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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-04-22 Packet 2EDINA PUBLIC MEETING PROCEDURES During "Public Hearings" the Chair will ask for public comment after City staff members make their presentations. If you wish to speak on the topic, you are welcome to do so as long as your comments are relevant to the discussion. To ensure fairness to all speakers and to allow the efficient conduct of a public hearing, speakers must observe the following guidelines: • Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes or less. The Chair will modify presentation times, as deemed necessary. • Try not to repeat remarks or points of view made by prior speakers and limit comments to the matter under consideration. • In order to maintain a comfortable environment for all those in attendance, the use of signs, clapping, cheering or booing or any other form of verbal or nonverbal communication is not allowed. During "Public Comments," the Chair will ask to hear from those in attendance who would like to speak about something not on tonight's agenda. Individuals must limit their presentations to three minutes and cannot speak to an issue for which a public hearing was previously held and closed within the last thirty days or a matter scheduled for a future hearing on a specific date. Individuals should not expect the Chair or Commission to respond to their comments. Instead, the Commission might direct the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting. ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION AGENDA FOR MEETING April 22, 2008, 7:30 PM — 9:00 PM 1) Welcome, Call to Order, and Roll Call (2 min) 2) Discussion and Approval of Agenda and Agenda times (3 min) 3) Discussion and Approval of March Meeting Minutes (5 min) 4) Public Comment (10 min) 5) Commission Business 1. Email / Communication within Commission, with the City, Working Groups, and outside entities — media etc. (20 min) 2. Commission Budget, Web site (5 min) 3. Respond to Mayor's request regarding "Letter to Congress, Global Warming" 4. Tree / Water — What is the commission's role and priority? (10 min) 5. Selection of items for the next agenda (3 min) a. EEC Report (Target July 2008) b. Budget and Staffing needs for 2009 c. Creation of Grant Group? d. others 6) Committee Updates and Discussion 1. RSWWG Update — revisit RFP (10 min) 2. EOWG Update — Fair/Workshops (15 min) 3. CCWG Update (10 min) 7) Staff Report (2 min) 8) Adjourn The City of Edina wants all residents to be comfortable being part of the public process. If you need assistance in the way of hearing amplification, an interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861 72 hours in advance of the meeting. 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. 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 UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Room 173 McNeal Hall College, of Food, Agricultural and 1985 Buford Avenue Natural Resource Sciences St. Paul, MN 55108 University of Minnesota 612-624-9282 Extension Fax: 612-625-1263 http://wrc.umn.edu James Hovland City of Edina 4801 W 50th St. Edina, MN 55424 Dear James, Today, governments, businesses, non-profits, and individuals are beginning to take action on climate change. Mayors in over 30 Minnesota cities have signed climate protection agreements. A growing number of businesses and non-profits are voluntarily committing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions or becoming "carbon neutral". In 2007, state policymakers passed legislation requiring an 80% reduction in the state's fossil fuel emissions by 2050, and this winter, the Governor's Minnesota Climate Change Advisory Group recommended nearly 50 strategies the state should use to meet those goals. Minnesota has also recently joined six other states and provinces in a Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Accord. The goal of this survey is to gain a better understanding of the larger context for these developments. Researchers at the University are contacting selected institutions in Minnesota to determine how climate issues are perceived across the state's different sectors — businesses, industries, non-government organizations, foundations, and cities. How are different organizations evaluating the risks and opportunities of a changing climate? What types of actions are they taking or considering and why? Where do they think the focus of efforts should be and how do they think those efforts should be financed? One of the strategies being evaluated is terrestrial carbon sequestration, or the use of forests, farmlands, and natural areas to capture and store greenhouse gases while providing environmental and economic benefits to