HomeMy WebLinkAboutEC Minutes 2.2.2026 - Approved
City of Falcon Heights
Joint Meeting
Environment Commission
Parks & Recreation Commission
City Hall
2077 Larpenteur Avenue West
Minutes
Monday, February 2, 2026
6:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 p.m.
A. ROLL CALL: Adam Keester (Chair) _X_ David Smith _X_
John Pellegrini (Vice-Chair) _X_ Beth Mercer-Taylor _X_
Nuz Sanidad (Secretary)_X_ Erica Bjelland _X_
Monika Chandler _A_
Eric Brenton (Chair) _X_ Robert Haight _X_
Tom Faust (Vice-Chair) _A_ Jerry Buckridge _X_
Joe Morseth (Secretary) _X_ Naomi Loud Heinsch _X_
Staff Liaison Lynch _X_
Staff Liaison Nelson _X_
Council Liaison May _X_
Council Liaison Gustafson _X_
B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Moved to item D, after joint meeting.
1. January 12, 2026
This item was tabled to the March meeting due to it being accidentally omitted from the
packet.
D. NEW BUSINESS
1. In Common Commission Goals
Staff Liaison Nelson explained the goal of this joint meeting is to foster partnership and
discuss common goals between the two commissions, namely the potential for expanding
community garden plots. She explained that currently there are 38 garden plots, with 20
gardened by Falcon Heights residents, 16 gardened by non-residents, and two are
currently open. Previously a wait list was used for open plots, but this year the City will
be moving to a lottery system that will open on February 4.
Commissioners discussed the cost to support the current plots, the cost of adding a water
line to Curtiss Field (currently budgeted at $10,000, specifically for a water fountain),
the potential of adding plots at City Hall, and ensuring those without yard space have
access to plots. Issues were brought up around Curtiss Field flooding and the potential of
taking away from the existing recreational area.
Staff Liaison Lynch explained the Climate Action Plan has as one of its goals, to
“Increase production of local food, particularly serving low-income and food-insecure
individuals.” Two action items for this goal include, “Identify and map potential sites for
community gardens or farms, prioritizing underserved populations and food-insecure
areas. Include parks and public lands, and collaborate with parters to implement garden
locations,” and “Establish a ‘Grow Falcon Heights’ program to expand community
garden plots and create a market garden that offers youth training and internships.”
The Commissions discussed forming a subcommittee to focus on the location, need, and
goals for additional plots, pending the results of how many lottery submissions are
received.
2. Weatherization Workshop / Sustainability Fair Update
Staff Liaison Lynch explained the Environment Commission has previously discussed
holding a Weatherization Workshop at City Hall as a standalone event. She spoke with
Partners in Energy who would be assisting with this event, and they mentioned having
difficulty with attendance due to today’s political climate within the Twin Cities. Due to
this, it has been suggested to move the Weatherization Workshop to the Sustainability
Fair on April 18 as one of the “talks” during the Fair. Partners in Energy and the
Citizens Utility Board will also be tabling organizations.
Commissioners discussed ideas for more events/tablers during the Sustainability Fair.
Commissioner Mercer-Taylor offered to table as a Master Naturalist to discuss the
“Invasive Plant of the Year,” creeping bellflower. University students in attendance also
discussed having a table for an art project allowing residents to draw out their ideas and
feelings for the future of the City of Falcon Heights, possibly focusing on the Les Bolstad
Golf Course.
Other ideas for the Sustainability Fair included several Commissioners bringing their
electric vehicles for attendants to view, having a boulevard tree sign-up at the Falcon
Heights Environment Commission table, having sign-ups for the Lawn and Garden
Tours event in the summer, and compost buckets.
E. INFORMATION AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Staff Liaison Report – None.
2. Council Liaison Report – Council Liaison May explained she is “learning the ropes” as far
as being a new Council Liaison. Commissioner Mercer-Taylor asked for an update on the Les
Bolstad Golf Course. Staff Liaison Lynch explained the University is in the process of
reviewing submissions to their RFP and has pushed out interviews by a couple of weeks. She
stated the Board of Regents would not be reviewing these at their February meeting, and it
would likely be the April meeting or a meeting during the summer.
F. Adjourn
Chair Keester made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Meeting was adjourned by consent at 8:27
PM.
Next meeting date: March 9, 2026 – Joint with City of Lauderdale Environment Commission