HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-11 EEC Meeting PacketAgenda
Energy and Environment Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
City Hall - Community Room
Meeting will take place in person. Masks are optional.
Thursday, January 11, 2024
7:00 PM
I.Call To Order
II.Roll Call
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A.Minutes: Energy and Environment Commission December 14,
2023
V.Community Comment
During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share relevant issues
or concerns. Individuals must limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit the
number of speakers on the same issue in the interest of time and topic. Generally speaking, items
that are elsewhere on tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment.
Individuals should not expect the Chair or Board/Commission Members to respond to their
comments tonight. Instead, the Board/Commission might refer the matter to sta% for
consideration at a future meeting.
VI.Reports/Recommendations
A.Draft Time of Sale Energy Disclosure Program Report
VII.Chair And Member Comments
VIII.Sta+ Comments
A.Approved 2024 Work Plan
IX.Adjournment
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 ampli1cation, an
interpreter, large-print documents or something else, please call 952-927-8861
72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Date: January 11, 2024 Agenda Item #: IV.A.
To:Energy and Environment Commission Item Type:
Minutes
From:Chad A. Millner, P.E., Director of Engineering
Item Activity:
Subject:Minutes: Energy and Environment Commission
December 14, 2023
Action
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
Approve EEC meeting minutes, December 14, 2023
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
EEC Minutes, December 14, 2023
Agenda
Energy and Environment Commission
City Of Edina, Minnesota
City Hall - Community Room
Meeting will take place in person. Masks are optional.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
7:00 PM
I.Call To Order
Chair Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:05pm.
II.Roll Call
Answering roll call were Chair Martinez, Commisioners Haugen, Weber, Lanzas,
Hovanec, Tessman, Schima, Dakane.
Absent: Vice Chair Lukens, Student Commissioners Pugh and Langsweirdt.
III.Approval Of Meeting Agenda
Motion by John Haugen to Approve Meeting Agenda. Seconded by Tom
Tessman. Motion Carried.
IV.Approval Of Meeting Minutes
A.Minutes: Energy and Environment Commission Nov. 9, 2023
Update note under Commercial Tree Ordinance: “Commission Haugen will
present to council at a future meeting”
Motion by Bayardo Lanzas to Approve Meeting Minutes. Seconded by Tom
Tessman. Motion Carried.
V.Community Comment
No community comment was received
During "Community Comment," the Board/Commission will invite residents to share relevant issues or
concerns. Individuals must limit their comments to three minutes. The Chair may limit the number of
speakers on the same issue in the interest of time and topic. Generally speaking, items that are elsewhere on
tonight's agenda may not be addressed during Community Comment. Individuals should not expect the Chair
or Board/Commission Members to respond to their comments tonight. Instead, the Board/Commission might
refer the matter to staff for consideration at a future meeting.
VI.Reports/Recommendations
A.Merchant Carryout Bag Reduction Ordinance Education and Outreach
Campaign
Member Dakane presented ideas for the Merchant Carryout Bag Reduction
Ordinance Education and Outreach Campaign. This information will be
forwarded to staff to create the campaign. Staff will keep the commission
updated on this campaign.
VII.Chair And Member Comments
Commission discussed council direction on Organized Trash Collection
(OTC). Some members have reached out individually to council members
to voice their concerns.
VIII.Staff Comments
1. 2024 Workplan was approved by council.
Commissioners asked where the potential work item on Heritage Tree went.
Liaison Millner to research and report back.
2. Liaison Millner provided a hiring update on the Sustainability Manager.
IX.Adjournment
The EEC meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.
Motion by Teri Hovanec to Adjourn. Seconded by Ukasha Dakane. Motion
Carried.
T he 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.
Date: January 11, 2024 Agenda Item #: VI.A.
To:Energy and Environment Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:Chad A. Millner, P.E., Director of Engineering
Item Activity:
Subject:Draft Time of Sale Energy Disclosure Program
Report
Discussion
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None: Information Only
INTRODUCTION:
Working group will discuss the draft Time of Sale Energy Disclosure Program Report.
