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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180320 ESTF MinutesENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MARCH 20, 2018 1. 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 March 20, 2018 at 5:32 p.m. in Conference Room 202 of the Steeple Center, 14344 Cameo Ave W, Rosemount. Attendees included Task Force Members: Rebecca Higgins (Chair), Mark Glende, Wade Miller, Renee Burman, Colleen Corrigan, and Katie Koch-Laveen. Staff present: City of Rosemount Senior Engineer Technician Derick Anderson, City of Rosemount Public Works Director Brian Erickson and Rosemount Planer Anthony Nemcek. Residents in attendance: Vanessa DeMuth, Jake Duame and Victoria Schlautman. 2. ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO AGENDA The following items were added to the agenda: approval of the January 2018 meeting minutes and a presentation on the revision of Rosemount’s Comprehensive Plan. Agenda item #5f (Task Force Bylaws Draft revisions) was tabled and recommended for the April meeting. 3. APPROVAL OF JANUARY MINUTES Motion by Burman Second by Glende Ayes: 6 Nays: 0. Motion carried. 4. PRESENTATIONS Anthony Nemcek, provided an update on the revision of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. For the first time, the City of Rosemount plans to include a chapter on Resiliency which will include climate change adaptation initiatives. City staff discussed the draft plan strategies and requested comments from the Task Force within the next months. 5. OLD BUSINESS a. Budget Meeting Review The Mayor requested the Task Force develop a budget for consideration during the 2019 city budget and work plan process. The Task Force met on February 1, 2018 to draft a proposed budget based on priorities presented at the November 21, 2017 City Council meeting. A draft budget is anticipated to be submitted in April. b. Green Corps Application and City Support The Task Force reviewed the City’s draft a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Minnesota GreenCorps Host Site Application. The application requests a GreenCorps member (volunteer) to assist the city with evaluation and research of surface water bodies and then implement public engagement efforts that lower pollution impacts to surface water /storm water bodies – that to go above and beyond state MS4 permit requirements. The March 20, 2018 City Council agenda includes a resolution to submit the application to the MPCA for consideration for a 2018-2019 GreenCorps member. Friends of the Mississippi River and Conservation Minnesota submitted letters of support for the application submittal. c. Alliance for Sustainability - High Ambition Cities Energy Meeting Update Higgins attended and provided an update on the February 18, 2018 High Ambition Cities Energy meeting, hosted by the Alliance for Sustainability. Municipalities and environmental commissions/task forces from across the Twin Cities participated to network and share information on innovative and effective energy and environmental conservation efforts. d. Partners in Energy (PiE) – Meeting Update and Drafting of Action Plan Attendees from the Task Force: Mark Glende, Wade Miller, Vanessa DeMuth, Katie Koch-Laveen, Derick Anderson, Brian Erickson and many businesses sent representatives and City Officials have been participating in workshops to develop short and long-term energy reduction goals and strategies, as part of the PiE project with Xcel Energy. The last community workshop was held on March 19th at the Steeple Center Xcel Energy is working with Task Force members and city staff to develop a PiE Action Plan (e.g., energy conservation plan) for Rosemount that incorporates ideas and feedback obtained during the five workshops that support common sense energy conservation efforts with proven results in the following areas: residential, commercial and municipal leadership. Task Force members reviewed and supported an initial list of priority activities for the Action Plan and recommended the city explore opportunities for additional program implementation resources (e.g., intern, grant assistance, etc.) and clarify the city’s role in sustainable energy conservation implementation initiatives due to concerns over work assigned to the Task Force where it doesn’t have resources. e. Small-Medium Business GREEN Award/Decals Community participants in the PiE workshops suggested the City create a GREEN AWARD to recognize businesses that are energy efficient, reduce energy use through efficient building operation. Glende shared research results of types and costs for possible GREEN AWARD decals and/or stickers. GREEN AWARD eligibility criteria will need to be developed as a next step. f. Home and Business Expo Review The Task Force table at the City’s first Home and Business Expo on March 3, 2018 at the Rosemount Community Center was well received. The booth included information on food waste composting, tips on how to reduce salt use on sidewalks/driveways and an energy-related survey to inform strategies in the PiE Action Plan. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Mascot and T-shirts The Task Force by-laws identify that it is the City Council’s objective for it to “…look for creative ways to engage residents through education…” As part of the effort the Task Force is researching a possible mascot and a T-shirt for Task Force member/volunteers to use when conducting environmental education in the community. Goals for a mascot include that it: 1) be interactive with the public, and 2) reflect the spirit of conserving the environment, and 3) be inclusive/reflect the community population. b. Road Salt Legislation Reduction The Task Force recommended a Resolution of Support regarding “Smart Salting” Legislation. The resolution offers support for state law providing limited liability to commercial salt applicators that are certified through an established voluntary salt applicator certification program. The Resolution of Support is on the March 20, 2018 City Council agenda. c. B3 Benchmark B3 Benchmarking is a state tool for public entities to track, model, and rank/compare energy performance in public buildings. Glende identified that Rosemount is ranked amongst cities with similar public buildings types and sizes, but has opportunities to reduce energy use and save money. It was recommended that the city explore possible cost-saving energy reduction opportunities. 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 8. ADJOURNMENT Move to adjourn 7:13 pm by Glende, second by Koch-Laveen Ayes: 4 Nays: 0. Motion carried. Next Task Force Meeting April 17, 2018.