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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 01/09/2018 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY,JANUARY 9, 2018 7:00 PM—CITY CENTER Prairie Room, 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Lori Tritz (Chair), Amanda Anderson, Anna Anderson, Michael Bennett, Gena Gerard, Daniel Katzenberger, Kate Lohnes, Nate Pischke, Ashley Young CITY STAFF: Senior Planner Beth Novak-Krebs, Planning Division; Leslie Stovring, Engineering; Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary STUDENT MEMBERS: Abhishek Aravalli, Elizabeth Arnold, Hayden Bunn, Sophia Truempi I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Tritz called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Absent were commission members (Amanda) Anderson and Young, and student members Abhishek Aravalli, Elizabeth Arnold, Hayden Bunn, and Sophia Truempi. Sean Gosiewski from Alliance for Sustainability and residents Carter Aakhus and Kelly Aakhus joined the meeting. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Gerard moved, seconded by Pischke to approve the agenda with the addition of a discussion of the Green Fair under Reports from Staff. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Pischke moved, seconded by Katzenberger to approve the minutes. Motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. Discuss Paul Douglas Event with Sean from Alliance for Sustainability Conservation Commission Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 2 Gosiewski introduced himself and described the program, which would be hosted by Pax Christie featuring newscaster and Eden Prairie resident Paul Douglas on the subject of the economic advantages of sustainable choices. This could also be a springboard for the Partners In Energy partnership. Novak-Krebs described the commission's participation in the Partners In Energy plan. (Anna) Anderson described her plans for outreach with Ashley Young. Discussion followed on possible co-sponsors for the event among faith communities. Gosiewski also suggested including behavior change commitments at the event. Tritz summarized the Partners In Energy focus areas (large business, residents, and organizations including faith communities and schools), and explained the last was considered the "leadership wedge" in being smaller, yet more populous and influential outreach resources. She also summarized the partnership's potential ideas for behavior changes and asked for other ideas. Gosiewski replied there was an effort to form coalitions of congregations for future partnerships and campaigns, including sign-ups for wind sourcing, green power, and energy audits. He offered to share the database of these partners with the commission. Gosiewski also suggested compiling a list of condo associations, homeowner associations, Chamber of Commerce members, flagship businesses, etc., in Eden Prairie to partner as advocates for behavior change and for publicity/outreach efforts. He also suggested publicizing the Energy Action Plan at other Eden Prairie, such as the Home and Garden Expo. Novak-Krebs described the kick-off event for the January 16, 2017 City Council meeting. Discussion followed on publicity for the kick-off. Novak-Krebs explained what this event would look like and explained the Energy Action Plan included implementation and outreach. Also, a sustainability intern would be hired in January, 2018 who would contact larger businesses, and the commission members would also engage in outreach. In addition, the mayor and city manager do meet-and- greets with business leaders on the plan. There were also case studies of the school district's solar panels done by the City. Gosiewski asked if this would be related to a larger climate action plan, as done in other cities. Novak-Krebs replied this would be a part of the comprehensive plan. There are no plans right now to do a Climate Action Plan. Gosiewski mentioned St. Louis Park drafted a Climate Action Plan. Tritz summarized the event planning: the first meeting would be held January 18, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at Pax Christie. Gosiewski passed around a sign-up sheet for those interested in attending. (Anna) Anderson asked for and received clarification this was mobilizing for outreach and promotion. Tritz recommended talking about the event itself at this first meeting, and then coming up with a timeline. Conservation Commission Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 3 2. Discuss March Expo Event Stovring announced the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce had hired a professional events organizer, Do Good Events, to examine the organization of the Expo. The consultant was rearranging the booths and the children's activity area to make it more engaging. The event was already sold out. Stovring was optimistic about the ideas generated by Do Good Events to direct more people to the upstairs level, and from other participants. Among those having a booth this year were Kid Create, the Outdoor Center, the Watersheds and the parks, Hennepin County, Master Water Stewards and the Master Gardeners, Minnesota Renewable Energy Society, etc. All booth spaces were filled, and the commission would again have two spaces. A flyer would be included in the January/February/March utility bill. The event is also listed on the city's calendar. Stovring asked for ideas regarding surveys and prizes. She planned to give away bags again this year, along with new backpack-type styles which she displayed on the large screen for the commission members. Lohnes asked for and received confirmation these were made of recyclable material. Stovring replied they were also durable and machine-washable, were able to fit on the shoulder with a coat on, and rolled up and snapped. Gosiewski asked if the city maintained a sustainability email list for the green newsletter. Stovring replied Eden Prairie has a robust email list as well as a vibrant Facebook page. Tritz urged the commission to remember the first part of the year was busy with events: Home and Garden Expo, Arbor Day, and Green Fair, allowing all four areas of focus to be highlighted. She asked for ideas for new kids' hands-on activities, another survey, a display, and another partnership option. She presented the display panels to the commission and asked for feedback at this meeting. There was some discussion on the design of the panels, and on the possible use of a tablet or laptop for onsite sign-ups. (Anna) Anderson and Lohnes offered to create the handout with three action items based on the Energy Action Plan panel displays. Novak-Krebs reminded the commission that the commission was losing its previously-used survey tool. Discussion followed on a possible replacement tool. (Anna) Anderson offered to explore options for a new tool. Novak-Krebs offered to invite the Home Energy Squad to the Expo for onsite sign-ups, and Stovring reminded the commission Xcel Energy usually takes a booth at the Expo Conservation Commission Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 4 Gerard asked the commission for a commitment to generating low or no waste at events. She suggested a different children's activity, since the buttons likely generated waste, and recommended a child-friendly game (such as spin the wheel, bingo,bag toss, etc.) devoted