HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes 10-13-14City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2014
Present: Commissioners Rebecca Montgomery, Peggy Hall, Kathryn Hartman,
Councilmember Beth Mercer-Taylor, Staff Liaison Chelsea Petersen
Absent: Patti Holmes (with notice), Jeff Connell
Other Attendees: David Murphy, Tyler Lande, Ashley Dalton, Laura Harreld
1. Do Green in Falcon Heights
David Murphy presented Commissioners with information regarding organized trash
collection. He discussed the current use of multiple refuse haulers in all areas of the city,
and suggested examining either a single hauler for the entire city, or keeping multiple
haulers that each serve a specific area of the city.
Commissioners discussed a brief history on organized collection efforts in Falcon
Heights and what other cities are doing now. Commissioners will look into the issues of
a single hauler and organized yard waste collection in the future. David provided a list
of references and resources that the Commission can utilize for research.
2. Sustainability Fair - Presentation
Tyler Lande, Ashley Dalton, and Laura Harreld presented on the Sustainability Fair on
November 20th at Silverwood Park. This has become an annual event put on by
University students and the cities of Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, and St. Anthony
Village. Students are working on capstone projects to help promote sustainability
efforts that the communities and their citizens can easily adopt. In addition to the
student projects and presentations there will be several outside vendors with resources
that attendees can learn about. A Facebook event has been created to help advertise,
and a website will be launched as well.
3. Sustainability Fair – Commission Involvement
The Commission would like to have a poster or pamphlet about the sustainability
activities and promotions that they have brought to the community. Commissioners
brainstormed several things they could highlight and will discuss the specifics on the
display at the next meeting.
4. TechDump Event
The Cities of Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, and St. Anthony Village are hosting an
electronics recycling event with TechDump on Saturday, November 1st at both Falcon
Heights and St. Anthony Village City Halls. This event is free to the public, with a small
cost for some larger electronics.
5. Recruitment of New Commissioners
Commissioners would like to recruit at least two new members, at least one of which
being a youth member. Beth will be reaching out to former youth commissioners and
high school groups, while Chelsea will contact community gardeners and
Commonwealth Terrace residents.
6. Information and Announcements
Beth recently attended a Sierra Club event about the EPA’s Clean Power Plan and
handed out information about smog pollution. She also presented a grant opportunity
and asked for input from the group on potential project/study topics including:
1) planning for storms, hot weather as part of climate adaptation, resilience
alongside St Paul, state fair and U of M campus
2) the perfect storm of aging buildings, infrastructure and population and
increased vulnerability to storms (power outages, floods, tree damage) and
challenges to clean up due to more seniors in the mix
Commissioners were supportive of the grant, and staff will investigate further and have
discussions with Council about what to apply for.
Rebecca would like to investigate the possibility of timing fall street sweeping with the
leaf drop of certain species of trees. She recommended having Larry Baker from Prior
Lake come speak to the Commission in the future.
Rebecca and Beth expressed interest in having a representative from Transition Town
St. Anthony Park come speak about their sustainability efforts.