Loading...
12/13/2011 - Energy and Environment Advisory CommissionENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION WORKSHOP I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE II. ADOPTION OF AGENDA III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES IV. VISITORS TO BE HEARD V. PRESENTATION A. B3 Utility Tracking Program for City Buildings VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Communications Update B. Recommendation for Allocating Remaining Recycling Funds VII. NEW BUSINESS A. Committee Updates/Reports 1. GreenStep City Update /Posting to the City's Website 2. Community Outreach/Sustainability Data for the City's Website 3. Complete Streets 4. Funding Mechanisms for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency/PACE Bonds. 5. Review of City Ordinances Related to Renewable Energy VIII. STAFF /COMMISSIONER REPORT A. MnTAP Organics Grant at the Eagan Community Center IX. ROUNDTABLE X. ADJOURNMENT AGENDA TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2011 7:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 4 4 * City of Evan MeMo TO: THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION (EEAC) FROM: JULIE SEYDELL JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION DATE: DECEMBER 7, 2011 SUBJECT: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 13, 2011 A meeting of the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) will take place on Tuesday, December 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. To ensure that a quorum is present, please contact Juli Seydell Johnson at 651- 675 -5006 or jsjohnson@cityofeagan.com if you are unable to attend this meeting. I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE II. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The agenda, as presented or modified, is in order for adoption by the Commission. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the October 11, 2011 EEAC meeting are enclosed on pages `f through t . These minutes, pending any modifications, are in order for adoption by the Commission. IV. VISITORS TO BE HEARD The Eagan City Council and its Commissions set aside up to ten minutes at the beginning of public meetings to permit visitors to address items of interest that are not addressed on the regular agenda. Items that will take more than ten minutes or that require specific action can be scheduled for a future meeting agenda. V. PRESENTATION A. Cherryl Mesko, City of Eagan – B3 Initiative — Cherryl is the Superintendent of Operations and manages the City's revenue facilities (Community Center /Civic Arena and Cascade Bay) as well as the coordinated oversight of Government Buildings. She will update the Commission on the B3 initiative that has been recently re- introduced and implemented for most City buildings. VI. OLD BUSINESS A. Communications Update —Per the request of the Commission, a standing agenda item has been added to announce and discuss communication initiatives within the City addressing issues pertinent to the EEAC. The staff within Communications welcomes any suggested stories ideas or areas of focus for the Experience Eagan newsletter or Eagan Business News, and will consider the suggestions as space and scheduling permits. Currently the Green Business Workshop held in September is being replayed on Channel 16 and is also available online B. Recommendation for Allocating Remaining Recycling Funds —Under former Dakota County rules, solid waste /recycling grant dollars received but not allocated could be carried over by a City for future use. While this system is no longer in place (i.e. funds must now be allocated in the year they were awarded), the City has been carrying an account for several years with $13,200 in remaining solid waste /recycling funds. The City, per the advice of the City's auditors, would like to develop a plan by the end of 2011 on how to allocate and /or dedicate the funds. The Commission is asked to brainstorm possible efforts that this funding could support, recognizing that the funds must be used for solid waste and/or recycling purposes in accordance with the grant provisions. Ideas for events and or efforts suggested by staff from Dakota Vally Recycling included: 1.) Composting bins or rain barrels (subsidies to purchase, event to promote /sell, etc.); 2.) A light bulb collection/ CFL trade event at The Recycling Zone; 3.) Partner with businesses and /or schools to recycle plastic bags; or, 4.) Model a program after the City of Dallas' "Cease the Grease" to encourage recycling of cooking oil (especially around Thanksgiving when the haulers have particular difficulty with grease). This item was introduced at the October 11 meeting and the Commission tabled the item until the December meeting for further discussion. VII. NEW BUSINESS A. COMMITTEE UPDATES/REPORTS 1. GreenStep City Update/Posting to the City's Website (Jeff, Amir, and Wade) — The Committee is welcome to provide an update on any discussions held to date. 2. Community Outreach /Sustainability Data for the City's Website (Bruce, Mari, and Salman) —The Committee is welcome to provide an update on any discussions held to date regarding a content management strategy for the City's website, including any data to be disseminated, resource options, partnerships, etc. to strengthen the City's web resources in the areas of energy and environmental sustainability. 3. Complete Streets —No update at this time. Per the direction of the City Council, a meeting will be held with the Chairs from each advisory commission and the Council's Public Works Committee at the time that the State approves the Complete Street standards (likely in 2012). 