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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-20 Packet Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission Edina City Hall Community Room Wednesday, May 20, 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, Paul Thompson, Jeannie Hanson, Steve Christianson, Michael Platteter Absent: Hailey Lee Staff Present: Jane Timm, Heather Worthington Public: Isabella and Tracy Shook, 5415 Kellogg Avenue 1. Welcome & Roll Call 2. Discussion and Approval of Agenda. Commissioner O’Connell made a motion to approve the meeting agenda. Commissioner Latham seconded. Motion carried. 3. Approval of the March 18, 2009 meeting minutes. Commissioner Latham made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 18, 2009 meeting. Commissioner Paterlini seconded. Motion carried. Approval of the April 15, 2009 meeting minutes. Commissioner Latham made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2009 meeting. Commissioner Sierks seconded. Motion carried. 4. Public Comment Tracy Shook addressed the Commission. She was concerned with the 2 sets of phone books weighing 32 pounds that were delivered to her home without her permission. She felt it was a waste of resources. She believed they should only be delivered if a request was made. Shook will work with Commissioner Risser and Commissioner O’Connell to draft a formal letter to be sent to the State Representatives. 5. Work Group Updates Education and Outreach Work Group Commissioner Thompson gave an update of their monthly meeting. Commissioner Thompson gave a summary of the Garden Council Plant Sale and the Education and Outreach Workshops that were held at Arneson Acres. He was very excited about the partnership that was formed between the Garden Council and the Energy and Environment Commission. The May 4 sustainability event at St Patrick Church was very successful with attendance of about 70. Edina Community Foundation was asked thru the Education and Outreach Working Group to donate funds to the Will Steger Foundation so the Edina High School can host speaker Bill McGibben, August 18, 2009. $5000 is needed for Edina to host the public forum. A $2500 matching grant was given by the Edina Community Foundation. A fund raising reception at that event will raise money for the Will Steger Foundation. There will also be a Resource Fair in the lobby. Commissioner Sierks made a motion to have the Energy and Environment Commission be a sponsor and make a $1000.00 contribution for the Will Steger public forum on August 18, 2009. Commissioner O’Connell seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Thompson talked about an 8 month student trip to Copenhagen sponsored by the Will Steger Foundation. Commissioner Thompson stated there were three nominations for the Edina Energy Champion. Votes were cast and the “schools” were the award winners. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to nominate Dolan Lee to the Education and Outreach Working Group. Sierks seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner Risser stated there was one mascot idea submitted to the Commission. Recycling and Solid Waste Work Group Commissioner Latham gave an update of their monthly meeting. Each upcoming meeting will be at a different facility so a review of recycling habits can be done. During the upcoming June meeting a speaker will talk about biodigesters and what is being planned in St Paul for one. The Work Group will also put together the objectives for the year. Commissioner Latham made a motion to nominate Jim Jones to be on the Recycling and Solid Waste Working Group. Sierks seconded. Motion carried. Commissioner O’Connell gave an update about the technology of the biodigester. Climate Change Work Group Commissioner Paterlini did not have an update. Water Quality Work Group Commissioner Risser stated their Working Groups would meet the 3rd Monday of each month. Commissioner Risser made a motion to nominate Bob Genovese to the Water Quality Working Group. Sierks seconded. Motion carried. 6. Commission Business Chair Iyer did not have any updates. City Manager Worthington gave an update on the Dan Patch Line stating the state legislature will not allow us to discuss or study. Until the law is reversed it can not be studied. The City of Edina would have to advocate for commuter rail, but the Commission could make a recommendation to the City Council. Ms. Worthington handed out the MCPA report and the Turf Management Plan to the Commission. Ms. Worthington gave an update of the walk through of the facilities with the McKinstry Company. She explained the Braemar Ice Arena would have a great need for the stimulus monies. The report will go on the Google Group when it is complete. It as reported that the City of Edina has a new intern that will be doing some work for the Energy and Environment Commission. His name is Matt Laue. Commissioner Latham and Chair Iyer will go over the bylaws and make any corrections. They will send it to Secretary Timm to mail out. The Commission discussed the meeting with the Planning Commission June 10, 2009 in the Council Chambers of Edina City Hall. The Commission discussed the meeting with the City Council June 16, 2009 in the Community Room of Edina City Hall. A written report will be given to the City Council prior to the June 16 meeting. The Commission decided to meet prior to the June 16 meeting. The meeting was scheduled for June 8, 2009 from 7 – 9 pm in the Community Room of Edina City Hall. Chair Iyer went over the PowerPoint in the monthly meeting packet that he prepared for the Commissioners regarding the structure of the Energy and Environment Commission. 7. Adjournment Commissioner Paterlini made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Thompson seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. The next meeting will be the regularly scheduled meeting at 7:00 p.m. June 17, 2009 in the Community Room. Respectfully submitted, Jane M. Timm, Secretary