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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 08/13/2014 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY,AUGUST 13, 2014 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Prairie Room 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Greg Olson (Chair), Laura Jester(Vice Chair), Margaret Powell, Prashant Shrikhande, Lori Tritz STAFF: Regina Rojas, Planning Division Jan Curielli, Recording Secretary Paul Sticha, Facilities Manager Paul Schlueter, Fleet Manager I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Jester was absent. Shrikhande arrived late. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Rojas said Item IV.B., City Landscaping, will be rescheduled. Olson asked that the Commission receive a report on Clean Up Day held on June 21. Rojas said she will provide that at the next meeting. MOTION: Powell moved, seconded by Tritz, to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried 3-0. III. MINUTES A. Approval of the Minutes for the June 10, 2014 Meeting MOTION: Powell moved, seconded by Olson, to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2014 meeting as published. Motion carried 3-0. Shrikhande arrived at 7:03 PM. IV. PRESENTATIONS A. 20/40/15 Update Paul Sticha, Facilities Manager, gave a PowerPoint presentation that reviewed the background and strategies of the 20/40/15 program. He reviewed the projects completed in 2013 and plans for 2014 projects. He noted the Community Center CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 13, 2014 Page 2 will get a small solar panel array, and the HVAC equipment installed for the Aquatics Center expansion will be high efficiency. He reviewed the energy savings measures completed at the Community Center ice rinks. He said they will install LED lighting in the 46 street lights that are owned by the City and noted the remainder of the street lights are owned by Xcel Energy. In addition, high efficiency lighting and other improvements will be made at the park shelters and several small buildings owned by the City. Sticha said the City is at 18% energy improvement now and will be close to 20% with the completion of the Phase 5 projects. We have seen $1,000,000 in energy savings every four years. He noted it will be difficult to do a lot more energy savings beyond 2015; however, they are investigating such measures as using waste oil in the boiler at the Maintenance Facility and geothermal heat recovery at the Water Plant. They plan to continue to upgrade to more efficient equipment and lighting as old equipment is replaced. Paul Schlueter, Fleet Manager, reviewed the background and goals of energy savings for the City's vehicles. The goal is a 40% increase in fuel economy by 2015 for the 250 motorized vehicles and equipment in the fleet. He reviewed their strategies and accomplishments from 2006 to 2013. He noted there was a 36% increase in fuel economy savings in 2013. Beyond 2014 they plan to review and evaluate alternative and renewable fuel options and resources, to research reductions by improving the utilization of existing vehicles, and to continue working with local and national organizations to share information. Shrikhande asked what happens after 2015. Sticha said they are waiting for further direction. He noted they have exhausted many of the bigger energy saving improvements. Schlueter said they will be meeting with the City Council in a workshop session next month and are looking for ideas. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. Green Step Cities Update Rojas said we were officially awarded Step 3 at the Minnesota League of Cities conference. The award was accepted by Council Member Butcher Wickstrom. She noted Steps 4 and 5 are yet to be determined but we continue to work on the best practices. VI. REPORTS FROM CHAIR No report. VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 13, 2014 Page 3 Shrikhande noted there is an interesting presentation going on in the Council Chamber tonight regarding protecting lakes from nitrogen runoff. One of the suggestions being discussed was to dig a ditch and put wood chips in it to capture nitrogen. VIII. NEW BUSINESS Olson said he felt the Commission has lost a bit of momentum over the past few months as we missed a number of meetings. He suggested we review the Annual Work Plan at the next meeting and try to reprioritize the plan. Powell agreed that was a very good idea. Olson asked that staff get a copy of the plan out to Commission members. Rojas noted it can be accessed through the City website,but she will send out copies to all the Commission members. IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS A. Communication Strategies--Website, Life in the Prairie, Facebook, etc. Rojas asked Commission members to submit suggestions about events or information about educational opportunities for the City's Facebook page. X. INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS/HANDOUTS A. Upcoming City Projects and Development--Project Profile Rojas said the Eden Gardens project will go to the City Council on August 19 for final approval. On August 25 the Planning Commission will consider a project proposed by the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies (MACP) for a two story expansion of their existing building on Rowland Road just south of Hwy 62. XI. UPCOMING CITY EVENTS A. City Wide Open House--Saturday, October 11 (llam-2pm) Rojas said every year the City holds an open house where the Police and Fire Departments showcase their vehicles and equipment. Every other year all City departments come to City Hall to show their equipment and the work that has been done. This is the year for the City wide Open House and the Commission can have booths at the event. Olson suggested we cover that at the September meeting because the event is a good opportunity to educate the public. He noted no Commission member would have to stay at the event for the entire time. Shrikhande asked how many members are currently on the Commission. Rojas said there are five members because Ms Bettison resigned. Shrikhande suggested we decide now to have a booth at the event and then discuss what we want to do at the next meeting. CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES August 13, 2014 Page 4 MOTION: Shrikhande moved, seconded by Olson, to participate in the event, to communicate by email for ideas for the event, and to finalize the plans at the next meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Powell said we discussed adding another member to the Commission in the past. Rojas said the City Manager decided it would be best to wait until the regular time to appoint Commission members. XII. NEXT MEETING-- September 9, 2014 Rojas noted the November meeting will be canceled due to a conflict with Veterans Day. XIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Shrikhande moved, seconded by Tritz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Olson adjourned th e meeting at 7:56 pm.