08/11/2014 - Energy and Environment Advisory CommissionENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Monday, August 11, 2014, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Workshop, Conference Room 1A & 1B
EEAC Workshop Agenda
A. Introductions
B. Presentation by Amir Nadav GreenSteps Cities Step 4
C. Election of Officers
D. Review Commission Meeting Schedule
E. Subcommittee Assignment
a. GreenSteps Cities Updates
b. Building Energy
c. Water Conservation
d. Fleet-Biodiesel/Electric Vehicles/Charging Stations
e. Traffic Efficiencies
F. Review Residential Landscaping Options Handout
G. Correspondence on Lake Information
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, OCTOBER 14, 2014 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
2014-2015 Meeting Schedule
EEAC 2014-2015 Meeting Schedule
June 10, 2014 - Regular Meeting 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Council Chambers
August 11, 2014 – Work Shop with City Council – EEAC Work Shop – Conference Room 1A & 1B
October 14, 2014 – Regular Meeting 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Council Chambers
December 9, 2014 - Regular Meeting 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Council Chambers
February 10, 2015 - Regular Meeting 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Council Chambers
April 14, 2015 - Regular Meeting 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Council Chambers
Note: There may be work shop prior to each regular meeting. This information will be available
closer to the meeting dates.
EEAC Work Shop August 11, 2014 Page 1
Energy and Environment Advisory Commission Goals and Work Plan 2014-2015
City Council Approved TBD
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.
• Update and publish the GreenSteps Cities report with current practices. Coordinate
speakers from GreenSteps Cities to provide information on the new Step 4 that will be
added in 2015.
• Explore policies and initiatives to promote energy efficiencies for existing and newly
constructed/remodeled City Buildings, including exploring biodiesel opportunities for
boilers in City buildings.
• Study and recommend actions for additional water conservation measures and
recommendations. 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 exploring the availability of using biodiesel and adding
electric vehicles to the City fleet. Research options for the installation of charging
stations where applicable for City vehicles and as an option for private residents.
Coordinate speakers by City Staff to discuss current practices and discuss opportunities
for future efficiencies.
• Study and recommend actions for additional opportunities to provide more efficient
traffic flows by adding additional round-abouts, flashing yellow arrow lights, and providing
public education. Coordinate speakers by City Staff to review current practices and
discuss opportunities for future efficiencies.
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.
EEAC Work Shop August 11, 2014 Page 2
3830 Pilot Knob Road
Eagan MN 55122
YARD ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE
Turf and Low Maintenance Options
The City of Eagan would like to provide multiple options for yard establishment and maintenance. The
following handout is written only as a guide; it is not intended nor shall it be considered a complete set of
requirements. If you have specific questions about the establishment or maintenance of your yard, please call
one of the contacts listed below.
ESTABLISHED YARD OPTIONS
All disturbed areas of private property not occupied by buildings, parking or storage areas shall have a form of
vegetation established or be designed in a way to prevent erosion. Property owners may choose to maintain a
turf grass and/or another form of established vegetation, including native landscaping, edible landscaping or
rain gardens.
Turf Grass
Turf grasses are commercially available cultured grass plant varieties, including bluegrass, fescue and
ryegrass blends that are commonly used in regularly cut lawn areas. Different types of turf grasses
have different characteristics and root depths. For example, fine fescue lawns have deeper roots up to
9” in depth, compared to the 1-3” depth of many bluegrass blends.
Required Permits – No permit is required to install turf grass in yards or the public right of way, but
care needs to be taken to control erosion until such time as the turf is established and taken root.
Native Landscaping
Native plants are those that grew in Minnesota prior to European settlement. Native landscaping can
range from using native plants for their decorative value in a flower bed to restoring natural plant
communities such as prairies or oak savanna. As compared to turf grass and non-native ornamental
plants, native vegetation requires less irrigation, fertilizers and pesticides.
When homeowners use native vegetation rather than turf grass, less irrigation water, fertilizers and
chemicals are used, reducing runoff into lakes, streams and rivers. Native vegetation also provides
food and habitat for birds, pollinators and other wildlife.
Required Permits – A Right-of-Way Permit and staff review are required for the installation of
landscaping other than turf grass in the right-of-way of your property.
