HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes 09-08-13City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2013
Present: Commissioners Brian Goodspeed, Isaac Mielke, Kathryn Hartman, Patti Holmes,
Nina Semmelroth, Peggy Hall, Council Member Beth Mercer-Taylor, Deb Jones
(Staff).
Absent: Rebecca Montgomery, Jeff Connell, Ethan Wagner
1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 by Commissioner Hartman. A quorum was
present. July minutes were approved.
2. Guest Speaker: Maggie Satler, University of Minnesota. Ms. Satler is a Masters
student working on an informational design model to measure sustainability factors,
especially energy use. For this project she is seeking to “dig deeper” into the data from
the Regional Indicators Initiative. Her intention is to bring a humanistic element to the
data giving people more ways to engage with both reading and understanding the data
but applying it to their personal lives and efforts to live more sustainably and by taking
a more active role in data gathering. She sought input from the Commission
A spirited discussion ensued around the goal of using information to change behavior
by showing people that “my efforts are making a difference.” Several people present
discussed a tracking program that Xcel Energy has that they have used. Questions that
came up: What would motivate people to participate and contribute data? How could
the Commission be engaged in this effort?
3. Grant opportunities. After hearing about some grant and volunteer opportunities
available, Commissioners formed a consensus that they would work on an application
for a CERT (Clean Energy Resource Teams) grant. Dovetailing with the previous
discussion, they brainstormed a project that would bring in a trainer to prepare
interested volunteers to “create a network of neighbors to be resources for renewable
energy and efficiency.” “Community infrastructure” was a phrase that came up. Beth
started working on a shared Google document, to which she emailed the link to
everyone. Commissioners are invited to contribute to that, and the application will be
completed at the next meeting. That meeting may be moved up to October 7.
4. Announcements – None noted.
5. Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.