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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 11/15/2016 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2016 7:00 P.M., CITY CENTER Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Lori Tritz (Chair), Amanda Anderson (Vice Chair), Gena Gerard, Michael Bennett, Ashley Young STUDENT MEMBERS: Hayden Bunn, Emilie Cleveland, Zoe Pettit, Annika Quam STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Planning Division Leslie Stovring, Engineering I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Tritz called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Gerard arrived at 7:02 p.m. Commission Member Anderson was absent. Student Member Pettit was absent. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Bennett moved, seconded byYoung, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Young moved, seconded by Bennett, to approve the October 11, 2016 Minutes as presented. Motion carried 4-0. IV. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. DISCUSS DRAFT 2016 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2017 GOALS AND WORK PLAN Novak-Krebs presented the Citizen Advisory Conservation Commission (CC) 2016 Annual Report and 2017 Goals and Work Plan draft. She passed out copies of the draft explaining what was accomplished in 2016 by Commission members and representatives. She reported on helping the City determine four major focus areas for the Sustainable Eden Prairie (SEP) initiative. Also, an educational water- use display was created that has been used a few times at different events. The Committee also staffed an education booth at the Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Expo in March 2016, and staffed an education booth at the City Arbor Day/Green Fair in May 2016, as well as staffed a table at the Citywide Open House. She also reported the Committee provided recommendations on the 2017 CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 152016 Page 2 Education Plan regarding stormwater, recycling, and water conservation education, as well as worked on an educational graphic regarding pollinators for future commission booths and other venues. Novak-Krebs further stated that in terms of Commission engagement; a joint meeting was conducted with the Parks, Recreations and Natural Resources Commission, the Commission toured the Water Plant and Environmental Center, as well as explored outreach opportunities. Novak-Krebs reported on the 2017 Goals and Work Plan which was broken down into four quarters. The first quarter begins with Energy, and noted the Commission is working to finalize the 2017 Work Plan to present to Council. She requested that thought be put into ideas for the upcoming Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Expo to prepare and staff a booth at the event. She also invited thoughts on taking a tour or providing a presenter on the topic of energy. Novak-Krebs went on to the second quarter topic of Pollinators and to have a display for pollinators at the Arbor Day and Green Fair event. For the third quarter water conservation topic, she reported on receiving a water resources update, as well as inviting Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District to a meeting, or to tour the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Offices. Regarding the fourth quarter topic of Waste Reduction and Recycling, she reviewed a list of possible presenters and tour ideas, such as the Fresh Water Society or the Audubon Society to discuss native plants or solar panels. Possible tours ideas are of the Eden Gardens Development, the Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies building, or a compost facility. She would like to see more of an effort next year with these activities and requested any ideas. Stovring provided a handout of the 2017 Education Plan with a proposed timeline of events. She reviewed the table in order to begin the thought process for what to do. Stovring reported January is very busy as it is the kick-off for everything. She requested that any additions or changes be brought to next month's meeting to formulate the work plan. For the next quarter, Tritz requested to see LEED certified building. Gerard requested combining meetings nights with tours as opposed to scheduling them separately. Novak-Krebs suggested having a short meeting first before a tour. A discussion was held with regard to inviting some of the public during tours, and if so, would then suggest that timing for the public be the objective and prioritized over convenience of the commission's schedule. Tritz made notice to the efforts in getting public education going,but would also like to see what role the Commission could play with businesses as well and how they could be better served. Bennett asked if we had a connection with the Chamber of Commerce. Tritz was not aware of a direct contact,but noted that the Chamber of Commerce is holding an event tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. for a meet-and- greet, which could be a good opportunity to begin the connection process. This Thursday, November 17, the Riley Purgatory Creek Watershed District will hold CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 152016 Page 3 a meeting on how they can create clean water programs, which will be held at the Eden Prairie Community Center from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tritz planned to attend in order to start the process of developing partnerships. Gerard commented that promoting business grants is on the docket, which could go out in multiple formats including the electronic newsletter to let the business community know resources are out there, which goes along with reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce. Gerard and Ben Knutson from Hennepin County would help with that connection. Tritz will find a contact for Gerard to reach out and set up a breakfast session on the conservation series. Tritz requested that all come prepared at the next meeting to finalize the 2017 goals to launch in February, to review the Education Plan, and email any additions or changes by the end of November. B. PRESENTATION TO CUB SCOUT DEN Novak-Krebs was contacted by a den leader who has been discussing conservation with their second-grade troop, and would like someone from the Conservation Commission to attend a meeting and make a 15-minute presentation on one or more topics of conservation. Young, Bennett, and Tritz expressed interest. The next two den meetings are scheduled for December 8 and January 12 in the meeting room of the Eden Prairie Library. Tritz recommended that Young and Bennett present on the recycling presentation they have done previously. Novak-Krebs will email the dates and Jason Schultz's contact