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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-02-18 Packet Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission Edina City Hall Community Room Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 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, Hailey Lee, Paul Thompson Absent: Staff Present: Jane Timm Public: Janelle Carle, St Mary’s University student Bruce Freeman 6112 Eden Prairie Road, Edina MN 55436 Richard Griffith 7009 Comanche Court Edina MN 55439 Presenter: Bruce Freeman 6112 Eden Prairie Road, Edina MN 55436 1. Welcome & Roll Call 2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda. Commissioner Risser made a motion to approve the meeting agenda with amendment. Commissioner Thompson seconded. Motion carried. 3. Approval of the January 21, 2009 meeting minutes with amendments. Commissioner Latham made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2009 meeting with amendments. Commissioner Paterlini seconded. Motion carried. 4. Public Comment Mr. Richard Griffith joined the meeting to introduce the concept of wind turbines to the City of Edina. Hennepin County would like to put some turbine demonstrations in some of the suburbs. Commissioner Iyer asked Mr. Griffith to join the Climate Change Work Group. 5. Work Group Updates Education and Outreach Work Group Commissioner Thompson gave an update of their monthly meeting. Commissioner Thompson talked about the scheduled meeting with the Sun Current to develop a weekly cartoon or eco-tips. Commissioner Thompson would like to have a spring event at the Plant Sale at Arneson Acres, May 8 and 9, 2009. They would like to share tips on lawn care, tool sharing and chemical use. Commissioner Thompson passed around a flyer for an event on March 19, 2009 in St Paul and the West Metro event on May 4, 2009. One Commissioner would need to give a short presentation on what Edina has done regarding the environment at the March 19, 2009 event. Commissioner Thompson will give a presentation. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to be listed as a co-host at the May 4, 2009 environment event in Edina. Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. Recycling and Solid Waste Work Group Commissioner Latham gave an update on reviewing the Recycling RFP. Commission Latham will bring the recommendation to the EEC March 18, 2009. Climate Change Work Group Commissioner Paterlini gave an update of their monthly meeting. An Edina Business man, Jim Jones started a recycling program at his business. He gave a presentation of what he had accomplished to the Working Group. Commissioner Paterlini talked about collaborating with the Education and Outreach to “teach the people to be teachers”. Commissioner Paterlini talked about the 70th Street bike path and the discussion at the February 17 Council Meeting. She suggested the City of Edina Forester talk to residents about the age of trees and the longevity of trees. She suggested the commissioners write letters to the council about the importance of bike paths. Commissioner Paterlini talked about the delay of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). ICLEI will not support the CDP. They are working with Microsoft to put up a website. Commissioner Paterlini talked about networking with Bloomington and Mahtomedi. Jennifer Janovy gave Commissioner Paterlini information about surrounding cities having a dimmer light ordinance. 7:55 p.m. Commissioner Sierks arrived. Water Quality Work Group Commissioner Risser talked to the Commission about an improvement in driveway width ordinance. She had a handout that was passed around. She would like feedback from the Commissioners and would like to get the handout to the Planning Department. Commissioner Latham suggested looking at other city ordinances to get proposed language. The Commission suggested Commissioner Risser work on the proposed language for a driveway width ordinance Commissioner Risser and Thompson were guests on “In Edina” discussing energy savings. There was a discussion about putting in energy saving switches in the Edina Schools. 6. Commission Business Chair Iyer talked about Mayor Hovland attending an ICLEI Midwest Conference. Chair Iyer passed around a Thank You letter from Julie Smendzuik-O’Brien for being a part of her research paper. Chair Iyer talked about the new Commission candidate applications and the process. Chair Iyer read the alternative transportation resolution at the City Council meeting February 17, 2009. He would like to propose that different Commissions get together and share their views and opinions. Commissioner Latham suggested that all Commissioners attend Volunteer Recognition and the Commission dinner and Braemar Inspection Tour. Commissioner Lee talked to the Commission about Powershift 2009. The conference was February 27 through March 2. She would be going to Washington along with 10,000 other youth. She brought this to the attention of the Commission to ask for financial support. Commissioner Latham made a motion to put together a press release about Commissioner Lee’s trip to Washington to attend Powershift 2009 and to match the $250 Edina High School scholarship. Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. Mr. Bruce Freeman of bigbuystrategy.org gave a presentation on fuel cell cars and wanted hydrogen power. He wanted to have the City of Edina buy some fuel cell cars and set up stations around the city. The Commission suggested they meet with the Education and Outreach Work Group to get more detail. Mr. Freeman had a meeting set up with the City of Edina Public Work Supervisors. There was a discussion on having 2009 elections to appoint Chair and Vice Chairpersons for the Commission for the upcoming year. Commissioner Latham made a motion to re-elect Commissioner Iyer as Chairperson. Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Risser made a motion to re-elect Commissioner Latham as Vice Chairperson. Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. The Commission discussed the Saturday, March 14, 2009 meeting with Mr. Fursman. The Commission decided on Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Edina City Hall. The Commission discussed the Volunteer Recognition Awards. Commissioner Latham suggested nominating Melissa Seeley, Michelle Horan and Suzanne Kerwin for the Mayors Award. Commissioner Sierks made a motion to nominate Melissa Seeley, Michelle Horan and Suzanne Kerwin for the Mayors Award and John Owens and the Morningside Association for the open awards. Commissioner Risser seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Paterlini suggested that all Working Groups have their agendas posted on the website. 7. Adjournment Commissioner Risser made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Lee seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. March 18, 2009 in the Community Room. Respectfully submitted, Jane M. Timm, Secretary