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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.