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Home My WebLink AboutEC Packet 8.14.2023 City of Falcon Heights Environment Commission City Hall 2077 Larpenteur Avenue West AGENDA Monday, August 14, 2023 6:30 p.m. A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) ____ Jared Mehlhaff ____ John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) ____ Amy Christiansen ____ Emma Kostecki ____ Stephanie Skarolid ____ Pedro De Filippo Vannucci ____ Council Liaison Meyer ____ Staff Liaison Lynch ____ C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. July 7, 2023 E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Discussion – Falcon Heights Church, Patti Holmes 2. Discussion – Waste Management 3. Eco Experience – State Fair 4. Midwest Climate Resilience Conference F. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Staff Liaison Report 2. Council Liaison Report G. ADJOURN If you have a disability and need accommodation in order to attend this meeting, please notify City Hall 48 hours in advance between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 651-792-7600. We will be happy to help. Next regular meeting date: September 11, 2023 City of Falcon Heights Environment Commission City Hall 2077 Larpenteur Avenue West Minutes Monday, July 10, 2023 6:30 p.m. A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) _A_ John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) _X_ Jared Mehlhaff _X_ Emma Kostecki _A_ Amy Christiansen _X_ Pedro De Filippo Vannucci _X_ Stephanie Skarolid _X_ Council Liaison Meyer _A_ Staff Liaison Lynch _X_ C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. May 8, 2023 Commissioner Mehlhaff made a motion to approve the minutes from May 8, 2023. Minutes were approved by consent. E. AGENDA 1. Added Item – Newsletter, Environment Commission Corner Vice-Chair Pellegrini added a discussion about the city’s newsletter to the agenda. The Commission discussed having a weekly or bi-weekly section about the Environment Commission and different topics to write articles about. Several ideas for topics were presented, including articles adopt-a-drain, invasive plants, native landscaping, chickens, lawns to legumes, cost of gas vs. electric, and the Stop Food Waste Challenge. 2. Stop Food Waste Challenge Staff Liaison Lynch presented information about the Stop Food Waste Challenge which is a challenge for the month of August which is looking for partners to promote it to citizens. The challenge is being presented by Hennepin County, Ramsey County, and Washington County, and offers a number of different action items for residents to take to make them more aware of food waste. A motion was made by Vice-Chair Pellegrini for Staff Liaison Lynch to sign up the City of Falcon Heights Environment Commission as a partner. Motion was carried by consent. 3. Ice Cream Social Staff Liaison Lynch reminded the Environment Commission of the upcoming Ice Cream Social on July 20, 2023 from 5-7 PM. The Commission discussed what to include at the table for the Resource Fair at the event. Previously it was discussed to have information on electric vehicles. After much discussion from the Commission, it was decided to have four categories for citizens to pick from to tell the Commission where their interests are. The categories will be home energy efficiency, transportation, water/air pollution, and food and waste management. The outcome of this will help focus efforts of the Commission moving forward. F. Information and Announcements 1. Staff Liaison Report – None. 2. Council Liaison Report – None. G. Adjourn Meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. Next regular meeting date: August 14, 2022 We are headed to the Minnesota State Fair! Cities,tribal nations,and schools are invited to join us for a day at the MN State Fair,Aug.24 –Sept.4.In partnership with the MN Department of Commerce Division of Energy Resources,we are inviting GreenStep communities to volunteer for a shift in the Eco Experience building. The GreenStep exhibit will showcase the program and share examples of the great sustainability work being done to improve our everyday lives throughout the state.Among the exhibit features: ●Share your community’s sustainability successes and climate action stories with fairgoers from around the state. ●Check out the 6’x6’floor display that describes the GreenStep Cities,Tribal Nations, and Schools programs —including maps,benefits,and ways to join. ●Play Jeopardy and test your knowledge about energy and sustainability. ●Watch rotating videos that highlight the GreenStep program and specific communities —and maybe even some fun trivia about your community! The Opportunity One of the best ways to engage communities in sustainability actions is for them to learn more about what other communities have done.This exhibit will help to connect those that are doing with those that are considering.Current GreenStep communities have great stories to tell,and this is your chance! The Ask As members of the GreenStep program,we are seeking volunteers to: ●Pick one of two (or both!)days to join us:Saturday,Aug.26 or Thursday,Aug.31. ○FYI:8/26 is STEM Day at the Fair;8/31 is Pollinator Day at the Fair! ●Work 3-hour shifts in the exhibit to engage fair-goers and say hello to visitors. ●Shifts will run from 10am–1pm,12:30pm-3:30pm,and 3:00pm–6pm each day,with two slots available each shift. ●Volunteers should be:city/tribal/school staff,elected officials,board/commission/committee/team members,and other trusted community leaders or partners that can help share your community’s sustainability story. Benefits include: ●Free gate admission to the Minnesota State Fair for each day volunteered.