HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-02-01 Council Work Session MINUTES
OF THE WORK SESSION OF THE
EDINA CITY COUNCIL AND
EDINA ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION
HELD AT CITY HALL
FERUARY 1, 2010
5:00 P.M.
Mayor Pro Tern Housh called the meeting to order at 5:15 p.m. in the Community Room at City Hail.
Answering roll call were Members Bennett, Brindle, Swenson, and Mayor Pro Tem Housh. Mayor
Hovland and Chair lyer arrived at 5:30 p.m. Edina Energy and Environment Commissioners present
were: Commissioners Christianson, Hanson, lyer, Paterlini, Platteter, Sierks, Latham, and Thompson.
Absent were Commissioners Risser and Lee. Staff present included: Gordon Hughes, City Manager;
Heather Worthington, Assistant City Manager; and Jane Timm, Deputy City Clerk.
Assistant City Manager, Heather Worthington explained the GreenStep Cities Pilot Program to the
City Council. She explained that after the pilot program Minnesota cities would have an opportunity to
become a GreenStep City. The City Council and Commissioners discussed specific topics related to
GreenStep Cities. The Energy and Environment Commission made the following recommendations
to City Council members for consideration:
1. Endorse Energy and Environment Commission's (EEC) GreenStep Cities Work Plan.
2. Evaluate Edina's continued part in the GreenStep Cities after completion of the pilot program.
3. Consider options for implementation of the GreenStep best practices including funding.
The City Council endorsed the recommendations and thanked the Commission for all their hard work.
The consensus was to have a follow up meeting after the pilot program ended.
Two requests were made by Chair lyer and discussed by the Commission and Council. The EEC
would like to work more closely with the Planning Commission, Transportation Commission and Park
Board. Chair lyer proposed that sub-groups of each commission be permitted to work together. After
discussing attendance requirements (not applicable to sub-group meetings) and a desire to not
burden commissioners with too many meetings, the Council recommended that the commissioners
decide themselves how to work together. Chair lyer's second request was that, with the EEC's shift in
focus from project-based work to policy-based work, the Council bring policy matters to the EEC. The
Council expressed support for this request.
Mayor Hovland declared the meeting adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
U
J M. Ti m, Deputy City Clerk
James C. Hovland, Mayor