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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-03-17 Packet Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission Braemar Golf Course, Club House Monday, March 17, 2008, 7:00 P.M. Members In Attendance and Roll Call: Dianne Plunkett Latham, Raymond O’Connell, M. Germana Paterlini, Bill Sierks, John Owens, Surya Iyer, Julie Risser, Paul Thompson, Ian Nelson Staff Present: Jane Timm Others Present: Kim Montgomery, Resident Joe Baarsch, Resident 1. Welcome & Roll Call 2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda Commissioner Sierks made a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion carried. 3. Approval of February 26, 2008, Meeting Minutes Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the Minutes of February 26, 2008. Commissioner Thompson seconded. Motion carried. 4. Public Comment Kim Montgomery, Resident, addressed the Commission regarding the current Public Works site and the proposed Public Works site. Commissioner Iyer made a request of Kim Montgomery to send her statements in writing via email to Secretary Timm who will then forward them to the Commission members. Joe Baarsch introduced himself to the commission and wanted them to know he was interested in volunteering and learning more about the Commission. 5. Commission Business The Commission discussed the Southdale Center Cooling System. The Commission discussed the long term consumption of water, use of water, and the treatment of water. They also discussed Chapter 8 of the Comprehensive Plan regarding water. Commissioner O’Connell will review Chapter 8 of the Comprehensive Plan. He will put together a three minute presentation for the Commission to review before addressing the Edina City Council. The Commission discussed what they want for committee procedures and what they want in the Bylaws. The Commission discussed #14 and #17 of the Bylaws. After discussion they decided to change the word committee to work group. Commissioner Paterlini made a motion to change the word “Committee” to “Work Group” in #14 and #17 of the Bylaws. Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Paterlini made a motion that a requirement of the Work Group is to give an annual report in January of each year. Commissioner Owens seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Owens left the meeting due to illness at 8:10 p.m. The Commission discussed volunteer guidelines. Commissioner Risser and Sierks will work together and present the guidelines at the April 2008 meeting. 6. Committee/Work Group Updates Commissioner Latham gave a summary of the Recycling and Solid Waste meeting. She explained changing the definition of Source Separated Organics in the City Ordinance. The Commission discussed canceling the Recycling RFP. Commissioner Latham made a motion to cancel the Recycling RFP. Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. After discussion by the Commission, it was decided that Commissioner Latham will tell City Staff they can make the decision of a one year extended contract or a new 3 year bid and contract for Recycling. Commissioner Paterlini discussed the upcoming ICLEI conference, May 14-17, 2008. Commissioner Sierks made a motion to ask the City to pay up to $1000 for expenses to send Commissioner Paterlini to the conference. Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. Chair Iyer will discuss with City Manager, Gordon Hughes sending a staff member to the conference, and ask if a decision has been made about a Staff Liaison to the Commission. Commissioner Julie Risser made a motion to approach the Conservation League of Edina and ask if they would partner with the Energy and Environment Commission on their rainbarrel workshop. Commissioner Paterlini seconded. Motion Carried. The Commission discussed the upcoming City of Edina Volunteer Recognition Dinner. Commissioner Risser made a motion to nominate Bob Gubrud for the Mayor’s Individual Service Accommodation. Commissioner Thompson seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Paterlini made a motion to nominate Commissioner Ian Nelson for the Mayor’s Youth Accommodation. Commissioner Sierks seconded. ABSTAINED: Commissioner Nelson. Motion Carried. Commissioner Thompson gave a summary of the 2008 Neighborhood Sustainability Conference that occurred March 8, 2008. Commissioner Sierks gave an update on the Tree Protection Ordinance. Commissioner Latham gave a Comprehensive Plan update. Commissioner Thompson gave an update on the Energy fair – May 4, 2008. Commissioner Sierks made a motion that Chair Iyer ask the Edina City Council to approve the submittal of the application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Technical Assistance Grant. Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. 7. Adjournment Commissioner Paterlini made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Thompson seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. April 22, 2008. Respectfully submitted, Jane M. Timm, Secretary