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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 10/13/2009 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009 7:00 PM, CITY CENTER Prairie Room and Atrium 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Laura Jester (Chair), Dan Trebil (Vice-Chair), Sue Brown, Ray Daniels, Ravi Jaiswal, Geneva MacMillan, Greg Olson STAFF: Regina Herron, Staff Liaison Jan Curielli, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Gretchen Askew, Julia Wang, Michele Wu GUESTS: Lin Combs, Shelby Hueper, Shanna Lambert I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Jester called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM. Trebil and Wu were absent. Wang arrived late. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Jester added Item VI.B. Reports from Students. Daniels added Item VII.B. 350 Day. MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Daniels, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 6-0. III. MINUTES A. Commission Meeting held September 8, 2009 MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by MacMillan, to approve the minutes of the September 8, 2009 meeting as published. Motion carried 5-0-1, with Olson abstaining. IV. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. Land Conservation and Clean Water Summit 2009 Herron said she attended the Land Conservation and Clean Water summit at the Landscape Arboretum on Thursday. The session dealt with implementing conservation ideas within a comprehensive plan, and they reported on a city in the south metro area that worked to get citizens involved in the comprehensive plan through brainstorming with the different stakeholders and residents. Brown asked if the report was on the process or on the results. Herron replied they weren't specific, Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 2 but it was a two-year process and they were able to accomplish the goals. They had a different perspective by using someone from outside the city that they could feel a little more at ease with. Herron said a former planning commissioner from the city of Hanover gave an example of a property that captured 100% of the runoff by using different infiltration techniques and handling all storm water on site. She thought it would be interesting to get more information on how they worked with the developer. Olson asked if this was part of their policy when working with developers. Herron said it has become their policy. Olson asked if that is different from Eden Prairie. Herron said the staff in Hanover were proactive and went to the developer first before a plan was put together. Olson asked if our Planning Division has some structure of guidance and policies they present to developers. Herron said that staff uses a proactive approach with developers. Jester noted the policy in Eden Prairie is to capture and infiltrate the first 1/2 inch of rain, so 100% on site is really great. Herron said the summit was an opportunity for her to see trends used in other cities that we are not using here, and was a good experience for her from an education standpoint. Jester asked if the Commission could help encourage the Public Works Department to put in raingardens the next time they go into a neighborhood to do street work. Brown asked if we could make such a recommendation as a commission. Herron said sometimes City's do test projects on the City property first. Jester thought this was probably something to put on next year's Work Plan. B. West Metro Sustainability Roundtable Herron said the Alliance for Sustainability (AFORS) got in touch with the neighboring cities, environmental groups and private companies to promote the roundtable. She said the roundtable was a way to showcase different projects neighboring agencies are working on such as our 20-40-15 plan. They discussed grants other cities have received and how they used the funding. There was a presentation on LRT, and the current plan is for light rail to go from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie. Jester asked if this is something that happens regularly. Mr. Combs said they have one in the north metro and the south metro every six months. Jester asked if Ms. Herron will continue to attend these roundtables. Herron said she will continue to attend and noted she had really short notice for this event. The first half of the event was for city officials and staff, and the second half was for the general public. She thought it is something the Conservation Commission should be invited to in the future. Mr. Combs noted he is now the official liaison between AFORS and Eden Prairie and they also partner with the Clean Energy Resource team. Brown asked how he Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 3 represents Eden Prairie. Mr. Combs said he represents AFORS and coordinates back to them in Eden Prairie. Jester asked if he is an Eden Prairie resident. Mr. Combs said he is. C. Night to Unite Update Herron said Ms Brown asked about the possibility of attending the Night to Unite event to educate the public on conservation and the environment. She talked to Mr. Neal, the Fire Chief and the Police Chief, and they said at this time their primary focus is in fire and crime prevention. They suggested the Commission's focus should be on different events. Brown said events depend on people coming to us, but with the Night to Unite officials go to the neighborhoods. She would like to follow up with the people involved because she believes we need to look at things differently. Jester said she thought this would be a full commission decision and would be a perfect thing to talk about at a meeting. Daniels asked when the event is held. Herron said it is held in August, and she was told they have a hard time just getting the word across about crime and fire prevention. MacMillan asked if we will pursue that in the future. Jester said that may be one of our education strategies. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. 