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2City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 25, 2012 Page 2 B. University of Minnesota Sustainability Students. City Manager Casey introduced Mr. Dave Wanberg, University of Minnesota adjunct professor of sustainability studies minor. 6 Mr. Wanberg stated he pleased to announce the City has agreed to work on a project with several 7 students from the sustainable community's class, which will incorporate real world type projects. 8 He indicated this project is a great opportunity for the students to apply their knowledge and will 9 include working with the cities of Lauderdale and Falcon Heights as well as St. Anthony and the 10 students are looking forward to working with each community. 11 12 Mr. Ben Zientara appeared before the City Council and explained that two workshops have been 13 scheduled at Silverwood on Thursday, October 11"', and Thursday, November I", from 6:00- 14 9:00 p.m. and extended an invitation to all residents of St. Anthony, Lauderdale and Falcon 15 Heights to attend. He stated the meetings are intended to develop ideas that the cities can use to 16 implement strategies for sustainability in their community. 17 18 Ms. Libby Norris appeared before the City Council and explained that the first workshop will 19 include a "State of the City" presentation by each of the Mayors to provide an understanding of 20 each City and its goals, followed by small group discussions. She stated the students are 21 preparing sustainability guidelines that lay out principles of sustainable city planning to get 22 citizens thinking about what sustainability actions they would like to see. She indicated the 23 residents will brainstorm ideas about what they want to focus on and she stressed that this is a 24 grassroots -led movement and they want active engagement with the citizens. 25 26 Mr. Ben Biancini appeared before the City Council and explained that the second workshop will 27 build on the first meeting and will include sharing ideas on how to create a more sustainable 28 community. He indicated the second workshop will take the ideas generated at the first meeting 29 and turn them into concrete goals with deadlines for meeting those goals. He added the plan for 30 the workshops is to spark ideas and assist each community in raising awareness and propel each 31 community's sustainability goals into the future months and years. 32 33 Mr. Wanberg stated the workshops are not intended to suggest in any way that communities 34 should add more City staff or programs; rather, the workshops will generate ideas about what 35 residents can do to create a more sustainable community into the future. I -Ie expressed thanks to 36 City Manager Casey and Public Works Director Hartman for their leadership and stated that 37 invitations to the workshop will be sent to a number of elected officials, the Watershed District, 38 as well as representatives from the faith community and School District. 1- le added that everyone 39 is welcome to attend the workshops. 40 41 Councilmember Stille stated that the workshops will provide a springboard for the City Council's 42 goal setting in January for implementation into the City's 2013 strategic plan. He asked if the 43 University of Minnesota students envision continued involvement with the City on this project. 44 45 Mr. Wanberg stated the University would like to continue working with the City and indicated 46 there will be opportunities for other sustainability students to work with the City in the future.