12/14/2010 - Energy and Environment Advisory CommissionMINUTES OF THE EAGAN
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
DECEMBER 14, 2010
A regular meeting of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Conunission was held on
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Those present were was James Casper, Bruce Goff, Jeff
LeClair, Salman Mitha, Amir Nadav, Wade Olsen and Kari Palmer. Also present was Assistant to
the City Administrator Miller.
AGENDA
LeClair made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Palmer seconded the motion. All
members voted in favor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Palmer made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2010 regular meeting of
the Energy and Environment Commission as presented. Casper seconded the motion. All members
voted in favor.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
COMMUNICATIONS UPDATE
Miller noted an article appeared in the September /October 2010 edition of the Experience
Eagan newsletter focusing on the efforts of the EEAC and, it is anticipated, that articles will appear
in future Experience Eagan newsletters or Eagan Business News regarding the Commission and
City's efforts in the GreenStep Cities Program.
It was also noted that an article appeared in the Star Tribune featuring the City of Eagan and
the GreenStep Cities Program.
GREENSTEP CITIES PROGRAM
Chair Goff introduced the item giving background on the subcommittee that was formed to
partner with students from a Sustainability Capstone Course through the University of Minnesota in
support of the City of Eagan's participation in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program.
Commissioner LeClair gave background on the GreenStep Cities Program and Best
Practices and noted the City adopted a resolution on August 17, 2010 to participate in the GreenStep
Cities Program. LeClair then presented the report to the Cornnission. He stated Eagan has
completed 18 Best Practices and 4 actions are still required by the City to complete.
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December 14, 2010
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The Commission discussed the report and the next steps for consideration based on the
findings presented in the GreenStep Cities' report. Miller noted that the next action would be to
input data from the spreadsheet on to the GreenStep Cities' website. She also noted GreenStep
Cities' staff will then confine Eagan's findings, or make suggestion on areas where the City needs
to do additional work to reach a specific best practice.
Miller noted that the City of Eagan will be recognized at the June 2011 League of Minnesota
Cities Conference and she stated more information regarding the recognition will be forthcoming.
PRESENTATION BY TOM COLBERT, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
Goff introduced the item along with Public Works Director Tom Colbert who was invited to
give an overview on the sustainability efforts currently underway in the Public Works Department.
Director Colbert gave an overview of the Public Works Department noting its 3 divisions;
Engineering, Street Maintenance and Utilities. His presentation also included statistics of the City
relating to miles of streets, trails, lakes, ponds and gallons of pumped water. He discussed efforts
relating to these areas which included infrastructure, water resource management, sanitary sewer
(conveyance), inflow & infiltration, structural and operational maintenance of streets and trails.
Questions generated from the Commission were related to rain gardens, signal lights,
sidewalk installation, plowing of sidewalks /trails, roundabouts and the Robert Street Corridor.
LEAD NON - ATTAINMENT FINDING AT GOPHER RESOURCE
Miller introduced the item stating that in November, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency declared a portion of Eagan as being among 16 areas in the nation having too much lead in
the air. She stated since November, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the
Minnesota Department of Health have reassured the community that the MPCA and Gopher
Resource are taking the appropriate steps to bring Gopher Resource in compliance with the new
National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Commissioner Palmer, who works for the MPCA, provided a presentation and brief
overview to the Commission on the issue of lead non- attairunent findings near Gopher Resource.
She noted that the lead concentration standard has been lowered which has now put Gopher
Resource over the standard limit.
COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
Miller introduced the item stating the results of the community survey administered by
Decision Resources to approximately 400 residents had overwhelmingly positive results across the
board. Miller noted to Commissioners the survey questions pertaining to recycling, energy and the
environment.
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December 14, 2010
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DAKOTA VALLEY RECYCLING GREEN TEAM AND BUSINESS AUDIT GRANT
PROPOSAL
Miller introduced the item stating Dakota Valley Recycling has submitted a grant proposal
to Dakota County seeking funds for a new two -step recycling education program for local
businesses. She further stated Dakota Valley Recycling should be notified by the end of the year as
to whether they were successful in obtaining the grant. Miller noted these programs will meet the
best practice requirements of the GreenStep Cities Program.
The Commission discussed the Shoe Recycling Program that took place in November and
discussed ways they could encourage the community to participate next year.
GEOTHERMAL TOUR AND CELEBRATION AT THE EAGAN CIVIC ARENA
Miller stated the Geothermal Tour and Celebration event that was scheduled for Saturday,
December 11, 2010, was cancelled because of snow.
JANUARY 1S, 2011 EEAC WORKSHOP
Goff made a motion to hold an EEAC workshop on January 18, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in
Conference Room 2A & 2B; Olsen seconded the motion. All members voted in favor.
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by LeClair, seconded by Mitha, the meeting adjourned at 8:31 p.m. All
members voted in favor.
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