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02/13/2018 - Energy and Environment Advisory CommissionAGENDA EAGAN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION EAGAN CITY HALL 3830 PILOT KNOB RD Tuesday, February 13, 2018 Commission workshop 6:30 PM Commission Meeting 7:00 PM I. ROLL CALL AND AGENDA ADOPTION II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. December 12, 2017 meeting minutes B. January 9, 2018 workshop minutes IH. VISITORS TO BE HEARD IV. PRESENTATION A. What other cities are doing to reach Green Step 5 - Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski, Executive Director V. OLD BUSINESS A. 2017-2018 Commission Goals Update i. Research core metrics to obtain Green Steps Level 5. Member Supina and Member Fleenor ii. Research and recommend policies and ordinances regarding solar resource protection and development. Member Dugan, Member Trzpuc and Member Oxley iii. Provide community outreach and education regarding energy and environmental issues. Member Dugan, Member Fleenor, Member Pottorff and Member Trzpuc VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Staff Reports i. Solar and Alternate Energy Ordinance and Policy ii. Recommendation to proceed with application for GreenSteps Program - Level 5 V. ADJOURNMENT EAGAN ESTABLISHED 1860 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, December 12, 2017 'MINUTES OF MEETING OF DECEMBER 12, 2017 A regular meeting of the Eagan Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) was held on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Eagan City Hall. Those present were Member Oxley, Member Fleenor, Member Dugan, Member Mirick, Member Trzpuc, Member Supina and Member Pottorff. Staff members present were Director of Parks and Recreation Andrew Pimental and Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Jared Flewellen. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Member Oxley asked if there were any changes to the agenda. Director Pimental stated there were no changes. Member Mirick moved, Member Fleenor seconded, with all present members voting in favor to adopt the agenda as presented. Aye: 7 Nay: 0 APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Member Supina moved to approve the minutes from September 19, 2017 meeting, Member Trzpuc seconded, with all present members voting in favor to adopt the minutes presented. Aye: 7 Nay: 0 VISITORS TO BE HEARD Bruce Goff, 4557 Oak Chase Circle, requested the commission recommend to the City Council that the City of Eagan adopt a renewable energy and/or carbon free standard for city operations and have this standard reflected in the Comprehensive Guide Plan 2040. NEW BUSINESS Energy and Environment Advisory Commission December 12, 2017 Page 2 2018 Meeting Schedule Member Oxley expressed the concern of number of meeting times available for commissioners to discuss goals. Options were heavily discussed to increase meetings and it was agreed that the commission would meet in January 9, 2018 to discuss goals and additional times. Metro Area Environment Commission Event Member Dugan nominated explained his participation in the Metro Area Environment event that was held at the University of Minnesota. Dugan expressed that the event had great tools and resources that could assist in solar policy development. Assistant Director Flewellen also attended the training and agreed with Member Dugan's opinion. Commission Goals Member Oxley outlined the three goals and identified the commission members associated with each goal. The commission agreed that the goals will be discussed further at the January meeting. 1) Research core metrics to obtain Green Steps Level 5. Member Oxley, Member Supina (liaison) and Member Trzpuc 2) Research and recommend policies and ordinances regarding solar resource protection and development. Member Oxley, Member Trzpuc (liaison), Member Pottorff, Member Mirick, Member Dugan, Member Fleenor and Member Oxley 3) Provide community outreach and education regarding energy and environmental issues. Member Oxley, Member Dugan, Member Fleenor (liaison) and Member Pottorff. ADJOURNMENT After further brief discussion, Member Pottorff moved, Member Trzpuc seconded with all members present voting in favor to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m. Secretary Not Approved Date City of Eakan WORSHOP MEETING MINUTES OF THE ADVISORY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION Tuesday, January 9, 2018 WORKSHOP MINUTES OF JANUARY 9, 2018 A workshop meeting of the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) began at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2017 and concluded at 8:47 p.m. Commission Members present included Member Greg Oxley, Member Stacy Fleenor, Member Stefnee Trzpuc, Member Peter Dugan, Member Mike Supina and Member Jerry Pottorff. Member W. Dustin Mirick was absent. Staff members present were Director of Parks & Recreation Andrew Pimental and Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation Jared Flewellen Secretary Date memo Energy and Environment Advisory Commission To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council, City of Eagan, Minnesota From: EEAC Solar Ordinance and Policy Committee, Member Trzpuc (Committee Chair) CC: Member Oxley, Member Fleenor, Member Dugan, Member Pottorff, Member Supina, Member Mirick Date: January 27, 2018 Re: Recommendation to proceed with solar and alternative energy ordinance and policy for the City Background Over the past several years, solar installations have increased due to the