Minnesotans. If this is a viable climate strategy, how could it be financed? • Information gathered in the survey — which will take approximately 10 minutes to complete - will remain private and confidential, according to University guidelines. Results and analysis will be presented so that the identity and information of participants remain anonymous. Overall results will be made available to those who participated in the survey as well as to the public and policymakers. Please complete the survey online at the University's survey website at https://oms.umn.edu/link/carbon.cfm If you have questions or cannot complete the survey online, please contact John Harting at hart0670@umn edu or (612) 624-7418. Thank you very much. Your input will help inform plans and actions to address these important issues. Sincerely, James L. Anderson, Director Water Resources Center March 2008 Driven to Discovers. Hello Surya I have found the time to prepare this written response regarding your request for my review and comments on the two tree preservation ordinances and your request for my opinion on the necessity or desirability for the City of Edina to consider writing such an ordinance. First, as a brief introduction of myself to you, I have been employed in this position for 30 years. I have served in this position for the City of Edina for 20 of those years. The call for cities throughout the country to adopt tree preservation ordinances has been long standing. It is part of the requisites of the National Arbor Day Foundation to receive the annual designation for Tree City USA. This foundation has done a great job in promoting the importance and values of trees in urban areas and promoting knowledgeable tree care practices. Their message for tree planting resonates loudly in this era of environmental concerns. I'm sure almost everyone agrees that trees play a critical role in the quality of life — well beyond the simple role of aesthetic enhancements. As I stated earlier, the call for tree preservation ordinances has been long standing. I have often wondered how one should be written if ever that was deemed necessary. As with any ordinance it must call for enforced mandates and rules regarding such care and protection of this valuable natural resource. Thus the first point of debate should be what items of tree care should be considered so necessary that they be written into law, or can these items or issues be entrusted to voluntary compliance through a heightened education of all parties involved. In my observations throughout my career I have seen a great leap of educational awareness and practical application of tree care practices among the broad spectrum of the professions whose activities affect the health of our urban forest. In my opinion this educational front is serving well and constantly improving tree preservation concerns. Of course there is always room for improvement. The complexities of tree physiology necessitate continued research in this field to further our knowledge regarding tree responses to our own abuses — necessary or otherwise — when we work around trees. I am always observant of situations of disturbances around trees and note how these trees respond. I have seen some situations where all current recommendations have been followed, but tree failures were noted anyway. I have also seen many situations that I though too extreme to allow for tree survival, yet the tree or trees came through without any apparent harms or declines. Despite current preservation standards this is still not a black and white guarantee situation. But don't misunderstand me, the standards are good and I would recommend anyone paying attention to them. Thus concerning an ordinance which mandates certain standards I believe that would hold the city more than somewhat responsible for any noted failures after all necessary precautions have been taken. Another concern would be the great amount of staff time involved in all tasks before, during and after any construction activity. Staff time in our forestry department is extremely limited as it is in performing all other necessary tasks. Also of concern in mandating tree preservation — whether it involves construction rules, permit rules to remove any trees on private property, or mandated tree replacement rules on private property — is the infringement of rights of private property owners to make their own landscaping choices (or mistakes) on their own property. For one thing, ('believe the vast majority of people greatly appreciate the values of the trees to such an extent that they don't choose to cut and remove healthy tree for no good reason. That issue is practically a non issue. Tree work is always expensive. To mandate all related work involved through a