HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 10.13.2025 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, October 13, 2025
6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) _X_ Georgiana May _X_
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) _X_ David Smith _X_
Adam Keester _X_ Nuz Sanidad _X_
Monika Chandler _A_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion passed by consent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. September 8, 2025
Vice-Chair Pellegrini made a motion to approve the September 8, 2025 minutes. Motion
passed by consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Green-To-Go Ordinance
Staff Liaison Lynch went through the drafted Green-To-Go ordinance. She explained this is
heavily taken from the City of Roseville, but it may be good to have similar language amongst
the cities doing this to make it easier for businesses who have locations in multiple cities. She
explained food trucks should probably be removed since these are regulated by the State of
Minnesota and we do not currently have regulations for them in City Code. She explained a
potential timeline for implementation, including speaking with City Council, an introductory
letter to businesses, an Open House at City Hall, individual meetings at businesses, adoption
of the ordinance, then several months before compliance is expected and enforced. Businesses
should be allowed time to use of their existing supply of non-compostable/non-recyclable
goods before forcing them to purchase compliant versions.
She mentioned she is concerned around the financial impact to businesses but that
BizRecycling could help with this. She asked for advice from Nuz Sanidad who worked on
Green-To-Go in St. Paul. Sanidad explained a lot of the existing products that businesses are
using are recyclable and thus already in compliance, but agreed that BizRecycling can help.
She also stated she did outreach with sample bags of materials for the businesses to test, feel,
etc.
Commissioners discussed compliance and how to ensure compliance, and Staff Liaison Lynch
explained the current code enforcement process at the City. Currently it can be a long process
involving letters back and forth and discussions with the property owner before a harsher
solution is sought. She explained compliance is what is wanted, not necessarily punishing
someone. Council Liaison Mielke suggested rewarding compliant businesses by featuring
them in the newsletter or perhaps offering a decal window cling to showcase their compliance.
Staff Liaison Lynch stated the next steps would be to make a few more changes to the drafted
ordinance before taking it to City Council for an initial review.
2. Landscaping Updates to City Code
Staff Liaison Lynch went through drafted updates to landscaping requirements in City Code.
Commissioners discussed boulevard plantings and the best way to regulate these. It was
determined the Environment Commission wants to promote and encourage native
landscaping instead of turf grass, but that raising the height of turf grass to 8” to match other
cities would be a good option. However it would also be good to match the ordinance to what
is currently being seen in Falcon Heights, which includes many longer native plantings and
no-mow lawns that may have longer grass, all things the Commission supports.
F. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report
Staff Liaison Lynch gave an update on GreenCorps Member Siebert’s new service assignment
for Great Plains Institute. She also advised the City Hall solar panels will be fully installed in
the next few weeks, boulevard trees will be delivered to roughly 20 homes in the next week or
two, and gave an overview and update on the Les Bolstad Golf Course sale by the University.
2. Council Liaison Report
Council Liaison Mielke asked Commissioners about adding a transportation component to the
Environment Commission. Commissioners were in support and mentioned the Climate
Action Plan advises on transportation and this would be a good fit for the Environment
Commission to discuss.
G. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: November 10, 2025