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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Environmental & Sustainability Commission Meeting: March 17, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Environment and Sustainability AGENDA SECTION:
Commission Bylaws Old Business
PREPARED BY: Brian Erickson, P.E., Director of Public
AGENDA NO. 5.c.
Works/City Engineer
ATTACHMENTS: Ordinance; Draft Bylaws APPROVED BY: BLE
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Discuss, update and approve bylaws.
BACKGROUND:
The Rosemount City Council established the Environment and Sustainability Commission (ESC) at their
February 4, 2020 meeting. As one of the first items of business the ESC should establish bylaws as
appropriate. Prior to the establishment as a commission the Rosemount Environment and Sustainability
Task Force (REST) had approved bylaws.
Staff has reviewed and made some changes regarding the REST bylaws; however, there should be some
discussion regarding these to ensure that they appropriately govern the conduct of the commission.
As noted in the ordinance and bylaws the commission consists of 7 members with their end of term dates
as shown in the table below. Appointment of new members is anticipated at the April 7 Council meeting.
Name End of Term
Vanessa Demuth 3/31/2020
Vacant (formerly John Smith) 3/31/2020
Renee Burman 3/31/2021
Katherine Koch-Laveen 3/31/2021
Nathan Marks 3/31/2021
Karen Malkowski 3/31/2022
Victoria Schlautman 3/31/2022
SUMMARY:
Staff recommends the ESC review and approve the bylaws governing the conduct of the commission in its
duties.
C:\\Users\\jab\\AppData\\Local\\Temp\\5.c. Bylaws_591104\\5.c. Bylaws.docx
Environment and Sustainability Commission By-laws
I. DEFINITION
The Environment and Sustainability was established by the City of Rosemount City Council
on February 4, 2020.
II. PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of the Commission is to advise the City Council on issues related to the
sustainability, environment stewardship and opportunities for advancement on those
fronts. The commission shall recommend any policies and initiatives to the City Council that
enhance and preserve the environment and natural resources.
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 Commission 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. Members are
encouraged to volunteer at community engagement events such as 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
III. MEMBERSHIP
The Commission consists of 7 members and 1 youth member, all of whom shall be residents
of the City of Rosemount, appointed by the City Council. The term of Commission members
is three years, ending at the March meeting. Commission 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 Commission shall give a written notice of
resignation to the Chair and city staff representative. The Chair shall present the resignation
to the Commission at its next meeting.
V. ATTENDANCE
Regular Attendance. Regular attendance at meetings by all voting members is necessary if
the Commission 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 Commission
members can vote a member out 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
Commission, but currently are scheduled for the third Tuesday of each month.
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
Commission 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. City staff will prepare the minutes after each meeting.
F. Report to City Council. The Commission 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
Chair Person. The Chair Person shall preside over all meetings and be selected annually by
the members, typically at the April meeting each year. The Chair Person may assign specific
tasks to members, with the consent of the members, establish subcommittees and assist
with developing meeting agendas.
Vice Chair Person. The Vice Chair Person shall preside over meetings in the absence of the
Chair Person.
Staff. A city staff representative shall distribute the agenda packet to each member prior to
the meeting either electronically or paper version.