PK PACKET 09122022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Parks and Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes June 6, 2022 Page 3 1 In May a Safe Riding and Green Driving Event was held and those who collaborated were 2 also thanked. There was an opportunity to test drive an EV or ask an EV Owner questions. 3 Also there was an e-bike test ride. Those that collaborated were thanked. 4 5 In May there was an effort to promote No Mow May. Delaying mowing helps pollinators 6 survive the crucial period when they are coming out of hibernation. Ms. Doolan requested the 7 Commission integrate “No Mow May” in the 2023 PEC workplan to support a growing 8 interest. 9 10 In June, in recognition of the growing number of environmentally - conscious students in St. 11 Anthony schools, Citizens for Sustainability has awarded two $500 Environmental 12 Stewardship Scholarships. 13 14 Ms. Doolan reviewed opportunities to increase composting. Organic waste in landfills 15 generates methane, a greenhouse gas that is 5 times as potent as CO2. Hennepin County offers 16 grants to non-profits and businesses to implement composting. Opportunities to increase 17 composting are to offer compost buckets at VillageFest, offer compostable kits for National 18 Night Out, and outreach to multi-family residential facilities to have a significant impact on 19 St. Anthony’s emission reduction targets. The Citizens for Sustainability will be available 20 during VillageFest. 21 22 Ms. Doolan stated she attended a Council Meeting to invite residents to participate in No 23 Mow May and for the Council to not cite residents who do not mow in May. Mr. Yunker 24 stated the City does not fine residents for not mowing. Commissioner Godmare stated some 25 residents may have been threatened with receiving a fine. 26 27 Commissioner Guest asked if a motion could be made and Mr. Yunker suggested No Mow 28 May be part of the Commission’s work-plan. Vice Chair Reed stated she will make a note to 29 make sure it is added to the work-plan for 2023. 30 31 Ms. Doolan suggested the Commission refer to the New Brighton No Mow May program. 32 There was a discussion on signs for reminders/education. 33 34 Commissioner Guest asked if for National Night Out were there funds available to offer 35 compostable plates and silverware. 36 37 Commissioner Bordeau suggested publishing a list of BPI certified materials suggested for 38 use. There is a list on the Ramsey County website. 39 40 Commissioner Bordeau asked if the City rents out holders for big organic bags for parties and 41 events. Ms. Doolan stated those can be obtained from Hennepin County. 42 43 Commissioner Bordeau asked if the grants Ms. Doolan referred to are for businesses and non- 44 profits. Ms. Doolan stated there are recycling and composting grants. Commissioner Bordeau 45 stated the Hennepin County program is called BIZRecycling. Commissioner Bordeau asked if 46 trash goes to landfills in Hennepin County. Ms. Doolan stated the trash on her side of town