tree preservation ordinance would risk a public relations breakdown between a city government and it's residents. I have already heard of one city that enacted a tree preservation ordinance, only to have to rescind it after a public backlash. When tree replacement formulas are established for trees lost either on public property or private, aside from the expenses involved, we must consider the attendant labor of future care. Tree planting is only a beginning. I believe quality care cannot be divorced from tree planting. I believe, from a city staff perspective, that the effectiveness and efficiency of our limited staff time would be greatly compromised by playing any numbers game and thus overplanting what we can care for. Our time must be managed and prioritized to be able to accomplish all tasks which we, by necessity, must perform. The forestry department must not only plant trees, but must be able to take care of the trees we have. Surya, I have tried to express my opinions with this email. I hope I have made sense. I thank you for your concern, time and attention. These environmental issues in today's world, and tree management being a great part of them, are extremely important. With so many issues and very limited resource tools to work with, prioritizing our tasks and resources is a must. To me it is an everyday occurrence. I want to believe that we are always making, through our tasks performed, the greatest difference we can toward improving the health and appearance of our urban forest. I hope to have the opportunity to meet you and the rest of the commission some time in the future. Take care. 2008 Our Lady Of Grace Science Fair 714 Grade Welcome to the 2008 OLG Science Fair! We are very happy you are judging our fair. The projects entered in our fair are detailed in this packet. Please refer to the hithlijihted section, to find the projects you are to judge. Your role will be to select first through fourth place projects in your judging category. Medals will be awarded in places one through three. Teachers may award honorable mention ribbons to any additional projects they would like to recognize. A "Grand Champion" project will be chosen from each grade level 1st place project. This project may be based on overall point total or judge's agreement. Categories for the 2008 7th Grade OLG Science Fair include: Chemistry Physics / Engineering Earth / Energy / Environmental Biology Medicine / Health / Microbiology 8:45AM - 9:00AM - 9:30AM - 12:00PM - 12:35PM - 1:00PM - Judging Schedule 9:00AM — Judges briefing 9:30AM - Project review (no students) 11:45PM - Judging group 1 12:35PM - Lunch 1:00PM - Project review (no students) 3:00PM - Judging group 2 Chemistr Name Project Title Class/Number Timmy Berend Do pollutants affect the geiiiiination of seeds? 7Y-C-01 Morgan Larson What beverages affect the stomach most? 7Y-C-02 Jay Copland Which type of cup insulates the best? 7Y-C-03 Tom Schellhom Which metals are affected by salt water 7Y-C-04 Anna Blackburn Which bubbles last the longest in? 7Z-C-05 Alexa Kennedy Which lightbulb burns brighter? 7Z-C-06 Sara Kalb Flour In Sugar Cookies 7Z-C-07 Abby Deutz Are household liquids acidic or basic? 7Z-C-08 Connor Allen What substance is most efficent for melting ice? 7X-C-09 Lauren LaMere Can you change the color of a flower? 7X-C-10 Kenney Daley Which colored candle burns the fastest? 7X-C-11 Anne Lamberton What affect does pop have on your teeth? 7X-C-12 Zach Gionet Does temperature affect the amount of carbonation in a carbonated beverage? 7X-C-13 Physics / Engineering/Math Name Project Title Class/Number Abby Dryer Are horroscopes accurate 7Y-P-01 Patrick Sewich What parachute stays in the air the longest? 7Y-P-02 Caitlin Wertwijin Which blade produces the most lift and uses the least amount of energy? 7Y-P-03 Tom Jung Does border affect how well a hovercraft works? 7Z-P-04 Connor Gallaher How does temperature of a ball affect its bounce? 7Z-P-05 Matt Nelson Does temperature affect magnets? 7Z-P-06 Patrick Lamb What forces contribute to bouncing a ball? 7Z-P-07 Meg McCollow Does surface affect speed? 7Z-P-08 T.J. Moore Is it possible to cheat in baseball? 7Z-P-09 Justin Mestler What surface do hovercrafts hover best over? 7X-P-10 Michael Roth Maximum weight of a levitating train 7X-P-11 Biolo Name Proj ect Title Class/Number Jill Nilsen Does caffine affect typing speed? 7Y-B-01 Caiti Petrocchi Can people tell the difference between regular and nonfat foods? 7Y-B-02 Ellie Murphy Do girls remember better in black and white or color? 7Y-B-03 Molly Flesher Does noise affect concentration? 7Y-B-04 Mary Alice Hutton Do you buy more when using a cart or shopping basket? 7Y-B-05 Bailey Brown Does color affect a humans' decision process? 7Z-B-06 Claire Larson Gatorade vs. water..affect on pulse while exercising 7Z-B-07 Maggie McGraw Which gender is better stroop testers? 7Z-B-08 Abby Minea Does color of paper affect 7th grade math scores? 7Z-B-09 Adrian Ng Does writing or typing retain memory better? 7Z-B-10 Joe Pauly Gatorade vs. water...time to get heart rate normal 7Z-B-11 Franny Peck Does the color of font affect memory of people? 7X-B-12 Allie Liebl Does weight affect calories burned? 7X-B-13 Mary Triggs Does caffine affect your fine motor skills? 7X-B-14 Earth / Ener /Environment Name Project Title Class/Number Brian Weaver What substance makes the best aquifer? 7Y-E-01 Tyler Olson Which is the brighest color to see through fog? 7Y-E-02 Joe McGraw Organic vs. Nonorganic fertilizer 7Z-E-03 Danny Letscher Does the color of light affect the output of a solar cell? 7Z-E-04 Daniel Murray Which fuel is the most efficent? 7X-E-05 Breanna Bellows How long does it take for a planet to get sucked into a blackhole? 7X-E-06 Maggie Hunt Solar heating: Is it worth it? 7X-E-07 Health / S ort/Microbiolo Name Project Title Class/Number Andrew Sherwood How effective is Purell on bacteria? 7Y-H-01 Megan Beh Does Purell loose its potency? 7Y-H-02 Paige Thompson Which side of their brain do dogs use? 7Y-H-03 Vincent Allen Do parents affect their child's fingerprint? 7Z-H-04 Nick Oman Does bacteria grow in water bottles? 7Z-H-05 Beth Sercombe The inhibition of bacteria on common household spices 7Z-H-06 Elle Scott Does music affect free-throw accuracy? 7Z-H-07 Lindsay Loeber Which flavor of mouthwash works the best? 7Z-H-08 Megan Larson 7Z-H-09 Catherine Cole Does rosemary affect memory? 7Z-H-10 Kaitlin Duda How does talking on a cell phone affect your motor skills? 7X-H-11 Jennifer Roberts Does age have an effect on hearing? 7X-H-12 Maggie Dalsin Do hampsters run more with different sounds? 7X-H-13 Calvin Clintin How do bones heal? 7X-H-14 Sincerel Gordon L. Hugh City Manager City of -idina April 3, 2008 Marit Gernbacher % Normandale Elementary School, Fifth grade 5701 Normandale Road Edina, MN 55410 Dear Marit: Thank you for your very thoughtful letter of March 9, 2008, concerning waste and trash in Edina. You have some great ideas for reducing the amount of litter in Edina. I especially liked your idea of "everybody pick up trash night" as a way of getting everyone involved. Last year, our City Council established an Energy and Environment Commission to work on many issues including solid waste and recycling. I know the commission is looking for ways to involve our community in keeping our planet clean. I will provide them with a copy of your letter for their consideration. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. cc: Surya Iyer, Chair, Energy and Environment Commission City Hall 4801 WEST 50TH STREET EDINA, MINNESOTA, 55424-1394 www.c ityofed i na.com 952-927-8861 FAX 952-826-0390 TTY 952-826-0379 1(7-) QS vJ OS (r) , A Lfi "H L 1\7 000 _t / 1- 0, I I h 016 _ads- n 4 pc4p:( oilOt pvikl: rifif oor- \ki D adOpT sloe) _ Pcioa, 54,,, 1\ cLide, 4 ) i___„ / ' i f...., Ji,...;-.) . /, I 0 r 1' r- -- - -'-i-F-. - - ,,,, • ,• ,.., „. , ; . -1-.) / J I etc_ _ 1-1-71.sk )1 Ti ho vvorCi ,b--)61 I (II et.iirr , r• ,Cs I ;AT \t/ lc Joy ) r kr 4 , c.f5c !iv VC, cspon'.).i k I tv4„ry orvt j, Dn. e H QO LA. r also .1 p fIi necl. 4:111 prcn i) I C.CC-S r Proposed Communication Protocol for the Commission: Goal: Maintain level of communication but lower direct email traffic General: 1. Direct email (To: All commissioners, CC: Heather Worthington (1-1W), Jane Timm) will be used exclusively for Commission Official Business a. Agenda b. Minutes c. Urgent situations, if needed 2. Use "Reply to all" judiciously 3. Conform to Open meeting laws Within Commission Members: 1. Google Group with options to access emails at time of choosing 2. Commitment from commissioners to review emails minimum once / week Within Working Groups: 1. To be determined by Working groups as they see fit with the following constraints: a. Non-EE commissioners should not send emails on behalf of working groups or commission to City Hall staff. They can, of course, send emails to City staff as individual citizens. b. Chair / Commissioners can communicate with HW regarding working group requests. c. Must conform to Open meeting laws With City: 1. Asst. City Manager Heather Worthington (I-1W) will be the Single-Point-of-Contact (POC) at City Hall. All commissioners must address email to HW and CC: Chair. HW will forward email to other staff on request. With other entities - including media: 1. Use judgment and/or if in doubt contact HW @ City Hall before responding to outside emails regarding Commission matters. In some cases, Jennifer Bennerotte (JB) can also be directly contacted, cc: HW.