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12/10/2013 - Energy and Environment Advisory CommissionENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, December 10th, 2013, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Council Chambers Agenda I. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance 7:00 p.m. II. Adopt Agenda 7:02 p.m. III. Approval of Minutes of the Joint Meeting with the APrC on October 8, 2013 7:03 p.m. & the Regular Meeting on October 8, 2013 IV. Visitors to be Heard 7:08 p.m. V. Director Updates 7:10 p.m. VI. Old Business 7:20 p.m. A. Goal Review VII. New Business 7:40 p.m. VIII. Roundtable 7:50 p.m. XI. Adjournment 8:00 p.m. The City of Eagan is committed to the policy that all persons have equal access to its programs, services, activities, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or status with regard to public assistance. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons wishing to participate are available upon request at least 96 hours in advance of the event. If a notice of less than 96 hours is received, the City will attempt to provide the aids. NEXT REGULAR ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2013 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO: THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION (EEAC) FROM: JULI SEYDELL JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2013 SUBJECT: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 10, 2013 A meeting of the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) will take place on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 from 7:00 to 9:00 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. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND ROLL CALL II. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The agenda, as presented or modified, is in order for adoption by the Commission. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Pages 2-6 The minutes of the Joint Meeting with the APrC & the Regular Meeting on October 8, 2013, 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. DIRECTOR’S UPDATES – Pages 7-8 Director of Parks and Recreation, Juli Seydell Johnson, will give brief overview of communications regarding various recycling and conservations items received as information and updates for the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission. VI. OLD BUSINESS – Pages 9-10 Energy and Environment Advisory Commission to discuss their goals and subcommittee work, see attached goals for 2013-2014 and subcommittee assignments. VII. NEW BUSINESS There is no new business to discuss at this time. VIII. 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. IX. ADJOURNMENT /s/Juli Seydell Johnson Director of Parks and Recreation Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 1 Subject to Approval EAGAN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY & ADVISORY PARKS COMMISSION JOINT MEETING Tuesday, October 8, 2013 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 14, 2013 A joint meeting of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Commission and the Advisory Parks Commission was held on Tuesday October 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Those present were EEAC Chair Jeff LeClair, Member Amir Nadav, Member Ross Bintner, Member Jon Drucker, and Member Michael Wisniewski, Member William Ische was absent. APrC Member Dorothy Peterson, Member Andrea Todd-Harlin, Member David Wietecki, Member Nathan Neuman, Member Dennis Thompson and Member Jerry Farlee, Chair Michael Palmer was absent. Staff present was City Planner Mike Ridley, Superintendent of Parks Paul Olson, Director of Public Works Russ Matthys and Office Supervisor Amy Grannes. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair LeClair stated there are no changes to the agenda. Member Peterson moved to approve the agenda as presented, Member Todd-Harlin seconded with all present members voting in favor. INTRODUCTION OF COMMISSION MEMBERS & STAFF Chair LeClair started the meeting by asking all members of both Commissions to introduce themselves, state which Commission they are on and for how long, how long they have been an Eagan resident, and what is your occupation. City staff also gave brief introductions to the Commissions. ACTIVE LIVING City Planner Mike Ridley gave a presentation on active living. City Planner Ridley reviewed Eagan and Countywide initiatives with Dakota County, Rosemount, Apple Valley, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield. City Planner Ridley discussed the inclusion of active living concepts into the City’s Comprehensive Guide. After brief discussion and questions for the Commissions this portion of the presentation was complete. Superintendent Paul Olson discussed an active living grant we received from Dakota County for 2011-2012. With these funds we created a trail signage system at many entry points of our parks and we added additional bike racks throughout the park system. After brief discussion and questions for the Commissions this portion of the presentation was complete. COMPLETE STREETS AND TRAILS Director of Public Work Russ Matthys gave a review of our complete streets efforts. During the presentation Director Matthys reviewed complete streets features, benefits, challenges, policy and the City’s future plans. Next Director Matthys gave an overview of our current trail gaps and our methods to prioritize completion of these trails. Director Matthys concluded his presentation with a brief overview of our safe routes to school program. After brief discussion and questions for the Commissions this portion of the presentation was complete. Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 2 Energy and Environment Commission & Advisory Parks Commission Joint Meeting October 8, 2013 Page 2 COMMISSION DISCUSSIONS Member Peterson stated that this was an interesting meeting and we should look at future opportunities to conduct more joint meetings. Member Nadav gave a thank you to staff for all their preparation for this meeting. Member Nadav spoke briefly about requesting more information for future discussion on complete green streets and not just focusing on gray infrastructure. Member Nadav stated that we need more walking paths connecting areas with retails locations and would like this to be more of a consideration for future developments. ADJOURNMENT After further brief discussion, Member Peterson moved, Member Drucker seconded with all members present voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. ____________________________ _______________________________ Date Secretary Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 3 Subject to Approval EAGAN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, October 8, 2013 MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 14, 2013 A regular meeting of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Commission was held on Tuesday October 8, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Those present were Member Nadav, Member LeClair, Member Bintner, Member Drucker, and Member Wisniewski, Member Ische was absent. Staff present was Amy Grannes, Office Supervisor. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair LeClair stated there are no changes to the agenda. Member Bintner moved to approve the agenda as presented, Member Wisniewski seconded with all present members voting in favor. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Member Bintner moved, Member Wisniewski seconded, with all present members voting in favor to approve the minutes of April 9, 2013, as presented. Member Bintner moved, Member Nadav seconded, with all present members voting in favor to approve the minutes of May 14, 2013, as presented. VISITORS TO BE HEARD There were no visitors to be heard. OLD BUSINESS Member Nadav gave a brief overview of the landscaping ordinance committee’s recommendations and questions for the City Council. Member Wisniewski presented photos to the Commission showing examples low maintenance landscaping at various locations in the metro area. After a brief discussion with the Commission, Member Nadav stated the below are the proposed overarching questions for discussion with the City Council: 1. What are the city of Eagan’s goals with respect to landscaping and maintenance of vegetation in residential areas and on the adjacent public right-of-way? 2. To what extent should Eagan residents be allowed to plant vegetation or establish ground cover other than turf grass on their yards? 3. To what extent should permitting processes be applied to landscaping projects? Are clarifications or modifications to existing permitting processes appropriate? After further discussion with Commission Members, Member Bintner moved to forward the subcommittees recommendations as presented, Member Drucker seconded, with all present members voting in favor. Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 4 Energy and Environment Commission October 8, 2013 Page 2 Next Member Bintner gave a brief overview of all information gathered by the water efficiency subcommittee. Member Nadav followed up after the presentation to review the subcommittee’s recommendations for the City Council. The Eagan Energy & Environment Advisory Commission recommends the following items to City Council for consideration:  Adopt a city-wide goal of reducing per capita daily water use 10% by 2020 and 15% by 2025 below a baseline of the average per capita daily water use from 2005 - 2010.  Register the City in the free and voluntary WaterSense partnership program and appoint the water utility to administer program implementation.  