HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 2.10.2025 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, February 10, 2025
6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:31 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) _ A __
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) _X_ Jared Mehlhaff _X_
Adam Keester _X_ Amy Christiansen _A_
Pedro De Filippo Vannucci _X_ Sophie Nagel __X__
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _X_
GreenCorps Member Siebert _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion was seconded by De Filippo
Vannucci. Motion passed by consent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. January 13, 2025
Mielke requested a change to the minutes to state she suggested announcing the
Sustainability Fair in the Park Bugle. With the changes, Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a
motion to approve the minutes from January 13, 2025. Minutes were approved by
consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. 2025 Schedule & Priorities
Lynch stated she put together a new schedule and form for priorities for the year. She
asked for suggestions for priorities and also requested that if a Commissioner make a
suggestion, that they also volunteer to take point in the project.
Nagel suggested looking into a Fix-It Clinic at City Hall and stated she would be looking
into that.
Pellegrini stated he would be interested in helping with resurveying the trees in the City
and updating the survey. Siebert and Lynch stated they would look into how he could
assist with that.
Keester stated he would be interested in speaking on pollinator yards and Lawns to
Legumes and possibly being an ambassador for that.
Pellegrini stated part of the Energy Action Plan was to promote home tours of residents
with sustainable homes. He suggested the commission look into expanding the borders to
possibly include homes from surrounding cities.
Keester suggested having a “No and Yes” pile for plastics recycling at the Sustainability
Fair to go along with the new plastics recycling at City Hall. Commissioners agreed this
would be fun.
De Filippo Vannucci suggested a Nature Newsflash update in the newsletter on the
Climate Action Plan and suggested creating a cheat sheet for recycling, composting,
plastic recycling, and e-waste recycling.
2. GreenCorps Update
Siebert gave a brief update on the work she has been doing while serving as the City’s
GreenCorps member. She spoke about the tree survey she completed in the fall, stated the
Climate Action Plan is underway with two team meetings down and two to go, advised
Commissioners about the Home Energy Squad mailer that would be sent soon to all
single-family homes in the City as part of the Energy Action Plan, gave an update on the
Nature Newsflashes she’s been writing for the weekly City newsletter, stated she would
be sorting through the plastics being put in the plastics recycling container at City Hall,
gave an update on Sustainability Fair planning, and mentioned she has done some
research on electric vehicles and heat pumps.
Pellegrini asked if the City would be looking at having a GreenCorps member again next
year. Lynch stated it may be an every other year application in order to save up projects
to make sure a GreenCorps member had enough work to do.
Keester asked about single-hauler garage collection. Lynch stated it may be good to wait
until the current lawsuit underway is settled. Stated this is a very controversial topic.
Keester gave an update on the first two Climate Action Plan team meetings. Stated the
first meeting was very information heavy and the second meeting was more of a
workshop format to refine goals. De Filippo Vannucci stated it may be helpful to rank the
goals and Lynch and Siebert stated they would speak with the consultant about that.
Keester suggested also advising other city commissions about the Climate Action Plan
and volunteered to do that.
3. Energy Action Plan Update
Siebert gave a quick update on the Energy Action Plan implementation she has been
working on. Stated she has sent mailers and emails to renters and landlords throughout
the City.
Keester asked about ambassadors. Lynch suggested that could be something where local
“experts” in different fields could be listed on the website for other residents to contact
with their questions. Stated that could be a phone number or email address.
Pellegrini asked about the action item to review and review City code. Lynch stated that
could look like requiring multifamily buildings to install solar panels or electric vehicle
chargers, or just looking at the language in code and making sure it’s not overly
prohibitive to install these items.
4. Sustainability Fair Update
Siebert gave an overview of presenters and tablers currently schedule for the
Sustainability Fair. Commissioners had a few additional suggestions of organizations to
contact. Lynch and Siebert asked for volunteers for the Sustainability Fair and had them
sign up for shifts. Stated this information would next be given to the Lauderdale
Environmental Commission to sign up for volunteer spots as well.
5. R&E Center Tour
Siebert stated Gregory Goodwine form Ramsey County has offered to arrange a tour of
the Recycling and Energy Center in Newport for the Commission. Commissioners
expressed their interest in seeing the robots being used for the curbside composting
program. Siebert stated she would reach out to Goodwine to set up the tour.
6. City Code Discussion
Lynch stated it has recently been discovered that composting is not permitted at single-
family residences that are in R-5 zoning. Stated this only effects a few homes but asked if
the Commission would be okay with her updating City Code. They are okay with that.
She also asked how the Commission would feel about allowing permeable driveways in
the City. Stated there is currently a variance application to allow for more than the
allotted impermeable pavement in the City to allow for a new driveway and garage to be
built at a home on Larpenteur. She explained the home is already nonconforming and this
would actually be reducing the amount of impervious surface, but that permeable
driveways are not permitted in the City and that it seems it should be. City Hall’s
parking lot is permeable and it can be a good option for residents. Commissioners agreed
and Lynch stated she would draft an update to City Code to bring back.
F. Information and Announcements
1. Staff Liaison Report
Lynch and Siebert advised Commissioners the NEVI program is currently suspended by
the new administration. Lynch also reminded Commissioner about the plastic bag
recycling and mentioned it would be comprehensive plan time in the next year.
2. Council Liaison Report
Mielke advised Commissioners that the parking building layout is going before City
Council at their next meeting. She also mentioned the State Fair Task Force is looking
into doing ParkMobile paid parking in the City during State Fair time.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: March 10, 2025