to education on sustainability, or Bennett's sorting game used with the Boy Scouts. Katzenberger suggested bringing sustainable items instead as small handouts to the children. Gosiewski suggested inviting Kid Wind which offered a mini solar village. Bennett suggested getting a recycling handout from Hennepin County and also having the waste sorting game for the waste focus area. Stovring suggested the Eden Prairie Recycling Guide instead of the handout, since Hennepin County would also have a booth at the Expo. (Anna) Anderson suggested a recycling education board, and Stovring replied she did have one and displayed the "Recycle Everywhere Eden Prairie" poster and its accompanying flyer on the large screen. She also displayed the annual recycling guide. (Anna) Anderson suggested this for a poster. Gerard suggested if the commission was going to give away items these be actionable, such as reminders or stickers. Discussion followed on using wastebasket stickers or another non-waste option instead of buttons. Stovring replied residents should fill out a survey to get an item, since this makes the free item less likely to be tossed at home, and the gift items be of higher quality so that they are not thrown out. Another option was a raffle prize such as a rain barrel, a chair made of recyclable plastic, watering cans, a compost bin, or pollinator predesigned garden kits. Tritz suggested these would be more appropriate for the Green Fair. Stovring offered to get the recycle stickers. Bennett suggested having residents fill out the recycling quiz used last year, and Tritz suggested residents do this to get the stickers. Katzenberger announced he had completed the Home Energy Squad spreadsheet. Tritz offered to retrieve the quiz files, or help recreate them with (Anna) Anderson. Stovring stated a normal 8 1/2 by 11- inch printing job could be completed the day before. Bennett and Tritz coordinated having clip-boards available; Stovring offered to order some. Stovring stated she would get the hours of the event to the commission, and would make sure everyone had t-shirts. Tritz solicited volunteers for two shifts: 9:00 to noon, and noon to 3:00. [Gerard left at 8:30.] Stovring announced the Green Fair would be held April 28, 2018 with a little later start time of 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Staring Lake. There will be food, and Stovring planned to give out dog bandanas and waste bags. She was looking at holding a workshop on how to plant bare root plants and tree tubes, and asked a commission member to contact the bee lab. Conservation Commission Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 5 Hennepin County Library might also stage a"pop-up library" there, and she hoped to have space for mini-sessions on the Emerald Ash Borer. Tritz stated the focus areas for this event would be pollinators and water. Stovring asked for suggestions for raffle prizes, with a deadline for purchasing prizes after the next commission meeting. Tritz also asked commission members to contact her for suggestions for a children's activity for this event as well. Gosiewski suggested rain gauges as a giveaway as well as stickers for the lawn mower. 3. Review 2017 Annual Report and 2018 Work Plan Novak-Krebs displayed the 2017 Annual Report and 2018 Work Plan and summarized her changes, which grouped items by focus area as well as on a chronological timeline. Tritz summarized the commission's achievements for the previous year and goals for this year. 4. Discuss Beginners' Guide to Sustainable Eden Prairie Program Tritz thanked the commission members who worked on this four-week class to educate residents on Sustainable Eden Prairie and the commission's four focus areas. The information being pulled together for this should be reflected on the website and in the commission's displays, and could serve as a springboard for material in the future, such as school presentations, mini-lectures at events, and onboarding material for new commission members in the future, etc. The first approval deadline was January 19, 2018 Sustainable Eden Prairie meeting. The advertising deadline was February 7, 2018. Novak-Krebs added she and Stovring met with Tritz, then followed up with the City Manager. She suggested a tour of Fire Station No. 2 and also suggested spreading out the classes,rather than holding them all in April, allowing for longer classes including speakers and tours. The City Manager is also launching a citizen's academy in April. She reminded the commission Arbor Day was Saturday, April 28, 2018. Tritz emphasized keeping the focus achievable for a first time curriculum; speakers and tours could be added in subsequent years. Novak-Krebs suggesting holding a pollinator class in spring, in summer a water conservation training, an autumn energy-related class, etc., which put each class closer to the times when residents needed to implement action items. Stovring added this could set up a template for the future. The tour at the end of the class could be optional, and locala park in Eden Prairie, the solid waste facility, a solar facility, etc. Conservation Commission Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 6 Lohnes saw benefits,but a potential downside in that a spread-out series of classes sacrificed a cohesive learning culture, whereas holding the classes closer together in the year maintained a certain freshness. Bennett agreed enthusiasm could be lost when the classes are spread apart. (Anna) Anderson asked if residents would sign up for the series, or for each individual topic. Stovring replied each topic could be a stand-alone training. Discussion followed on the relative merits of holding these classes during successive weekends versus spreading them throughout the year. MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by (Anna) Anderson to bring the presentations to the next commission meeting for review and also present them to the sustainable Eden Prairie group in February, 2018, pushing back the April class times to an unspecified later month or months. Motion carried 6-0. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR 1. Review Presentation of 2017 Annual Report and 2018 Work Plan for City Council Novak-Krebs pulled up the PowerPoint version being presented to the City Council, and Tritz quickly went through the presentation for the commission members and asked for feedback. Tritz announced the Coalition of Environmental Commissions met and are actively planning an event sometime in May. When she had further information she would share that with the commission members. C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION 1. WATER GROUP UPDATE 2. WASTE GROUP UPDATE 3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR GROUP UPDATE 4. ENERGY GROUP UPDATE D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS VI. UPCOMING EVENTS Conservation Commission Minutes January 9, 2018 Page 7 2018 Joint City Council/Commission Workshop on January 16, 2018. Energy Action Plan Kick-Off with the City Council, January 16, 2018. Home and Garden Expo, March 17, 2018. VII. NEXT MEETING The next Conservation Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2018, 7:00 p.m. in Prairie Rooms A & B. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Katzenberger moved, seconded by Bennett to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.