HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 02/11/2025APPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 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
Acting Chair Hoffman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission members
Poock, Bishop, and Ousmane and student representatives Nanavati, Hernandez, and Dwivedi were absent. 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 NOVEMBER 12, 2024 MEETING
MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Nehl to approve the minutes from the January 14, 2025 meeting. MOTION CARRIED 6-0.
IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF
1. 2024 RECYCLING AND ORGANICS METRICS, 2025 EVENTS
Fierce displayed a graph showing the latest recycling data, in tons of recycling collected in Eden Prairie from 2006 to 2024. She noted packaging had become less heavy since 2006. matched the trends saw in
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Frost asked for and received confirmation the Eden Prairie population had
also increased during this time. Fierce explained there were various
haulers available to use. Enninga noted there was probably a significant increase even from 2020 due to home deliveries and the resultant extra packaging (cardboard).
Fierce agreed, noting the county had started limiting cardboard drop-offs,
which had to be broken down into a certain size to be accepted. The number of single-family household participation in organics from 2020 to 2024 has grown from 414 to 2,771 households respectively.
Beginning in 2024, all residents were charged for this service. Discussion
followed on why the state of Minnesota required this charge even from those who do not participate. Hoffman suggested the haulers advertise this program already paid for by the residents in their newsletters, and Fierce replied this has been and continues to be done. Discussion followed on the
actual impact of the fee on outreach.
The tons of organics collected 2020 – 2024 went from 11.55 to 1,368.21 tons respectively.
Drop off/curbside recycling participation from 2020-2024 by number of
households went from 192 to 615. Discounted curbside pickup would be available in April and May for the first time. Drop off recycling events are scheduled for May 3 and
September 13 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Yard Waste Site.
The city is increasing write down to $20 per household this year, up from $10. Lastly, the Hennepin County Fix It Clinic would aim to increase space for the Eden Prairie event to the gymnasium in December 2025.
GOING ELECTRIC EVENT PLANNING COMMITTEE
Fierce suggested commission members take the lead on coordinating the EV event this year. She proposed a committee of four member or less to plan and organize an EV, electric bike, equipment, and electric HVAC
event. Commissioners Enninga, Frost, and Nehl volunteered to lead the
event planning. The commission discussed various options for the event. FINALIZE RESIDENTIAL SUSTAINABLE EDEN PRAIRIE CHECKLIST
Fierce displayed the latest version and asked for final changes. Discussion followed on focusing on biggest environmental impacts versus easier to
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achieve behavior change actions. The commission noted the importance
of highlighting the “high impact” actions in some way.
Fierce stated the final format would be handled by the Communication Department and be posted on the website, as well as be handed out at events.
B. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS The date for the student clothing swap was set for March 22 in the PAC (Performing Arts Center) lobby of Eden Prairie High School beginning at
11:00 a.m. Discussion followed on the necessary preparations and
reporting metrics. Discussion followed on materials not to be accepted. V. OTHER BUSINESS
Fierce requested volunteers sign up for shifts to table at the Eco Expo event.
Commissioners Enninga and Frost signed up for a shift. VI. UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, April 9 - Turf Alternatives Workshop, 6:00 p.m., online
Saturday, April 12 - Eco Expo, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eden Prairie Center Saturday, May 3 – Recycling Drop Off Day, 8:00 a.m. to noon, Yard Waste Site VII. NEXT MEETING
The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Monday, March 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Heritage Rooms 1&2. VIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Frost moved, seconded by Nehl to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.