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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 06/11/2024APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2024 7:00 P.M. Heritage Rooms 1&2 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Aaron Poock (Chair), Laura Bishop, Tim Conners, Gretchen Enninga, Cindy Hoffman, Moussa Ousmane, Carolyn Wieland, Michelle Frost, Jim Nehl CITY STAFF: Jennifer Fierce, Sustainability Coordinator, Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Poock called the meeting to order at 6:59 p.m. Wieland arrived at 7:25 p.m. and Hoffman arrived at 7:56 p.m. Commission members Bishop, Ousmane, Conners, and Nehl were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: There was no vote on the agenda due to lack of quorum. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 8, 2022 MEETING MOTION: There was not vote on the May 13, 2024 minutes due to lack of quorum. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. COMMUNITY ENERGY AMBASSADOR PROGRAM Fierce summarized the newly-launched, optional training program from Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs). It started as a means to train residents about the IRA rebates and evolved into an initiative that recognized the power people had to share information with their friends, family and community groups. It is designed to teach participants the basics of clean energy, efficiency, heat pumps, and more to better interact with their communities and to build confidence to speak about these topics. Training would be available to commissioners at a self-directed pace, and there might be a cohort opportunity in the future. After completion one would become a “CERTifieid Community Energy Sustainability Commission Minutes June 11, 2024 Page 2 Ambassador upon the further completion of a community project. These ambassadors would also put on a list and offered opportunities to present at various community groups. SEP AWARD CASE STUDY FORMAT Fierce displayed a PowerPoint of the SEP Award Winner case study featuring the following questions and solicited feedback on the format: • What was the goal you were trying to meet or problem you were solving? • What was done to address it? • What happened because of what you did? • How did it impact employees, customers, your family, neighbors, or other stakeholders? • What if anything would be done differently if you could? • What are your next steps? Discussion followed on the questions. Poock emphasized the financial incentives for residents. Frost emphasized the material outcomes and how what was accomplished was shared with others. Discussion followed on the date range, and Fierce stated it could go back to her start as Sustainability Commission staff. Discussion followed on previous winners. SOLAR ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS GRANT INFORMATION Fierce stated a State of Minnesota grant program offered 4.3 million dollars split into two funding rounds to provide funding assistance to build up to a 40kW solar system. This was a competitive program, scored on the financial capacity of the city, how it would be procured, and any existing solar. The City of Eden Prairie has submitted preliminary applications for the Fire Station #1 and the Den Road Liquor Store building. The second round of funding would open in October 2024. Fierce stated the age of the roof impacted which city buildings were considered for installation of solar. Both buildings submitted had new roofs, which were best for solar installation. The percentage of energy demand covered by these installations would not be 100 percent for either facility. Fierce offered to keep the commission up to date if awarded. 4. FOURTH OF JULY VOLUNTEERS This community event would be held July 3 and 4. There would be a drone lightshow on July 3. Sustainability commission members volunteers would oversee recycling center and the hydration station. Sustainability Commission Minutes June 11, 2024 Page 3 Poock stated there were different bins that looked the same, with signage, but could cause confusion. Wieland noted the problem food skewers caused in the organics recycling bags and suggested a separate bin for them. She recommended gloves and grabbers, as well as visual guides and stickers for the bins. Fierce stated images would be used, and all food trucks would use compostable food containers. The bins needed to be monitored in case residents did not match the proper items to the proper bin. V. OTHER BUSINESS Fierce stated the City had submitted a request for congressionally directed spending to support geothermal energy at the water treatment plant. Eden Prairie would not find out until Congress passes the earmark requests bill if its awarded. The City would use the water in the plant itself rather drilling wells for the HVAC system. Poock asked for and received confirmation there was solar on the water treatment plant roof. Wieland stated volunteers had been trained for the West Metro Asian fair and she gave an overview of the event. Fierce announced there would be seven or eight new student commissioners in September. Hoffmann suggested having them doing a project again. VI. UPCOMING EVENTS VII. NEXT MEETING The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in the Heritage Rooms 1&2. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Enninga moved, seconded by Frost to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.