Direct the Eagan water utility, with input from the Energy & Environment Advisory Commission, to develop and implement a water conservation plan to achieve or exceed the city’s water reduction goal. After further discussion with Commission Members the first item was amended as follows:  Adopt a city-wide goal of reducing per capita daily water use 10% by 2019 and 25% by 2024 below a baseline of the average per capita daily water use from 2005 - 2010. Commission also amended their presentation for the City Council to include a slide regarding current rate structures. Member Bintner will provide the additional slide to City staff to be added to their original presentation. Member LeClair moved to approve the recommendations as listed above, Member Bintner seconded, with all in favor as amended. Commission Members reviewed the committee assignments as discussed in a previous workshop. Member Nadav requested to change water quality to water resource. The rest of the committee assignments were acceptable by all Commission Members in attendance as listed below: EEAC 2013-2014 Committee Assignments  Landscaping (Ordinance): Jon Drucker, Amir Nadav, Michael Wisniewski  Water Resource: Ross Bintner, Jeff LeClair, Amir Nadav  Waste Haulers: Cover under general meetings  Communications: Jon Drucker, William Ische, Michael Wisniewski  Fleet/Biodiesel: William Ische, Ross Bintner, Jon Drucker  Building Energy: Ross Bintner, Amir Nadav, William Ische  Active Living/Complete Streets: Defer  Solar: Defer Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 5 Energy and Environment Commission October 8, 2013 Page 3 ROUNDTABLE Member Bintner attended an event held by the Urban Land Institute. A hydrologist from the DNR gave a presentation on water conservation and regional ground water supplies. Member Bintner stated it was an excellent presentation and thought it would be good for the Commission to hear. Member Bintner will be forwarding name suggestions to line up a speaker at one of the Commission’s regular meetings. Member Bintner then discussed another presentation he attended on environment initiatives on sustainability for local businesses. Member Nadav gave acknowledgement on the launch of the new City program for property assessed clean energy program. The City is now accepting applications. After brief discussion there were no further items to be discussed at this time. ADJOURNMENT After further brief discussion, Member Drucker moved, Member Wisniewski seconded with all members present voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m. ____________________________ _______________________________ Date Secretary Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 6 AGENDA ITEM: V. Director Updates TO: Energy and Environment Advisory Commission FROM: Director of Parks & Recreation, Juli Seydell Johnson Item 1: Eagan Market Fest Going Green Carnival Statistics Going Green Carnival facts:  Estimated total of 3,311 attendees to Market Fest which is at the high end of our normal sunny day average of 2800-3200 attendees. For last week’s season opening we had 2,600 attendees. Of the 3,311 total attendees, 1,078 attendees entered the Going Green Carnival Area. Ten recycling, compost and trash pods were set up around the grounds with 2 pods specifically in the Going Green Carnival area. The other 8 bins were scattered around the rest of the Festival Grounds.  4.88 pounds of recycling items were collected in the Going Green area; 21.28 pounds of recycling total for Market Fest including the Going Green area bins.  21.56 pounds of compost in the Going Green area. 36.46 pounds of compost total for Market Fest including the Going Green area bins.  A total of 57.74 pounds of recycling and compost were collected and saved from going to the landfill.  As this is the first year of the Going Green theme night, there are not any comparable waste figures. The commission booth saw approximately 170 kids complete the recycled tree medallion projects. Item 2: Regional Indicators Initiate Here is an update for our key partners and all of the twenty initial cities.  We are transitioning from the first full phase of 20 cities with four years of data to 40 cities and six years.  Most of the initial 20 cities have paid the $500 fee for 2012 data. We will send reminders to those who haven’t.  We have started to see a small amount of 2012 data. Please request it if you haven’t already, and remind those you have asked, but haven’t seen data.  For those of you served by Xcel, if you are given a choice between two formats, ask for the one least affected by the 15/15 rule. If you have any questions about that, just let me know. If they will give you both versions, that would be best.  The first of our next 20 cities, Bloomington, has just signed their agreement. We will be targeting another 20 cities to get on board this summer.  We have presented at least once to most of the 20 cities. I will remind you soon if we have not presented in your city.  The website will be live this week. Here is a link for you to review. This is a development site and not the final URL, so please DO NOT share the link. http://lhb.millcreeksoftware.net/.  We have additional funding requests out in order to expand the program to 40 cities over six years, improve and expand the website, and provide a better connection with Green Step Cities.  