HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 5.12.2025 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, May 12, 2025
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_ Sophie Nagel __X__
Pedro De Filippo Vannucci _X_ VACANT
Adam Keester _A_ VACANT
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 passed by consent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. April 14, 2025
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the April 14, 2025 minutes. Motion passed
by consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Sustainability Fair Update – Olivia Siebert
GreenCorps Member Siebert gave an overview on the outcome of the Sustainability Fair
that was held on April 26, 2025. Ultimately it was a huge success. There were several
takeaways regarding larger signage, a volunteer meeting prior to the event, and snack
availability. Siebert has created a document outlining her process for planning the event
and the different organizations she contacted, who responded/attended, who dropped out
at the last minute, and the vendors that were used for paper shredding, textile recycling,
and e-waste recycling for Staff and Commissioners to utilize for the event next year.
2. Energy Action Plan Update
Staff Liaison Lynch gave an update on the progress GreenCorps Member Siebert has
made on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan since the beginning of her service
term. Outreach to residents, renters, and landlord has been completed but should be
considered an ongoing task. She asked for Commissioners to look through the
implementation plan and, should they feel strongly about any task/goal, to consider
taking that on. She explained this would need to be continued by Commissioners and
Staff with GreenCorps Member Siebert’s service term coming to an end in August.
3. Tree Update – Olivia Siebert
GreenCorps Member Siebert performed a demonstration of the resident tree map she has
created for the website. This is intended as a way for residents to map their front and back
yard trees (outside of the boulevard), share a picture, and possibly a story about the trees.
She stated the goal is to have the map live on the website by the Spring Together event
this weekend, May 17, 2025. It will be shared with residents there and a QR code will be
handed out to encourage residents to look at the map and hopefully fill it out.
4. GreenCorps Projects Discussion
GreenCorps Member Siebert explained to Commissioners about the current status of the
program. AmeriCorps funding has been cut so she is no longer an AmeriCorps member,
but the State of Minnesota will provide funding for the GreenCorps program through the
end of June at least, and hopefully through the end of the term in August, pending the
state budget. With the cut in funding, the education funding she would receive from the
program has been prorated for the time served under AmeriCorps and health insurance
will end at the end of May.
As her term begins to wrap up in August, she and Staff Liaison Lynch have requested
small project ideas from Commissioners for her to complete before then. Council Liaison
Mielke suggested a pollinator lawns and garden tour for residents around the end of
June. Chair Mercer-Taylor also discussed the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District
and their tire program, and another Commissioner mentioned the Cap Region Watershed
District’s rain garden program.
F. Information and Announcements
1. Staff Liaison Report – None.
2. Council Liaison Report – None.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: June 9, 2025