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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 12/12/2006 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2006 7:00 PM, City Center 8080 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, MN Prairie Room COMMISSION MEMBERS: Eapen Chacko (Chair), Jan Mosman (Vice Chair), Ray Daniels, Rita Krocak, Geneva MacMillan, David Seymour STUDENT COMMISSIONERS: Jennifer Brown, Lauren Mosman, Casey Russell, Alesia Casanova COMMISSION STAFF: Leslie A. Stovring, Staff Liaison Allison Burr, Recording Secretary CITY STAFF: Pat Brink, Communications Supervisor Sandy Grassy, Public Works Administrative Assistant I. ROLL CALL Chair Chacko called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Ray Daniels arrived at 7:16 p.m. Jan Mosman was absent. Student Commissioners Jennifer Brown and Casey Russell were absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Chacko moved, seconded by Krocak, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. NOVEMBER 14, 2006 MOTION: MacMillan moved, seconded by Seymour, to approve the minutes as published. Motion carried 4-0. IV. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. PROSPECT ROAD ALTERNATIVE EAW—PROJECT STATUS Stovring distributed the City Council agenda item regarding the Draft Environmental Assessment Worksheet(EAW) for Oak Creek that will be presented at the December 19"' Council meeting. She noted Wenck Associates found that it appears the Prospect Road area is not within the springshed that discharges to Miller Spring, but that it discharges directly to the creek instead. There is already a culvert there and Eden Prairie Conservation Commission December 12,2006 Page 2 the addition of a culvert is anticipated to have minimal impact. The other alternates appear to potentially be within the springshed of Miller Spring. B. CONSERVATION PRINCIPLES WEBSITE IDEAS /20-40-15 CAMPAIGN Stovring distributed a current copy of the City's website section "Conservation Principles". Chacko recommended eliminating the "S u stainability and U" file, as it does not fit very well. Stovring asked for additional suggestions or contributions from the Commission to add to the site. Pat Brink, Communications Supervisor, introduced himself and described the mayor's new initiative called 20-40-15. The plan calls for the City to increase energy efficiency 20 percent in buildings and facilities and 40 percent in vehicles and powered equipment,by the year 2015. Ray Daniels arrived at 7:16 p.m. Brink stated this is an effort to increase efficiency, and it will be a way for the City to lead its residents in conserving precious environment, fuel, and energy. The baseline for the program will be the year 2006. Daniels noted the 20 and 40 percent are lofty goals; Brink concurred. Nevertheless, the mayor believes that with everyone working together in small ways, collectively we can all have a meaningful impact on meeting these goals. C. STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE THANK YOU Stovring introduced Alesia Casanova as a new student commissioner whose term begins in January 2007. Mark Muston will also be starting as a student commissioner in January. Lulu Mosman will be staying on until May. D. RECORDING SECRETARY THANK YOU Stovring noted the recording secretary will be leaving for maternity leave and may not be returning. Sandy Grassy was introduced as a potential replacement. VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS A. NEW RENAISSANCE IN GREEN (NRG) ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB— LULU MOSMAN Mosman explained NRG is working on awareness for compact fluorescent light bulbs with Students for Equitable Livable Opportunities (SELO). The groups are encouraging students and their families to make a pledge as part of the Energy Star campaign or to purchase compact fluorescent bulbs in lieu of incandescent bulbs. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission December 12,2006 Page 3 Mosman stated there are eight to ten people who have come to the meetings so far. However, she expects membership to increase once the club is formalized at the high school and the club can hang posters. B. CARBON SEQUESTRATION MEETING PRESENTATION — RAY DANIELS Daniels presented information on terrestrial carbon sequestration. He outlined the history of fossil fuels and the high rate of fossil fuel extraction and usage. He suggested there are four ways to prevent climate change: energy conservation/energy efficiency, replacement of fossil fuels with less polluting renewable fuels and carbon sequestration. Daniels provided an overview of terrestrial carbon sequestration. He noted the University of Minnesota is currently sponsoring an Initiative for Research on Energy and Environment, and their goal is to create a Minnesota Carbon Fund. He recommended the Conservation Commission become involved in understanding and promoting a Minnesota Carbon Fund. Daniels explained the initiative will have to come out of the legislature, and the idea for a Minnesota Carbon Fund is in the very preliminary stages right now. Chacko asked that he keep the Commission informed as to the status of this initiative. VII. OLD BUSINESS A. ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION AWARD NOMINATION FORM Stovring distributed the draft form and noted this year the award process will be through nomination rather than application; the goal is to keep it simple. She requested feedback and suggestions for improving the draft form, noting it would be nice to take this form to the Environmental Fair in January. She noted there has to be an application deadline and time to present the awards for the form. Discussion ensued regarding various form changes and deadline options. Seymour suggested changing the form to a 2-page form with guidelines and instructions on one page and the nomination form on the second page. Seymour also recommended acknowledging the winners at the next Environmental Fair. B. CAMPAIGN IDEA — REPLACE AN INCANDESCENT BULB — EAPEN CHACKO Chacko reported there is a national initiative by the EPA called "Change a Light, Change the World" campaign. The EPA's website includes information about who has participated and how many light bulbs were changed as a result. Chacko reported he spoke with Michelle Swanson, an Xcel community relations representative, and learned that her department will be formulating plans in June of Eden Prairie Conservation Commission December 12,2006 Page 4 next year regarding which City campaigns will be supported. He suggested the Commission work together with the Council to put forward a proposal prior to June in order to be considered by Xcel. He noted this will fit right into the 20-40-15 campaign. Chacko recalled the City of Minneapolis participated in the Change a Light campaign in 2003, and the Mayor kicked off the project by having his incandescent bulbs switched to fluorescent bulbs.. Chacko also indicated that GE kicked in 50 cents per light bulb for that project. Stovring asked Chacko to put together the proposal, and she will add it to the FYI memo that goes out Fridays to the City Council to inform them of the plans. Chacko stated Ace Hardware is the big supporter of this campaign nationally, though some of the stores have limited inventory. There are a number of websites that offer a wider selection for purchase. VIII. NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION ITEMS A. LEED CERTIFICATION AND LIBERTY PROPERTIES —EAPEN CHACKO /DAVID SEYMOUR Seymour provided a brief report on the meeting with Liberty Properties, Stovring, Chacko, Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens, and City Manager Scott Neal. Liberty Properties indicated during the visit that 75 percent of their projects coming down the pipeline will be LEED certified. Credit for certification can be obtained for placing a building within a radius that has a number of stores and businesses within walking distance. He noted it is a very bold initiative and commended Liberty Properties for seeking out tenants who are willing to lease and share the responsibility. Chacko added Liberty Properties has 6,000,000 square feet under development, so this is a huge undertaking for them. The meeting recessed at 8:09 p.m. Chacko reconvened the meeting at 8:19 p.m. C. YEAR-END CONSERVATION COMMISSION SELF-ASSESSMENT — EAPEN CHACKO Chacko stated he has reviewed the Commission's roles and responsibilities and its activities to date. He highlighted the ways in which the Commission has made progress on a few of the stated objectives and the significant ideas that may be moving forward. He also touched on those objectives that the Commission should initiate work on. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission December 12,2006 Page 5 Seymour suggested hosting an all-day walking event along the trail on Anderson Lakes Parkway in order to encourage families to use the walking trails. Stovring agreed that is a good idea, especially to encourage families to get out rather than just runners only. She also suggested using the Purgatory Creek Recreation Area (PCRA) as the starting off point for a"Walk-a-thon". Daniels suggested the Commission needs to look at Eden Prairie's policy on sidewalks. A number of parents have complained students do not have sidewalks to use when walking to school. Additionally, a lot of sidewalks are not maintained very well during the winter, which discourages people from walking. Chacko noted another Commission goal related to setting goals for greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Duluth has done a greenhouse gas inventory, in conjunction with a larger initiative, with recommendations for development of a local action plan (Cities for Climate Protection). Daniels noted there are other things cities have done to affect greenhouse gas emissions. Chacko stated Dave Tillman has suggested a diverse native prairie for alternative fuels rather than just focusing on corn-based ethanol. Tillman has indicated he would be willing to speak at an event in the future where his presentation would be useful. Chacko suggested the Commission think of a broad-based event, like the Will Steger and Paul Douglas speech at St. Andrew's, where Dr. Tillman could be a speaker. Stovring suggested Chacko open up communication with the Chamber of Commerce to work on such initiatives. Chacko summarized the Commission did very well this year, given it is a brand-new body, and it will be even more helpful to have the City's new 20-40-15 initiative. Seymour suggested an Eden Prairie environmental lecture series by well-known speakers and wondered if money could be found in the City budget for this type of event or series. IX. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS /HANDOUTS A. ROUND LAKE — SUMMARY REPORT FOR 2006/PARKS, RECREATION & NATURAL RESOURCE COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS (12/4/06) Stovring distributed a memo to the City Council for the meeting on December 19"' regarding a presentation by Steve McComas of Blue Water Science on the water quality of Round Lake. McComas will likely be under contract again next year, and the City will be encouraging the Watershed District to start the project as well. Eden Prairie Conservation Commission December 12,2006 Page 6 Stovring encouraged attendance by Commissioners at the Council meeting if they are interested in hearing more about the status of Round Lake. X. UPCOMING EVENT PLANNING A. ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR—JANUARY 20, 2007 Stovring distributed a draft of the environmental fair flyer as well as a list of confirmed speakers. She noted additional vendors are still needed. Seymour indicated he is working on getting some representation from flex fuel or hybrid cars. Stovring reminded everyone that she will need setup and staffing help that day. XI. NEXT MEETING The next meeting for the Conservation Commission will be January 9, 2006. XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Daniels moved, seconded by Seymour, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.