HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 10/11/2022APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 7:00 pm
Heritage Rooms 1&2
8080 Mitchell Road
COMMISSION MEMBERS: Aaron Poock (Chair), Emily Eddy-Theis
(Vice Chair), Laura Bishop, Tim Conners,
Gretchen Enninga, Cindy Hoffman, Daniel
Katzenberger, Carolyn Wieland
STUDENT MEMBERS: Tanvi Bhujle, Mia Cain, Palak Dhiman,
Maura Fitzgerald, Tyler Little, Taylor
Oliver, Suchita Sah
CITY STAFF: Jennifer Fierce, Sustainability Coordinator
Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chair Poock called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm Absent were Commissioners Eddy-
Theis and Bishop and Student Member Bhujle.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS
MOTION: Enninga moved, seconded by Conners to approve the agenda. MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 MEETING
MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Wieland to approve the minutes of September
14, 2022 Sustainability Commission. MOTION CARRIED 5-0, ABSTAIN:
KATZENBERGER.
IV. REPORTS
A. REPORTS FROM STAFF
1. WATER QUALITY UPDATE
Lori Haak, Water Resources Coordinator, introduced herself to the
Commission. She provided an overview of water quality efforts in Eden
Prairie. She covered four major work areas:
• Stormwater Permit
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October 11, 2022
Page 2
• Vegetation Management Plans/Landscaping Rebates
• Lake Management
• Wetland Management
Haak detailed her work at Stable Path HOA and various community
events to educate residents on stormwater runoff. She mentioned efforts to
encourage residents to clean up after their dogs, locating illegal dumping,
managing construction sites, and maintaining stormwater collection areas.
Haak detailed how efforts like citywide drop off and yard waste collection
impacts stormwater quality. She provided an overview of participation in
landscaping for water quality rebates as well as Adopt-a-Drain.
Haak provided an update on the city’s goose management program.
Conners inquired about the impact of goose waste on waterways. Haak
detailed the goose management program specifics.
Haak overviewed how vegetation management plans work and when they
are enacted. Conners asked about the use of herbicides on buckthorn near
water.
Conners commented on a Rotary group working to remove buckthorn at
Edenvale with native plants.
Haak detailed how the city works to prevent aquatic invasive species and
manage vegetation in local lakes with citizen volunteers.
Haak commented on changes to how the city manages its use of salt.
Several local lakes are far below state thresholds for chloride levels. City
sends staff to Smart Salt training and uses pre-treating when applicable to
keep roads safe while limiting salt use as it all ends up in our lakes.
Haak provided an overview of wetland management and an upcoming
wetland bank project.
Conners asked what actions residents can take on their own, particularly if
they live along a water resource. Haak commented that Adopt a Drain is
probably the most accessible for most residents.
Weiland asked about the wetland management during and after
construction and the wetland at CMS. Haak stated they are working on
outreach to help private owners with maintenance.
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October 11, 2022
Page 3
Hoffman relayed a story of a road construction project in front of her
home that left dirt exposed during a rainstorm resulting in runoff into the
storm sewers.
2. RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIFICATION PROGRAM UPDATES
Fierce updated the Commission on a student project on residential
electrification that is being done as a part of a class Commissioner Bishop
is teaching at the University of Minnesota.
Fierce also noted she would be sending a survey out to Commissioners to
gauge their knowledge of residential electrification as part of our cohort
project with Minneapolis, Edina, and St. Louis Park.
Lastly, Fierce noted that Edina, St. Louis Park, and Eden Prairie had
submitted a Congressionally Directed Spending request for funds to help
with residential electrification that had been tentatively approved pending
the finalization of the federal budget.
3. EV RIDE AND DRIVE RECAP
Fierce gave the Commission a recap of the EV event that happened in
September. Hoffman asked if the city was considering doing one again.
Fierce stated there was a lesson-learned in that residents just wanted to
browse at their own pace, there was very little interest in the speaker at the
event.
Fierce questioned if it needed to be an annual event or every-other year
type of event. Conners noted that in a few years down the road these type
of events would be less necessary as more people become familiar with
the technology. Fierce commented on the possibility of doing a larger
event with multiple cities or organizations as a more attractive audience
for dealerships to participate. Hoffman also supported doing an event
every year and potentially combining it with another event. Weiland
commented on the Chanhassen auto plex. Poock noted that one attendee
already had a vehicle on order but still came, but on the other end of the
spectrum there were people who only came because they heard they could
drive an electric vehicle. Fierce noted she would continue to think about
next steps for this event.
B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR
Poock asked about the Citywide Open House. Fierce stated there was
strong turnout and most attendees came with children as well.
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October 11, 2022
Page 4
Poock noted his thoughts on the EV Ride and Drive event and thanked
Fierce for her work.
C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION
1. WATER UPDATE
2. WASTE UPDATE
3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR UPDATE
4. ENERGY UPDATE
Weiland noted her experienced with the most recent City Climate
Conference.
Conners noted the upcoming Citizen’s Climate Lobby candidate forum.
D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS
Student Commissioner Oliver asked about the upcoming Sustainable Eden Prairie
Awards. Fierce outlined how the student presentations work and how the
presentation will be addressed.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
Hoffman asked to use compostable items at the Sustainable Eden Prairie Awards
VI. UPCOMING EVENTS
None
VII. NEXT MEETING
The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2022,
in the Heritage Rooms 1&2.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Wieland moved, seconded by Enninga to adjourn the meeting. MOTION
CARRIED 5-0 (KATZENBERGER LEFT AT 7:45 pm). The meeting was adjourned
at 8:07 pm.