HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-03-18 Packet
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the
Energy and Environment Commission
Edina City Hall Community Room
Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
Members In Attendance and Roll Call:
Raymond O’Connell, Bill Sierks, Julie Risser, Dianne Plunkett Latham, Hailey
Lee, Paul Thompson,
Absent: Surya Iyer, M. Germana Paterlini
Staff Present:
Heather Worthington
Public: N/A
1. Welcome & Roll Call
2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda.
Commissioner Plunkett Latham suggested a re-ordering of the agenda so
that the Recycling RFP could be discussed first. She also suggested a re-
ordering of the Commission Business portion of the agenda in the following
order:
Bike trails and lanes
Powershift
Facilitation workshop
City code compatibility with sustainability
Staff report
3. The February minutes were approved as submitted.
4. Recycling RFP
Solvei Wilmot, staff liaison to the Solid Waste and Recycling Working Group
presented the RSWWG’s recommendation on the RFP. Allied Waste was
recommended as the hauler who met the most criteria set by the City
Council. Motion by Thompson, second Sierks, to recommend Allied Waste
as the City’s recycling hauler, and sign a contract with Allied Waste.
Unanimous approval.
4. Public Comment
None
5. Work Group Updates
Education and Outreach:
Commissioner Risser reported on an upcoming segment for In Edina on the
Commission’s work. She also reported on the Sustainability Conference in
St. Paul next week, and that she would like input from Commissioners on
what she should discuss at the conference. She reported on the Edina
Garden Club Event, April 27th, an upcoming column in the Sun Current, and
the possibility of sending a representative to the Local Climate Leadership
Summit in Washington, D.C. May 18-20. Commissioner Thompson asked if
the Commission wanted to participate in the July 4th parade, and if so, the
Commission will need to register. Project Earth is interested in participating,
so perhaps the two groups could do it together. Motion by O’Connell,
second Risser, to participate in the July 4th Parade. Unanimous approval.
Climate Change Working Group
No report
Water Quality Working Group
One person has applied to be a part of the WG, Ryan Wilson. Motion by
O’Connell to approve appointment, seconded by Risser. Unanimous
approval. Latham, Risser, Lee, and Wilson will serve on Working Group.
6. Commission Business
Bike trails and lanes:
Commissioner Latham reported that Chair Iyer asked for a W. 70th and 9
Mile Creek Regional Trail resolution. Commissioner O’Connell expressed
his desire to recommend trails in conjunction with the 9 Mile project,
including the replacement bridges, and the EEC’s support for the Creek
alignment. Worthington will research other Commission recommendations
on alignment, and report back in April.
Powershift Conference:
Commissioner Lee attended the Powershift Conference in Washington D.C.
Every state, Canadian province and twelve countries were represented.
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, addressed the group, and spoke on
legislation regarding environmental issues. Van Jones, an organizer of the
event spoke on sustainability in the market, solar panels, and other energy
efficient technology. There were 250 representatives from Minnesota. Lee
attended workshop on journalism to promote environmental activism, and
helped to lobby Congress to pass climate protection legislation encouraging
America to participate in the new Energy Treaty.
Facilitation workshop:
The Commission discussed their concerns with the first half of the facilitated
work session, and asked Worthington to communicate with Richard and
Irina Fursman in preparation for their next meeting. They agreed that a
frequent “check-in” on the strategic plan would be necessary on an ongoing
basis. Worthington will report back on the structure and goals of the next
session prior to the April meeting.
City code compatibility with sustainability:
Worthington reported that the City followed the State Building Code, and
that the Code was currently under review. The Commission agreed to defer
this discussion to a future meeting.
Staff Report:
Worthington reported that staff had been working with McKinstry, a local
consulting firm that specializes in energy efficiency studies. In addition, she
has recently become aware of some Xcel programs that may save the City
money on energy bills, and will be doing further investigation.
7. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Heather Worthington, Secretary