HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 10.14.2024 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, October 14, 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_ VACANT ____
Jared Mehlhaff _A_ Amy Christiansen _A_
Pedro De Filippo Vannucci _X_ Adam Keester _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _X_
GreenCorps Member Siebert _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Staff Liaison Lynch suggested one change to the agenda. She suggested changing item E1 to a
tree survey updated from GreenCorps Member Olivia Siebert. Karen Zumach from the Tree
Trust is unable to attend. Chair Mercer-Taylor made a motion to approve the agenda with the
suggested amendment. Agenda was approved with amendment by consent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. June 10, 2024
2. September 9, 2024
Chair Mercer-Taylor made a motion to approve minutes from June 10, 2024 and
September 9, 2024. Minutes were approved by consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Tree Survey Update – GreenCorps Member Olivia Siebert
GreenCorps Member Olivia Siebert explained she has been walking/biking throughout
the City to map all boulevard trees and potential spaces for these. She showed an example
block of the City for Commissioners to see the work she is doing. Staff Liaison Lynch
explained the goal is to have all of these mapped so we can keep track of what is being
added/removed and so the City can equitably determine where to replace/add new trees
for residents. GreenCorps Member Siebert explained the previous survey was done before
the ash trees were removed and the data has changed a lot since then without having been
updated.
2. Partners in Energy Update
Staff Liaison Lynch updated Commissioners on the status of the Energy Action Plan. She
explained it went through another revision to change wording as requested by Council
Member Eric Meyer. She let Commissioners know it would be going to City Council for
adoption on October 23, and assuming it is adopted then, would be kicked off at the Fall
Fest event being held by the City on October 26.
3. Climate Action Plan Introduction
GreenCorps Member Siebert handed out QR codes to Commissioners leading to the
Climate Action Plan survey and Climate Action Plan team member application. Staff
Liaison Lynch requested Commissioners take the survey and pass QR codes out to
neighbors and other residents. She explained many survey responses are needed and the
City also needs a very diverse group of people for the team. She stated Commissioners are
not required to be on the team, but are welcome to. Team members will be expected to
attend 4-6 events of 1-4 hours long, and the Plan needs to be completed by the end of
July.
F. Information and Announcements
1. Staff Liaison Report
Staff Liaison Lynch reminded Commissioners of the Falcon Heights Fall Fest on October
26. She explained the Energy Action Plan, assuming it is adopted by City Council on
October 23, would be kicked off at this event. She also updated Commissioners on the
Solar for Public Buildings grant opportunity. She explained the City will be applying for
this with the hope of removing and recycling the existing panels on City Hall and
installing a new array.
2. Council Liaison Report
Council Liaison Mielke also reminded Commissioners of the Fall Fest and the 75th
Anniversary event that would be held just before the event on the same day. She also told
them about 75th Anniversary Trivia to be held at Stout’s on October 29, 2024. She
updated Commissioners on the Monarch Joint Venture’s monarch-tagging event that
was held at Community Park recently. Finally, she gave an update on the Community
Park building status and asked that the Commissioners comment on the types of plants
that are added at Community Park towards the end of the upcoming construction.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: December 9, 2024