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Home My WebLink AboutEC Packet 11.14.22 Final City of Falcon Heights Environment Commission City Hall 2077 Larpenteur Avenue W. Monday, November 14, 2022 6:30 p.m. A G E N D A A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. B. ROLL CALL: Martin McCleery ____ Beth Mercer-Taylor ___ Esha Seth ____ Pedro De Filippo Vannucci___ John Pellegrini_____ Amy Christiansen______ Emma Kostecki ______ Council Liaison Meyer ____ Staff Liaison VACANT ____ C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. October 10, 2022 D. AGENDA 1. Climate Emergency Resolution Approval 2. Ruggles Pathway Update E. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Other F. ADJOURN Next Meeting: December 12, 2022 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. City of Falcon Heights Environment Commission City Hall 2077 Larpenteur Avenue W. Monday, October 10, 2022 6:30 p.m. MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m. Called by Chair Mercer-Taylor B. ROLL CALL: Martin McCleery __A__ Beth Mercer-Taylor __X_ Esha Seth __A__ Pedro De Filippo Vannucci_X John Pellegrini__X___ Amy Christiansen____X__ Emma Kostecki __X____ Council Liaison Meyer _X___ Staff Liaison VACANT ____ ALSO PRESENT: Administration Linehan __X__ C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: D. AGENDA 1. Climate Emergency Resolution Feedback and Reconsideration Administrator Linehan and Chair Mercer-Taylor presented the latest version of the Climate Emergency Resolution. Mercer-Taylor provided recommendations on changes she made to the resolution, and gave the notes to Linehan. Linehan stated staff would work on incorporating the notes in to a final document for the next meeting. The group agreed that the updated version could be reviewed at the November EC meeting. Liaison Meyer stated that he believed with the changes the agreement could be approved by City Council. 2. 2023 SCORE GRANT Administrator Linehan mentioned that the City was completing the 2023 SCORE Grant application. Linehan stated that the SCORE grant funds many of the activities of the EC. Traditionally, the City receives between $12,000 to $15,000 in SCORE funds and anticipates to do so again in 2023. Chair Mercer-Taylor thanked Linehan for the update. 3. Update on EVC at Amber Union Administrator Linehan provided an update that three EVC stations were installed at Amber Union. Linehan stated that the EVCs were an initiative of the EC. Chair Mercer-Taylor asked Linehan if they were available for the public to use. Linehan stated he did not know that answer but would find out. Commissioner Kostecki mentioned that it would be beneficial to know if they were available for all. 4. Update on Planner/Community Development Coordinator Replacement Administrator Linehan provided an update on the replacement for Paul’s position. Linehan said applications were open until October 14th, but the City had Landform LLC in as a consulting planner to help with day-to-day. E. NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS 1. Other Commissioner De Filippo Vannucci had a question in regards to the Lindig pond and how it was maintained. Administrator Linehan stated he would look more in to it. De Filippo Vannucci also asked about light pollution, particularly on the U of M campus. Commissioner Kostecki echoed De Filippo Vannucci’s comments. Council Liaison Meyer discussed the upcoming proposal to pave Ruggles pathway with asphalt. Meyer stated he was having the City look in to permeable pavers. Chair Mercer-Taylor requested the city look in to environmental factors. F. ADJOURN – Called by Chair Mercer- Taylor at 7:25 p.m. Next Meeting: November 14, 2022 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. CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS COUNCIL RESOLUTION XXX No. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- RESOLUTION DECLARING A CLIMATE EMERGENCY AND THE COMMITMENT OF FALCON HEIGHTS TO TAKE ACTION WHEREAS, the climate crisis is not only a future issue — it is affecting us here and now in Falcon Heights. Our city has recently experienced numerous climate change related impacts including a record June heatwave, dangerous air quality from drought-fueled forest fires, and water restrictions from the same drought. In fact, the ten warmest and wettest years ever recorded in Minnesota have all occurred since 1998. Impacts like warming surface waters are leading to a significant loss of fish habitats in our lakes as well as increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms, and our forests are changing as native northern species are strained by warming temperatures; and WHEREAS, extreme weather will bring greater challenges to the local infrastructure