HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes 9-14-09City of Falcon Heights
Environment Commission
Meeting Minutes
June 8, 2009
Present: Ron Kroese, Peter Lindstrom, Diane Ross, Nina Semmelroth, Michael Talbot, Stan Sveen, Brian Goodspeed, Nina Semmelroth, Justin Miller
Absent: Ethan Wagner , Gretel Keene
Minutes of June 8th were approved with no changes.
2. Michael Orange, the city’s Climate Change Corps volunteer, presented his findings on the
Falcon Heights Carbon Baseline Assessment. He summarized his methodology and findings, including the fact that our two large institutional neighbors (MN State Fair and U of MN St. Paul
Campus) skew our per-capita numbers to be larger than other cities. In his research, we are the only city of our size to complete this type of analysis. Orange was asked if he saw
any red flags or numbers that stood out, and he said that he did not. The commission asked staff to continue to work with Orange to see if more specific data for the State Fair and
St. Paul campus could be determined.
Mayor Lindstrom then updated the commission on a program being offered through the Regional Council of Mayors and the MPCA. They are looking for five demonstration cities to participate
in their GreenStep Cities project. The chosen cities will be given access to experts who will help the city identify ways to reduce greenhouse emissions. The commission unanimously
supported this effort and recommended that the city council submit an application. Miller also elaborated on programs available through the EPA for similar initiatives, and the commission
also unanimously endorsed seeking these opportunities as well.
Miller asked for comments on a proposed recycling award program where staff or
commissioners would randomly select one household per month to receive a reward for recycling. The commission endorsed this project.
The meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm.