HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 12.8.2025 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, December 8, 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 _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Council Liaison Mielke _X_
C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner May made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Commissioner Keester.
Motion passed by consent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. November 10, 2025
Commissioner Chandler made a motion to approve the November 10, 2025 minutes, seconded
by Vice-Chair Pellegrini. Motion passed by consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Sustainability Fair Updates
Staff Liaison Lynch advised the Commission that the Sustainability Fair will be held on April
18, 2026 at Falcon Heights City Hall in partnership with the City of Lauderdale
Environment Commission. She stated the format would be very similar to the 2025
Sustainability Fair with electronics recycling, paper shredding, and hopefully textiles
recycling. She asked for suggestions on potential organizations to table at the Sustainability
Fair. Suggestions included Xcel Energy, MN Seed, UMN (with apples), Active Living
Ramsey County, the Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, Wild Ones, Ramsey County Urban
Agriculture, Terra Market, UMN Climate Adaptation Partnership, and Sustainable
Resources Center (with an induction stove). She also asked if presentations were wanted
again in 2026, but that it would likely only be two instead of three. Finally, there were
suggestions from Commissioners about holding a drawing for a rain barrel or compost bin.
Staff Liaison Lynch stated she would begin to reach out to organizations about tabling and
requested any further suggestions be sent to her by no later than January 2, 2026.
2. Standing Rules Review
Staff Liaison Lynch briefly went over the standing rules for the Environment Commission
and stated they would be approved at the January 2026 meeting. She asked Commissioners to
review them and send her any potential changes prior to that meeting. A few suggestions
were to edit the purpose and duties section to include transportation, discuss the
implementation of the Energy Action Plan and Climate Action Plan, mention sustainability,
and discuss sustainable land use.
3. Goal Setting for 2026
Staff Liaison Lynch discussed goals for 2026. Commissioners stated a goal should be to
review the Energy Action Plan and Climate Action Plan in January to assist with setting
further goals for the year. Commissioners also discussed doing a “Salt for Sand Exchange,”
holding workshops around weatherization, providing incentives for certain sustainable home
upgrades, looking to potentially have Public Works swap from gas-powered leaf blowers to
electric leaf blowers, and work with the Parks and Recreation Commission on community
gardens.
F. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report
Staff Liaison Lynch reported the status of the Les Bolstad Golf Course sale. The RFP by the
University closes on December 18, 2025, and the City of Falcon Heights will be hiring Bolton
& Menk as a consultant to assist the City through the process of working with the
developer/rezonings/community meetings/etc.
2. Council Liaison Report
Council Liaison Mielke reported she had a Home Energy Squad Energy Audit completed
recently and highly recommends everyone have one done. She learned through that process
that an entire floor of her house is missing insulation.
G. Adjourn
Commissioner Chandler made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting was adjourned by
consent at 8:00 p.m.
Next regular meeting date: January 12, 2025