachers by attending the talk and the workshop.
Ask science and env science teachers to give credit to students attending the forum.
Regards,
Sarah Zarrin
Seagate Technology
(952) 402 3661
:R
From: Crane, Judy (MPCA) [mailto:judy.crane@state.mn.us]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 20115:36 PM
To: Dianne Plunkett Latham (dianne.plunkett.latham@comcast.net)
Subject: information on coal tar-based sealants
I enjoyed chatting with you this afternoon about coal tar-based sealants and PAH contamination. As I mentioned, the City
of Rosemount, MN is also considering an ordinance to ban coal tar-based sealants, and I supplied information to Christine
Watson(christine.watsonOci.rosemount.mn.us) last week regarding the sealant survey mentioned below. Their new
ordinance is tentatively scheduled to go to their City Council for approval on Oct. 18"'.
Attached is an Excel file containing the nuts and bolts of a survey of major hardware and home improvement stores I did
last May/June to find out what kind of driveway sealant products they sell. The only Minnesota stores I found that were
still selling coal tar-based sealants were Sears and Hardware Hank. Please check out the first worksheet in this file called
"Intro to Survey—Read First."
This Excel file is rather detailed so your city council members will probably be more interested in a one-page summary
table on the status of actions taken to restrict or discontinue the use of coal tar-based sealants in the U.S. This one page
table was just added last week to the MPCA's Stormwater Web page on Restrictions on Coal Tar-based Sealants, and the
direct URL is: http://www.i)ca.state.mn.us/index.phr)/view-document.htmI?qid=16180.
In regards to the stores listed in this table, all of them are active in Minnesota, except for Agway which is a northeast U.S.
chain. I've also listed the jurisdictions I'm aware of that have banned or passed ordinances restricting the use of coal tar-
based sealants in this table. So far, 11 municipalities in Minnesota have passed coal tar-based sealant ordinances.
The MPCA's Web page on Restrictions on Coal Tar-based Sealants also provides useful links to other information,
including a report I led on "Contamination of Stormwater Pond Sediments by PAHs in Minnesota' which garnered a
national award last year. In addition, two useful fact sheets by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and University of New
Hampshire Stormwater Center are also linked on this web page.
I also mentioned preparation of a feature article with several external collaborators for a scientific journal called
Environmental Science & Technology (this is one of the best journals for environmental chemistry). The title of the article
is "Coal-tar-based pavement sealants and PAHs: Implications for the environment, human health, and stormwater
management." Barbara Mahler (USGS) is the lead author of the article, and she'll be submitting it to the journal in the
coming weeks for review. I'll let you know if it gets accepted, and if so... when it will be available online. It is written for a
more general audience... someone who has had 1 yr of college science classes.
Lastly, since I'm going to be on vacation during Sept. 30 – Oct. 10 and Nov. 1 – 18, I've also attached a pdf copy of a
presentation I gave via webinar to a task force group in McHenry County, Illinois last May when they were considering
banning these sealants. I added the disclaimers to the pdf version (which was available on McHenry Counties web site
until recently). They had other presentations that gave background information on PAHs, so I didn't repeat much of that
overview in my presentation (which provides information on the stormwater pond study I conducted in the metro area
during October 2009).
Please contact me with any technical questions about PAHs or sealants. Any policy-related questions should be directed
to Don Berger at the MPCA.
Regards,
Judy
Judy L. Crane, Ph.D.
Research Scientist III
Environmental Analysis & Outcomes Division
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Rd. N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
phone: 651-757-2293
fax: 651-297-7709
email: judy.crane@state.mn.us
Contaminated Sediment Web Page: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/index.phoAvater/water-monitoring-and-
reporting/contaminated-sediments/contaminated-sediments. html
46
From: Crane, Judy (MPCA) [mailtoJudy.crane@state.mn.us]
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 201110:25 AM
To: Dianne Plunkett Latham(dianne.plunkett.latham@comcast.net)
Subject: additional information on coal tar -based sealants
The pdf file I sent you yesterday was rather large, so hopefully you received it ok. Here is some additional information on
some PAH/sealcoat related webinars that will be offered this fall that are open to anyone with access from their computer:
• Alison Wafts (University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center) is co -organizing a PAH Workshop this fall that
myself, Pete Van Metre (USGS) and Alison will be speaking at (via webinar for Pete and 1). Info on this workshop
is available at: http://www.unh.edu/unhsc/workshop/pah-workshop. It is being rescheduled from Sept. 150h to
probably mid- to late October.
• Bob De Santo (Institute of Environmental Stewardship) is organizing a symposium on Nov. 18th on PAHs in the
Environment. Both Alison Watts and Pete Van Metre will be speaking at it. I was invited, but it didn't work in my
schedule so Randy Neprash is giving a presentation via webinar. This meeting will also be set-up as a webinar.
I've attached a draft agenda. Bob's contact info is: rsdesanto(a-)-ct. metrocast. net and 860-444-8793.
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