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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 06/09/2020APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2020 7:00 PM Virtual Meeting 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Cindy Hoffman (Chair), Jeanne DeSanctis, Aaron Poock, JoAnn McGuire, Debjyoti Dwivedy, Daniel Katzenberger, Priya Senthilkkumar, Bruce Schaepe CITY STAFF: Senior Planner Beth Novak-Krebs, Planning Division, Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Hoffman called the meeting to order at 7:08 p.m. Eden Prairie Sustainability Coordinator Jennifer Hassebroek joined the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: McGuire moved, seconded by DeSanctis to approve the agenda. Motion carried 8-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 10 MEETING MOTION: McGuire moved, seconded by DeSanctis to approve the minutes of March 10, 2020 Conservation Commission meeting. Motion carried 7-0 with one abstention (Schaepe). IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS FOR NEW MEMBER AND NEW SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR The commission members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds. Discussion followed on the Climate Action Plan. Hoffman stated she feared the passage of this plan, an important achievement, was eclipsed by the Covid-19 crisis. She urged the commission to come up with ideas for publicizing the plan. Novak-Krebs concurred and offered to help. Sustainability Commission Minutes June 9, 2020 Page 2 DeSanctis agreed, and noted the Eden Prairie News had also ended, so social media needed to pick up the slack. Hassebroek replied the Sun Current might step into the gap and offered to talk to the Communications team. 2. PRESENTATION ON COMMISSION ROLE, ACCOMPLISHMENTS, AND GOALS Novak-Krebs presented a PowerPoint on the commission’s 2019 achievements and 2020 Work Plan and. New applications had been received for the student commissioners, who would be chosen and would start in September. She highlighted the 2019 events (Home and Garden Expo, Arbor Day/Green Fair booth, City Park Clean Up, and the Minnesota State Fair Eco Experience). The commission gave input on and support to the Climate Action Plan, a workshop with students, the Sustainability EP Awards, the Energy Action Plan, and the Metro-wide Environmental Commission meeting. Learning for the commissioners included researching existing Climate Action Plans, touring the water treatment plant, and holding a joint meeting with the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Commission. One particular achievement was forming partnerships with the Communications Department, as well as other organizations, commissions, businesses, advocacy groups, and citizens’ boards. Novak-Krebs explained the commission presented to the City Council every January its past achievements and goal for the next year. She highlighted the 2020 Work Plan including events and outreach goals, educational material, and continuing input and support by the commission. Many projected events were of course canceled due to the coronavirus, but the City-wide Open House was still on the schedule for October and had not been canceled to date. The kiosk at the Eden Prairie Mall was another form of outreach. She went over the projected learning initiatives for 2020, including possible tours if feasible, and the prospect for more partnerships. Hoffman stated she wondered about the prospect of a City-wide Open House, and asked for other ways to connect with the residents and convey the commission’s message (besides social media). She asked commission members to come up with ideas for a later discussion. DeSanctis suggested using the large billboards that the City utilized for local theater, breakfast events, et cetera. Hoffman noted the parks were open with social distancing, and suggested having a table (with safety standards) at the beach to communicate with the public. Schaepe noted the City has a website, and suggested engaging staff to assist with messaging. Novek- Sustainability Commission Minutes June 9, 2020 Page 3 Krebs agreed staff could help with Sustainable Eden Prairie. Hoffman replied the City was appropriately focused on current events and issues, and wondered if staff had ideas for what the commission should promote, such as the Climate Action Plan. Feedback from the City could be helpful. Novak-Krebs offered to speak with Leslie Stovring on this, as Stovring wished to promote the smart irrigation program. DeSanctis stated it would be a good idea to involve the schools. Hoffman agreed and said the Climate Action Plan was an opportunity for this. Novak-Krebs offered to have the appropriate conversations with Hassebroek and Robert Ellis on this. Hassebroek agreed. Her background at Oakdale held smaller groups than happened at Eden Prairie, and she suggested the commission members think about smaller initiatives, such as reaching out to churches, HOAs, having pop-up tables, et cetera. Novak-Krebs agreed and stated this had also been done to some extent. Hoffman noted tables at popular locations could draw a lot of people while still maintaining social distancing. Dwivedy agreed. Senthilkkumar suggested online webinars and YouTube videos. Hoffman agreed and stated these could be linked to the City’s website. Poock suggested joining this with the other City communications going out. There was a Landscaping Pollinator Zoom meeting (given by former commission Chair Lori Tritz) and a community drop-off day coming up, and he wondered if the commission could have signage or a message at these events. Discussion followed on this idea. Hoffman noted the drop-off was June 20, probably too soon to pull something together. Discussion followed on a timeline. Hassebroek suggested pulling together this for July. Senthilkkumar stated the Sun Sailor also covered Eden Prairie, and would be another resource. Hoffman replied it was a small section. Hoffman reiterated the importance of the Climate Action Plan, since communities may have backed off implementation in the light of Covid-19. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION 1. WATER UPDATE Hoffman stated Riley Lake was being treated for phosphorous and that Zebra Mussels had been found. Senthilkkumar noted her daughter worked on this on Riley Lake. 2. WASTE UPDATE 3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR UPDATE Sustainability Commission Minutes June 9, 2020 Page 4 Poock stated there was a Pollinator Zoom event on June 17 at 6:30, and interested people could get the link from the City’s website. 4. ENERGY UPDATE Katzenberger stated there was less driving being done by residents but more by businesses due to deliveries, and residents were cooking more, using more natural gas, and running air conditioners more due to work done at home. Consumption of energy had increased. D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. UPCOMING EVENTS Hoffman repeated information regarding the June 17 Pollinator Zoom webinar and the June 20 community drop-off. Katzenberger reminded the commission members the City offered water rebates for water conservation. Hoffman stated Stovring wished the commission to promote smart irrigation, and wondered if the commission could get some metrics on the program’s effectiveness. Novak-Krebs offered to get that information. Katzenberger announced there was a Climate Reality training for anyone interested, July 18-26 on Zoom, a couple hours each day. This was free and available at climaterealityproject.org . VII. NEXT MEETING The next Conservation Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, July14, 2020, online. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by Poock to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 8-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.