HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 8.14.2023 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, August 14, 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 _A_
Pedro De Filippo Vannucci _A_ Stephanie Skarolid _X_
Council Liaison Meyer _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. July 7, 2023
No quorum. Approval of minutes tabled to September meeting.
E. AGENDA
1. Discussion – Falcon Heights Church, Patti Holmes
Patti Holmes was present to speak with the Environment Commission about different
sustainability and environmental accomplishments and plans at Falcon Heights UCC. She
spoke about an upcoming produce exchange and potentially a second annual car show. Staff
Liaison Lynch invited the church to send in event notifications for sharing in the City
newsletter. Ms. Holmes also spoke about potential workshops and ideas for tree planting
education and rain gardens.
2. Added Item – Katherine Allen, Air Quality Monitoring
Katherine Allen approached the Environment Commission about an idea for increasing the
accuracy of air monitoring in the area. A company called Purple Air works with Google to
offer hyperlocal air quality monitors for sale. Ms. Allen stated the reasoning behind this being
with the recent Canadian wildfires, it’s been difficult to determine if the air quality has been
decent or not, with a wide difference in air quality figures across the cities at any given time.
The Environment Commission discussed this and Staff Liaison Lynch stated she would do
research into the company and look more into the budget for the Commission and present at
the September meeting on this.
3. Discussion – Waste Management
Staff Liaison Lynch stated a citizen contacted her asking the Environment Commission to
look into the issue around single-hauler trash management in the City. The Commission
spoke about concerns and potential benefits of this. They determined to potentially look more
into this at the October meeting. Staff Liaison Lynch will do research and present more
information at that meeting.
4. Eco Experience – State Fair
Staff Liaison Lynch presented information about the Eco Experience at the upcoming State
Fair that Chair Mercer-Taylor will be attending to share information about the Falcon
Heights Green Steps movement.
5. Midwest Climate Resilience Conference
Staff Liaison Lynch presented information about the Midwest Climate Resilience Conference
that will be taking place in October in Duluth, MN. Chair Mercer-Taylor will be attending.
Staff Liaison Lynch included handouts on how to sign up for anyone interested in attending.
F. Information and Announcements
1. Staff Liaison Report
Staff Liaison Lynch reminded the Environment Commission of the next regular meeting on
September 11, 2023 and the special meeting on September 18, 2023. The Setpember 18
meeting will be a kickoff to the Partners in Energy program and will be held at the Institute
on the Environment.
She also shared a brief updated on the BizRecycling program and stated a mailer was sent to
all businesses and multifamily residences in the City to introduce them to the program.
WasteWise will be reaching out to businesses and multifamily residences individually to
speak with them more, and WasteWise will provide an update on the campaign in the next
couple of months.
Finally, Staff Liaison Lynch shared an update on the Stop Food Waste Challenge that is going
on for the month of August. The City of Falcon Heights is number 10 out of 61 teams.
2. Council Liaison Report
Chair Liaison Meyer stated the Lawns to Legumes grant program has opened up applications
for their Spring 2024 program. The deadline to apply for this is November 30.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: September 11, 2022