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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 05/13/2025APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2025 7:00 P.M. Heritage Rooms 1&2 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Aaron Poock (Chair), Cindy Hoffman (Vice Chair), Tim Conners, Michelle Frost, Daniel Hendrickson, Alexis Junker, Jim Nehl, Moussa Ousmane, Carolyn Wieland 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 Wieland called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Commission members Poock, Hoffman, Frost, and Ousmane and student representatives Hernandez, Elmquist, Nanavati, and Dwivedi were absent. The new and the existing commission members introduced themselves. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Nehl to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM MARCH 11, 2025 MEETING No motion on this item due to lack of quorum. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY SUSTAINABILITY RESULTS Fierce displayed a PowerPoint and explained the City sought residents’ responses regarding knowledge of and likelihood to implement sustainability actions over the last few years. She summarized the results: Sustainability Commission Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 2 Familiarity with composting, electric vehicles, weatherization/energy efficiency updates, and home energy audits as a sustainability strategy were the most familiar to EP residents. All strategies tracked saw an increase in familiarity in 2024 over 2023. When asked how likely they were to implement sustainability strategies, the highest scoring were: curbside composting, weatherization/energy efficiency, and completion of a home energy audit. Four of the seven strategies saw their likelihood to implement score decrease from 2023 to 2024. Discussion followed on these results. Fierce explained the reason for the declines is not specified in the results, but some guesses could include economic concerns or availability of equipment and contractors. The responses were further broken down by length of residency, age, gender, presence of children, housing type, rent/own, income, race and ethnicity. The length of residency in Eden Prairie did not affect the likelihood of adopting energy efficiency strategies or composting. 20+ year residents were least likely to adopt one-site solar or participate in utility programs. Relatively new residents were most likely to purchase an electric vehicle. Those residents living here between six and 20 years were most interested in electrification. Those between the ages of 18 to 54 were most likely to participate in solar and utility programs. The youngest demographic was mostly like to complete home electrification. Owner-occupied households were most likely to be familiar with and likely to implement most strategies. Surprisingly, renter-occupied households were more interested in on-site solar and electrification, which in many cases they cannot control. The highest income group was most likely to engage in efficiency projects. Most likely to have on-site solar were middle income households ($15,000 - $99,000 a year), and the lowest income households were mostly likely to engage in home electrification. These were also most likely to purchase an EV, along with the highest income households. Middle income residents were least likely to be interested in an EV. Gaps were identified in familiarity with some of the sustainability strategies in Black and Other/Multiple race residents that should be addressed. Hispanic residents were the most likely to be familiar with home electrification. Black residents were the most likely to have a home energy audit. Asian residents were most likely to install solar and home electrification strategies. However, race/ethnicity did not show to be a Sustainability Commission Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 3 major factor in overall likelihood to implement most sustainability strategies. SOLAR ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS GRANT UPDATE Fierce noted the installation of solar panels in progress at the Fire Station across from City Center. The next location would be the Dell Road Liquor Store, and the RFP process was completed, and the vendor selected. Installation would begin this summer. The expectation was the projects would be completed by the end of the year. Both would generate approximately 100,000 kilowatt hours per year. DCFC USAGE UPDATE Fierce explained the fast chargers out front of City Hall had been installed since December, and there was interest expressed previously in usage metrics. Usage: there were 60 sessions and 36 unique users in December 2024, 103 sessions and 47 users in January 2025, 131 sessions and 40 users in February, 138 sessions and 35 users in March, 180 sessions and 50 users in April, and 96 sessions and 34 users so far in May. Fees collected: $732.51 in December 2024, $874.16 in January 2025, $1,407.90 in February, $1,636.29 in March, $2,226.58 in April, and $1,065.57 so far in May. These fees were used to cover electricity costs and cloud services for the chargers. Discussion followed on repeat users, and how non-unique users may charge multiple times a day. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR None C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION STUDENT SWAP PROJECT RECAP Wieland reported on the clothing swap at the high school gym. There were 265+ participants. 1,920 pounds of clothing were donated, of which 1,526 were swapped and 350 pounds of which were donated to the Prop Shop. 75 percent dropped off items and shopped, and 16 percent merely shopped, and nine percent only dropped off items. There were participants Sustainability Commission Minutes May 13, 2025 Page 4 from 28 different cities this year, as opposed to 14 in 2024. Facebook and an EPLN article contributed to the success. ECO EXPO RECAP Conners reported the aim was to inspire attendees to contribute to eco- friendly goals and support the foundation. There were 50+ exhibitors and sponsors, and 3,500 attendees. The venue included exhibitors, a family fun zone with animals, and two EVs on display. Cooks included representatives Kelly Morrison and Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn. Volunteers included Eden Prairie High School students. The 2026 Expo would be held April 18. D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS None V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. UPCOMING EVENTS • Thursday, May 22, 2025- Board and Commission Banquet, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church • Monday, June 9 and 16 – Electrify Everything Minnesota webinars – 6:00 p.m. • Tuesday, June 17 – Planting for Clean Water on Shorelines Workshop, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. VII. NEXT MEETING The next Sustainability Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in the Heritage Rooms 1&2. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Nehl to adjourn the meeting. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.