2010 Work Plan Jester noted the first few pages are a draft of the 2009 Annual Report. Herron said she focused on drafting the annual Work Plan portion of the document on Pages 6-9. She noted the items in red are new topics based on the discussions the we have had the past couple of months, and the black items are existing ones. She said she added items to the staff work plan as well. Wang arrived at 7:30 PM. Jester said she would like to go through a couple of exercises about what we want our focus to be for next year, and that will help refine the information under the different headings of the Work Plan. She said she sent an email to the Commissioners through Ms Herron about items to focus on in 2010. She took the Commission's Charter that we renovated a year or so ago and came up with six general areas of work: energy, water quality (surface water), groundwater (quantity and quality), recycling and solid waste management, native landscaping and air quality. Olson said when he read through the purpose of the Commission it seemed like the work was divided into two areas: one is influencing policy as developed by the City, Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 4 the Planning Commission and the Parks Commission, and a second one that deals with educating the public. Jester said she agreed and would call those two areas strategies to get to our goals. She said we have the latitude to work on any number of these, but she would like to have one area of focus for 2010. We could choose one of the areas to focus on and develop some goals for 2010 and strategies to meet the goals including things that are included under policies and education, but the first step is to refine the focus. Mr. Combs said he has seen the biggest challenge to be that people and organizations don't see how these things connect to them. From an outsider's perspective one of the biggest issues is finding a way to communicate the value of these categories. Brown said there has to be a reason to care in any plan because people want to know what is in it for them. The underlying goal of communications would be to address people's concerns about why they should care. Mr. Combs noted many times we present the facts but don't take the trouble to translate it into peoples' lives. Olson asked if Ms Jester wanted the group to pick a focus area on one of these topics and out of that develop strategies of how we want to influence policy and educate the public. Jester said it takes a long time to get things done, and to focus on everything in one year is difficult. She noted the example of how long we have been working on the Commercial Recycling ordinance. Olson asked if we should talk about what areas we are most interested in. Jester thought we should have more discussion on the approach. MacMillan said this is essentially why people go out and do studies to find out what the citizens need from a group like us. She thought we need to know what kinds of things need to be changed in Eden Prairie. Jester thought those would be pertinent to choosing one of the areas. MacMillan agreed we should pick an area in order to narrow the focus. Daniels said one of the problems we have is that we go so far and end up hitting a bureaucratic roadblock. If we take just one thing, we will hit the roadblock and he would hate to see us lose focus on other things. He thought we should set a priority of how we want to explore all these so we could start with one but also get another one underway. Jester said it was her hope that if we choose one of these we would have so many strategies we are working on we could still move forward if we hit the roadblocks. She thought there are many things to be working on under the subjects and she would not want to completely ignore the other five areas if we choose one. We would still be interested in those things but most of our actual activity would be focused on the particular goal we set. Brown thought we could spread ourselves too thin and we should be focused on priorities of the initiatives and see where we need to put our focus. She thought it was like the spokes of a wheel and we should focus on putting in one spoke at a time. Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 5 Mr. Combs said there might be two interrelated areas to choose. Jaiswal thought we could pick a couple to focus on. MacMillan thought two that are rather related would be water quality and groundwater. Jester said she thought energy and air quality have synergy as well as native landscaping and water. Brown thought we could look at all aspects of water. Jester said it sounds like we are under a consensus to pick a couple but not lose sight of the others. Daniels thought they will in some way blend into others because we look at our whole system as an ecological system and not as separate units. Brown thought it is difficult to have a discussion on recycling without talking about energy so all are interrelated and build on one another. MacMillan said the Fresh Water Society and the League of Women Voters sponsored a speech by Mike Osterholm last Thursday night. She said our groundwater is a rapidly declining resource and it is being contaminated. Mr. Combs noted Greg Thompson in Eagan is a groundwater specialist. Olson said he was hearing a lot of discussion around the subject of water, but he didn't want to shortchange the possibilities of energy and air quality. Jester said she liked Ms MacMillan's thoughts on trying to focus on what the residents of the City need and what the City is really facing as far as a deficit of education. The Commission was formed because of the 20-40-15 initiative, but that seems to be running along pretty well. We had the presentation by Embrace Open Space on native landscaping. Recycling comes up quite often and we are making strides on park recycling. Brown thought the low hanging fruit is with recycling, both with education and making it more accessible. She thought recycling is combined with energy at some level. There are a lot of people who don't bother to turn off lights and readjust shower heads, but in difficult economic times people are more receptive to saving money. Olson said recycling has a lot of opportunities for informing the public. He said one of his personal interests is having an impact on policy and affecting City ordinances and code so he was interested in the area that would offer the greatest opportunities for having an impact on decisions that the City Council, the Planning Commission and the Parks Commission make. Jester thought that was a great interest, but