2 4. Funding Mechanisms for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency/PACE Bonds (Salman and Amir) —The Committee is welcome to provide an update on any discussions held to date. 5. Review of City Ordinances Related to Renewable Energy (Wade, Kari and Amir) - The Committee and Director Johnson met with Chief Building Official Dale Schoeppner and Senior Code Enforcement Technician Mary Granley on December 2. The committee report is included on pages Y through /0 . Committee members will provide further information and discussion points that brought them to the identification of potential next steps. VIII. STAFF /COMMISSIONER REPORT A. MnTAP Organics Grant at the Eagan Community Center - In October the Council was made aware of a $39,000 grant awarded to MnTAP from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a food utilization and food waste management plan for event centers in the City of Eagan. Eagan offered support of the project at the time the grant application was submitted as it aligns with the City's environmental goal by reducing waste, and it also demonstrates a best practice in the GreenStep City Program. After meeting with City Staff, MnTAP will begin this pilot study at the ECC. The first step begins with the gathering and labeling of all garbage by area within the building. The collection will begin Saturday, December 3 and conclude on Friday, December 9. There will be no garbage pickup during this time and MnTAP staff will be on -site December 8 and 9 to sort through, categorize and weigh all the contents of the bags of garbage for their pilot study to help develop options or opportunities for further waste reduction. ECC staff has been trained on the collection of garbage and have information about the project to respond to questions that might be asked. The sort will be conducted in the loading dock area and out of view of renters so there should be no interruption to normal rental activity. IX. ROUNDTABLE The Roundtable is scheduled as an opportunity for Commissioners to ask questions, make requests for future agenda items, or provide informative updates to the Commission pertaining to energy and environment initiatives. X. ADJOURNMENT /s /Juli Seydell Johnson Director of Parks and Recreation MINUTES OF THE EAGAN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 11, 2011 A regular meeting of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Commission was held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Ross Bintner, Jeff LeClair, Salman Mitha, Amir Nadav and Kari Palmer. Absent were Bruce Goff and Wade Olsen. Also present was Assistant City Administrator Miller. AGENDA Assistant City Administrator Miller added Item F. to the agenda under the Staff — Commissioner Report; EPA Organics Grant. Palmer made a motion to approve the agenda as amended. Mitha seconded the motion. All members voted in favor. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Palmer noted the minutes should reflect Ross Bintner in place of Chair Goff on the subcommittee charged with making a recommendation on the presence of an energy and environment page /section on the City's website. Palmer made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 15, 2011 regular meeting of the Energy and Environment Commission as amended. Bintner seconded the motion. All members voted in favor. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. PRESENTATION — TIM EIAN, TE STUDIO Vice Chair LeClair introduced Tim Eian, founder of the TE Studio, and welcomed him on behalf of the Commission to speak at the EEAC meeting regarding the Passive House design. Mr. Eian discussed low operating costs and retrofitting options for existing homes using the Passive House design standards. He also discussed an integrated holistic and performance -based design approach and spoke on building sustainability. His presentation compared an active house versus a passive house. Mr. Eian answered questions by the Commission. The Commission thanked Mr. Eian for his presentation to the Commission. COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE LeClair stated per the request of the Commission, a communications update has been added as a standing agenda item to announce and discuss communication initiatives within the City addressing issues pertaining to the EEAC. Energy and Environment Commission October 11, 2011 Page 2 of 4 Miller stated the Green Business Workshop held in September, which received very good feedback, is being replayed on Channel 16 and is also available online. 2011 -2012 ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION WORK PLAN Miller introduced the item noting Chair Goff prepared a work plan intended to be used as a working document. Miller also noted the committees that were formed at the August EEAC meeting. Nadav volunteered to be a part of the Review of City Ordinances/Procedures subcommittee. The Commission voiced no other changes to the work plan. COMMITTEE UPDATES/REPORTS GREENSTEP CITY UPDATE/POSTING TO THE CITY'S WEBSITE (Jeff, Amir and Wade) Miller introduced the item and stated as an outcome of the committee's work, the revised GreenStep Cities Report shows that the City of Eagan meets the requirements to be considered a Step III GreenStep City. Miller also stated the GreenStep Report and the link to the City's entries on the GreenStep City website have been included on the City of Eagan's website in an effort to educate and communicate the City's GreenStep efforts to the community. Miller added that staff is awaiting confirmation from MPCA staff