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HomeMy WebLinkAbout110920 EC MinutesCity of Falcon Heights Environment Commission Online Monday, November 9, 2020 6:30 p.m. MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Wassenberg called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Members present: Bucholtz, McCleery, Mathwig, De Filippo Vannucci, Wassenberg, Seth, and Olson Also present: Council Liaison Andrews, Staff Liaison Krzos C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: McCleery moved, seconded by Mathwig to approve minutes for September 15, 2020 and October 12, 2020. Minutes approved. D. AGENDA a. Discuss 2021 Work Plan i. The Commission looked at the previous years’ work plan and determined what they wanted to complete. ii. Commission members discussed ideas for 2021 including: • Item: Opportunity to reduce light pollution-install dark sky fixtures in city buildings (hoods on light fixtures to shine only on what should be) a. Action 1: Jim will do an Environmental Corner (EC) article on this topic. • Item: Add an education item with ordinances before and when they are passed. a. Action 1: Seth will pair EC corners with ordinances. • Item: Renovations at Community Park. a. Action 1: See if there is a way to include dark sky fixtures • Item: LED traffic lights. a. Action1: Pedro will follow-up. • Item: Consider working with Partners in Energy. They help cities go deeper on energy related goals. a. Action 1: Find a way to work with the organization to assist the city. • Item: Improve local food availability. a. Action 1: Seth will review local food section of Green Step program. b. Action 2: Look for Green Acre and CSA cooking classes. c. Action 3: Research if there is a farmers market in Falcon Heights? • Item: EV Charging a. Action 1: Encourage City to electrify fleet b. Discuss EV charging stations i. The commission discussed the topic of electric vehicle (ev) charging stations. • There are organizations that have cost share grants but they are not fully funded. When the Minnesota Pollution Control Administration (MPCA) publishes the request for proposal (RFP), then they will have something more specific. • Falcon Crossing asked the city who would pay for electricity for the charging stations. • Patti Holmes (1635 Garden Avenue) – o Commented that there is an Xcel program for Public Charging EV Service Pilot Program. Holmes stated they would be happy to look through Metro EV cohort materials to help answer some of those questions, if Commission provides summary of what we are looking for and specific questions we have. • The Commission ask about getting the MN State Fair to add charging. • Commission Request: Can someone with the City fill out the Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPV) application, which is required for viewing the State Purchasing contract pricing for chargers. That would give us a chance to see what Level 2 chargers cost through their program. • Xcel program must have a site within 2 miles of interstate highway: o Community Park is within that range o Falcon Crossing is 2.6 miles away from I35 W o Stouts might be 2.5 miles • Work with Xcel to review requirements and commitments needed from the city. • Would need to determine the best location dependent on funding sources. • Xcel and MPCA programs are not compatible. • The chair will send questions to resident Holmes. • Action 1: Ryan request that staff look into completing a CPV cooperative purchase agreement. May need be approved by council. • Action 2: Research other cities and how they implemented these programs. c. Discuss EC corner i. EC corners go out every other week on Fridays. Staff needs to receive the articles two weeks prior to publishing. ii. Action 1: Seth will publish a winter efficiency article and send it to Ryan. iii. EC items completed: • ice melting salt • composting iv. EC items not completed: • home energy audit • work place recycling • native landscaping • bicycling • summer energy efficiency • EV hybrids v. EC items for the future: • native landscaping/rain gardens • gardening topic • rainfall and stormwater • winter efficiency • light pollution • beekeeping • home energy squad incentive E. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS a. Garden ordinance will be passed on the 18th. Already discussed at City Council workshop and at Planning Commission. F. ADJOURN a. Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:01 p.m.