HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-09 EEC Minutes Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 6/13/2019
Minutes
City Of Edina, Minnesota
Energy and Environment Commission
Edina City Hall Community Room
Thursday, May 9, 2019, 7:00 PM
I. Call To Order
Chair Jackson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Answering Roll Call were Chair Jackson, Commissioners Hussian, Seeley, Satterlee, Glahn and
Fernands.
Late: Maynor, Lanzas, Horan
Absent: Hoffman and Manser
Staff Present: Liaison Brown, Jennifer Garske
III. Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Seeley made a motion to approve the May 9, 2019 meeting agenda. Hussian seconded. All voted aye.
Motion carried.
IV. Approval Of Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Satterlee to approve the April 11, 2019 minutes. Motion seconded by Hussian. All voted
aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Maynor arrived at 7:03 p.m.
Commissioner Lanzas arrived at 7:04 p.m.
V. Special Recognitions and Presentations
A. Water Resources Presentation
Jessica Wilson, Water Resources Coordinator for the City of Edina, gave information on the
Comprehensive Water Resources Management Plan, the guiding document for the City.
• The presentation covered: data history and sources, runoff management, flood control, clean
water, aquatic vegetation management, pollution prevention, partnering with Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency and Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and community engagement.
• Other highlights:
o The Morningside neighborhood is the starting point for flood risk reduction strategy.
o The clean water strategy will start with Lake Cornelia.
o Online interactive map is available to look at flooding and drainage in the City. Other
water resource maps and document online on City’s website.
o Residential Stormwater Assistance Grant Program, in review stage of applications.
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o Groundwater wells database shows at least 3,000 wells in the City, not all are capped.
Estimate 700+ are not capped. Well sealing grants available from Hennepin County, and
soon grants will be available from the City as well.
o Adopt-A-Storm program drain will be rolling out soon.
Chair Jackson suggested Wilson give this presentation to the Planning Commission.
Commissioner Horan arrived at 7:08 p.m.
B. Student Presentation: Resolution of Support for a Green New Deal
During April 2, 2019 City Council Meeting, community commenters requested Council support a
resolution for the Federal Bill Green New Deal. Council requested the Energy and Environment
Commission to review the Resolution and send an advisory communication.
• Presenters were Catherine Kaiser, and Anna Martinez, and Commissioner Fernands. They are
associated with iMatter and Sunrise advocacy groups.
• Asked for support for the Green New Deal and MN Green New Deal. Went over genesis of
Green New Deal at federal and state level, as well as the timeline, resolutions and actions.
Highlighted that this is a justice-based initiative led by people on the frontlines.
Chair Jackson clarified the action ask. Students said they look forward to working on climate action plan in
the future, right now they ask to pass the resolution supporting the Green New Deal.
Commissioner Fernands left at 8:04 p.m.
Motion made by Chair Jackson to create a subcommittee to address a resolution that the
City could pass asking for transformational change at state and federal level to address
climate change and how we want to word carbon reduction goals and dates. Motion
seconded by Horan. Chair Jackson and Commissioners Horan, Hussian, Satterlee, Seeley,
Lanzas and Maynor voted in favor. Commissioner Glahn voted nay. Motion carried.
Students requested they be part of the small group process. Liaison Brown will send the group the
Commission bylaws for communication.
V. Community Comment
None.
VII. Reports/Recommendation
A. Initiative 5 from Work Plan—Update and Discussion
• Commissioner Satterlee presented work to date on Initiative 5: Study and Report about a
timeline and parameters recommendation for a Climate Action Plan including the City's
leadership role. An outline of the work done so far was shared, including reviewing other
cities’ challenges and strategies and measuring tools.
Liaison Brown will contact LMC about resources—research and guidance.
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Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 6/13/2019
VIII. Correspondence and Petitions
A. Working Group Minutes
• Minutes received from the BEWG Working Group.
IX. Chair and Member Comments
A. Commissioner Horan spoke about the Green Business Recognition program.
a. The application is online and should be live soon.
b. They will start promoting it next week, presenting to the Edina Chamber of Commerce.
c. Ask that Commissioners advocate for the program in stores.
B. Chair Jackson talked about the letter from Minnesota businesses asking the Capitol to act on
climate change.
C. Chair Jackson shared that she was on a panel at the Youth Climate Summit at Edina High School
on Earth Day. She spoke about ways to reduce your carbon footprint.
a. Commissioner Maynor also spoke at the event on the urgency and history of inaction on
climate science. She will share her presentation with the Commission.
X. Staff Comments
A. Solar Power Hour
a. Liaison Brown shared info about Midwest Renewable Energy Association
(Midwestrenew.org) and their hour-long info nights how you can do group buys for solar.
b. Liaison Brown shared her experience attending the National Adaptation Forum in
Madison, Wisconsin, April 22-25, 2019.
B. Chair Jackson brought up planning for the Commission to be part of the Fourth of July Parade. She
indicated Commissioners Hoffman and Hussian would be organizing the Commission’s entry.
C. Liaison Brown shared an update on the first Edina Residential Redevelopment Contractor
Accreditation Training Session, held April 26 at Braemar Golf Course.
a. Two-hour training program for contractors working within the city. Will help contractors
navigate the process and who to contact at the City.
b. Liaison Brown presented for 15 minutes on sustainability ideas.
XII. Adjournment
Motion made by Glahn to adjourn the May 9, 2019 meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion seconded by Hussian. All voted
aye. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Garske
Executive Assistant
Draft Minutes☐
Approved Minutes☒
Approved Date: 6/13/2019