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Draft Time of Sale Energy Disclosure Program Report
Draft 01082024
1
Time of Sale Energy Disclosure Program Report
January 2024
Draft 01082024
2
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 3
2. Background 3
3. Why Time of Sale of Housing Inspection? 4
4. Case Studies: Austin, Portland, Minneapolis, and Bloomington 6
5. Recommendations 8
6. Bibliography 11
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3
1. Introduction
Across the country, cities and states are increasingly adopting measures requiring disclosure of
the energy efficiency of residential properties prior to them being sold. In the Midwest, states
such as Kansas and South Dakota have adopted energy efficiency disclosure policies for new
construction and cities such as Minneapolis and Chicago have likewise adopted some form
energy efficiency disclosure requirements for residential home sales. The contours and
requirements of these policies vary, but the overarching goal of lowering energy costs, reducing
GHG emissions, and improving the health and safety of communities is a consistent theme
across all these measures. The City of Edina should consider adopting a similar policy to meet
the goals of both its Comprehensive Plan and Climate Action Plan.
2. Background
The state of Minnesota Statute 412.221 gives cities direct authority to protect public health and
safety, and to enact ordinance for fire prevention, allowing the establishment of health and
safety inspections (Minnesota Legislature, 2022). Additionally, under the state building code
Minn. Stat. 326b.121, cities can enact ordinance requiring homes to be kept in good conditions
or good repair. (Minnesota Legislature, 2022)
In 2020, the City Council of Edina formally adopted its decennial Comprehensive Plan (CP)
which, among other things, outlined a vision for Edina on issues related to both housing and
energy and the environment. The Comprehensive Plan noted that, in terms of housing,
“demographic changes are driving a demand for different housing types, including smaller units
which are more affordable, and have lower costs for maintenance, energy, and water” (CP, 4-
16). Relatedly, the Energy and Environment chapter found that Edina’s energy use per capita
was the highest in the region, second only to Bloomington which has already enacted a time of
sale disclosure requirement. As a result, the plan concluded that continued focus on improving
energy efficiency “will be critical to reducing emissions and keeping costs down” (CP, 8-4, 8-5)
(City of Edina, 2018)
Shortly after the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, in 2021, the city of Edina published and
approved its Climate Action Plan (CAP). The plan set a Greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal
compatible with the Paris Agreement, targeting reductions in City operation and community
wide emissions of 45% below 2019 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050 (Pale
Blue dot LLC, 2021).
To achieve those goals, the CAP identified 200 actions in an eight-section framework, including
Section 3 on buildings and energy. The plan proposed 8 strategies in this area, with a goal of
reducing total community wide GHG emissions by 40% over 2019 levels in the Building and
Energy sector (CAP, p3-6). In addition, section BE1 articulates a goal to “improve total
community wide residential, commercial, educational, and industrial building energy efficiency
by 15% for electricity and 15% for Natural Gas by 2030”, which includes action BE 1-13 to
“establish a performance rating/labeling program for all homes listed for sale or rent so that
Draft 01082024
4
owners, tenants and prospective buyers can make informed decisions about energy cost and
carbon emissions.”
2.1. Housing in Edina:
In 2020, Edina had 23,862 housing Units, with 59% of those units built between 1950- 1979,
with median year structures built in 1968 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020). Around 70.5% of the
housing stock is owner occupied, 62% being single family (56 % single-family detached and 7%
single-family attached or duplex) and 38% multifamily units (City of Edina, 2018).
For the most part, buildings in the city are in average to good conditions. However, sales
statistics demonstrates that in the last 6 years, between 2016-2021 around 14.5% of the houses
being sold have been demolished. See table 1.
Table 1. Houses sold and demolished, City of Edina.