of Falcon Heights, imposing escalating economic burdens on our residents and businesses; crops are stressed by cycles of drought and floods, home insurance rates are rapidly rising, costing homeowners an extra $1000 on average in 2015 compared to rates in 1998, and faster warming winters are leading to new pests as well as shorter winter recreation seasons; and WHEREAS, the greatest burden from an inadequate response to the climate crisis is most immediately experienced by historically marginalized or underserved communities, due to the lasting impact of segregation, the close proximity to pollution sources, and the lack of resources to deal with such challenges; and WHEREAS, the failure to act will lead to the inheritance of these hardships to the youngest generation, including the children and grandchildren of Falcon Heights; and WHEREAS, the bipartisan Next Generation Energy Act, passed by the Minnesota State Legislature and signed by then-Governor Tim Pawlenty in 2007, committed our state to achieving an 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and with interim goals of 15% and 30% below 2005 GHG emissions levels by 2015 and 2025, respectively, with cities being key drivers of achieving these goals; Minnesota did not meet the 2015 target and is not on track to reach our future targets; and WHEREAS, world leaders from 175 countries, including the United States, following the guidance of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, recognized the threat of climate change and the urgent need to combat it by signing the 2015 Paris Agreement, agreeing to “pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius”, which would require emissions to be halved by 2030 and reaching net-zero or net negative carbon emissions by 2050; and WHEREAS, due primarily to human activities we have already reached a temperature increase of nearly 1.19 degrees Celsius (nearly 2.14 degrees Fahrenheit) as compared to pre-industrial times and the death and destruction already wrought by this level of global warming demonstrates that the Earth is already too hot for safety and justice, as attested by increased and intensifying wildfires, floods, rising seas, diseases, droughts, and extreme weather; and WHEREAS, a transition to a clean energy economy, if not carefully planned, would have a disruptive economic and social impact for many in our community while a well-planned transition may provide expanded job opportunities for local residents, improve local air quality, quality of life, and provide economic stability; and WHEREAS, to focus attention on the need for rapid action to address climate change, 2,012 jurisdictions in 34 nations have already declared climate emergencies, including19 cities across Minnesota, led by Duluth, Minneapolis, and Saint Louis Park, and report that acting together, connecting to a larger statewide effort is empowering; and WHEREAS, climate action planning is currently underway in Ramsey County, the MET Council, the University of Minnesota, including the portion of the campus in Falcon Heights, and by many other units of local government in the Twin Cities; and WHEREAS, Falcon Heights has long been a leading City in adopting environmental policies and projects, such as becoming a GreenStep City in 2009, putting a 40kw solar panel on City Hall in 2012, establishing a bike and pedestrian path on Fairview Avenue, creating a community garden, adopting a nature plant ordinance, replacing street lighting with efficient LEDs and more; and NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Falcon Heights declares that a climate emergency threatens our city, region, state, nation, humanity, and the natural world. The City commits to working for a just transition and climate emergency mobilization effort by moving forward to consider a City Climate Action Plan (CAP) with input from the residents, businesses and non-profit entities in our community and in coordination with the partners that are also working on developing or implementing climate action plans in our community. LET IT BE FURTHER RESOLVED the city will utilize the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Resiliency Plan, and any other pre-created resources to act as a foundation for the CAP. The city may employ professional planning consultation and shall garner community input and involvement in the development of the CAP. The Environment Commission will review further action in support of the climate action plan and report to the council through the council liaison. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Moved by: Approved by: Randall C. Gustafson Mayor GUSTAFSON In Favor Attested by: LEEHY Jack Linehan MEYER WASSENBERG WEHYEE Against City Administrator