HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-19 PacketMinutes of the Regular Meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission
Edina City Hall Community Room
Wednesday, September 19, 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, John Owens, Sean Wenham
Members Absent:
Staff Present:
Jane Timm
Others Present:
Paul Thompson
1. Welcome & Call to Order
2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Wenham moved to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner
Risser seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
3. Discussion and approval of July 18, 2007, Meeting Minutes
The Commissioners discussed the revisions of the minutes. After discussion
Commissioner O’Connell moved to approve the revised minutes. Commissioner
Owens seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
4. Public Comment
Paul Thompson came to thank the commission members for coming to their event
in late August. He also discussed upcoming events, including a meeting to discuss
the proposed digester on October 6, 2007, in the Linden Hills Neighborhood. Also
discussed was the “Step It Up” rally, November 3, 2007. He volunteered to be
chair person for scheduling a Step It Up event for Edina. He also told the
commission about a meeting he attended regarding sustainable schools. The
speaker was from MPCA.
5. Discussion and approval of August 15, 2007, Meeting Minutes
The Commissioners discussed the revisions of the minutes. After discussion
Commissioner Wenham moved to approve the revised minutes. Commissioner
Risser seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
6. Committee Chair Discussion
1. Education Outreach. A discussion ensued about naming a chair person. After
discussion Commissioner O’Connell moved to approve the appointment of
Commissioner Wenham as chair person. Commissioner Plunkett Latham
seconded the motion. All voted aye. Motion carried.
7. Commission Work plan Discussion
1. Climate Change. The Commission discussed four focus areas of the Climate
Change Committee. Chair Person Sierks talked about the upcoming October
16, 2007 work session meeting with the City Council at 5 p.m.
2. Recycling and Solid Waste Committee reported their objectives that will be
taken to the council members on October 16, 2007 at 5 p.m.
3. Education Outreach chair person will put together the objectives that will be
taken to the council members on October 16, 2007 at 5 p.m.
8. Other Business & Comprehensive Plan Update
The Commission discussed the lack of bike racks at the schools, Southdale Mall,
and 50th and France.
The Commission discussed the letter in their packet from resident Robert E.
McKlveen about Edina’s environment and refuse service in the city. Restricting
commerce was brought up in the discussion along with the many trucks that go up
and down the streets once a week in each neighborhood. Recycling was discussed
and clarification on dual sort and single stream was presented.
The Commission discussed the schools being the last large green spaces left in
Edina. The Commission discussed School Superintendent, Rick Dressen, being
very receptive toward discussions concerning energy and environment with regards
to Edina schools.
The Commission discussed another letter in the packet regarding a focus group on
land use and water. Commissioner O’Connell volunteered to go to the focus group
if Mayor Hovland would like someone to represent him.
The Commission discussed a letter to Mayor Hovland from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency regarding October 3, 2007, Change a Light Day. Commissioner
Risser will write a letter to Sun Current reminding residents to change at least one
inefficient light bulb to one that has earned the ENERGY STAR label.
The next discussion by the Commission was the opportunities that might be
available at the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open at Interlachen Country Club. The
Commissioners agreed that this would be an excellent event to promote energy and
environment issues. No formal action.
The Commission discussed possible grant funding opportunities that would be
beneficial to the city.
The Commission discussed the possibility of speakers that could talk at committee
meetings or come in before the regularly scheduled monthly Energy and
Environment Commission meetings.
There was an update on the Comprehensive Plan with discussion.
There was a lengthy discussion by the Commission about signing petitions as a
member of the Commission or the Commission as a whole. No formal action.
9. Adjournment
Commissioner O’Connell made a motion to adjourn. Commission Owens
seconded. All voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned shortly after 9:00
PM. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m.
October 17, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane M. Timm, Secretary