Edible Landscaping
Edible landscaping refers the incorporation of fruit and vegetable producing plants into landscape in an
attractive manner, appropriate for the front and back yard. Encouraging individuals to grow fruits and
vegetables in their yards increases local food security, ensures access to healthy foods and reduces
unnecessary transportation of foods.
EEAC Work Shop August 11, 2014 Page 3
Required Permits – A Zoning Permit and/or Right-Of-Way Permit may be required. Zoning Permits
are required for the installation of fences, raised garden beds and other structures in the yard. Right-
Of-Way Permits are required for any work in the right-of-way on your property.
Rain Gardens
Rain gardens are designed to collect and infiltrate storm water that runs off of roofs and pavement,
preventing it from entering the storm sewer system and polluting lakes, streams and rivers. Rain
gardens consist of shallow depressions with loosened sub-soils, planted with native plants, garden
perennials and/or shrubs that are adapted to moist conditions and that have deep roots to help storm
water seep into the ground quickly. Encouraging homeowners to construct rain gardens is an important
way for a community to protect surface water resources and recharge ground water.
Required Permits – The installation of a rain garden may require a Right-Of-Way Permit. Contact
Eagan Water Resources at (651) 675-5300 for additional information about design and installation of a
rain gardens.
TREES
Trees are an important part of a property and the community and choosing a tree for long-term landscape
requires careful planning. Property owners should select tree species that are suitable to specific site
conditions.
Planting Near the Public Right-of-Way
Trees planted near the public right-of-way require staff review and approval. It is important that trees
be planted so as to avoid utility locations and drainage areas. Certain tree species are encouraged
near the public right-of-way.
Recommended Tree Species
- Oak species, including bur, white, bi-color, pin and northern red
- Hackberry
- Maple species including red, Norway and sugar
- Honeylocust
- Kentucky coffee tree
- Disease-resistant elms
- Gingko (male only)
- Ohio Buckeye
- Crabapple
- Japanese Tree Lilac
Prohibited Tree Species
- Gingko (female)
- Boxelder
- Non-disease-resistant elms
- Cottonwood
- Ash
- Coniferous (evergreen) trees, such as spruce or pine
EEAC Work Shop August 11, 2014 Page 4
Planting Suggestions
- With Minnesota weather, trees should be both winter-hardy and tolerant of summer heat and
drought conditions.
- Plant several species of tree to avoid large-scale tree loss from future disease or pests
- Assess above-ground structures that may interfere with tree growth and review proposed new tree
locations for potential sight-line issues
Required Permits – The planting of trees in the public right-of-way requires a Landscaping in the
Public Right-of-Way permit. Contact Forestry at (651) 675-5300 for additional information. Prior to
digging, contact Gopher State One Call at (651) 454-0002 to locate underground utilities in your
property.
SMART WATERING
With watering of any type of vegetation, it is important to take steps that best use the water we have available.
Lawn Soils
Tight soils limit deep growth of roots, prevent water from soaking into the ground, and make lawns
susceptible to drought stress. A “core-plug” aerator” effectively loosens compacted lawn soils. Self -
propelled aerators may be rented from a lawn service company. Fall is the best time for this work.
Prior to aeration, locate buried wires and irrigation heads.
During aeration, top-dress your lawn with ¼” well-aged and weed-seed free compost. This builds
healthy soils by adding organic matter.
A simple test determines if your lawn needs aeration. Push a wire stake flag into the ground when
moist, but not soaked or parched. If you can push in 12” or more, you do not have a compaction
problem. If only 1” to 2”, your lawn needs aeration. You many use a leftover flag from a utility locate
service or contact the Eagan Maintenance Facility or City Hall.
Mowing
Grass roots grow deeper when your lawn is mowed at higher lengths. Deep roots help increase
drought tolerance and decrease soil compaction. Such lawns also help restrict dandelion and other
weed growth.
For a healthy lawn, use a sharp mulching blade. Mulched grass clippings are free, recycled fertilizer
and are also good for soil moisture retention. To protect lake water quality and wetlands, mow and
sweep clippings away from your driveway or street, keeping these materials from washing into the
storm sewer system when it rains. Eagan City Code prohibits putting grass, leaves and other debris
into streets.
