HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 1.12.2026 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, January 12, 2026
6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
B. ROLL CALL: Beth Mercer-Taylor (Chair) _A_ 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 Pellegrini made a motion to approve the agenda. Motion passed by consent.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. December 8, 2025
Commissioner Pellegrini made a motion to approve the December 8, 2025 minutes. Motion
passed by consent.
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Review of Officer Positions and 2026 Officer Elections
Staff Liaison Lynch went through the duties of each officer position, including Chair,
Vice-Chair, and Secretary. Commissioner Pellegrini nominated Commissioner Keester
for Chair, Commissioner Keester nominated Commissioner Pellegrini for Vice-Chair, and
Commissioner Nuz nominated herself for Secretary. A vote was taken and all were in
favor of these appointments.
2. Adoption of the Standing Rules
Commissioners discussed the draft of the standing rules. Suggested changes included
adding “current and future” after “regarding” on #4 of duties and responsibilities,
removing #5, and removing “excluding the Planning Commission” under “Membership
Terms and Organization.” A vote was taken to approve the Standing Rules with the
suggested changes. All were in favor.
3. 2026 Environment Commission Schedule, Goals, and Priorities
Commissioners discussed 2026 goals and priorities. Along with previously drafted goals,
additional goals added included choosing an “Invasive Plant of the Year” to write articles
in the Nature Newsflash about, and forming a climate action subcommittee to work on
Climate Action Plan and Energy Action Plan implementation.
4. Climate Action Plan and Energy Action Plan Review
Commissioners looked through the current implementation progress for the Climate
Action Plan and Energy Action Plan. Commissioner Keester suggested creating a
climate action subcommittee to work closer on these goals and strategies. Commissioners
agreed to this and suggested reaching out to residents previously on the different teams
who drafted these plans. One topic that was discussed was partnering with the
Minnesota State Fair on a joint energy or sustainability project. Commissioners
discussed a tree project, but agreed the Environment Commission would likely need to
come up with the project entirely and look into funding potentials before reaching out to
the State Fair with their proposal.
F. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report
Staff Liaison Lynch gave an update on the Les Bolstad Golf Course RFP issued by the
University of Minnesota. She stated the RFP has closed and submissions have been received.
City Staff and the City’s selected consultant were able to review the plans only, but they are
classified information at this time. The University is currently reviewing the proposals and
will narrow the submissions down to those they would like to interview.
Staff Liaison Lynch also informed Commissioners that the February meeting would be a joint
meeting with the Parks and Recreation Commission to discuss the community garden, and
the March meeting would be a joint meeting with the City of Lauderdale’s Environment
Commission to discuss the Sustainability Fair.
G. Adjourn
Commissioner Pellegrini made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting was adjourned by
consent at 7:57 p.m.
Next meeting date: February 2, 2026 – Joint with Parks and Recreation Commission