HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 9.9.2024 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, September 9, 2024
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_ Adam Keester _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
No quorum – approval of agenda not voted on.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. June 10, 2024
No quorum – approval of minutes not voted on.
E. NEW BUSINESS
No quorum – All items below were discussed but not voted on.
1. Roseville Area High School – Student Projects
The Environment Commission discussed possible projects for students from the Ros
Progressives group at Roseville Area High School. These ideas included working on the
pond at Community Park to address goldfish and other invasive species, and also
working to keep it clean. Commissioners also suggested partnering with a group
currently doing storm drain stenciling in the City (Como Park Lutheran Church,
District 10, and the City), or possibly working to join the Adopt-A-Drain program.
Finally, it was discussed that the Falcon Heights GreenCorps member could possibly
partner with the students to work on a tree survey for the City.
2. Partners in Energy – Executive Summary
Staff Liaison Lynch gave a brief overview of the Partners in Energy Executive Summary
and the strategies for the Energy Action Plan. It was noted the graph and the statement
about 65% savings is confusing. Lynch stated she would talk to the team about it. She
announced the drafted Energy Action Plan would be presented to City Council on
September 11 at 7 PM, to hopefully be adopted at the City Council meeting on September
25. She encouraged Commissioners to read through the plan and attend the meeting on
September 11 if possible.
3. MN GreenCorps Work Plan
Staff Liaison Lynch gave an overview of the work plan for the GreenCorps member that
will be beginning on September 23. She asked for additional ideas or comments on the
plan. Commissioners suggested having the GreenCorps member also look into the Adopt-
A-Drain program, looking into establishing informational signage about pollinator
gardens throughout the City, or organizing a native garden and/or rainwater garden
tour.
4. Charging Smart Program
Staff Liaison Lynch explained Falcon Heights was one of the nine first cities in the US to
receive a certification through the Charging Smart Program. She stated Falcon Heights
received Bronze certification, and explained the City is very close to being Silver. She
stated she is looking for feedback from Commissioners to meet that, specifically needing
input on how the City prevents EVSE adoption and how to expand these options to more
diverse communities. Commissioners suggested looking into a ride-share program such
as EVIE, establishing EVSEs at Curtiss Field, and establishing EVSEs at Community
Park.
5. Climate Action Plan
Staff Liaison Lynch gave a brief overview of a proposal from paleBLUEdot LLC for a
Climate Action Plan. She explained the City was the recipient of a grant from MPCA to
fund a climate action plan. She encouraged Commissioners to look through the proposal
and to be prepared for the planning process to begin as soon as possible.
F. Information and Announcements
1. Staff Liaison Report
Staff Liaison Lynch reminded Commissioners to keep their lawns mowed and to talk to their
neighbors who may be interested in joining the Climate Action Plan workgroup.
2. Council Liaison Report
Council Liaison Mielke gave an overview of Code changes being proposed by the Planning
Commission to City Council (parking minimums, trash cans, accessory dwelling units),
updated the Commissioners on the status of the Community Park building and policing
concerns, and talked about the butterfly tagging event that was recently held at Community
Park by the Monarch Joint Venture.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: October 14, 2024