HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 2-8-16City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission Minutes
February 8th, 2016
6:30 p.m.
Present: Commissioners Hall, Holmes, Vice Chair Montgomery, Chair Miazga, and
Secretary Olson, Staff Liaison Moretto and Council Liaison Mayor Lindstrom.
The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. by Chair Miazga
1) Approval of Minutes
Minutes of the January 11th, 2016 meeting of the Environmental Commission were
approved.
2) News and Announcements
3) Presentation- Tree Trust by Karen Zumach
Karen Zumach gave a presentation on Tree Trust, a non-profit that seeks to increase
the urban tree canopy through a subsidized tree purchase program and education.
Tree Trust started as a response to Dutch Elm Disease in Minneapolis and Saint
Paul, and is now helping to respond to Emerald Ash Borer.
The Tree Trust purchase program is helped by subsidies from cities to increase tree
cover on private properties. There are a variety of trees available for residents to
purchase, estimated at about $25 per tree. Residents who purchase a tree will
receive a color-coded postcard in the mail, indicating the time and location to pick
up their tree. Karen stated that tree purchase program is a scalable model and can
be run in the Fall or Spring.
The Commission passed a motion recommending that the City explore a tree
purchase pilot program through Tree Trust this Fall.
4) Exchange Program- Germany
Mayor Lindstrom spoke about an exchange program in the works that matches up a
Minnesota city with a German town to learn about each other’s energy system. This
is a grant program being done with the University of Minnesota. If selected,
representatives from the City would tour Germany as part of the learning
reciprocity.
The Commission passed a motion to create a subcommittee to apply for the grant
program. The subcommittee will consist of Chair Miazga, Staff Liaison Moretto, and
Council Liaison Mayor Lindstrom.
5) Discuss GreenStep Cities- Next Steps
Staff Liaison Moretto will be participating in a webinar to explore the next level in
the GreenStep Cities Program. Paul will present this information to the Commission
at the next meeting.
There is also a $3000 grant that can be applied for to implement Best Management
Practices as outlined in the Program. The deadline is the end of February. A motion
was passed by the Commission to encourage the City to follow up and apply.
6) Discuss Solar Garden meeting with CERT
Commissioner Holmes updated the Commission on the status of scheduling the
meeting with CERT. Saturdays are possible, but not during the upcoming Easter
holiday weekend. The City does not need to meet the March 31st deadline. Holmes
will work with City staff to schedule the meeting.
7) Organic Starter Kits
Tara Roffler from Ramsey County sent the City an email stating the availability of
organic starter kits. The kits contain a plastic bin for compost storage and a
biodegradable trash bag. The Commission expressed interest in having these
materials available at the pending solar garden meeting.
8) Quarter Letter from the Commission in the Newletter
Staff Liaison Moretto has requested the Commission highlight its activity during
2015 for inclusion in the City Newsletter. Moretto will send an example. The
newsletter will print in March.
9) Public Comments
An interested citizen, Serena, attended this Commission meeting. She was
interested in knowing the sourcing of the trees from the Tree Trust Program, as well
as any treatment that may be applied to the trees.
Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Paul Moretto – Staff Liaison