Year Edina # of SF home sales Edina # SF demo
permits
% demo’d
2016 545 91 17%
2017 552 88 16%
2018 479 71 15%
2019 534 64 12%
2020 513 72 14%
2021 629 66 11%
Source: Edina’s city staff (assessing division and building department).
While Edina may see a relatively high rate of homes demolished, most of the existing housing
stock is over 40 years old, thus predating decades of energy efficient technologies and policies.
3. Why Time of Sale of Housing Inspection?
Information disclosure is key when you are making decisions, especially when that decision is to
invest on an asset as significant as a house. Key information related to health, safety and energy
consumption is paramount to homebuyers because it enables more informed decisions.
Inadequate information about a home’s energy inefficiency is widely understood as a market
failure (Jaffe, Newell, & Starvis, 2004). The lack of information about energy efficiency dis-
incentivizes potential seller investments in efficiency improvements for fear of not recovering
their investments, while shielding potential buyers about home characteristics that can lead to
substantial long-term savings (Cassidy, 2019). In the absent of a public policy intervention in the
form of a time of sale requirement, the market failure of inadequate information may continue
unabated and threaten the Edina’s ability to meet goals outlined in both the Comprehensive
Plan and Climate Action Plan.
The potential benefits of time of sale disclosure and housing inspection programs are
documented and likely why municipalities across the country are adopting similar policies
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5
(Myers, Puller, & West, 2019). Those benefits include, but are not limited to, increased
investment in energy efficiency by homeowners, reducing homeowner energy costs, making
housing more affordable1, reducing Greenhouse gas emissions, improving the health and safety
of residents, and increasing the value of residential property.
Adoption of a time of sale housing inspection would make Edina’s policies consistent with
neighboring municipalities. Several nearby cities mandate what is known as a Truth-in Sale of
housing (TISH) inspection which is focused on the risks to life and /or health the property might
have. These ordinances required every home seller to have a pre-inspection completed by a
licensed inspector before they list their property for sale. The TISH inspections are paid by
sellers and are different than the standard inspections performed for and paid by most buyers.
Depending on the cities, the inspection may vary but most include checking hazards related to
smoke detectors, railing, plumbing, electrical, etc. Currently, cities with TISH mandates include
Bloomington, Golden Valley, Maplewood, Minneapolis, New Hope, Richfield, Robbinsdale, Saint
Louis Park, Saint Paul, South Saint Paul.
Both Minneapolis and Bloomington have expanded their TISH inspection to include energy
disclosure in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
3.1. Residential Disclosure Policy Options: Asset Rating v. Operation Rating
As the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) mentioned in its report Transforming the
Market For Energy Efficiency in Minneapolis: Recommendation for Residential Energy Efficiency
Rating and Disclosure (CEE, 2018), “there are two basic methods to benchmark the efficiency of
homes: based on a home’s actual energy bills (operation), or based on a home’s physical assets
related to its energy performance (asset rating)”.
Based on the research of CEE, our analysis and interviews done with different cities, and lastly
our interest to include the Health and Safety components, we decided to focus on the asset-
based rating, which considers the home’s physical assets. This approach evaluates the level of
insulation as well as the efficiency of furnace and a/c, providing objective information on the
energy performance of the home, and its results can be used to compare to other homes. This
approach also provides actionable information on what can be done to improve the efficiency
of the home.
As previously noted, there are several cities in the Metropolitan Area of the Twin Cities that
have Truth-in Sale housing inspections, which focus on health and safety components. Two of
them, Bloomington and Minneapolis have also included the energy disclosure component as
part of its inspection. There are also other programs around the country that have focus solely
on the energy components like the ones established by Portland, Oregon and Austin, Texas.
1 “The average homeowner spends up to $2500 per year on energy bills. Energy efficiency upgrades can reduce
homeowner’s energy costs by 20-45%, while creating comfort, safety, and quality of life benefits.” CEE, 2018.