(ticket sent directly to you) ●Easy online access to sign up for shifts. ●Online training (at your own time)about the exhibit,including key messages,instructions for working with displays,tips for engagement,transportation/parking options,and safety/security information. Interested?Sign up by July 28 at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C44A9AC2AA7FCC16-greenstep1 Frequently Asked Questions: ●What will I be expected to do during my shift? ○During your shift,you will be engaging with visitors about your community/organization and the sustainability work that you are involved in.This is a fun,informal setting without a script or other structured activity to run.We will provide you with talking points,tips for engagement,and other training. ●How many people will be working at one time? ○There will be 1-3 volunteers in the GreenStep exhibit space at all times between 10 a.m.and 6 p.m.,and there are staff from the Department of Commerce nearby between 9 a.m.and 9 p.m. ●Can I volunteer with my co-worker?Spouse?Kid? ○Volunteers should be city/tribal/school staff,elected officials,board/commission/committee/team members,and other trusted community leaders or partners that can help share your community’s sustainability story.This is your opportunity to engage fair-goers about your community/organization’s success and while we appreciate that your friend or family member might know a little bit about your work,they cannot sign up for a volunteer shift.You are welcome to arrive at the fair together and spend time with them before and/or after your shift. ●What if I sign up for a shift and then I can’t make it? ○It happens!While we hope that you check your calendars carefully when signing up for a shift,plans can change.If your plans change with sufficient time before the fair,just let us know and we will work to reschedule your shift or find a replacement.We will have instructions for you should you realize that you won’t be able to make your shift or if you are sick that day. ●Can I sit down during my shift? ○Yes —chairs will be made available for volunteers to sit during their shift.However,we encourage you to be mobile and interact with visitors as much as possible to the extent that you are able. ●Is there A/C? ○No —there is no air conditioning available in the Eco Experience building.However,there are large fans set up throughout the exhibit space that you are welcome to adjust as needed. ●Can I take a break? ○Please plan ahead to not take a break during your shift.This means eating beforehand,bringing your own drinking water,using the restroom,etc.However,there will be other volunteers in the exhibit space at the same time so if you require a restroom break or water refill,you are able to do so.Do not plan to take a lunch/dinner break during your shift or leave the Eco Experience building. ●What if I can’t commit to a full 3-hour shift? ○We appreciate your interest,but we are in need of volunteers who can commit to a 3-hour shift this year.Please do not plan on splitting a shift with another individual —we need to have everyone’s contact information available and the sign up form will not allow for that. ●Can I work more than one shift?On different days? ○Yes and yes!You are welcome to work as many shifts as you are willing and able.For every day you volunteer a shift,you will receive a FREE state fair ticket. ●What should I wear? ○You are welcome to wear comfortable and casual attire —it is the state fair,afterall!Please keep in mind that you are representing your community and the GreenStep program at this exhibit so attire should be appropriate.If you have a city/tribal/school/organization shirt or name tag,you are welcome to wear that.We will provide GreenStep buttons for you to wear. ●How long should I plan for to get to the fair? ○That depends on where you are coming from and how you plan to travel.We will have guidance available later about parking,bus,bike,and other transportation options.Please plan sufficient time to arrive at your shift —the fairgrounds are expansive and it can easily take 45 minutes to get from one end to the other. ●Where will we be located? ○The GreenStep exhibit is located in the Eco Experience building on the north-east corner of the fairgrounds -on Randall Ave,between Cooper St.and Snelling Ave.The exhibit is located in the south-west corner of the Eco Experience building. Have another question?Contact Kristin Mroz (krisitn.mroz-risse@state.mn.us;651-757-2793)