HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes 03-11-13City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2013
Present: Commissioners Brian Goodspeed, Isaac Mielke, Rebecca Montgomery, Kathryn
Hartman (pending formal appointment), Council Member Beth Mercer-Taylor,
Deb Jones (Staff).
Absent: Nina Semmelroth, Jeff Connell, Ethan Wagner
1. The meeting was called to order by consensus at 6:30. There being no quorum, a new
chair could not be elected; Montgomery agreed to facilitate. Kathryn Hartman, new
Commissioner pending formal appointment, was welcomed. The January minutes were
corrected. The minutes with corrections were approved.
2. Chickens. Mercer-Taylor reported that the chicken ordinance will go through. It has to
go to the Planning Commission because of the zoning change. Goodspeed cautioned “to
disarm ourself of the ability to produce our own food is not good.” Mielke asked if any
danger is posed by chicken diseases. Staff will look it up.
3. Solar Ordinance: This is basically a zoning ordinance to define the parameters
(location, height, setback, etc.) of solar energy installations in the city so people have
some guidelines for putting in their own systems. It is based on a model provided by
the Minnesota Solar Challenge with adaptations similar to those already adopted in
Roseville. The draft ordinance will also make solar energy systems a permitted use
instead of conditional, which they are now.
4. Recycling Contract: Commissioners requested the Tennis Sanitation 2012 report, a copy
of the original RFP and a study that was published by the Minnesota PCA on different
sorting technologies. They also asked staff to set up a tour of Tennis’ facilities.
[Staff note: The requested items were emailed to Commissioners after the meeting. The requested
study turned out to be the Eureka/St. Paul study of 2002; link provided in the same email. In
Ramsey County, Tennis also has a contract with Maplewood. Commissioners were asked to
provide dates they are available for a midday tour, Tuesdays through Fridays.]
5. Announcements
a. Mercer-Taylor announced that UM students are interested in giving a workshop
on composting
b. Montgomery shared a letter from her department at the UM seeking citizen
volunteer to assist with a study of boulevard tree phenology, in particular what
they drop on the ground and when. Staff will post it on the website.
6. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.