HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-22 Packet
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Energy and Environment Commission
Edina City Hall Community Room
Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 7:30 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
Heather Worthington
Others Present:
John Spanhake, Resident, 5701 Maguire Rd
1. Welcome & Roll Call
2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve the meeting
agenda. Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion carried.
3. Approval of March 17, 2008, Meeting Minutes
Commissioner Owens made a motion to approve the Minutes of
March 17, 2008. Commissioner Paterlini seconded. Motion
carried.
4. Public Comment
Resident John Spanhake, 5701 Maguire Rd. was in attendance to
observe the process.
5. Commission Business
Commissioner Iyer discussed the Energy and Environment
Commission’s annual budget of $35,000 from January to December.
The typical budget items include City Staff, City Intern, Xcel Energy,
printing, membership to ICLEI, travel, and the option of hiring a
consultant. If a commissioner wants to spend monies they need to
save their receipts. There was a discussion of an appropriate amount
that could be spent without approval of the Commission or City Staff.
Commissioner Iyer asked that each commissioner check with Heather
Worthington if they are planning to spend a significant amount.
Commissioner Risser discussed monies needed for the Fourth of July
Parade and Energy Fair. Chair Iyer asked that a draft proposal of the
2009 budget from each Work Group Chair be prepared and brought to
the May 2008 Commission Meeting.
Commissioner Paterlini discussed the Google Group. This is to be
used as an email to all commissioners and staff to communicate and
view all postings of seminars and/or information. Chair Iyer made a
request that Commissioners check the Google Group weekly. This
has been discussed with City Staff and it has been approved to use.
Assistant City Manager Heather Worthington joined the meeting at
8:05 p.m.
Chair Iyer told the Commissioners that Heather Worthington, Assistant
City Manager is the “Point of Contact” for the City of Edina and she will
direct emails to the appropriate City Staff.
The Commissioners discussed the “Letter to Congress, Global
Warming” from Mayor Hovland that was forwarded to the Commission
for their response regarding Carbon Credits. After discussion the
Commissioners decided the Mayor should get advice from an expert.
Carbon Credits are a complex issue and outside the scope of the
Commission.
Commissioner Sierks made a motion to recommend to Mayor
Hovland that the letter regarding Global Warming be referred to
an expert such as David Morris, because Carbon Credits are a
very complex issue and outside the scope of the Commission.
Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion Carried.
The Commission discussed the tree/water from agenda items #4 and
#5 and decided to table the items to the end of the meeting or to
another meeting due to time.
6. Work Group Updates
Recycling and Solid Waste Work Group
Commissioner Latham gave a summary of the Recycling and Solid
Waste meeting. Due to the length of the extended contract the Work
Group decided to recommend an RFP for Recycling.
Commissioner Latham made a motion to do a residential
recycling Request For Proposal (RFP). Commissioner O’Connell
seconded. Motion Carried.
Commissioner Latham explained to the Commission Source Separated
Organics, and that City Code 705.1 needed revisions and a part of the
Energy and Environment chapter of the Comprehensive Plan needed
revisions.
Commissioner Latham made a motion that the amendments to
City Code 705.1 and the chapter of the Comprehensive Plan
regarding Source Separated Organics be carried forward to Edina
City Council for approval. Commissioner Sierks seconded.
Motion carried.
Commissioner Latham explained to the Commission State
Representative Gardner’s bill to define Source Separated Organics.
Commissioner Latham made a motion to support Representative
Gardner’s bill to define Source Separated Organics with a letter of
support to the Edina City Council at the May 6, 2008 meeting.
Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion Carried.
Education and Outreach Work Group
Commissioner Thompson gave an update on the Energy Fair and the
delivery of flyers. He explained David Morris would be interviewed by
the Sun Current prior to the Energy Fair. He talked about giveaways
and door prizes. Commissioner Risser gave an update on the 13
groups that would have tables at the Energy Fair.
Assistant City Manager, Heather Worthington will get magnetic name
tags for the commissioners. She will also get a banner made for both
the Energy Fair and 4th of July Parade.
Climate Change Work Group
Commissioner Paterlini discussed the survey and data from the
information compiled by Intern, Eric Paul. The survey showed 60% of
emissions from buildings, 30% from sewage and water pumps, and
10% from employee commuting and city fleet. The Goal is to reduce
use by 25% by 2015. She also discussed what the Climate Change
Work Group was focusing on for the Energy Fair. Examples were,
ICLEI, and how the Commission was established.
Assistant City Manager, Heather Worthington gave information on the
City of Edina Employee Internal Work Group. She informed the
Commissioners that all light bulbs had been changed in City Hall.
Chair Iyer expressed thanks on behalf of the Commission to the City of
Edina Staff for all of their help with the Energy Fair.
7. Staff Report
There was no Staff Report.
8. Adjournment
Commissioner O’Connell 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. May 21, 2008 in the Community
Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane M. Timm, Secretary