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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 03/09/2021APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021 7:00 P.M., Virtual Meeting 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cindy Hoffman (Chair), Aaron Poock (Vice Chair), Jeanne DeSanctis, Debjyoti Dwivedy, Daniel Katzenberger, JoAnn McGuire, Bruce Schaepe, Priya Senthilkumar CITY STAFF: Jennifer Hassebroek, Sustainability Coordinator, Leslie Stovring, Water Resources Coordinator, Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary STUDENT MEMBERS: Ellianne Retzlaff, Amanda Schlampp Anisha Singhatwadia, Pranav Vadhul I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Hoffman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Absent were Commissioner Dwivedy and student representatives Retzlaff, Schlampp, Singhatwadia and Vadhul. Leslie Stovring, Water Resources Coordinator, joined the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: DeSanctis moved, seconded by McGuire to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM FEBRUARY 9 MEETING MOTION: Schaepe moved, seconded by McGuire to approve the minutes of February 9, 2021 Sustainability Commission. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. WATER QUALITY UPDATE REVIEW Sustainability Commission Minutes March 9, 2021 Page 2 Hassebroek introduced Leslie Stovring, who displayed a PowerPoint. Stovring gave a little background of her evolution toward becoming the Water Resource Coordinator, which involved the management of City lakes, stormwater, wetlands, and conversation easement management. Shoreland management is an important component of lake management. Stoving explained the types and locations of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) in Eden Prairie’s lakes and wetlands. Zebra Mussels were found in six lakes in Eden Prairie and curly leaf pondweed was unfortunately found all over (with the exception of Birch, Idlewild, and Round Lake). Carp was actually split into two systems, since hatchlings and adults were in different areas since adult carp returned to their birth lakes. Staring Lake had the greatest number of carp. Starry stonewort had not invaded Eden Prairie which was fortunate; it had been found in Plymouth. There was a cleaning station at Riley Lake. Poock and Senthilkumar arrived at 7:13 p.m. Stoving explained the watercraft inspection program, which ran from May 9, 2020 through October 25, 2020 and would run from May 14, 2021 through October 25, 2021. Stovring stated there were 3,708 inspections and only 54 violations in 2020. Hoffman asked if the City was trying to treat the zebra mussels. Stovring replied the species was too widespread; affected waters had to be treated immediately, otherwise everything else in the water will die also, and that was not an option. In addition, a boat could pick up zebra mussels while sitting in lake water long enough. Schaepe asked if goldfish were found. Stovring replied that did happen; they were a carp species and could survive light winters, and there were two ponds that had them, and one pond had a connection to Staring Lake. Misguided residents trying to be humane released the goldfish “into the wild” but goldfish dig up the vegetation, contributing to a sterile lake. Hoffman stated Duck Lake had goldfish as well. Stovring stated they were highly undesirable and difficult to get rid of; residents attempted to do so via winter harvesting. Stovring explained Round, Riley, and Rice Marsh Lake had undergone alum treatment and Mitchell and Staring were targeted for future alum treatment. Riley, Mitchell, and Red Rock were treated to mitigate herbicides (diquat and/or endothall) in 2020. Stovring highlighted Round and Staring Lakes as examples of the management efforts in 2020. Round Lake was treated for brittle naiad and Sustainability Commission Minutes March 9, 2021 Page 3 Eurasian water milfoil, as well as past pond dredging, alum treatments, aeration in the fall, and goose management efforts. Staring Lake was treated for carp, curly leaf pondweed, Eurasian milfoil (in 2015) and brittle naiad. A rain garden had been constructed at the boat landing, and there had been a native plants restoration project at the Outdoor Center. The City was working on a plan for next steps with the Watershed District. Stormwater efforts were in Phase II (National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System). This was created in 1972 by the Clean Water Act of the EPA and the permit was updated in 2020. It was part of Eden Prairie’s new permit system. Public education was a new, important feature and would seek to change residents’ behavior, local business practices, and yard and household waste disposal as well as support lake improvements. An important component of education included the use and proper storage of salt and the proper disposal of pet waste. Education would also focus on preventing, recognizing, and reporting illicit discharge. Education in 2021 would utilize webinars, videos, safe distancing tours, the adopt-a-drain program, safe public events, “Life in the Prairie” articles, and a Sustainable Eden Prairie email newsletter. Events included Arbor Day at Round Lake, an annual stormwater meeting, a City Open House, perhaps in the fall, and self-guided tours. There would be two webinars in 2020 with Wild Ones, and two in 2021 with NMCWD, Minnetonka and Bloomington. She also called for ideas. Stovring described the Landscaping Rebate Program which had been in place since 1999. She listed the 2020 rebate program amounts and described the increases proposed for 2021. Schaepe asked how success would be measured, and Stovring replied her job was to inspect and document the work and maintain this momentum for five years. The Watershed required a 10-year agreement and it also inspected the sites. McGuire asked how many wetlands there were in Eden Prairie, and Stovring replied there were over 1,000 wetlands, ponds and creeks. Discussion followed on signing up volunteers for Arbor Day. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR Hoffman announced this was her last meeting as Chair. C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION Sustainability Commission Minutes March 9, 2021 Page 4 1. WATER UPDATE 2. WASTE UPDATE Poock asked when the waste site would open, and Hassebroek replied it would be in the last weekend in April. 3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR UPDATE 4. ENERGY UPDATE Schaepe stated he assessed what the commission could do proactively with the Climate Action Plan, which led him to the Energy Action Plan from 2017, which Katzenberger had worked on. Schaepe stated he had not heard about this. Katzenberger explained the Energy Action Plan came out of the commission’s work with Partners In Energy, and the Climate Action Plan was more aspirational. However, he agreed the commission should pursue goals and methods in the Energy Action Plan that were not a part of the Climate Action Plan, if any. Hassebroek apologized for any confusion and detailed how the Energy Action Plan was folded into the Climate Action Plan. The Energy Action Plan was still relevant, and she would give an update on the Climate Action Plan to the City Council next week. The City Council would respond with priorities and these were likely to focus on energy. Schaepe asked for an update on metrics and progress, which Hassebroek offered to return with. Schaepe stated he was going to focus on energy from now on and wished to explore specific actions for the commission. Katzenberger added Hennepin County was creating its own Climate Action Plan, and cities’ Climate Action Plans would be rolled into this. Resilient Cities and Communities had invited him to its meetings. He gave the name Debbie Goegtel as a contact. Connecting trails between cities was an example of needed city partnerships. Hassebroek stated this information had been included in her email to the commission members. Hoffman urged reinstating the Metrowide Commission energy meetings. D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. UPCOMING EVENTS  Zero Waste Online Educational Event: March 18, 2021 – 6:30 p.m. Sustainability Commission Minutes March 9, 2021 Page 5  Drop Off Recycling Event – Yard Waste Site: April 17, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (appliances, tires, power equipment, and electronics)  Park Clean Up Day – Riley Creek Conservation Area: April 24, 2021 – 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (In response to commission members’ feedback, Hassebroek offered to change this to the park needing the most clean-up.)  Arbor Day Walk and Green Fair – Round Lake Park: May 1, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. VII. NEXT MEETING The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, April 13, 2021, virtually. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by Poock to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m.