she couldn't determine which area would involve the most policy considerations. Mr. Combs said there are a lot of communities that are doing things, and he thought it would be good to talk to some representatives of those communities to see what gets the biggest result. Brown said that was also true around the country and not just in Minnesota. She was on board with the idea that we have an inward focus to influence policy and advise the City Council, but also have an outward focus to the Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 6 community. She said there may not be a lot of regulations under recycling and her previous suggestion for a ban on plastic bags would help to reduce landfill waste. Mr. Combs suggested going to an AFORS representative to get a list of contacts in the metro area. Ms Hueper asked if the Commission is trying to educate the High School students. Jester said the student representatives act as liaisons back to the High School and also provide another perspective for the Commission. Wang noted she was here to encourage recycling in the schools and to become a global citizen. Daniels thought the economics of sustainability gets into policies and how the policies affect sustainability of the City. The Commission took a 5-minute break at 8:05 PM and returned at 8:10 PM. MacMillan said Mr. Daniels brought up the idea of sustainability, and at the Eco Fair a speaker talked about sustainability in Europe and other cities in the U.S. as part of the big picture. She thought we could have that speaker in to help us decide what possibilities there are for us within the City and the community. Mr. Combs said Terry Gips of the AFORS group helped put together Burnsville's sustainability plan and their environmental and conservation initiatives. Jester asked if anybody feels we need more discussion or input from others before we can decide on a focus. Olson said he would be open to picking something tonight, but he didn't know if there has been enough discussion. He thought as long as we jump on something we can get a lot done, but he would like to hear more about the ideas. Brown said two things jumped out at her. She thought the issue of composting would be a big deal for the community as would putting together any kind of initiative for a ban on plastic bags. She thought the two easiest areas would be recycling and energy. For energy she thought we should talk to Best Buy about how they are doing with their wind generation and also talk to the Planning Commission about moving some of these things. The amount of water we have in the area and the wells that we draw from are in jeopardy, and she thought most people would be interested in knowing that. She was not as concerned about air quality and native landscaping,but she thought energy, water quality and recycling could get a lot of movement going. Daniels thought water quality would be a good place to start since Eden Prairie has been challenged to come up with a plan to take care of ponds. We have also started on recycling and have ordinances for that. Jester said she has a long list of questions and would like to get ideas from staff and from citizens. We need to know the possibilities under each category, what other cities are doing, what other commissions think we should focus on, what the low hanging fruit is, where the City lacks effective policy or plans, and where education Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 7 is needed. We have learned a lot by having speakers, but we are just trying to come up with a plan for 2010. Jaiswal thought we should be capable of deciding what we should be doing. He thought we could learn from staff what we are lacking and then prioritize. Olson liked the idea of hearing staff's ideas, and he thought they could give us insights into what other cities are doing along those lines. Jester suggested she could sit down with staff. Ms Herron suggested meeting with someone from Parks and Recreation, Engineering and Building. She said the Planning Department's work plan has included exploring wind generators and solar panels. She thought it would be good if the Planning Department had some specifics to hand to a developer or home owner on these topics. She noted they received a grant from Blue Cross-Blue Shield for active community planning to incorporate health initiatives into the comprehensive plan. MacMillan asked what active community planning is about. Ms Herron said they received grant funding to implement health strategies into planning within the City for such things as trail connections and landscaping or trees that are visible from where someone might live. The idea is to improve the quality of life and become a healthier community. She said they are actively promoting the goals and making sure that we give the document to developers so they can implement the goals. Jester said the Commission could develop a handbook components. She asked why that was not run through the Commission. Ms Herron said she didn't know. Jester proposed that the discussion be tabled and that she, along with any other Commissioners who might be interested, would meet with staff. She said she was also interested in getting in contact and speaking with Terry Gips about what other cities are doing. Herron said she meets with Mr. Neal after each Commission meeting, and he mentioned he was going to talk with the City Council to see if they had any ideas for topics. Jester said she would like to help frame the questions for that discussion around our charter, so she would like to have a discussion with Mr. Neal before it goes to the Council. Daniels suggested she email those questions to the rest of the Commission when they are completed. Jester said she will do that. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Upcoming City Projects and Development-Project Profile Herron said the latest item that went to the Planning Commission was the Olympic Hills Chris addition. It is a three-lot subdivision, and they are proposing a rainwater garden on the east side of the property. Jester asked where this project is located. Herron said it is near Franlo and Niblick. Olson asked if it was just a presentation of plans. Herron said the first step was to go before the Planning Commission for their recommendation to the City Council. The Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 8 project goes to the City Council in November. Olson thought it would be interesting for this commission to see the minutes of the Planning Commission when they look at projects like this. If staff or someone could get us that information, the Commission could look at it and could choose to have input. Jester said one of the reasons we are getting the Project Profile is that most of this is yet to go through a decision-making body. It was clear from the City Council they don't want any other road blocks to projects. Olson said he was not arguing for something formal but would like a copy of things that are being presented so we have a chance to offer feedback to the Planning Commission. He thought that would make the Commission more productive. Jester said we probably saw this project further down in the document at our last meeting and would have had the opportunity to ask questions at that time. Herron said it would be difficult logistically, partly because the Planning Commission meets twice a month and we only meet once. Daniels said now we know about this we can go to the site and get some pictures and have something documented that could be given to the Planning staff. Jester noted this is something to talk about a future joint meeting with the Planning Commission. Jester noted the project requires a variance and asked what the conditions are under which a variance can be given. Herron said it is when the property cannot be put to a reasonable use without the variance. She said staff doesn't give positions on variances or recommendations of approval, but rather we let the property owner move forward with the request and state the facts. We let them prove their case and provide examples of what the hardship might be. The Planning Commission then makes the decision. Jester said she would think they would want staff's opinion. Herron said the practice with Eden Prairie is to not give a recommendation and to let the owner make their own case. A discussion followed regarding the Commission including a motion in the meeting minutes about their concerns with a particular project as it goes through the approval process. Herron said such a motion would be reflected in the staff report and in the letter of transmittal that summarizes the staff report. Jester asked when this variance request goes out. Herron said the staff report goes out to the property owner and to the Planning Commission on October 23 for the October 26 meeting. B. Reports from Students Jester said we have started to include this as an agenda item so students have an opportunity to share. Wang said the High School recently switched from paper to reusable plates and bowls for the main lunch line, but the silverware and napkins are still being thrown out. A lot of schools use compostable silverware or napkins, and she was wondering if anyone knew about how realistic it would be to discuss this with the School Board. Olson said he served on the Eden Prairie School Board and at Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 9 some point during the year Food Services gives a presentation to the Board. That might be a way for the students to voice their concerns. Brown thought we should have an opinion on recycling standards for the school, and she would like to discuss making a recommendation on that. Herron said she didn't think that is something the City could get involved in because they are separate units. Olson said the City doesn't tell the School District how to run their business and vice versa. To the extent their interests overlap, there could be a roundtable for sharing ideas. Ms Hueper said the environmental club has commercials on recycling but they haven't affected as many people as she would like. MacMillan asked if there are different containers for recycling the various items. Ms Hueper said the cafeteria has recycling, but there are only trash bins in the hallways and rooms. MacMillan suggested the club might be able to monitor it and get containers everywhere. Wang noted schools do recycling all the way up to the High School level, but there isn't any recycling at the High School except in the cafeteria. VII. CONTINUING BUSINESS A. Commercial Recyclins! Initiative Code Amendment—(Continue to November 10, 2009 meeting) Jester asked if Ms Herron was able to talk to staff about this. Herron said she has not received all the staff comments and said we should continued discussion to the November meeting since Mr. Trebil is out this month and he is spearheading this item. VIII. UPCOMING EVENTS A. Eden Prairie 8th Annual Home, Landscape and Garden Everythins! Expo—Sinn up due 12/18/09 Herron said the Home Expo will be held on March 20, 2010 from 9:00 to 3:00 PM. She noted this is something that was done before and asked if the Commission wanted to continue it. Jester suggested she talk to Ms Stovring because she usually reserved six booths and then handed them out to the Watershed District and the Commission. Daniels said we would definitely like two booths for the event. Jester noted Ms Stovring was involved in procuring speakers on native landscaping for the workshops. She said the event is held at Grace Church and covers landscaping, gardening and home remodeling. The DNR and the MPCA are usually there. Askew asked what the main focus of the booth would be. Jester said two years ago we had one on recycling and one on energy. Conservation Commission October 13, 2009 Page 10 Daniels said the Science Fair at the High School is usually held in January and we get a side booth for that. B. 350 Day Daniels said this is the International Day for Climate Action and will be held on October 24. The only place in the western suburbs with anything going on is in Plymouth. He said the website www.350.org has an interactive map to show what is going on in the Minneapolis area. He said they are trying to raise awareness of the number 350 which represents a goal for reducing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere to 350 points per million. IX. NEXT MEETING A. November 10, 2009 X. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Daniels moved, seconded by MacMillan, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Jester adjourned the meeting at 9:14 PM.