that Eagan has indeed achieved the necessary best practices to meet the Step III designation. COMMUNITY OUTREACH/SUSTAINABILITY DATA FOR THE CITY'S WEBSITE (Ross, Kari and Salman) Miller introduced the item stating the committee has been working on a content management strategy for the City's website, including any data to be disseminated, resource options, partnerships, etc. to strengthen the City's web resources in the areas of energy and environmental sustainability. Mitha stated that the committee is just beginning its work and will have a further update at the December Commission meeting. COMPLETE STREETS Miller introduced the item stating there was no update at this time. She further stated, per the direction of the City Council, a meeting will be held with the Chairs of each Advisory Commission and the Council's Public Works Committee at the time that the State approves the Complete Street standards, which will likely be in 2012. FUNDING MECHANISMS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY/PACE BONDS (Salman and Amir) Mitha gave an overview of PACE bonds. Mitha discussed funding options for renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements. The Commission discussed the next steps and suggested gathering information on the proposed market in Eagan for the use of PACE bonds and partnering with the Dakota County Community Development Agency and other cities for cost effective energy saving opportunities. Energy and Environment Commission October 11, 2011 Page 3 of 4 At the request of the Commission, the committee agreed to further synthesize their recommendations for discussion at the December Commission meeting. RECOMMENDATION FOR ALLOCATING REMAINING RECYCLING FUNDS Miller introduced the item and stated in preparation for tonight's meeting, she met with staff from Dakota Valley Recycling to brainstorm a possible event/effort(s) for the EEAC to consider regarding the approximate $13,000 in remaining solid waste grant funds. Miller noted that the funds must be used for solid waste and /or recycling purposes in accordance with the grant provisions. By consensus of the Commission, this item will be discussed at the December EEAC meeting. STAFF /COMMISSIONER REPORT EPP GUIDELINES AND COMPLETE STREET RESOLUTION Miller introduced the item noting the City Council formally approved both the EPP guidelines and the Complete Streets Resolution at the September 6, 2011 City Council meeting. Miller stated the EPP guidelines are currently being incorporated into the City's purchasing policy, and staff is being educated on the new guidelines. The Commission discussed data from the report. B3 UPDATE Miller stated the City's historic utility data has been entered into the MPCA's B3 system and staff is now fully utilizing the system. Miller noted a demonstration on the program could be scheduled for a future EEAC meeting. ENERGY SAVINGS AT THE SOUTH WATER TREATMENT PLANT Miller introduced the item regarding the energy savings at the South Water Treatment Plan as a result of energy efficiency projects completed during the recent remodeling of the plant. Miller noted that the installation of new variable speed pumps and a high efficiency backwash treatment system were significant to realizing energy savings at the facility. MINNESOTA GREENCORPS VOLUNTEER UPDATE Miller stated that in August, the City learned that the 2012 GreenCorp Program had not received funding, but since that time a funding arrangement has been worked out and Dakota County was awarded a GreenCorp volunteer in partnership with the cities of Eagan, Apple Valley and Burnsville. Miller further stated that the County anticipates that approximately ten hours per week of the intern's time will be allocated to the three cities starting in late December or early January. EEAC STAFFING TRANSITION Miller stated, as noted at the August Commission meeting, that Juli Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation, will become the staff liaison to the EEAC starting after tonight's meeting as a result of reorganization of staff duties. Miller thanked the commission for the opportunity to work with them. The Energy and Environment Commission October 11, 2011 Page 4 of 4 Commission thanked Assistant City Administrator Miller for her excellent work and welcomed Director Johnson. EPA ORGANICS GRANT Miller introduced the item stating the University of Minnesota Technical Assistance Program has received a grant from the EPA to do an organics pilot project with the City of Eagan. They are looking to partner with two event centers to redirect food waste, in particular. She stated more information about the program will be available at a later date. ROUNDTABLE Nadav gave a brief overview of the DVR Green Business Workshop he attended in September. He further stated for future agendas he would like to discuss the B -3 system and data on our city buildings. Bintner noted he will be touring the Prairie Island Plant and also noted there is a Water Resource Conference coming up and Eagan's staff member, Eric Macbeth, is on the agenda as a presenter. ADJOURNMENT Upon motion by Nadav, seconded by Mitha, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. All members voted in favor. DATE SECRETARY Solar Energy Recommended next steps: Ordinances Subcommittee Report On Dec. 2, 2011 the ordinances subcommittee met with Dale Schoeppner, Chief Building Official, Mary Granley, Senior Code Enforcement Technician and Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks & Recreation and staff to the Energy & Environment Advisory Commission. The following summarizes the items discussed