Irrigation
When watering the lawn during the hottest part of the day, you may lose 50% of irrigation water to
evaporation. Small leaks may add up to hundreds or thousands of gallons of wasted water. Inspect
your watering system or hire a professional for an irrigation audit.
Adjust spray heads to water your lawn – not the street, driveway or sidewalk. For hard-to-water areas,
consider planting something else in the place of traditional turf grass.
Watering Suggestions
EEAC Work Shop August 11, 2014 Page 5
- One inch of water per week (via rain or irrigation) is adequate. Rain may be measured with an
accurate rain gauge and irrigation may be measured using a small container.
- Avoid watering between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to reduce moisture loss by evaporation. It is
better to water in the early morning or late evening.
- Avoid watering on windy days, to reduce water loss.
- Avoid over-watering, which may cause shallow roots, lawn disease and stress. Soil moisture may
be determined with a moisture meter.
Required Permits – A Plumbing Permit is required for the installation of an underground sprinkler
system. A Right-of-Way Permit is required for the installation of sprinkler heads in the public right-of-
way.
Rain Barrels
The collection of runoff rainwater benefits Eagan water bodies and allows useable, free water for
homeowners. Rain barrel water may be used to nourish plants during dry spells or water one’s lawn. It
is best to drain rain barrels regularly to eliminate stagnation and make room for future capacity.
Rain barrel information is available through Eagan Water Resources at (651) 675-5300.
MAINTENANCE
The City of Eagan encourages property owners to plant and maintain vegetation that adds diversity, but
prohibits unmanaged growth and noxious weeds.
Tall Vegetation
All turf grass shall not exceed a height of eight inches, as measured from the base at ground level to
the tip of each stalk, stem, blade or leaf. Permitted vegetation other than turf grass that naturally
exceeds 8” in height is permitted if maintained appropriately for the cultivar type.
Vegetation within the right-of-way (boulevard area) shall not exceed a height of 8 inches, without
approval through a Landscaping in the Right of Way Permit. It is the responsibility of the abutting
property owner to maintain the boulevard area turf grass or other permitted vegetation to the curb line.
Noxious Weeds
Owners must provide regular weeding, pruning and maintenance of all plantings located on their
property. Minnesota State Statute dictates that property owners must eradicate all noxious weeds on
land they own, occupy or are required to maintain. An extensive list of noxious weeds is maintained
yearly by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
Dandelions are not considered noxious weeds and are not required to be removed.
Diseased Vegetation
Plant materials which exhibit evidence of pests, disease or damage shall be appropriately treated and
dead plants shall be removed and/or replaced.
LANDSCAPING IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY
EEAC Work Shop August 11, 2014 Page 6
There are specific restrictions regarding landscaping near or within a public Right-Of-Way (ROW). In most
residential lots, the ROW extends 13-15 feet back from the curb. Although lawn areas usually extend all the
way to the curb line and are subsequently maintained by the property owner, the boulevard is public and
reserved primarily for the installation of public utilities, snow storage and mailboxes.
- Permits are required prior to the installation of any landscaping in the ROW
- The construction of any structure in the ROW is not allowed, with the exception of mailboxes.
- The City reserves the right to trim and/or remove any landscaping or trees within or overhanging the
ROW that may interfere with visibility, maintenance operations, or passage on public trails or walks
within the ROW.
Compliance with relevant ordinances helps eliminate potential liability associated with damages that may occur
from unauthorized installation within public ROW.
Contact Eagan Engineering at (651) 675-5646 to determine the width of the boulevard easement, property line
locations, specifications for the installation of mailboxes, and “clear zone standards” related to visual and
physical obstructions within boulevard areas. The City does not locate property corners or property lines for
private property owners.
HELPFUL CONTACTS
Eagan Engineering
ROW Permits, Setbacks
(651) 675-5646
Eagan Planning and Zoning
Zoning Permits, Raised Gardens, Fences
(651) 675-5685
Eagan Water Resources
Rain Gardens, Rain Barrels, Smart Watering
(651) 675-5646
Eagan Forestry
Tree, plant, shrub species, Planting Information
(651) 675-5300
Gopher State One Call
Utility locations
(651) 454-0002
Eagan Building Inspections
Plumbing Permits, Retaining Walls
(651) 675-5675
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