10/14/2014 - Energy and Environment Advisory CommissionENERGY & ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, October 14, 2014, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Eagan Municipal Center, 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 Regular Meeting on April 8, 2014 and Workshop 7:04 p.m.
Minutes from August 11, 2014
IV. Visitors to be Heard 7:08 p.m.
V. Director Updates 7:10 p.m.
A. 2014-2015 Approved Work Plan & Goals – Amy Grannes
VI. Old Business (None at this time) 7:15 p.m.
VII. New Business 7:16 p.m.
A. Alternative Fuel Usage for the City of Eagan Fleet – Paul Olson
VIII. Roundtable 8:00 p.m.
IX. Adjournment 8:15 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, DECEMBER 9, 2014 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS
TO: THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION (EEAC)
FROM: JULI SEYDELL JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION
DATE: OCTOBER 10, 2014
SUBJECT: ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 2014
A meeting of the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) will take place on Tuesday, October
14, 2014 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 3-7
The minutes of the Regular Meeting on April 8, 2014, and the minutes of the Workshop on August
11, 2104, 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 – Page 8
2014-2015 EEAC Work Plan & Goals – City Council approved October 7, 2014, included in your
packet for as and update and for your reference.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
No new business items to be discussed at this time.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
Paul Olson, Superintendent of Parks, will give presentation to the EEAC regarding alternative fuel
usage for the vehicles on the City of Eagan fleet.
Energy and Environment Commission October 14, 2014 Page 1
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 Commission October 14, 2014 Page 2
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
MINUTES OF MEETING OF APRIL 8, 2014
A regular meeting of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Commission was held on Tuesday
April 8, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Those present were Member LeClair, Member
Nadav, Member Bintner, Member Ische, Member Wisniewski, and Member Drucker. Staff present was
Juli Seydell Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation and Amy Grannes, Administrative Supervisor.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Director Seydell Johnson stated there were no changes to the agenda. Member Bintner moved to
approve the agenda as presented, Member Drucker seconded with all present members voting in
favor.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
Member Bintner moved, Member Drucker seconded, with all present members voting in favor to
approve the minutes of February 11, 2014, as presented.
VISITORS TO BE HEARD
There were no visitors to be heard on items that were not on the agenda.
DIRECTORS UPDATE
Residential Low Maintenance Landscaping
Director Johnson gave an update to the EEAC Commission Members. City Council approved the
ordinance change to allow residential low maintenance landscaping options for residential
homeowners. Director Johnson stated the Community Development staff is working on flyers and
handouts for residents to help answer questions they may receive. Director Johnson suggested a
possible EEAC goal consideration for next year could be promoting and educating the community on
these new landscaping options. A special thank you to the low maintenance landscaping work group
Member Nadav, Member Drucker and Member Wisniewski.
Energy and Environment Commission October 14, 2014 Page 3
OLD BUSINESS
Building Subcommittee Report & Recommendations
The Building Subcommittee (Ross, Amir, William) gave a Subcommittee report regarding potential
initiatives to develop an energy efficient building policy for the operation, maintenance, construction
and renovation of buildings owned by the City of Eagan. Member Bintner gave an overview and stated
the purpose is to develop an energy efficient buildings policy for the operation, maintenance,
construction and renovation of buildings owned by the City of Eagan. Explore policies and initiatives to
promote energy efficiencies for existing and newly constructed/remodels large commercial/industrial
buildings within the City. After discussion with Commission Members the requested action is
recommend to the City Council:
1. Adopt the following energy and greenhouse gas performance goals for city facilities:
a. 20% energy use reduction by 2020 and 40% by 2025 below a baseline year of 2013.
b. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050.
2. Develop and implement a strategic energy management plan to achieve the above energy
saving goals via cost effective measures, including:
a. Annual energy use benchmarking for all city facilities.
b. Annual public disclosure of energy use and performance for all city facilities for the
previous calendar year by April 1.
Member Nadav motioned to adopt recommendation as listed above, Member Drucker seconded, with
all present members voting in favor.
NEW BUSINESS
Correspondence Received
Director Johnson gave a brief overview of correspondence included in the packet. The correspondence
was a press release and a summary report from the US Conference of Mayors with information
pertaining to recent survey of communities who have previously received Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funding. The full report can be found on the website at
www.usmayors.org.
ROUND TABLE
Member Ische inquired about the solar panel installation at Goat Hill Park. Director Johnson
responded stating the permits are in place and installation will start soon. Member Wisniewski
commented that this was his last meeting for the EEAC and he has enjoyed working on this
Commission. Member Nadav stated this is his last meeting with the EEAC. Member Nadav gave a brief
overview of EEAC accomplishments and thanked Commission Members, Staff and the Community for
their contributions and support of this Commission. Member LeClair gave a brief thank you statement
Energy and Environment Commission October 14, 2014 Page 4
for all the work that has been accomplished by Commission Members. Member Bintner gave thanks to
the departing Commissioners. Member Drucker stated this is his last meeting with the EEAC and gave
thanks to Commission Members and Staff for all the work and support. Director Johnson thanks to the
departing Commission Members. Administrative Supervisor Grannes also gave thanks to the
departing Commission Members.
