Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 05/10/2016 APPROVED MINUTES CONSERVATION COMMISSION TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2016 7:00 P.M., WATER TREATMENT PLANT 14100 Technology Dr. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Lori Tritz (Chair), Amanda Anderson (Vice Chair), Gena Gerard, Michael Bennett, Ashley Young STUDENT MEMBERS: Emily Corpuz, Rachel Buckland, Jenna Horner STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Planning Division Carol Lundgren, Engineering Department Lorene McWaters, Recording Secretary Before the meeting was called to order, Water Treatment Plant Supervisor Joe Dusek gave commission members a tour of the Water Treatment Plant. I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Tritz and Student Commissioner Horner were absent. Vice Chair Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Gerard moved, seconded by Bennett, to approve the agenda as published. Motion carried 4-0. III. MINUTES A. Approval of the Minutes for the April 12, 2016 Meeting MOTION: Bennett moved, seconded by Young, to approve the minutes of the April 12, 2016, meeting as published. Motion carried 4-0. V. REPORTS FROM STAFF A. Swearing in of Commission Members Vice Chair Anderson swore in commission members. B. Green Step Cities Update Novak-Krebs said she worked with Mahtani to gather data and develop metrics for Step 4 of the Green Step Cities program. Novak-Krebs said all of the required metrics were completed, as well as some of the optional ones, and the application for Step 4 has been submitted. CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 12, 2016 Page 2 C. Thank Student Members Anderson thanked the students for their participation on the commission and encouraged them to keep in touch. She noted that 100 people attended the Pax Christi Earth Day event, and that the students helped arrange for recycling for the recent Human Rights & Diversity Commission event. D. Water Plan Update Environmental Coordinator Leslie Stovring, who was scheduled to provide the update, was out ill so the item was continued to the next meeting. B. Arbor Day Walk and Green Fair VI. REPORTS FROM CHAIR VII. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION A. Arbor Day Walk and Green Fair Anderson said the event went well; however, there were lessons learned relating to what not to do at an outdoor event. She said it was a very windy day, and the display was blown over several times. Sunlight glare made it difficult to see the I- pad screens. The button maker at Stovring's booth was a big hit. Tritz staffed the booth for the entire three-hour event. Young also helped out with the assistance of her children. Anderson noted that because of the size of the display, Tritz had to stand the entire time. Unfortunately, there were several typos on the display board, which will need to be corrected before it is used again. VIII. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS IX. CONTINUING BUSINESS A. 2016 Education Plan Articles for the next Living Green Newsletter are due May 18. Lundgren asked for ideas for articles. She said an article on the adverse effects of releasing pets (e.g., goldfish) into streams is planned. Gerard asked when the water conservation article will appear. Lundgren said it will be in the upcoming issue. Gerard said she recalls a planning document,possibly the education plan. She asked if it can be located and provided to the commission members. She suggested that commission members take ownership of individual items to ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Lundgren said Stovring maintains that document. Novak-Krebs said she will email the plan to the commission members before the next meeting. CONSERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES April 12, 2016 Page 3 X. UPCOMING EVENTS A. Community Drop-Off Day—June 18, 2016 Community Drop-off Day is June 18 at Hennepin Tech. There will an organization accepting bicycle donations. New this year is paper shredding. Residents can bring up to two shopping bags of paper to be shredded. Paper will be accepted until the truck reaches capacity. Unfortunately, staff was not able to arrange for a charitable organization to be on hand to accept donations of used clothing and household items. All of the local charities contacted said they either have too much stock on hand or too little staff to participate in the event. Anderson asked if it would be a good idea to advertise that organics recycling will be offered next year. Bennett cautioned against advertising that since details have not been confirmed. Gerard asked if household hazardous waste will be accepted. Lundgren said the event does not include hazardous waste. Gerard said the link to Eden Prairie's event on the Hennepin County website is broken. She asked staff to contact the county to get the problem corrected. XI. NEXT MEETING Tuesday, June 14, 2016 XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Bennett moved, seconded by Young, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Vice Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.