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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-08-15 PacketMinutes of the Regular Meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission Edina City Hall Community Room Wednesday August 15, 2007, 7:00 P.M. Members In attendance: Surya Iyer, Dianne Plunkett Latham, Ian Nelson, Raymond O’Connell, M. Germana Paterlini, Bill Sierks, Julie Risser Members Absent: John Owens, Sean Wenham Staff Present: Kris Kubicek Others Present: Margaret Mason, Brookside Condominiums 1. Welcome & Call to Order 2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda Commissioner O’Connell moved to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Plunkett Latham seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. 3. Discussion and approval of Meeting Minutes and Revised Bylaws The Commissioners discussed the Energy and Environment Commission by-law edits that had been worked on by Commission Chair Sierks. After discussion Commissioner Risser moved to approve the edited by-laws. Commissioner Paterlini seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried. After the by-laws discussion the Commissioners discussed when public comment should occur in the meetings. The commission decided that public comment will be left to the discretion of the board at the time. 4. Continued discussion of background & experience of Commissioners The Commissioners gave a short summary of their background and experience in environmental and energy issues, so that other commissioners would be more knowledgeable of how other commissioners could contribute their skill and talent on issues. The Commission discussed the minutes from the July 18, 2007 meeting. The commissioners agreed that they preferred the minutes to reflect the topic that was being discussed, but not to identify individual commissioners unless required by Roberts’ rules. The minutes, therefore, will contain a short summary of topics discussed, even if not subject to a motion during the meeting, but will not identify whether a particular commissioner voiced a certain position. The Commission tabled further discussion of the July 18 2007 minutes until the next meeting. 5. Discussion and Approval of Commission Committees A motion was made authorizing the Chair to appoint four commission members – Germana Paterlini, John Owens, Surya Iyer, and Bill Sierks – to the Climate Change committee by Raymond O’Connell. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. The appointment of a committee chair will be addressed at the next meeting. A motion was made authorizing the Chair to appoint four commission members – Sean Wenham, Julie Risser, Raymond O’Connell, and Ian Nelson – to the Education and Outreach Committee by Dianne Plunkett Latham. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. The appointment of a committee chair will be addressed at the next meeting. A motion was made authorizing the Chair to appoint three commission members – Dianne Plunkett Latham, Raymond O’Connell, and Ian Nelson – to the Recycling and Solid Waste Committee by Julie Risser. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Surya Iyer moved that the Chair appoint Dianne Plunkett Latham as committee chair. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. 6. Committee workplan discussion (Objective: August & September meetings - develop workplans for committees, consolidate into Commission workplan for approval by City Council after Sept. meeting) The Chair indicated that he anticipated requesting the Commission to take action on several motions at the next meeting: 1. A motion to approve a Commission work plan. The three standing committees established by the Commission -- Climate Change, Education and Outreach, and Recycling and Solid Waste – will each prepare a work plan before the next meeting. Those will be combined into a single commission work plan that will be the subject of a motion at the next meeting. 2. A motion on a recommendation for ICLEI membership. At the August 15 meeting, information on the Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement and ICLEI were distributed to members. The requirements for an ICLEI membership were discussed, and the ICLEI process for addressing climate change was reviewed. At the next meeting, the commission will discuss a motion to recommend to the City Council that Edina apply for ICLEI membership. 3. A motion authorizing the chair to appoint the chairs of the Climate Change and Education & Outreach committees. The Commission approved Diane Plunkett Latham as chair of the Recycling & Solid Waste Committee. The commission agreed that they could begin notifying the public that the commission was requesting assistance with the work of the committees. 7. Other business/Open Meeting Law Update The status of review of environmental and energy provisions in the new Edina Comprehensive Plan was discussed next. Members of the public can observe the Comp Plan meetings at 5 PM every Wednesday for the next several weeks. The Commissioners agreed that we would try to submit comments either as a commission or individually on the Comp Plan. Commissioner Risser agreed to lead the effort to comment upon the Comp Plan. The Commission discussed the fact that at the Aug 7 City Council meeting, funding to support the new commission was discussed by the City Council. The commissioners agreed to find out more about what was discussed and any action taken by the Council. The Commission next discussed the upcoming construction & revitalization activities at Pentagon Park. The Commissioners agreed that this project may have excellent potential for demonstration projects promoting energy and environmental issues. Commissioner O’Connell will get more information about and key contacts for the project. 8. Public Comment A member of the public who is part of her condominium association spoke to the commission members. Their condominium association has taken several actions to save energy, including switching to CFL lighting, and is interested in working with the commission on future projects. 9. Adjournment The meeting adjourned shortly after 9:00 PM. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 PM on the third Wednesday of September Respectfully Submitted by: Kris Kubicek, Edina City Staff