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HomeMy WebLinkAbout November 19, 2019 Minutes ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES November 19, 2019 CALL TO ORDER Pursuant to due call and notice thereof the meeting of the Environmental & Sustainability Task Force (Task Force) of the City of Rosemount was called to order on November 19, 2019 at 5:33 p.m. in the Conference Room of City Hall, 2875 145th St West, Rosemount. Attendees included Task Force Members: John Smith (co-chair), Katie Koch Laveen, Karen Malkowski, Nathan Marks, Vanessa Demuth, and Victoria Schlautman. Staff present included the following; Public Works Director Brian Erickson, Derick Anderson, and Jane Byron ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by John Smith, Second by Vanessa Demuth Motion to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2019 Environmental & Sustainability Task Force meeting. Ayes: 6 Nays: 0. Motion carried. PRESENTATIONS No presentations OLD BUSINESS a. Energy Action Plan City Plan Implementation- Brian hasn’t had a chance to talk to Logan. Video of Home Energy Audit is out. Task Force Implementation Close-out meeting date to be announced. Katie went to a PIE event and received an award that she gave to staff and she emailed a photo taken receiving the award. Katie said that it is estimated that the PIE program has saved $130 in energy costs since its inception. The programs have occurred in Minnesota and Colorado. b. Recycling Facility Tour Beneficial to learn how the market for recyclables have changed and what is or isn’t recyclable. We can look for opportunities to educate our residents. ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES November 19, 2019 NEW BUSINESS a. City Council Presentation John went thru the PowerPoint Renee drafted that she will present to Council on December 3rd. b. Deicing Salt/Salt Reduction on City Property The city has a brine maker. Staff is looking into having a truck with a spray bar for brine only pre-storm event. The full length of collectors has salt applied. Demuth was assured that the city plow truck operator who applied salt the entire length of most of the roads in Country Hills has been reminded of the cities new road policy that does not strive for bare pavement within neighborhoods. All staff have been trained once for smart salt level 1 however these certifications do expire after three years and it was not clear that all snow plow operators have current certification. Nathan and Renee attended the previous evenings Utility Commission meeting and saw the presentation by St. Olaf on sampling that was conducted of surface water bodies in Rosemount Lebanon Hills Park and Eagan. Nathan was excited about the salamander and fish that were discovered. The REST discussed collecting data on a targeted water body, then educate residents on smart salt and reduced fertilizer use and then collect data after behavior change. One idea was to have residents pledge to reduce lawn care chemicals and salt use. Jane suggested on asking people how much they use now and then after education Katie said maybe this could be a Polco survey. The Green Corp Member, Jes, did a survey of residents. We should revisit the results. Jane suggested that future tabling could include SWCD programs and the city’s rebates for native seeds and rain gardens. There will be opportunities with the lawns to legumes program. c. Volunteer Opportunities (e.g., RHS students) RHS teacher Alison Driessen who has partnered with us in the past for garlic mustard and buckthorn removal in Carroll’s Woods and the Earth Day Litter Clean-up is now one of the staff with RHS NHS and would very much like to find volunteer opportunities for her students. Someone needs to let the city’s Volunteer Coordinator Diane know about this. John said maybe we could come up with ideas in the future. NEXT MEETING AGENDA FOR DECEMBER 17, 2019 • Earth Day activities • Goal setting for 2020 • Establishing an adopt a pond program • Staff to get REST information on what will be sustainable about a new athletic facility. ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES November 19, 2019 ANNOUNCEMENTS Avery Hildebrand from Conservation MN attended the meeting. He will send us a list of all the names of commissions. Putting on a commission conference on April 18th. If anyone wants to be on the steering committee let Avery know. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn 7:00 pm by John Smit, Second by Vanessa Demuth. Ayes: 6 Nays: 0. Motion carried. Next Task Force Meeting December 19th, 2019. Respectfully submitted, Vanessa Demuth Task Force Member