We were interview by the Star Tribune last week, and feel confident that the web launch will get some coverage. MEMO Date: 12-5-2013 Agenda Item: V. Director Updates Action: Information: X Attachments: Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 7 Item 3: Playground Recycling The City will be partnering with Kids Around the World (KAW) to “recycle” a playground that is being replaced in a City park. This is the second year for this partnership. Last year the playground structure from Wescott Commons Park was recycled, this year a structure from Evergreen Park is being replaced and subsequently recycled. KAW is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 with the goal of making play available to kids everywhere and allowing “kids to be kids”, especially in third world countries. KAW volunteers participate in the removal and arrange for shipping the pieces overseas where other KAW volunteers will reassemble the structure. In the last two years since focusing on refurbished equipment KAW has shipped over 140 recycled playgrounds overseas with nearly 20 coming from the Twin Cities area. Prior to developing the partnership with KAW, the individual metal elements from playgrounds replaced in Eagan parks were recycled with the balance going to the landfills. Because of national standards specific to playground safety the structures cannot be reassembled at other domestic sites. The playground from Wescott Commons was reassembled in India. The destination for the Evergreen structure is still to be determined. Item 4: Recycling/Organics Results at the Eagan Art Festival Message from Leigh Behrens, Recycling Coordinator, City of Eagan regarding the Eagan Art Festival: First of all, thank you so much for letting Dakota Valley Recycling be a part of this fantastic event! We really enjoyed being there and loved all the great recycled art that was showcased. The recycling wheel was a big hit; we handed out about 450 recycled crayons and stickers to attendees over the two days, and talked to many more. The recycling and organics x-frames worked really well from my perspective. We had 9 "stations" of trash, recycling and organics containers. Here's what was collected over the two days: Saturday: Recycling 72.1 lbs, Organics 66.5 lbs Sunday: Recycling 80.6 lbs, Organics 60.4 lbs Total Recycling: 152.7 lbs Total Organics: 126.9 lbs Total waste diverted from the landfill: 279.6 lbs, which is equivalent to about 23 bags of trash! Everyone at the festival seemed to do a great job putting the right materials in the recycling and organics bins. We've found, across all the events at the Festival Grounds, that there is still a lot of opportunity to keep organics from ending up in the garbage. But as we continue to offer the compost option at events I believe people will become more familiar with the idea. Thanks to the partnership at EAF, attendees had that opportunity to learn about it. Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 8 Energy and Environment Advisory Commission Goals and Work Plan 2013-2014 City Council Approved September 3, 2013 1. GOAL 1 Continue to investigate ways in which the GreenSteps Cities program can be enhanced and expanded through policy exploration and use GreenSteps methodology to create and communicate outreach and educational opportunities for the community.  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.  Study and recommend actions with the City to increase active living infrastructure and support implementation of the city's Complete Streets resolution. Conduct a joint meeting with the Advisory Parks Commission to discuss initiatives that align with the City's Complete Streets resolution.  Develop an Energy Efficient Buildings Policy for the operation, maintenance, construction and renovation of buildings owned by City of Eagan. Explore policies and initiatives to promote energy efficiencies for existing and newly constructed/remodeled large Commercial/Industrial buildings within the City.  Review and recommend initiatives and policy changes to encourage the use of low maintenance landscapes on commercial and industrial properties located in Eagan.  Create and maintain a demonstration landscape bed on a highly visible public location that includes edible plants and native, low maintenance species.  Review and recommend initiatives and policy changes that lead to efficiencies and available public information in relation to Waste Hauler operations within the City.  Study best practices and current models for the use and availability of biodiesel in City- owned vehicles and as an available option to residents. 2. GOAL 2 Increase public awareness of the GreensSteps Cities efforts and programs through the use of City publications, City website, social media, City events such as Showcase Eagan and the Home & Leisure show, and other communication opportunities that would be available and approved by the City of Eagan. 3. GOAL 3 Review and recommend changes to City Ordinances to support the initiatives of the GreenSteps program. 4. GOAL 4 Follow-up to Previous EEAC Goals and Initiatives. a. Eagan PACE Financing Program b. Low Maintenance Landscaping Ordinance Changes and Public Information c. Prohibition of the use of Coal Tar Sealers. d. Publishing of Waste Hauler Tier Rate Schedules on City Website e. Review of Policies and Permits Relating to Solar Installations Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 9 EEAC 2013-2014 Subcommittee Assignments  Landscaping (ordinance): Jon, Amir, Mike  Water Quality: Ross, Jeff, Amir  Waste Haulers: Cover under general meetings  Communications: Jon, William, Mike  Fleet/Biodiesel: William, Ross, Jon  Building Energy: Ross, Amir, William  Active Living/Complete Streets: Defer  Solar: Defer Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 10, 2013 Page 10