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4. Case Studies: Austin, Portland, Minneapolis, and Bloomington
Over the last several years, there has been an explosion in residential energy disclosure policies
being adopted by states and municipalities. Over ten states and 30 major cities have adopted
such policies in the last decade, not to mention smaller cities and municipalities. This section
explores in more details the four programs, analyzing their pros and cons to have a baseline of
information that can help tailor the type of program that will be more beneficial to the city of
Edina. Table 2, in page 10 is a resume of the four programs being evaluated.
4.1. Austin, Texas
Austin’s Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance went into effect in June
2009 and was amended in 2011 to push the disclosure timing to at least 3 days before the close
of the option period, during which the prospective buyer may legally cancel their contract to
purchase the home penalty- free.
The program is managed by Austin Energy, the community owned utility of the city (Austin
Energy, 2023). The program applies to residential properties with four of fewer dwellings that
are sold within Austin city limits, which are 10 years or older, and are serviced by Austin Energy.
The energy audit report must be disclosed at time of sale remains valid for ten years. Home
sellers are exempt if they do not meet one or more of the conditions.
All audits are conducted by certified professional technicians who have been trained by Austin
Energy and are approved contractors for the program.
Although compliance is officially mandatory for all encompassed property sales, in practice, few
resources are dedicated to enforcement and compliance is incomplete – about 60% of targeted
homes comply. Noncompliance can result in financial penalties from $500-$2000, but penalties
for non-compliance have almost never been incurred, since it is not in the mission of Austin
Energy to track or enforce compliance.
The cost of inspection is around $100-$300, depending on the size of the house.
4.2. Portland, Oregon
Portland established its Home Energy Score Policy in 2016 through the adoption of its
ordinance on Residential Energy Performance Rating and Disclosure, as a results of its 2015
Climate Action Plan, since residential buildings contributed to nearly half of the emissions from
buildings in the city (City of Portland, 2015).
The program requires that all single-family home sellers in the city obtain and disclose a Home
Energy Report estimating the energy-related use, associate cost, and cost-effective solution to
improve the home efficiency.
Draft 01082024
7
The policy has been in place since 2018, and in the year between passing of the ordinance and
the start of its implementation, city staff built a network of home energy assessors trained by
Earth Advantage, a non-profit, to perform the inspections. By doing so they made sure that this
new requirement didn’t generate any disruption in the house market.
Realtor were also trained regarding the new policy, and although they complained that the new
requirement could delay the process of selling the properties, once the ordinance passed, they
embrace it and are now the ones pushing the sellers to comply with it.
The cost for the city in a yearly basis is around 200,000 USD, which includes mainly wages of the
staff running the program, fees paid to Earth Advantage to train, manage and certify the
network of assessors (30,000-40,000 USD) and the low-income homeowners inspections, that
cost around 7,000 USD.
The assessors use the National Home Energy Score (HES) tool from DOE as their scoring tool
and data gets collected according to this process. The complete process, which includes
gathering the data, uploading the score in the mapping software and disclose the information
on the webpage takes less than a week.
The energy program doesn’t apply to renters of single-family house or multifamily. However,
they do need to comply with state requirements related to health and safety like having a gas
stove or furnace, and access to cooling.
Noncompliance can result in a financial penalty of $2000, but penalties for non-compliance
have almost never been incurred, since the sending of a warning have made homeowners
comply with the ordinance.
They current compliance rate is between 50-60% and they aiming to at least 80%.
4.3. Bloomington, MN
Bloomington established its Time-of-Sale Housing (TOS) evaluation more than 25 years ago, and
include the energy component in April 2022, through an amendment of their 1995 ordinance.
The program requires that all dwelling, including single- family, accessory, two-family, multiple-
family and manufacture homes complies with the Time-of-sale evaluation before it offered for
sale. If the house will be torn down, no inspection is required.
