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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 Sustainability Commission Minutes 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. Sustainability Commission Minutes 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. Sustainability Commission Minutes 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.