and proposed next steps: Solar energy systems are defined in Sec. 13.04 of city code and are permitted in the city of Eagan. The city code, however, lacks a section dedicated to solar energy. Guidelines and standards specific to solar energy system design, size, setbacks, pole- mounted options, and more do not exist and are applied based on applicability of other sections of city code. A permit fee schedule is also not currently available. City code directs the planning commission and city council to consider possible solar energy use during subdivision platting, however a city handbook on solar access does not exist. • Section 13.04 Definitions: o Solar energy system means a set of devices whose primary purpose is to collect solar energy and convert and store it for useful purposes, including heating and cooling of buildings and other energy using processes, or to produce generated power by means of any combination of collecting, transferring or converting solar generated energy. o Solar skyspace means the space between a solar collector and the sun which must be free of obstructions that shade the collector to an extent which precludes its cost effective operation. • Section 13.20 Subd. 6 Findings related to preliminary and final plats. In the case of all platting, the planning commission and the council shall be guided by criteria, including the following, in approving, denying or establishing conditions related thereto: o I. That the subdivision has been properly planned for possible solar energy system use within the subdivision or as it relates to adjacent property. (Refer to city handbook on solar access.) • Clarify current city code parameters that apply to the design and installation of solar energy systems. • Work with city staff to create handbook on solar access referenced in city code. • Propose changes to current city code guidelines and restrictions on solar energy system use, culminating in the possible adoption of a self - contained solar energy ordinance. ® Establish and publish a permit fee schedule for solar energy systems ® Create a page on the city website that clearly outlines the process for installing solar energy systems, the various standards to be followed, and links to state, federal tax incentives and utility rebates. Landscaping, Turf Management, and Vegetable Gardens In response to requests from businesses, city staff has prepared low maintenance mowing standards, which were shared with the EEAC about a year ago. The city does not directly regulate vegetable gardens, however code requirements pertaining to setbacks, fencing and other items do apply. Several rain gardens exist in Eagan. The City website contains some information on rain gardens, lawn maintenance and watering, which the subcommittee did not yet have the opportunity to explore in depth. The subcommittee has not reviewed information specific to planting and maintaining native plants. Recommended Next Steps: ® Provide input on Low Maintenance Mowing Standards, if needed. ® Clarify city requirements pertaining to turf management and locating and maintaining vegetable gardens and native plants. ® Propose changes to existing code or adoption of a sustainable landscaping ordinance, if desired. ® Create a page 011 the city website that clearly outlines permitted sustainable and edible landscaping and vegetation practices, with information on standards or requirements and links to helpful resources. Geothermal Geothermal, or ground - source, heating and cooling systems are permitted in the city of Eagan. Based on current understanding, city code does not address geothermal systems. Geothermal systems require a well permit from the state. A city permit may or may not be required and a city permit fee schedule does not exist. Recommended Next Steps: ® Clarify process for installing geothermal systems and whether any existing elements in city code apply. ® Clarify whether city permits are required for the installation of a geothermal system, and if so, establish and publish a permit fee schedule. ® Create a page on the city website that clearly outlines the process for installing geothermal energy systems, the various standards to be followed, and links to state, federal tax incentives and utility rebates. Wind Energy Systems Section 11.70 Subd. 26 of city code specifically addresses wind energy conversion systems. The code currently permits systems meeting specific criteria in agricultural, industrial (I -1 and I -2), public facility (PF) and industrial planned development (PD) districts. Wind energy systems are not currently permitted in residential and commercial areas and city code does not distinguish between different size turbines. The ordinance limits system height to 100 feet, and includes requirements pertaining to setbacks, color, location, noise and signage, among others. Recommended next steps: ® Consider the appropriateness of wind energy systems in commercial and residential districts, revising height restriction, and developing ordinance requirements tailored to different size systems. ® Recommend modifications to existing ordinance. ® Establish and publish a permit fee schedule for wind energy systems. ® Create a page on the city website that clearly outlines the process for installing wind energy systems and the various standards to be followed, and links to state, federal tax incentives and utility rebates. Electric and Low - Emission Vehicles The subcommittee briefly discussed with staff issues pertaining to plug -in electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel vehicles. Staff has been monitoring these issues.