When the policy started and only focused on health and safety, contractors licensed by the city
were the ones in charge of the inspections. However, since the energy component was included
and due to a high number of complaints, they switch to in-house inspection. By having
oversight of the program, they have control of the inspections and can make sure they are done
Draft 01082024
8
more effective and efficient. For the energy disclosure component, they use a software
developed by CEE, and include both a/c and water heater.
They city staff in charge of the program includes an office coordinator and 3 inspectors, which
have been train both by CenterPoint and the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE). In a
regular basis, inspectors will do checks on sales and look for the TOS, if one wasn’t done, they
will send email notifying violation of ordinance.
The cost of the inspection is of $255, which $5 going to CEE to support training and the rest to
the city.
4.4. Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis is one of the Twin cities that mandated the Truth in Sale (TISH) inspection, but it
was until January 2020 that energy data started to be collected as part of this inspection
(Minneapolis, 2022).
Properties like single-family houses, duplex, townhouses, and first-time condominium
conversion requires the TISH evaluation before selling them.
The inspections are done by 3rd party evaluator, who have always been doing the home
inspections in the city. With the energy components added they are now required to go
through ongoing yearly training to maintain their credentials.
One of the main challenges they faced was the opposition from the realtors, but once the
program started, they have been supportive.
The compliance of the program is one of the highest of the 4 cities studied with 70-80%. This
since they monitor MLS and force owners to take down their listing if the disclosure has not
been conducted.
The cost of the inspection is between $200-300, depending on the evaluator used and the size
of the house.
5. Recommendations
The Vision Edina strategic framework noted that community residents and stakeholders
“believe that Edina can take an active and ambitious internal and regional leadership role in
embedding environmental stewardship principles through actions” such as “smart building and
energy efficiency practices.” The Comprehensive Plan and the Climate Action Plan built on this
commitment to residents and stakeholders by committing to policies that improve the
affordability of housing in Edina by reducing the costs of energy and reduce Greenhouse gas
emissions by improving energy efficiency practices.
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9
The cities studied showed that certified energy efficiency residential audits capitalized energy
efficiency and leads to residential investment in energy saving technologies. Adoption of a time
of sale initiative is a logical first step into fulfilling the vision of both the CP and the CAP.
If a time of sale initiative is to be adopted by the City of Edina, the Energy and Environment
Commission recommends that:
● Health, Safety, and Energy: The Time of Sale Initiative developed by the city needs to
include both health & safety and energy components.
● Housing Types: Should include all single-family homes, duplex, and townhouses being
sold in the city.
● Inspections: Both inspections schemes, in-house or third party, could work for the city.
The decision will depend on human resources cost, that eventually could be cover by
part of the fee pay for the inspections.
● Criteria: Considering the median year of houses built in the city is 1968, and that this
initiative will only focus on houses being sold it should be complemented with the Home
Energy Squad Initiative, to help the city achieve their climate action goals.
● Enforcement: Several of the cities reviewed do have enforcement policies, but in
practice there is little to no enforcement of the policy. Nevertheless, compliance is
relatively high, and seemingly getting higher as the programs are in place longer.
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10
Table 2. Residence disclosure policies studied.
Jurisdiction Name Enacted/
Effective
Component
s
Type of
homes
Trigger
Inspection Cost for
the city
(yearly)
Cost
for
seller Sale Rent
Austin, TX Energy
Conservation
Audit &
Disclosure
(ECAD)
2009/
2011
Energy Properties with
four or fewer
dwellings
X 3rd party
inspection
NA $100-
300
Bloomington
, MN
Time-of-Sale
(TOS)
1995/
2022*
Health &
Safety,
Energy
Single- family,
accessory, two-
family, multiple-
family and
manufacture
homes
X In house
inspection
NA $250
Minneapolis,
MN
Truth in Sale
(TiSH)
1995/
2020**
Health &
Safety,
Energy
single-family
homes, duplex,
townhouses,
and first-time
condominium
X X 3rd party
inspection
NA $255
Portland, OR Home Energy
Score
2016/
2018
Energy Single-family
homes
X 3rd party
inspection
$200,000+ $200-
300
* In 2022 the included the energy component
** In 2020 they include the energy component
+ Include wage of staff running the program, payment to Earth Advantage and the inspections for low-income homeowners
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11
6. Bibliography
Austin Energy. (2023, 12 01). ECAD Ordinance . Retrieved from Austin Energy:
https://austinenergy.com/energy-efficiency/ecad-ordinance/ecad-for-residential-
customers
Cassidy, A. (2019, July 13). How Does Mandatory Energy Efficency Disclosure Affect Housing
Prices? . Retrieved from SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3047417
CEE. (2018). Transforming the Market for Energy Efficiency in Minneapolis: Recommendations
for Residential Energy Efficiency Rating and Disclosure. Minneapolis: CEE.
