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HomeMy WebLinkAboutConservation Commission - 02/12/2019 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE CONSERVATION COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019 7:00 PM—CITY CENTER Prairie Room, 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Ashley Young (Chair), Cindy Hoffman, Anna Anderson, Michael Bennett, Daniel Katzenberger, Kate Lohnes, CITY STAFF: Senior Planner Beth Novak-Krebs, Planning Division; Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary STUDENT MEMBERS: Troy Johnson, Rhea Sharma, Govind Makaram I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Young called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Absent were commission members Katzenberger and Lohnes and student representative Johnson. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Bennett moved, seconded by Anderson to approve the agenda. Motion carried 4-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION: Bennett moved, seconded by Anderson to approve the minutes of January 8, 2018 Conservation Commission meeting. Motion carried 4-0. IV. REPORTS A. REPORTS FROM STAFF 1. UPDATE ON WORK PLAN PRESENTATION TO CITY COUNCIL Novak-Krebs reported the presentation went well and the Council appreciated the commission's work. She added Council member Kathy Nelson stressed organics recycling and education in her comments on the plan. Anderson replied she appreciated this guidance and also wished to stress organics. She asked how the commission could support this. Novak- Krebs offered to talk to Carol Lundgren and Leslie Stovring regarding the Conservation Commission Minutes February 12, 2019 Page 2 Solid Management Waste Plan. Hoffman suggested giving residents a heads-up at public events that a plan would be implemented next year. Bennett replied the cities in Hennepin County had to have a plan for organics by 2020, but what was meant by"plan" in terms of having an actual site, kitchen containers as Minneapolis has, the "blue bags" to be put in the trash, etc., was undefined. The ultimate goal might be 2022. He was not sure what the timelines called for: an entire pickup system or some kind of progress toward it. Novak-Krebs stated the focus was on laying the groundwork. Young added Arbor Day was a good day to start talking about this; the Home and Garden Expo was coming up too soon in the next month. Hoffman replied Leslie Stovring and Carol Lundgren could give the commission members further guidance. Novak-Krebs added the mayor was focused on energy and the Energy Action Plan and was looking to the commission to move that forward. Other comments focused on improving relationships with the Watershed District, not necessarily just with the Conservation Commission,but also in general. Bennett pulled up the Hennepin County site and observed cities were expected to offer curbside organics recycling by 2022. Anderson requested contacting Stovring and Lundgren to see if they could provide existing messaging. Discussion followed on ideas to include organics recycling education at the Arbor Day event. Novak-Krebs added interviews would be held for a new sustainability intern. Hoffman and Anderson both suggested staffing the trash bins to educate residents in real time instead of having a booth, perhaps at the Fourth of July event. Young added this went to the question asked in recent meetings as to the direction of this commission. Bennett added the Master Recycler Program counted volunteer time at the State Fair guiding residents on trash/recycling/organics disposal and this could be a potential resource. He had not received a response but would continue to reach out. 2. DISCUSS MULTIFAMILY OUTREACH Novak-Krebs stated she and Lundgren met with Megan Yerks of Housing and Community Services to determine which building to launch the program. Candidates were Briar Hill (126 units, low income) who held weekly meetings, and Edendale (independent senior living) which had an on-site program and activity person who would be a good point of contact. Young asked what the commission's outreach would look like and what metrics would be used. Novak-Krebs replied these were older buildings with only a trash chute, which raised the challenge of how to encourage organics recycling. Discussion followed on recycling possibilities. Anderson stressed understanding the City's priorities and crafting a Conservation Commission Minutes February 12, 2019 Page 3 program around supporting them. There was still a lot of information gathering to do. Discussion followed on a timeline: building a good relationship, introducing one focus area at a time,perhaps energy first, and tackling more difficult issues (organics recycling) later in order to show benefits upfront, then encourage more challenging behavioral change, and having measurable outcomes. Novak-Krebs offered to email the materials for Partners In Energy to the Commission. Anderson asked what the expectations were of this outreach. Novak-Krebs replied this would be a first step that could be refined as needed. The 2019 Plan for Housing and Community Services called for more meetings with building managers, and Lundgren wanted to keep the commission in the loop on these meetings. Hoffman stated beginning with energy would a good first step due to the mayor's enthusiasm and to offer an easier goal to accomplish initially. It could start with a presentation, and the new intern could follow up. The commission could offer support, build relationships, develop materials, etc. Novak-Krebs offered to have Yerks attend one of the meetings. Young added offering information on rebates was sure to get a good response. Novak-Krebs replied when Housing and Community Services sets up meetings with housing managers, she would notify the commission. Bennett stated an individual meeting with the manager was fruitful before developing materials because every building was different. Novak-Krebs offered to get contact information for the two candidate buildings. Bennett urged waiting to hear from Lundgren to see what she wished to accomplish before developing materials. Novak-Krebs offered to send the commission members the outreach materials from Partners In Energy. Young then suggested touching base with Yerks. Discussion followed on framing the outreach. Young suggested asking the questions asked of the Eden Prairie Congregations Clean Energy Forum from Partners In Energy. Hoffman suggested highlighting the accomplishments of Elim Shores. The next steps were set: the commission would meet with Carol Lundgren in March and reach out to the residents the following month, then report back to City staff. 3. DISCUSS TABLING OF HOME AND GARDEN EXPO Young took names for shifts at the event, including set-up, and solidified which volunteers would bring what materials. Novak-Krebs described the layout for the event and said while the Energy Squad could not be there, it would provide sign-up sheets. Discussion followed on key messages. The Conservation Commission Minutes February 12, 2019 Page 4 focus would be solely on energy, and Novak-Krebs offered to email the commission regarding Lundgren's plans. 4. DISCUSS MEETING WITH TREE HUGGERS AND iMATTER STUDENTS Novak-Krebs stated both groups wished to meet with the commission, perhaps in a separate meeting in February or at 6:00 p.m. before the March meeting. Marissa Bayer would be the facilitator. The commission members decided to hold the meeting at 6:00 p.m. on March 12, 2019. 5. DISCUSS ALTERNATE DATE FOR MAY MEETING Since May 14 was Election Night, the commission members decided to meet on May 21, 2019. B. REPORTS FROM CHAIR Young reported she met with Tritz, who wished to pass on several messages: the Metrowide Sustainability Conference would be held April 13, 2019 with the time and place to be determined. The Citizens' Advisory Commission for the Riley-Purgatory Bluff District was looking to build a relationship with the commission. Tritz was a member of the organization. C. REPORTS FROM COMMISSION 1. WATER GROUP UPDATE 2. WASTE GROUP UPDATE Bennett reiterated the value of seeing the sustainable efforts of Karma Pizza. Anderson stated she had visited and was impressed. 3. LANDSCAPE/POLLINATOR GROUP UPDATE 4. ENERGY GROUP UPDATE D. REPORTS FROM STUDENTS V. OTHER BUSINESS Hoffman offered to take on Tritz's effort to revamp the exhibit at the Community Center. Novak-Krebs suggested she contact Matt Bourne, Parks and Natural Resources Manager. Young suggested a native species scavenger hunt. Discussion followed on ideas for the site. Conservation Commission Minutes February 12, 2019 Page 5 VI. UPCOMING EVENTS Home and Garden Expo, March 16, 2019. Arbor Day, April 26, 2019. Metrowide Sustainability Conference, April 13, 2019 VII. NEXT MEETING The next Conservation Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2019, 7:00 p.m. in Prairie Rooms A & B. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Anderson moved, seconded by Bennett to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.