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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 01/14/2025APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 2025 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 STUDENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Akhil Agrawal, Raghava Dwivedi, Evie Elmquist, Gabriel Hernandez, Lucinda Jacobs, Simone Kirkeby, Ishika Nanavati CITY STAFF: Jennifer Fierce, Sustainability Coordinator, Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Poock called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission members Bishop, Enninga and Frost and student representatives Hernandez, Nanavati, and Dwivedi were absent. Robert Ellis, Public Works Director, joined the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Hoffman to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER 12, 2024 MEETING MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Nehl to approve the minutes from the December 12, 2024 meeting. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING MN OUTREACH PRIORITIES Fierce introduced Robert Ellis, Public Works Director for Eden Prairie, here to observe the meeting. Fierce explained she wished to get feedback on priorities from the commission for Electrify Everything Minnesota Sustainability Commission Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 2 outreach in 2025. The free helpline energy advisor service would continue to be available throughout the year. The options for education were an in-person workshop, an online workshop, and tabling at events. These could be divided into an advanced track for early adopters, focusing on air source heat pumps, insulation, and air ceilings. A second track would cover heat pump water heaters, induction stoves, and driers, et cetera. A Spanish workshop, either online or in-person, was also a possibility. Marketing options included a targeted mailer or targeted digital ads. In 2024, there 17 and 27 attendees at the two respective in-person workshops, and 26 attendees at the online workshop. Discussion followed on workshop options with regard to presentation and audience(s). Among the suggestions were holding workshops during the summer, ensuring online attendees they could access the recording, and specifically targeting those who are not first adopters in a way that was not intimidating, especially for those purchasing a new appliance. Hoffman suggested those HVAC professionals who had head pumps at home would be good examples for residents. Poock suggested a table at the EV Showcase. Nehl suggested contacting trade organizations. He also suggested a wholistic approach. Hoffman concurred, saying perhaps solar could be included. Wieland suggested a “human library” or “speed networking” approach, as at PeopleFest. Fierce took the feedback and stated she would put together a list of options. She suggested having a table at the Eco Expo, and the Going Electric event. Fierce asked for suggestions for marketing options. A mailer had been tried in 2024, but it was difficult to pick the appropriate audience. Two thousands mailers had been sent to older neighborhoods. There were approximately 19,000 households in Eden Prairie. She also suggested targeted Facebook ads. Discussion followed on the options. Nehl suggested targeting households in houses built 12-18 years ago and 25-36 years ago. STUDENT SWAP PROJECT PLANNING Fierce stated she wished to identify the commission member and student representative planning team, and select the tentative date and prospective locations. She displayed a tentative timeline. Spring Break would be March 31- April 4, 2025. Wieland described last year’s event. Discussion Sustainability Commission Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 3 followed on a date. Fierce suggested Saturday, March 22, or the Tuesday before that. Hoffman, Wieland, and Poock agreed to help with the event. RESIDENTIAL SUSTAINABLE EDEN PRAIRIE CHECKLIST Fierce stated Nehl had brought in a draft copy in December. Once finalized, she would send it to the Communications Department to have the graphic designer create a handout. The commission members reviewed the document and Fierce took their suggestions on additions and changes. The commission will be able to review the final checklist next month before it goes to the graphic designer. SOLAR ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS GRANT UPDATE Fierce announce the City had received a second grant from the State of Minnesota for the solar project on Den Road Liquor Store. This and the first grant received in 2024 will bring the total number of city buildings with solar to seven. She added she would plan site tour of Fire Station project at an upcoming meeting. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR Poock announced he would be presenting to the City Council the following week. He invited the commission members and the student representatives to attend. C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION Wieland stated the Clean Energy Resource Team was looking for ambassadors. Conners announced that renewable energy outproduced coal for the first time in history. D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. UPCOMING EVENTS City Council Workshop, January 7, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. (Sustainability Commission meeting, April 8, 2025) Turf Alternatives webinar April 9, 2025 Sustainability Commission Minutes January 14, 2025 Page 4 Eco Expo April 12, 2025 VII. NEXT MEETING The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Heritage Rooms 1&2. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Wieland moved, seconded by Hoffman to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.