HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 5.13.2024 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, May 13, 2024
6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) _X_
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) _X_ Jared Mehlhaff _X_
Emma Kostecki _X_ Amy Christiansen _A_
Pedro De Filippo Vannucci _A_ Adam Keester _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the agenda by consent. All were in favor.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. February 12, 2024
2. March 11, 2024
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the minutes from February 12, 2024 and March
11, 2024 by consent. All were in favor.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Partners in Energy Update
Staff Liaison Lynch provided updates on the Partners in Energy program. They will have two
tables set up at the upcoming Spring Together event on May 18, 2024 from 3-5 PM providing
information to residents about the Energy Action Plan vision and goal. Feedback will be gathered,
resources about energy efficiency will be shared, and there will be treats and activities for
children.
Additionally the final workshop of the Energy Action Team will be held on June 11, 2024 from 6-
8:30 PM to wrap up goals of the Energy Action Plan and go over the next steps. Council Liaison
Mielke stated it would be nice to have this put in front of City Council for an update. Staff
Liaison Lynch stated that is the plan, and she would talk to the Partners in Energy team about
timing for that.
Commissioner Keester asked about the Xcel Energy Renewable*Connect program which was
asked about at a previous Partners in Energy workshop. He stated there is a waitlist and was
previously told this was not accurate. Chair Mercer-Taylor and Staff Liaison Lynch agreed they
both tried to sign up and there is a waitlist. Staff Liaison Lynch stated she would reach out to
Xcel contact Sofia Troutman for more information.
2. Boulevard Tree Replacement Discussion
Staff Liaison Lynch began the discussion about boulevard trees with background, stating for
several years diseased trees have been removed from the boulevards around the City without
being replaced. There used to be a policy and budget for this, but there is no longer. She stated she
has been directed to begin creating a policy around the replacement of these.
The Commission discussed grant funding for trees, potential cost share with residents for the cost
of the trees, and how to equitably distribute trees. There was discussion around qualifying for the
Tree City USA program and forming a volunteer group to assist with tree maintenance around
the City. Additionally, they discussed a tree survey to see exactly where trees have been removed
over the years. A survey was done many years ago, but since then many trees have been removed.
Staff Liaison Lynch stated she would begin drafting a policy and budget plan with ideas for the
volunteer group and bring it back to the Commission at the June meeting.
F. Information and Announcements
1. Staff Liaison Report
Staff Liaison Lynch reported the City of Falcon Heights has been granted a GreenCorps Member
to begin in September 2024. She encouraged Commissioners to spread the word to get applicants.
She also stated at the June meeting, there will be a presentation from Christine Chitambar
regarding the declining tadpole population at the Community Park pond and encouraged
commissioners to come to that meeting. Finally, she stated all Purple Air Quality Monitors that
were purchased are officially up and running. The final was placed at Falcon Heights Elementary
School on the roof and is going to be used by a science teacher there for educating students.
2. Council Liaison Report – None.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: June 10, 2024