ADJOURNMENT
After further brief discussion, Member LeClair moved, Member Drucker seconded with all members
present voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.
_______________________________________________ ____________________________
Secretary Date
Energy and Environment Commission October 14, 2014 Page 5
Subject to approval
MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP OF THE
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
Monday, August 11, 2014
MINUTES OF WORKSHOP OF AUGUST 11, 2014
A Workshop of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Commission was held on Monday August
11, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in conference room 1A & 1B. Those present were Member LeClair, Member
Dugan, Member Mirick, Member Radmer, Member Oxley and Member Prabhakar. Member Bintner
was not present. Staff present was Amy Grannes, Administrative Supervisor. Guest present was Amir
Nadav from the Great Plains Institute.
PRESENTATION
Amir Nadav from the Great Plains Institute and the Co-Director of the GreenSteps Cities Program gave
a presentation on the GreenSteps Cities program Steps 1 thru Step 3 and provided an overview of Step
4 that will be available this coming winter. The Minnesota GreenSteps Cities is a voluntary challenge,
assistance and recognition program to help cities achieve their sustainable goals. There are over 70
Cities currently participation in this program. The program promotes 28 best practices in 5 categories
that consist of buildings and lighting, transportation, land use, environmental management and
economic and community development. Amir gave a brief tutorial of the GreenSteps Cities website
and informed the Commission where they can find information pertaining to the City of Eagan. Amir
briefly reviewed the Regional Indicators Initiative. Amir concluded his presentation with a brief review
of Step 4 which will involve an annual metrics on City Operations and the Community along with more
information on continued qualification for Step 3 and other items to be released this winter.
ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS
After a brief discussion by Commission Members, Member Dugan moved, Member Mirick seconded,
with all present members voting in favor to elect Member LeClair as the Chair of the EEAC for the
2014-2015 term. Member Oxley moved, Member Prabhakar seconded, with all present members
voting in favor to elect Member Bintner as the Vice-Chair of the EEAC for the 2014-2015 term.
Member LeClair moved, Member Mirick seconded, with all present members voting in favor to elect
Member Dugan as the Secretary of the EEAC for the 2014-2015 term.
COMMISSION MEETING SCHEDULE
The EEAC reviewed the upcoming meeting dates for the 2014-2015 term. No action needed on this
item.
Energy and Environment Commission October 14, 2014 Page 6
Energy and Environment Commission
August 11, 2014
Page 2
SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
After brief discussion with the Commission on the goals of the 2014-2015 term, subcommittee
assignments are as follows:
GreenSteps Cities: Jeff*, John
Building Energy: Ross*, Dustin, Aditya
Water Conservation: Ross*, Peter, Dustin
Fleet-Biodiesel/Electric Vehicles/Charging Stations: Ross*, Dustin, Greg
Traffic Efficiencies/Waste Management White Paper: Aditya*, John, Peter
Communications: Jeff*, John, Greg
(*Indicates the Commission Member who is the Chair of the Subcommittee)
Note these goals will be submitted to the City Council for official approval at a later date, date still to
be determined. No further action needed on the subcommittee assignments.
RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPING HANDOUT
The Commission reviewed the new residential landscaping options handout created by the Community
Development Department. This handout contained all the Low Maintenance Landscaping
recommendations for the EEAC as approved from the City Council. Here are the suggestions from the
EEAC to be forwarded to Community Development for consideration:
1. Could you highlighted or bold to the “Required Permits” areas – so they are easier for residents
to see.
2. Under smart water/lawn soils second sentence – typo – delete asterisk after aerator.
3. The definition of what is A Right-Of Way is at the end – Right-Of-Way is mentioned on the first
page could the definition be added first in the document so resident could have a full
understand what this is.
4. EEAC would like email addresses added to the contacts page and a specific staff persons’ name
to ask for – this would be easier for the residents.
CORRESPONDENCE
The correspondence was a memo from the City Administrator Dave Osberg. The Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency (MPCA) recommends removing Fish Lake and Quigley Lake from Minnesota’s impaired
waters list. This was provided to the Commission for information purpose only no action is needed.
_______________________________________________ ____________________________
Secretary Date
Energy and Environment Commission October 14, 2014 Page 7
Energy and Environment Advisory Commission Goals and Work Plan 2014-2015
City Council Approved October 7, 2014
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.
Explore waste management practices of other cities and present a white paper.
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.
Energy and Environment Commission October 14, 2014 Page 8