HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes 04-08-13City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
Meeting Minutes
April 8, 2013
Present: Commissioners Brian Goodspeed, Isaac Mielke, Rebecca Montgomery, Kathryn
Hartman, Patty Holmes, Council Member Beth Mercer-Taylor, Deb Jones (Staff).
Absent: Nina Semmelroth, Jeff Connell, Ethan Wagner, Peggy Hall
1. The meeting was called to order by consensus at 6:30. Commissioners Mielke and
Hartman agreed to serve as joint chairs this year. Thank you, Brian, for serving as co-
chair for two years. The March minutes were approved.
2. Recycling Update from Ramsey County. The Commission welcomed Jean Buckley,
Ramsey County Department of Environmental Health, who gave an update on the “big
picture” of recycling in Ramsey County. The County is undertaking a number of
measures to increase recycling and reduce residual waste, including working on the
infrastructure for processing organics and working with recycling contractors on
materials marketing development. She says our contractor, Tennis, does a good job with
plastics. It helps that they are local because local contractors can use local markets more
easily. Jean announced that Eureka will be going to single sort in July and adding
plastics, a big change to the local recycling scene. Commissioners had a number of
questions and spent some time discussing the information given. They expressed
interest in organics recycling and in encouraging more backyard composting and
encouraging residents to buy recycled products.
3. Recycling Contract. With the loss of options other than single-sort, Commissioners
seemed more inclined to recommend extension of the existing contract but would like
to be more familiar with what Tennis is doing. Deb will try to arrange a tour for those
who are interested. We’ll invite Tennis representatives to a future Commission meeting
and to upcoming City events.
4. Announcements
a. Spring Together is on May 21 at Curtiss Field.
b. Earth day is coming. Patty announced that there will be an event in St. Anthony
Park. She is planning to attend. Beth’s daughter will be participating in a rally at
the Capitol.
c. Isaac is interested in getting a program going to recycle/compost food waste. We
should find out how Tennis is coming along on the compostables issue.
d. Rebecca said the phenology project got plenty of volunteers – more than they
needed.
e. Beth will be speaking about sustainability in Falcon Heights at a Linden Hills
event tomorrow and will report back.
f. Beth announced that upcoming legislation would not include any solar
installation under 1000 kilowatts as a utility for regulation purposes.
5. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.