09/11/2012 - Energy and Environment Advisory CommissionMEETING NOTES OF THE
EAGAN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 11, 2012
A regular meeting of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Commission was held
on Tuesday September 11, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. Those present were Amir Nadav, Jeff LeClair, Jon
Drucker, Kari Palmer, Michael Wisniewski, and Tim Harder. Ross Bintner was not present.
Staff present were Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation, Russ Matthys,
Director of Public Works, Cherryl Mesko, Superintendent of Operations, and Amy Grannes,
Office Supervisor.
AGENDA
Member Palmer moved to approve the agenda as presented, Member Drucker seconded
with all present members voting in favor.
MEETING NOTES OF AUGUST 13, 2012 WORKSHOP
Member Harder moved, Member Palmer seconded with all present members voting in
favor to approve the August 13, 2012 workshop meeting notes as presented.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard.
PRESENTATION
Russ Matthys, Director of Public Works, provided a presentation on street sweeping and
winter street maintenance operations. Summary of the presentation is as follows. The City
performs various types of street sweeping. Spring and fall sweeping of the edges only on the
collector and neighborhood streets, Water Quality sweeping twice yearly the entire width of the
street, newly sealcoated streets and bituminous milling areas. The City has three sweepers either
vacuum or broom types. For the City winter maintenance they have 9 types of trucks with plows
and will plow street after 2” or more of snow has fallen. For a typical 6” – 8” snow fall it takes
the City approximately 10 hours for complete snow removal covering 14 routes. Director
Matthys reviewed of the methods deicing along with the equipment and materials use. EEAC
would like a follow-up from Public Works on how effective the use of sugar beet juice is at the
end of this winter season. EEAC would also like follow-up from Public Works on how
environmental factors are judged in a cost-benefit decisions regarding the use of chemicals for
snow removal. Public Works offered the EEAC a tour of the facilities at an undetermined future
date.
OLD BUSINESS
There are no old business items that require action by the Advisory Commission
at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Establish subcommittee organization Member and focus to meet the City Council
approved 2012/2013 work plan and goals.
Ordinance subcommittee, which consists of Member Nadav, Member Drucker, and
Member Wisniewski. The committee current goal is to finish up with the landscaping ordinance
model and then to provide the information to the City Clerk and City Attorney for review. Then
the next focus will be on solar power. Member Nadav will be gathering the state guidelines on
best practices, zoning requirements, and working with utilities.
PACE subcommittee, which consists of Member Bintner, Member Nadav, and Member
Harder. Per subcommittee, recommendation is ready for the City Council it will need to
packaged for the Council meeting October 16th, 2012.
Marketing/Communications subcommittee, which consists of Member Palmer, Member
Drucker, and Member Harder. Member LeClair requested a list of communication outlets along
with guidelines on postings, per Director Johnson this will be provided by staff.
Coal tar subcommittee, which consists of Member Palmer, Member Drucker, and
Member Bintner. Recommend measures to the City of Eagan and its constituents to consider
eliminating the use of coal tar sealers through prohibition of its use within the city and
educational efforts to promote alternatives. Committee will focus on gathering information from
existing resources and generating a model ordinance.
Water conservation subcommittee, which consists of Member Nadav and Member
Bintner. Review public works water utility investments and water conservation ordinances and
recommend changes or initiatives to the City of Eagan and its constituents to support GreenSteps
best practices. Consider participating in the Water Sense Program to help educate residents and
businesses on ways to save water. Director Johnson reminded the commission that the City is
currently participating in a program with the Urban Land Institute that covers water conservation
as part of its research, Member LeClair motion to delay the subcommittee work until the
beginning of 2013, Member Harder seconded, with the caveat that if something arose from the
well reports a motion would be made to bring this committee back to the current agenda, all
present members voting in favor. Member LeClair requested a copy of the well reports from
Public Works for full committee review at next regular meeting. Director Johnson will speak to
Public Works to obtain a copy of these reports for the Commission.
Member Palmer request setting up a workshop before the next Commission meeting on
October 9, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to discuss the well reports from Public Works. All
members present in agreeence on scheduling a workshop one hour prior on to the next meeting.
Member Nadav discussed the need for a subcommittee for waste reduction and providing
information on hauler rates. Director Johnson indicated the staff will provide the necessary
information to the Commission as needed.
SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES
Member Nadav provided and update from the Ordinance subcommittee regarding
renewable energy. The subcommittee held a meeting on September 3rd to review written input
from City staff regarding the model ordinance for landscaping and maintenance of vegetation.
At his meeting all information and feedback was incorporated into one document for the
Commissions’ review. Committee to focus on the residential piece and to revisit the commercial
piece at a different time. Member LeClair questioned the need for safety railing on planter beds
that are over 36” inches in height, should or would this be a requirement. Provide the list of
items changes vs. consolidation from City code and request clarification from the Fire
Department on set back requirements. Director Johnson indicated at this point the ordinance
document should be sent to the City Clerk’s and City Attorney’s for further review.
Member Nadav provided an update on the Property Assessed Clean Energy Program
(PACE)/funding for renewable energy and efficiency. Committee is ready to recommend to the
City Council to authorize staff to develop and execute a PACE program that secures financing
for energy efficiency and renewal energy via voluntary property tax special assessments.
Recommendation only applies to commercial and industrial businesses. Member Harder
motioned to recommend to City Council that they authorize and direct city staff to develop and
launch an initial PACE program, Member Wisniewski seconded, with all present members
voting in favor.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORT
Director Johnson indicated that items: Incorporating sustainability education at Home
and Leisure Show and Compost/Recycling Project at ECC and Market Fest are not time
sensitive and maybe tabled until the next meeting if the Commission so chooses. Due to
time constraints a motion was made by Member LeClair made a motion to delay item until
next meeting, Member Palmer seconded, with all present members voting in favor.
ROUNDTABLE
Member Nadav mentioned there are two open houses this week regarding the Robert Street
corridor transit way alternatives analysis they are looking for public opinion for what occurs in the
corridor on September 12th from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Dakota County northern service center room 110. The
second open house scheduled September 16th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Wellstone Center, more
information at www.robertstreettransit.com. Event in Eagan on September 20th at the Wescott Library
presented by the Metropolitan Council looking for long term investments plans over the next 30 years.
They are looking for feedback from residents and business owners. Meeting will be held in the lower
level meeting room and please RSVP to (651) 602-1140.
ADJOURNMENT
After further brief discussion, Member Bitner moved, Member Harder seconded with all
members present voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m.
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Date Secretary