HomeMy WebLinkAbout9.a. Transition of Rosemount Environment and Sustainability Taskforce to a Commission
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Regular Meeting: December 17, 2019
AGENDA ITEM: Transition of Rosemount Environment and
Sustainability Taskforce to a Commission
AGENDA SECTION:
New Business
PREPARED BY: Logan Martin, City Administrator AGENDA NO.: 9.a.
ATTACHMENTS: Rosemount Environment and Sustainability
Taskforce Bylaws APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to transition the Rosemount Environment and Sustainability
Task Force to a City-appointed Commission, and authorize staff to initiate necessary action items to
complete transition.
BACKGROUND
The Rosemount Environment and Sustainability Task Force (REST) was first established by the City Council
in 2016 in order to advise the City Council on issues related to the environment and sustainability. Since its
inception, REST has pursued numerous initiatives and assisted with the creation or further implementation
of a number of sustainability focused programs. Notably, the City’s recent involvement with Xcel Energy’s
Partners in Energy Program, along with the placement of a Green Corps Intern this past summer focused
on stormwater, were both successes of REST.
The current term of the task force expires on December 31, 2019, and the task force has expressed interest
in becoming a full-fledged City Advisory Commission (similar to the Planning, Utility, and other
Commissions). Council briefly discussed this item at its December work session and expressed its support
of solidifying REST’s role among City Commissions.
Upon Council direction on December 17, staff would work with the City Attorney to develop any necessary
documentation or further action items to codify this decision. The Commission would then work in the
first quarter of 2020 to update its bylaws and establish a broader foundation upon which to operate going
forward.
Currently, REST is comprised of the following 7 individuals:
Renee Burman, Chair Vanessa Demuth
Katherine Koch-Laveen Karen Malkowski
Nathan Marks Victoria Schlautman
John Smith
The terms of these individuals are appropriately staggered to ensure continuity of the group going forward.
Any further appointments to the Commission would be completed with the Council’s pre-existing
Commission application process that takes place each Spring.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council approve a motion to transition the Rosemount Environment and
Sustainability Task Force to a City-appointed Commission, and authorize staff to initiate the necessary
action items to complete the transition.
Environment and Sustainability Taskforce By-laws
I. DEFINITION
The Environment and Sustainability Taskforce (Taskforce) taskforce will operate until
December 31, 2019. Prior to December 31, 2019, the City Council will decide to continue or
disband the taskforce.
II. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the Taskforce is to advise the city council on issues related to the
environment and sustainability. The past few years the Rosemount City Council has
participated in several programs involving sustainability measures. Four significant
programs were STAR Communities, Minnesota Green Step Cities, Regional Initiatives and
the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities program. These programs provided
assistance in many areas however quality of life and sustainability were two significant
issues.
The issue of sustainable city services is a complex topic that includes a wide range of city
services. Rosemount currently has citizen commissions that advise council on: planning
issues, parks and utilities. Although commission members meet once per month and
generally only focus on current city projects, and new development, there are significant
issues around sustainability and citizen engagement that are not being addressed. The City
Council’s objective creating an Environment and Sustainability Taskforce is to look at areas
where we can have a better impact on issues and look for creative ways to engage residents
through education and opportunities to improve neighborhoods. Taskforce members are
encouraged to volunteer at community engagement events such as the Taskforce booth at
the Rosemount Home and Business Expo and Leprechaun Days. Outcomes could be specific
projects or recommendations on city policy.
Following are some areas of focus:
Storm Water Catch Basins and Ponds
Surface Water Quality
Water Conservation and Water Reuse
Energy Usage and Emissions
See attachment A: Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce Charter and Priorities
III. MEMBERSHIP
The Taskforce consists of 9 voting members, all of whom shall be residents of the City of
Rosemount, appointed by the City Council. The Taskforce would like to increase the size
with member volunteers that are not voting members. The term of Taskforce members may
last three years, ending at the March meeting. Taskforce members may reapply to be
appointed by the city council which occurs in March each year. The requirement for
residency does not apply to citizen volunteers, or students. A city staff representative and
ex-officio non-voting city council member(s) may serve as liaisons.
IV. RESIGNATION
Any member wishing to resign from the Taskforce shall give a written notice of resignation
to the Taskforce chair and city staff representative. The Taskforce chair shall present the
resignation to the Taskforce at its next meeting.
V. ATTENDANCE
Regular Attendance. Regular attendance at meetings by all voting members is necessary if
the Taskforce is to be effective.
Absence from meeting. It shall be the duty of each member to notify the city staff
representative prior to the meeting that he/she will not be attending. The Taskforce
members can vote a member out of the Taskforce due to four or more absences in a
calendar year.
VI. MEETINGS
A. Date and time. Regular meeting dates and times shall be determined by the Taskforce.
B. Place. Meetings shall be held in the City Hall conference room unless otherwise noted.
C. Special Meeting. Special meetings may be called by the Chair, any four members of the
Taskforce or the city council. The members must be notified of the call for a special
meeting at least three (3) days before the date of the meeting.
D. Meetings with city council as deemed necessary.
E. Minutes. A member of the Taskforce will be chosen by the Taskforce to record minutes
for each meeting. The minutes will be share with the city representative to be included
in the next meeting packet.
F. Report to City Council. The Taskforce Chair, ex-officio council member or city
representative will provide an annual report to the city council at either a council
meeting or work session.
VII. ORGANIZATION
Chairperson. The chairperson shall preside over all meetings and be selected by the
members at the January meeting each year. The Chairperson may assign specific tasks to
members, with the consent of the members, establish subcommittees and assist with
developing meeting agendas.
Vice-chairperson. The vice-chairperson shall preside over meetings in the absence of the
chairperson.
Staff. A city staff representative shall distribute the agenda packet to each member prior to
the meeting either electronically or paper version.