information. Young will connect with the community center in order to acquire bigger space so others could join. V. REPORTS FROM CHAIR Tritz presented an overhead showing a three-paneled pollinator educational table top display, to be used in conjunction with the Home and Garden Show held in March 2017. She explained that the first panel describes the pollination problem. Tritz explained that Marilyn Torkelson, who was in attendance,has the best pollinator house and received awards for it. Everyone approved this panel's draft. The middle panel is about protecting the pollinators by addressing four topics: Provide Places to Build a Home, Avoid Pesticide Use, Offer Native Plants for Food, Do Pollinator-Safe Yard Cleanup. Marilyn Torkelson made comment to the first topic, "Provide Places to Build a Home," and stated the current home pictured is no longer recommended, as it promotes crowding, and due to the difficulty in cleaning, can cause disease. She stated that hollow-stemmed plants are the most common type, and to replace the stems each year in early spring, preferably March. Gerard requested a picture of the plant stock. Tritz stated she can cut her milkweed/swampweed and take a picture of that instead. Tritz noted that one of the activities during the show could be to build a bee house using a hollow tube and to provide a coordinating handout. She would also like the Cub Scouts to be involved. Bennett commented that, as an alternative, a smaller- sized bee house picture would then be more appropriate. Stovring suggested an CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 152016 Page 4 example/model be displayed at the show. Tritz stated she is in the process of obtaining cost-effective materials. Tritz suggested showing examples of where bees would find homes in the wild as a great hands-on display which parents could view while kids played a game with it. Young will come up with a game. Tritz commented on the second topic, "Avoid Pesticide Use," and reported on neonicotinoid insecticides and its danger to bees. She suggested a game at the show that would help identify which bottles are poisonous and which are safe. Stovring suggested hiding the label name to avoid legal trouble. Bennett thought that an alternative would be to provide examples of friendly-recommended neonicotinoid-free bottles of pesticide bought with city funds. Tritz will research bee-friendly and safe alternative pesticides. Marilyn Torkelson stated there is a list of neonicotinoid-free pesticides and will provide Tritz with that list. Cleveland wanted to show people how to make safe homemade alternatives at the event. Tritz suggested purchasing bottles in bulk to provide a take- away project at the event. Regarding the third topic, "Offer Native Plants for Food," Tritz stated there are partners that could talk on this topic. She would like to partner with the "Wild Ones" as they also have a display at the show. Quam suggested that when applying for a booth, that both parties request their booths be placed close together in order to refer participants to each other. Seed packets were suggested as a nice prize. Stovring stated the popularity of seeds and will look into obtaining them. Tritz commented on the fourth topic, "Do Pollinator-Safe Yard Clean Up," and reported that society as a whole rakes yards,bags them, and disposed of them. She stated that this destroys the habitats and nymphs of bees. Tritz recommended distributing the workload of obtaining information on each of the four topics described above for the next meeting. Upon discussion, it was decided that Young will work on bee house ideas; Bennett will work on pesticides; Cleveland, Marilyn Torkelson, and Tritz will work with Native Plants; and, Bunn will work on Safe Fall and Spring Yard Clean-up. Tritz stated that she spoke with Matt Bourne of Parks and Rec, who has set aside areas for wildflowers and has sent maps as to where this may take place. One of the panels states that the City has banned pesticides with neonicotinoids. Stovring stated there are certain circumstances where they have to use stronger pesticides so the word "banned" pesticides should be changed to "restricted" pesticides and passed a resolution to protect pollinators. VI. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION Tritz did an educational presentation for the students about water and water conservation. She provided a brief overview of the goals, stating that first is to have healthy drinking water forever. The second goal is to keep our lakes, streams, and wetlands healthy, and that we are home to 15 lakes, 528 wetlands, 251 stormwater ponds, 3 creek systems, and 14 conservation areas. She stated that the city has influence on how this is managed through the watershed districts. The third goal is to prevent flooding, stating that the city CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES November 152016 Page 5 has to have stormwater systems and ensure adequate maintenance. She provided further information about each goal and problems that are occurring. Tritz asked the students for ideas to help with this problem. Cleveland stated the need to break the social ideal of having a perfectly green lawn, and that they have water restrictions in other states. To address this, Tritz suggested changing the social ideal of having lawns. Bunn suggested taking shorter showers as a means of water conservation, or by using a low-flow shower head, alternative faucets, toilets, and washing machines. Marilyn Torkelson brought up the topic of gray water(using shower water for toilet flushing, etc.). Stovring noted this practice has not yet been set into motion do to the many restrictions. VII. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS Tritz requested that the students start thinking about their upcoming projects and to report back in February, as they are to be completed in Spring 2017. VIII. CONTINUING BUSINESS A. 2016 EDUCATION PLAN Stovring stated at a prior meeting, Commissioners had been asked to select five items to work on from the topic survey for public education and outreach and review. She instructed Commissioners to email her with any requests. IX. UPCOMING EVENTS 2017 Joint Council/Commission Workshop —January. Novak-Krebs stated in January, the Council will hold a workshop where each Commission provides a short presentation about its 2017 workplan, typically presented by the chair. Stovring stated that highlights are to be presented in a ten- minute presentation. X. NEXT MEETING The next CC meeting will be Tuesday, December 20, 2016, 7 p.m. at City Center, Prairie Rooms A & B. XI. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Bennett moved, seconded by Young, to adjourn. Motion carried 4-0. Chair Tritz adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.