Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 07/14/2020APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2020 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, Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Hoffman called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Absent was Commissioner Dwivedy. Paul Schleuter, Eden Prairie Fleet Services Manager, joined the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by DeSanctis to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JUNE 10 MEETING MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by DeSanctis to approve the amended minutes of June 19, 2020 Sustainability Commission, with the change to Item IV C (1) to clarify that phosphorus and zebra mussels found at Riley Lake were two separate environmental concerns. Motion carried 7-0. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. THANK YOU AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR BETH NOVAK- KREBS 2. SWEAR IN NEW MEMBERS: KATZENBERGER AND SCHAEPE Hassebroek stated Schaepe had already handed in his sworn statement. Katzenberger agreed to turn in his rather than take an oath over the internet. Sustainability Commission Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 2 3. DISCUSSION OF SUSTAINABLE FLEET IMPROVEMENTS: PAUL SCHLUETER, FLEET SERVICES MANAGER Schleuter presented an update on the improvements to the Eden Prairie city fleet vehicles. He provided background information on the 20-40-15 Initiative history. Eden Prairie began purchasing alternative fuels or hybrid vehicles in 2008. In 2012 the Police Chief agreed to take a Prius as his official vehicle. In 2013 the City purchased two plug-in hybrids. Then in 2018-2019, four additional Toyota Rav4 hybrids were purchased. Two F- 250 plug-in hybrid pickups were ordered. The vehicles were at the City and he expected the hybrid conversion kits by the end of August. They could plow snow in winter and haul payload in summer. In 2019 capital funds were used for electrical infrastructure (EV charging) at the maintenance facility. He anticipated this would become a significant part of the fleet. Two Level Two charging stations were added at Eden Prairie Center. Research started on police fleet electric vehicles, and Fremont, California was a partner for this. Tesla’s Model Y is being rolled out and is appropriate for a patrol car, and the City is in touch with a Tesla representative to explore this option. Each cost about $60,000.00 and operating costs were lower than other Tesla vehicles and would pay for itself. The City recently drafted its capital improvement plan for 2021-2030 which included the addition of electric vehicle charging stations for both City staff and the public. Major auto manufacturers such as Ford are now exploring electric vehicles. Using electric vehicles can be appropriate for garbage trucks, fire trucks, and other uses. He and Chief Weber tested an electric fire truck by Rosenbauer. This was perhaps too advanced for Eden Prairie at this time, but Rosenbauer has a manufacturing facility in Wyoming, Minnesota. The equipment was ideally suited for Eden Prairie’s uses and he looked forward to future innovations. Katzenberger asked for notes to share with other commissions, and Hassebroek offered to get those to the commission members. Poock concurred and added how impressed he was with the program. McGuire asked how many vehicles were in the fleet and Schleuter replied there were 200 total. Hoffman if there was a plan to let the public know about these conversions. Schleuter replied there would be some press releases the vehicles would also be distinctive. Hassebroek displayed an image for the commission members. 4. DISCUSSION OF CLIMATE ACTION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION KICK STARTER PROJECTS AND COMMUNICATIONS Sustainability Commission Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 3 Hassebroek stated the reintroduction of the Climate Action Plan was discussed the last Sustainability Commission meeting. The promotions of the hybrid and Tesla vehicles was a perfect tie-in for this. There were a number of additional kickoff projects discussed: Home Energy Squad Inner City Challenge—the purpose would be a challenge between 16 metropolitan cities for the greatest number of visits per capita by the end of the year. Energy audits were being conducted virtually and for free at this point. A traveling trophy was the prize. Hoffman asked if the virtual visits were scheduled more quickly than the in-person visits, and what the backlog was. Hassebroek replied CEE did not differentiate between the two for her when Hassebroek asked. The wait time was about three to four weeks. The contest would run through the end of the year. Multi-Family Energy Solutions—Xcel Energy offers low-cost, whole- building energy audits with free energy-saving items and financial incentives for major project completion. Poock noted