HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-12-17 Packet
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Energy and Environment Commission
Edina City Hall Community Room
Wednesday, December 17, 2008, 7:00 P.M.
Members In Attendance and Roll Call:
Raymond O’Connell, M. Germana Paterlini, Bill Sierks, Surya Iyer, Julie Risser,
Dianne Plunkett Latham, Paul Thompson
Absent:
John Owens, Hailey Lee
Staff Present:
Heather Worthington, Jane Timm
Public:
Erik Ennen, Center for Energy and Environment – 212 3rd Ave. N Minneapolis
MN
Sean Gosiewski – Alliance for Sustainability – 1521 University Ave. NE
Minneapolis MN
1. Welcome & Roll Call
2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda.
Commissioner O’Connell made a motion to approve the meeting
agenda. Commissioner Sierks seconded. Motion carried.
3. Approval of the revised October 15, 2008, meeting minutes.
Commissioner Paterlini made a motion to approve the revisions of the
minutes of October 15, 2008. Commissioner Latham seconded.
Motion carried.
Approval of the November 19, 2008, meeting minutes with
amendments.
Commissioner Sierks made a motion to approve the minutes
November 19, 2008 with amendments. Commissioner Thompson
seconded. Motion carried.
4. Public Comment
Mr. Erik Ennen, Center for Energy and Environment – 212 3rd Ave . N
Minneapolis MN and Mr. Sean Gosiewski – Alliance for Sustainability –
1521 University Ave. NE Minneapolis MN addressed the Commission about
the four levels of the Sustainability and Natural Step Framework. They
answered some questions and gave a brief presentation.
5. Work Group Updates
Education and Outreach Work Group
Commissioner Risser discussed finalizing a year end letter to the Edina Sun
Current about the progress of the EEC in 2008. The letter will be submitted
December 18, 2008.
Commissioner Thompson discussed having a small paragraph in the Sun
Current each month. Commissioner Thompson will talk to Jennifer
Bennerotte, City of Edina Communication Director, regarding a Sun Current
contact.
Climate Change Work Group
Commissioner Paterlini gave an update of the Working Group meeting. It
was suggested at the Work Group that Jeff Harnly from Xcel Energy present
a seminar on “waste to energy” issues. Commissioner Paterlini suggested
he attend the EEC meeting in March 2009.
Commissioner Paterlini talked to the Commission about making a short
video about good car habits, and being a good “green” driver. The
Communications Department would be notified about the possibility of
shooting the video.
Recycling and Solid Waste Work Group
Commissioner Latham explained that Vierkant Disposal is picking up
organics every week. In July 2008 they had 800 customers and now they
have 1100 customers.
Commissioner Latham informed the Commission which vendors have
signed up for the RFP pre-conference.
Commissioner O’Connell asked that articles regarding recycling be kept for
archival purposes. Commissioner Latham will ask Solvei Wilmot, City of
Edina Recycling Coordinator, to keep the articles with the Working Group
minutes.
Commissioner Latham gave an update on the meeting with the Edina City
Council on December 2, 2008.
Commissioner O’Connell made a motion to approve the Recycling
Request For Proposal (RFP). Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion
carried.
Commissioner Latham brought sample plates, silverware, napkins and clam
shells from “Buffalo Ridge Water Company” Canby, Minnesota to show the
Commission.
6. Commission Business
Chairperson Iyer requested budget information for 2009. He also requested
that the Commission make some decisions about the Natural Step
Framework Seminars.
Heather Worthington gave a quick budget update. She will bring a report on
MPCA grant in January of 2009.
The Commission discussed a facilitator (Richard Fursman) and it was
decided Assistant City Manager, Heather Worthington would invite him to
attend the January 2009 meeting if possible.
Commissioner Paterlini made a motion to support the proposal of a
community wide action plan on sustainability. After discussion,
Commissioner Sierks made a friendly amendment to meet with a
facilitator first to establish a work plan. Commissioner Paterlini
accepted the friendly amendment. Commissioner Sierks seconded.
Motion carried.
7. Adjournment
Commissioner Paterlini made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner
O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:28
p.m. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m.
January 21, 2009 in the Community Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane M. Timm, Secretary