City of Edina. (2018). 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Edina: City of Edina.
City of Portland. (2015, 06). City of Portland. Retrieved from Climate Action Plan:
https://www.portland.gov/bps/climate-action/documents/2015-climate-action-
plan/download
Jaffe, A. B., Newell, R. G., & Starvis, R. N. (2004). Economics of Energy Efficiency. Encyclopedia
of Energy, 79-90.
Minneapolis. (2022, 02 25). City of Minnepaolis. Retrieved from Energy disclosure report:
https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/property-housing/buying-
selling/tish/energy-disclosure-report/
Minnesota Legislature. (2022). Office of the Revisor of Satutes. Retrieved from
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/326B.121
Minnesota Legislature. (2022). Office of the Revisor of Statues. Retrieved from
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/412.221
Myers, E., Puller, S., & West, a. J. (2019, October). Effects of Mandatory Energy Efficiency
Disclosure in Hosuing Markets. Retrieved from University of Chicago:
https://e2e.uchicago.edu/pdf/workingpapers/WP044.pdf
Pale Blue dot LLC. (2021). Climate Action Plan. Edina: City of Edina.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2020). United Satates Census Bureau. Retrieved from
https://data.census.gov/profile/Edina_city,_Minnesota?g=160XX00US2718188#housing
Date: January 11, 2024 Agenda Item #: VIII.A.
To:Energy and Environment Commission Item Type:
Report and Recommendation
From:Chad A. Millner, P.E., Director of Engineering
Item Activity:
Subject:Approved 2024 Work Plan Information
CITY OF EDINA
4801 West 50th Street
Edina, MN 55424
www.edinamn.gov
ACTION REQUESTED:
None: Information Only
INTRODUCTION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Approved 2024 Work Plan
Page 1 of 2
Energy & Environment Commission
2024 Proposed Work Plan
1 Initiative Type: Ongoing Target Completion Date: Q4 Lead(s): Cory Lukens, Stephen Schima, Teri Hovanec
Initiative Title: Green Business Outreach Program
Initiative Description: Receive and review business applications. Engage Chamber of Commerce and two Rotaries to
connect with large audiences and explore green business nominations rather than applications. Expand outreach
component to guide participating businesses to increase sustainable practices, and to notify businesses of city
resources while sharing best practices among businesses. Revisit application approach for coming years.
Deliverable: Sustainable businesses door-knocking packet. Business roundtable event. Fulfills part of CAP actions BE 1-
7, BE 4-2
Council Charge: ☐ 1: Study & Report ☐ 2: Review & Comment ☐ 3: Review & Recommend ☒ 4: Review & Decide
Budget Required (completed by staff): Limited funds are available to support target marketing, including ads during
application timeframe, recognition materials like window clings and mailings.
Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive. EEC remains enthusiastic about engaging with business community on
environmental matters.
