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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-06-18 Packet Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission Edina City Hall Community Room Wednesday, June 18, 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, Paul Thompson Julie Risser arrived at 7:18 p.m. Staff Present: Heather Worthington 1. Welcome & Roll Call 2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda Commissioner Sierks made a motion to approve the meeting agenda with an amendment to add Terry Gips to the Public Comment portion of the meeting. Commissioner Paterlini seconded. Motion carried. 3. Approval of May 20, 2008, Meeting Minutes Commissioner O’Connell made a motion to approve the Minutes of May 20, 2008. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried. 4. Public Comment Mr. Terry Gips gave his background. He has worked with the private, public, and educational institution to identify energy saving strategies and to find win-win for them. He is the founder and member of the Alliance for Sustainability at the U of M. He explained the Natural Path process that is compatible with ICLEI milestones. There would be a shared understanding of “What is Sustainability”, and “What would Edina look like if it were totally sustainable”. After the findings an Action Plan would be developed. Natural Step is used in cities to help bring about sustainability plans. Citizen engagement is necessary. A workshop using Natural Step framework would be conducted. The workshop would be about understanding where Edina is now, develop a vision, and develop an action plan. Mr. Gip explained the structure of the plan. $4500. would cover the full training and materials for 10 to 40 people. 2 to 2.5 day sessions City Staff, EEC, Working Group members, and City Council would attend. Teams operate within their city roles Each Department would then know their specific goals/outcomes Action Plans developed from the work done. The end goal of the seminar would be a shared understanding of sustainability, how Edina can position itself for sustainability, and analyze where Edina is now. The Commission discussed if it made sense to focus on one small city, the work with ICLEI /Northfield, should Edina reach out to adjoining communities, and could they spend $4500 to “reach out” to others? They decided to discuss this at a future meeting and make a decision at that time with regard as to how to move forward. 5. Work Group Updates Climate Change Work Group Commissioner Paterlini gave an update on the joint meeting with City of Northfield. Commissioner Paterlini had made contact with Kris Voss in Northfield. There was a discussion about the letter that was to be drafted to Xcel Energy about Xcel data charges. Commissioner Sierks will work with Assistant City Manager, Heather Worthington to draft the letter. Commissioner Paterlini has not heard from Amy Malick at ICLEI, but will try to reach her again. Commissioner Paterlini will present a section review of the Comprehensive Plan at the July 2008 Commission meeting. Commission Paterlini explained the on-line energy calculator. The preliminary budget for the 2008-2009 Climate Change Work Group $1000 for Milestone One $1000 donation to CDP $2000 ICLEI Conference $10,000 consulting fees $10,000 energy pilot project Commission Sierks talked about the Women’s U.S. Open. He noted that the original goal was zero waste. He expressed the need to for Captains at the Open to direct volunteers, and that the Recycling Association of MN had on-line registration. The Commission will receive statistics from BFI after the event. Recycling and Solid Waste Work Group Commissioner Latham gave an update on the Recycling & Solid Waste meeting. She asked that the recycling cont ract become a priority for Edina staff. BFI does not have an optical scanner. Once glass is colored it is a lways colored, but it can be recycled indefinitely. Plastics #3 through 7 are seeing better markets. Waste Management and Eureka were interested in the recycling contract. Vierkant did not start organic re cycling pending final approval of MPCA. Carver County is holding space for the organic recycling and could begin the first week of July 2008. Education and Outreach Work Group Commissioner Thompson gave an update. Commissioner Thompson presented the Education and Outreach Work Group’s budget for 2008-2009 that was added to the June 2008 meeting packet. The budget is centered around 6 events for the next year. The Commission discussed the July 4th Parade flyer. The flyer will be Red, White, and Blue and talk about Energy Independence. The Commission discussed an “Energy Park” idea. The park would feature energy and environmental ideas, perhaps display energy alternatives. Commission Thompson gave an update: The display at the library. The outdoor classroom at Edina High School The remodel of Countryside Park and the collaboration with the Park Board to do energy initiatives. 6. Commission Business The Commission discussed the July Energy and Environment Annual Report. Commissioners were advised to submit information to Chair Iyer for each Work Group. Action would be taken at the July 16, 2008 meeting. Future annual reports would be done in February. The Commission discussed Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERT’S). Commissioner Paterlini made a motion for the Energy and Environment Commission to join CERT on behalf of the City of Edina. Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion carried. The Commission discussed adding new members to Working Groups. Commissioner Latham suggested a policy be adopted by the Energy and Environment Commission. They also discussed a need for job descriptions for each Working Group. Commissioner O’Connell made a motion to adopt a new member policy for Working Groups. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried. The Commission discussed the need for an Energy and Environment Commission liaison to Edina Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Risser made a motion to appoint Commissioner Sierks, as the primary liaison, and Commissioner O’Connell as assistant liaison to Edina Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Thompson seconded. Motion carried. 7. Staff Report Ms. Worthington gave an update. The recycling contract is in process. She will assist in scheduling meeting with City of Northfield. She is gathering information on tree replacement policy. She will coordinate letter to Xcel. She asked that pesticide use questions in the City of Edina be directed to her and she will forward to Park and Recreation Director, John Keprios and all pesticide use questions at the Edina School District need to be directed to Superintendent Ric Dressen 8. Adjournment Commissioner Risser made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. July 16, 2008 in the Community Room. Respectfully submitted, Jane M. Timm, Secretary