Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 06/14/2022APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2022 7:00 P.M., Prairie Room 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Aaron Poock (Chair), Emily Eddy-Theis (Vice Chair), Laura Bishop, Tim Conners, Gretchen Enninga, Cindy Hoffman, Daniel Katzenberger, Jeff Nobleza, Carolyn Wieland CITY STAFF: Jennifer Hassebroek, Sustainability Coordinator, Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Poock called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Absent were Commissioners Conners, Eddy-Theis, Hoffman, and Nobleza. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Enninga moved, seconded by Bishop to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 8, 2022 MEETING MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by Enninga to approve the minutes of May 10, 2022 Sustainability Commission. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. FLEET EV UPDATE Hassebroek announced this item would be tabled until next month. She added a tour of the vehicles was set for 2:00 p.m. on July 12. 2. EV RIDE AND DRIVE EVENT PLANNING Hassebroek displayed a PowerPoint and explained the potential course. Staring Lake Park was the best candidate, having an EV charger on site. Sustainability Commission Minutes June 14, 2022 Page 2 The 5.1-mile drive would take eight-and-a-half minutes, and the parking lot allowed for display of test vehicles. The amphitheater and the park building would facilitate speakers in any weather. The date was tentatively set for October 11, 2022 or September 13, 2022. Discussion followed on possibly providing snacks at the event. Hassebroek offered to investigate the City’s snack truck. Katzenberger asked if the Winnebago Electric RV would be available, and Hassebroek stated she would find out. Discussion followed on e-bikes offered at motorcycle shops. Hassebroek asked for suggestions for speakers. Wieland suggested staff from Xcel Energy or MnDOT to speak on charging infrastructure. Katzenberger suggested inviting the public to bring electric scooters. 3. REACT UPDATE Hassebroek displayed a PowerPoint and summarized the survey data. Many participants looked at the webpage but did not necessarily complete the survey. She said the data appeared around where she expected the numbers to be. • 53 percent had completed a Home Energy Squad visit. • 100 percent reported changing all lighting to LED lights. • 53 percent had received a utility rebate for energy efficiency. • 68 percent reported keeping their homes at 68 degrees in the winter. • 32 percent reported restricting the use of the stove or oven until after 8:00 p.m. • 26 percent subscribed to the Community Solar Garden and 37 percent had purchased green power. • 11 percent had switched to an air or ground source heat pump HVAC and 16 percent had a heat pump or fully electric water heater. • Use of electric stovetops, lawn mowers and snow/shovels were 32 percent, 42 percent, and 47 percent respectively. • 100 percent of residents reported bundling errands to cut down on car trips, and 74 percent bundled online deliveries. • Alternative modes of transportation were bike/walk/transit at 37 percent, carpooling at 32 percent, hybrid vehicle use at 32 percent, and PHEV or EV at 58 percent. • 79 percent recycled organics, 58 percent used the city yard waste site, 100 percent used reusable beverage containers, and 89 percent donated/purchased used goods. Sustainability Commission Minutes June 14, 2022 Page 3 4. FIX-IT CLINIC UPDATE Hassebroek announced the Fix-It Clinic would be held December 10, 2022 from noon to 4:00 p.m. in the Community Center, Cambria Room. Volunteers were welcome. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR Poock stated there were only two spaces still open for the Hometown Celebration and thanked Hassebroek for supplying the information. He commended the hydration stations and urged a waste-free event. Hassebroek stated the City would try to require the vendors have compostable food containers which would be discarded at composting stations, although cross-contamination was a constant challenge. Wieland stated unless the garbage containers were monitored enforcing this was difficult. Discussion followed on the decision of vendors to attempt waste separation. Poock asked if there could be an alternative to paper cups for ice cream. Wieland suggested compostable containers. Hassebroek agreed to explore these alternatives. C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION 1. WATER UPDATE 2. WASTE UPDATE 3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR UPDATE 4. ENERGY UPDATE D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS Hassebroek stated that seven student representatives would be starting in September. Poock urged involving the student representatives more in the future. Bishop suggested waste-free graduation parties/ceremonies as a student project. VI. UPCOMING EVENTS Wieland announced EcoTech event Saturday noon to 6:00 p.m. at Wolf Park. Hometown Celebration, July 4, 2022 Sustainability Commission Minutes June 14, 2022 Page 4 VII. NEXT MEETING The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in the Heritage Rooms. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Wieland is moved, seconded by Bishop to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.