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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 08/10/2022APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022 7:00 P.M. 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, 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 7:02 p.m. Absent were Commissioners Enninga, Bishop, Eddy-Theis and Nobleza. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by Hoffman to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 8, 2022 MEETING MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Wieland to approve the minutes of July 12, 2022 Sustainability Commission. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. HOME ELECTRIFICATION DISCUSSION Hassebroek stated this would become a reoccurring discussion item in the future. Homes would be the focus of this meeting. All gas items and appliances need to be converted to electricity to meet the City’s climate goals. This includes heat pumps (home heating and clothes drying), induction and electric stovetops, and heat pump electric water heaters. Electrification allowed for cleaner, renewable resources being used instead of “natural” gas. This required a well-insulated home with good Sustainability Commission Minutes August 10, 2022 Page 2 ventilation. Solar, battery storage, and EV vehicles were also a part of the equation. Most homes did not have enough area to use only solar for heating. Efficient use requires a balance. Ideally this would lower utility bills but at minimum it would maintain costs. Components of this included: building efficiency promotion, fuel switching incentive, utility rebate programs, and strategic electrification of public buildings. There was a human health component as well in decreased pollution. This also addressed disparities in health for low- income residents in exposure to pollution and location-based climate risks, in-home exposure to pollutants and allergens, and “heat or eat” dilemmas. Eden Prairie had 19 percent low-income households (0 to 60 percent AMI), 26 percent moderate income (60 to 80 percent AMI) and 55 percent other income (80 percent AMI and above). Eden Prairie had 25,706 households, 13,532 of which were single-family, 5,698 of which were single-family attached townhomes, 596 of which were duplex/triplex/quads, and 5,934 of which were multi-family homes. The majority of these were built between 1980 and 1999. Most single- family households use natural gas for space heating, and most also use natural gas water heaters. Incentives would be provided at the state and federal level, including point-of-sale rebates for various electrical appliances. The point-of-sale rebate program will be difficult to administer as households at 60 percent AMI and above would only get a 50 percent rebate. Barriers to electrification included the upfront cost, which could include the operating cost, the need to update and upgrade the electrical service for the increased demand and for additional supply, supply chain issues, contractor familiarity, and emergency replacements. Outreach and engagement were key. There is a need for money to speed up heat pump manufacturing. New federal legislation which incentivized fuel switching providing some funding for this. Poock noted many contractors had exclusive contracts for manufacturer’s products. Hassebroek agreed, but added most manufacturers acknowledged electrification as the future. EVs can also require an upgrading of the household electrical box. Discussion followed on upgrading residences. Wieland urged the use of visuals in the initial outreach to residents. An illustration or photograph would communicate more than text. Hoffman suggested the City permitting staff be a point of contact for residents. Sustainability Commission Minutes August 10, 2022 Page 3 Discussion followed on the possibility of educating residents during inspections. Katzenberger suggested targeting early adopters. Hoffman asked why there was not a requirement for rental unit licenses instead of putting the onus on the renter to adopt this new technology. Wieland asked if the cost would just be transferred to the renter, then. Hassebroek replied that multi-family buildings often can qualify for deep incentives, but this did not yet apply to electrification. 2. EV RIDE AND DRIVE EVENT PLANNING Hassebroek announced Suburban Chevrolet and Audi Minneapolis would participate, and Erik’s Bike Shop and Scheels were providing e-bike displays and possible test drives. Eden Prairie Police Department Tesla, Mach-E, Bolt, and the Southwest Transit electric Prime vehicles would be displayed. Inquiries had been sent out to other car dealers and to Xcel Energy. She asked for commission volunteers to assist with the test drive check-in and speaker facilitation. 3. RECYCLING AND ORGANICS EDUCATION EVENT PLANNING Hassebroek announced the Citywide Open House would be held Saturday, October 8, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. She suggested the commission could mount an educational display and a giveaway for this. The commission decided to present recycling/organics info at the Citywide Open House event. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION 1. WATER UPDATE 2. WASTE UPDATE ORGANICS RECYCLING 3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR UPDATE 4. ENERGY UPDATE D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS Sustainability Commission Minutes August 10, 2022 Page 4 Katzenberger stated the City-County Climate Planning Action Conference would be held October 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Minneapolis Central Library, with a virtual option. This was hosted by Resilient Cities and Communities and there would be a session from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and another from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There was no registration link yet. Hoffman suggested the commission enter the Conservation Minnesota’s new award program for local governments, the Blazing Star Award. Hassebroek offered to investigate this. Wieland announced the Minnesota Composting Council, Plate-to-Garden composting program would be held in the spring. VI. UPCOMING EVENTS Sustainable Eden Prairie Award Deadline: Wednesday, September 7th at 12:00 noon. LEED Platinum Facility Tour – Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies: Wednesday, September 14th, 10:00 a.m. at 6889 Rowland Road. Cargill Tour, September 14th, 10:00 a.m. EV Ride and Drive: Monday, September 19th, 2022, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Staring Lake Park Citywide Open House: Saturday, October 8, 2022, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at City Center VII. NEXT MEETING The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, September 14, 2022, in the Heritage 1&2 Rooms. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.