landlords and property owners could be given this information along with their permit information whenever they make any improvements. Katzenberger asked if Xcel Energy’s refrigerator rebate could be included. He also noted drop off day had a long line. Hassebroek noted the plan was to break drop off day into smaller events around specific items, including potentially an appliance-only event this fall. Katzenberger stated this was the largest city event second to July 4. Hoffman agreed with Katzenberger that more outreach events were needed, and urged the commission be involved in collection days for 2021. Hoffman suggested possibly having the new electric public works trucks, etc. at the collections for people to view. Hassebroek asked the commission members to email her with questions if they arose. 5. UPDATE ON GREENSTEP CITIES AWARD Hassebroek announced Eden Prairie was awarded the Step 4 and Step 5 GreenStep Award for 2020. It would be presented at the August 18 City Council meeting. Sustainability Commission Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 4 6. UPDATE ON MAYOR’S WATER CHALLENGE, UPDATE ON IRRIGATION REBATE PROGRAM FOR 2020 Hassebroek stated Eden Prairie reduced water use by 60 percent over the last decade. Participation in the challenge had begun in 2012. In the month of August citizens would sign up to pledge to use less water. The irrigation rebate program in so far in 2020 has processed 67 single- family and two multi-family irrigation rebates. Hoffman asked how much promotion the City had done on irrigation, considering it was a very hot summer. Reminders to residents or even contacting the irrigation companies might be fruitful. Hassebroek replied the irrigation rebates were mentioned in the last email blast and this would be an ongoing promotion. 7. UPDATE ON YARD WASTE FACILITY OPENING Hassebroek stated the kiosk still needed to be built, but if there was adequate staffing and the rest of construction went to plan it may open this autumn. Christmas Tree drop-off may also be an option. It will be open fully by next spring. 8. UPDATE ON STUDENT MEMBERS FOR 2020-2021 SCHOOL YEAR Hassebroek announced four students were selected. Orientation would be in August, and they would begin attending in September. 9. SHARE WATERING WISDOM WEBINAR INSTRUCTIONS Hassebroek announced brief, 30-minute educational webinars would be held on Tuesdays at 2:00 p.m. regarding best practices on watering, lawn care, and other sustainable practices. She could email the link to anyone who wanted it. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION 1. WATER UPDATE 2. WASTE UPDATE Sustainability Commission Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 5 Katzenberger reminded the commission about training for the Master Recycler program. Hoffman brought up the multi-family energy rebate program and asked if Hennepin County required such units to implement better recycling programs. Hassebroek replied this was a focus of the County. Hoffman asked if these programs could be promoted at the same time. Hassebroek agreed they could. Poock commended Hoffman for continuously coming up with ways to more efficiently combine programs and information. 3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR UPDATE Hassebroek stated she had talked to Stovring, and 12-14 people attended the June 17 virtual trainings on landscaping. Two more were scheduled: Wednesday, August 5 from 6:00-7:00 regarding landscaping for water sustainability, and on Wednesday, August 19 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. regarding landscaping for climate change. DeSanctis stated she did attend the webinar and commended the program. She urged the City to advertise it. 4. ENERGY UPDATE Katzenberger announced the Climate Reality Leadership training. There were 14,000 registrants for only 10,000 online slots. He would be a mentor at this online event. There would be another training in August, and information was available at Climatereality.org. Applications would not be taken until after the July training. Registration and the training were free of charge. Poock asked Katzenberger to notify staff when registration for the August session opened. D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. UPCOMING EVENTS Poock stated there was a new Netflix series, “Down to Earth,” highlighting different environmental issues. July 18-26 was the Climate Reality training. Sustainability Commission Minutes July 14, 2020 Page 6 Hassebroek asked the commission members to email her with suggestions for more site visits. Poock suggested the Shakopee recycling facility, and the new composting facility after it opened. VII. NEXT MEETING The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2020. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by McGuire to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 7-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:22 p.m.