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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSustainability Commission - 08/18/2026Approved Meeting Minutes Eden Prairie Sustainability Commission 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2026 City Center – Prairie Room 8080 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 ATTENDEES Commission Members: Aaron Poock (Chair), Cindy Hoffman (Vice Chair), Tim Conners, Michelle Frost, Daniel Hendrickson, Alexis Junker, Heike Peters, Moussa Ousmane, Carolyn Wieland City Staff: Jennifer Fierce - Sustainability Coordinator, Kristin Harley – Recording Secretary MEETING AGENDA I. Call the Meeting to Order Chair Poock called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Commissioner Ousmane was absent. II. Approval of Agenda and Other Items of Business MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Frost, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 7- 0. III. Minutes A. Sustainability Commission meeting held Tuesday, June 9, 2026 MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Peters, to approve the minutes of the Sustainability Commission Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Motion carried 7-0. IV. Reports A. Reports from Staff A. Community Outreach Event Planning Fierce displayed a PowerPoint and summarized the Community outreach planning. The Somali Energy Savings Event would be held September 29 or October 6 during the day in an undetermined City facility. There would be SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 18, 2026 stations for EAP assistance signup, utility bill review for energy/cost saving opportunities, energy efficiency tips/materials and some recycling information. The community liaison would handle translation services as well as a call-in feature. This would be held in partnership with Citizen’s Utility Board, CAPHC/PROP, CERTs, and the Housing and Community Services Department. She asked what commissioner participation would be. [Hoffman arrived at 7:08 p.m.] Conners stated the Somali community along Lake Street was more networked than elsewhere. Frost asked if the Somali event was an opportunity for the commission to solicit feedback on the Comprehensive Plan, and Fierce replied a survey would go out for this. Wieland said she was available Tuesdays and Hoffman said she could also attend. The Citywide Open House was planned for October 3, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at City Hall. There would be a fleet EV display, pending space. She also asked the commission members what their participation would be. The commission members agreed this was a worthwhile event. Discussion followed on providing information about grant-funded City projects such as solar panels, chargers, and EV vehicles such as garbage trucks and school buses. Poock emphasized showing how such innovations saved money, considering that residents often mentioned taxes. B. 2026-2027 Student Commissioner Project Fierce displayed a PowerPoint and explained student orientation was next week. She asked if the commission should continue holding a swap event. The student representatives would continue to have a role in the Sustainable Eden Prairie Awards (now held in spring). Conners suggest a swap without specifying what kind. Hoffman suggested challenging the repeat student representatives to do something different. Wieland reminded the commission members a swap could include kitchenware, tools, holiday decor, and school supplies, not just books or clothes. Frost stated sports equipment was also swapped. Hendrickson suggested a recycling follow-up. Conners stated he had contacted the school about restarting the school project with food waste. Wieland stated there was a different liaison each year. Conners stated both the City and the school were involved in the Green Step program and there were activities connected to that. Hendrickson suggested the students put together a video, SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 18, 2026 perhaps about the destination of recyclables. Discussion followed on what platform this would exist. Fierce agreed to explore the video idea with the Communications Department, but urged it is not brought up immediately after the student representatives start. The commission could talk it through during the Work Plan process. The commission members agreed to first determine the ideas and passions of the student representatives. 3. ECO Triennial Plan Comments Update Fierce displayed a PowerPoint and stated Xcel, CenterPoint and other utilities had regular three-year plans for required energy-efficiency spending and programs per state statute. Comments were solicited jointly with Bloomington, Coon Rapids, Crystal, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Northfield, Richfield, Robbinsdale, St. Cloud, St. Louis Park and St. Paul. The Public Utilities Commission would review the comments and make a final recommendation. Comments included: • Streamline energy audit programs, improve quality control, and include fuel switching analysis in audits (residential, multifamily, and commercial). • Reevaluate IQ verification platform use, other IQ requirements (in response to a proposed income-verified platform to provide confirmation of qualification to access these programs) • Phase out gas rebates • Support outdoor equipment electrification, e-bike rebates, ending AC rebates in favor of heat pump rebates • Align rebate amounts across utilities Fierce added the commission members were invited to submit comments as individuals as well. She offered to email the City of Eden Prairie’s responses and provide links to the documents. B. Reports from Chair C. Reports from Commissioners Conners stated he visited the Prop Shop with MN Interfaith Power and Light to discuss solar. Hoffman suggested a tour of the organic recycling plant, or at least a tour of some facility or garden before the end of the year. Hendrickson agreed. Wieland stated she had toured the older plant and seen the machines that extracted organics from SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 18, 2026 containers. Frost suggested a tour of the community solar garden. Fierce agreed to work on a tour before the end of the year. Junkers mentioned that some farms planted strips of native plants between crops. Conners suggested a tour of parks that have had invasive plants removed by Friends of Eden Prairie Parks. Fierce agreed to set up a tour. V. Upcoming Events A. Hennepin County holiday swap event September 26, 12:00 – 2:00 at the Eden Prairie Cambia Room in the Community Center (entire year holiday décor, New Years to Christmas) B. April 17, 2027 Eco Expo VI. Next Meeting A. Tuesday, September 8, 2026 VII. Adjournment MOTION: Conners moved, seconded by Peters, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 8-0. Chair Poock adjourned the meeting at 8:23 p.m.