2 Initiative Type: Project Target Completion Date: Q4 Lead(s): Hilda Martinez, LeeAnn Weber
Initiative Title: Study paved areas conversion opportunity to green space or community gardens
Initiative Description: Identify underutilized paved areas and study ways to incentivize conversion to sustainable green
space or infill development and increase pollinator habitat. Will include a study and report on current City community
garden process and how it could be expanded/adjusted to better meet CAP goals in CAP item LF 1-2 through paved
area conversions: "Support existing school and community gardens and provide opportunities to expand community
growing spaces with a focus on youth, immigrant, and people with lower incomes or who are experiencing food
insecurity."
Deliverable: Report to Council identifying underutilized paved areas in Edina, pollinator supportiveness potential and
section describing City community garden existing practices and potential changes. Fulfills part of CAP actions TL 3-4
and LF 1-2
Council Charge: ☒ 1: Study & Report ☐ 2: Review & Comment ☐ 3: Review & Recommend ☐ 4: Review & Decide
Budget Required (completed by staff): No Funds
Liaison Comments: The EEC will focus on all land – public and private – for its pavement conversion, and then can focus
any community garden study on just private land to complement the parks commission proposed work. EEC & PARC
leads should meet prior to starting work on the initiative to clarify scope of each of their research.
3 Initiative Type: Event Target Completion Date: Q3 Lead(s): Tom Tessman, John Haugen, Grif Pugh
Initiative Title: Host buckthorn removal event in high-priority area
Initiative Description: ID high-priority buckthorn removal areas in the City (including schools) to organize a removal
event. Consider partnering with youth organization or other nonprofit like Great River Greening to provide volunteers.
Could be marketed as a “buckthorn bash” or something similar.
Deliverable: One buckthorn removal event.
Council Charge: ☐ 1: Study & Report ☐ 2: Review & Comment ☐ 3: Review & Recommend ☐ 4: Review & Decide
☒ 5: Event
Budget Required (completed by staff): No funds needed beyond staff time from communications, forests and
sustainability.
Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive and recommends EEC consider a public site like Braemar Golf Course or Bredeson
Park, using Natural Areas plan and work already underway as a guide in site selection.
= commission
= staff
Page 2 of 2
4 Initiative Type: Event Target Completion Date: Q4 Lead(s): Tom Tessman, Hilda Martinez, Ukasha Dakane
Initiative Title: Host EV Ride & Drive event
Initiative Description: Invite up to 25 residents and businesses to display their vehicles, including e-bikes, and answer
questions from curious potential EV owners.
Deliverable: One EV Ride and Drive event. Fulfills part of CAP action TL 3-4
Council Charge: ☐ 1: Study & Report ☐ 2: Review & Comment ☐ 3: Review & Recommend ☐ 4: Review & Decide
☒ 5: Event
Budget Required (completed by staff): No funds needed beyond staff time from communications and sustainability.
Liaison Comments: Staff is supportive, EEC can review how neighboring cities have hosted similar events to ensure
success.
5 Initiative Type: Project Target Completion Date: Q4 Lead(s): Stephen Schima, LeeAnn Weber
Initiative Title: Parking
Initiative Description: Consideration of future of parking in Edina to identify parking initiatives to pursue in the next 10-
15 years, in what order and what commissions/resources should be assigned to each. Planning Commission is the lead.
ETC and EEC will review and comment on final report and recommendation from Planning Commission.
Deliverable: Comment on Planning Commission product ahead of Council submittal. Relates to CAP Action TL 3-2
Council Charge: ☐ 1: Study & Report ☒ 2: Review & Comment ☐ 3: Review & Recommend ☐ 4: Review & Decide
Budget Required (completed by staff): No funds
Liaison Comments: Staff liaison expects limited time commitment by the EEC on this topic. Four Climate Actions relate
to parking management; Staff supports cross-commission work to recommend implementation pathways for these
actions.
Parking Lot
• campaign to raise education on bee gardens
• education on insulation, importance of weatherization
• education for solar on private homes: solar gardens, rooftop, etc.
• Instagram Takeover
• Comprehensive Waste Reduction Marketing Campaign