growing demand for alternative energy, awareness of impact on environment, and declining prices of equipment. Beginning in the Fall of 2017, the Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) enlisted a goal to research and benchmark solar/alternative energy ordinances and policies for possible recommendation to the City. Findings Our research has identified several local resources active in helping communities plan for solar and alternative energy resources (e.g., Metropolitan Council, Great Plains Institute) as well as existing ordinances for nearby communities (e.g., City of Rosemount) as examples of how these types of policies have been successfully adopted. Action The EEAC recommends the City pursue the development of a solar/alternative energy ordinance to be in place by Spring 2018 based on the following points: • The City would benefit from having clearly defined policies that offer criteria for installations such as use and location, aesthetics (materials, height), screening, minimum and maximum coverage, code compliance, certifications, abandonment, deviations, and safety. • Solar energy is an abundant and renewable energy resource. An ordinance would create more awareness for residents and businesses to consider as an alternative to conventional energy sources. • By adding solar and alternative energy sources, our community will reduce dependency on nonrenewable energy resources and will decrease the air and water pollution that results from the use of conventional energy sources. • As these types of structures are constructed, concerns need to be addressed for the safety and wellbeing of emergency response teams. In the event of, for example, a residential fire, in which a firefighter needs to access a housing unit from the roof upon which a solar structure was built, the structure must not pose additional safety hazards. • An ordinance would provide the criteria upon how these structures can be constructed as well as what is required of home/business owners at cessation of operations. • The lack of existing regulations may lead to structures constructed without adequate criteria. • The timing of this recommendation is to have a draft approved by Spring 2018, at the assumption of applications for spring construction and potential solar/alternative energy projects in those permit applications. • Several existing ordinances for neighboring cities could serve as reference and/or model ordinances upon which to create a similar document for the City of Eagan. The EEAC recommends reviewing The City of Rosemount's Zoning Ordinance for Alternative Energy Systems and City of Lake Elmo's Ordinance No 08-_ (amending Title XV: Land Usage; specifically Section 2, items #4 and #6). Additionally, it is recommended to develop specific (vs. vague) language with regards to aesthetics, homeowner rights and protections, and chain of decision making to help mitigate future issues for city staff and other involved in possible disputes. EEAC supports this recommended action as we work to build a more sustainable and healthy community. memo Energy and Environment Advisory Commission To: Energy and Advisory Commission and staff liaison From: EEAC GreenStep Cities Committee, Member Supina (Committee Chair) CC: Eagan City Council Date: January 23, 2018 Re: Recommendation to proceed with application for GreenSteps Program- Level 5 Background The City of Eagan became a Step 1 GreenStep City in August 2010 by approving a city council resolution to work toward GreenStep Cities recognition and submitting it to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Eagan achieved Step 2 in 2011 and Step 3 in 2012 by implementing specific best practices with regard to sustainability and conservation as defined by the Great Plains Institute. In 2017, Eagan submitted extensive documentation on numerous baseline metrics and was awarded GreenStep Step 4 at the annual League of Minnesota Cities conference that June. To date, six cities in Minnesota have achieved GreenStep Step 5. The Energy and Environment Advisory Commission (EEAC) believes that Eagan can achieve Step 5 this year and recommends the City Council pursue this goal. Findings GreenStep Step 5 is attained by showing improvement on at least three "core metrics", as defined by the Great Plains Institute, over the Step 4 baseline values. Additionally, the same degree of improvement must be shown each subsequent year in order to maintain Step 5 status. Our committee's research has identified more than three core metrics for which we believe Eagan can demonstrate improvement in 2018 and several other core metrics for which Eagan had not submitted previously and can therefore submit in 2018 as baselines for future years. Action The EEAC recommends the City of Eagan apply for GreenStep Step 5 by the May 1, 2018 deadline based on the following points: • The City of Eagan benefits from the sustainable best practices outlined in the GreenStep Cities program through the long-term savings of water, energy, and money, as well as enhanced quality of life for residents. • The City of Eagan would benefit byjoining an elite group of Minnesota cities which have achieved this status and can use that to promote Eagan as a preferred location to live, work, and play. • To compile the necessary documentation to attain Step 5 would likely require less staff effort than attaining Step 4 in 2017. • By strategically choosing which core metrics to calculate for the 2018 application and which to add as new baselines, the City can "set the table" to show further improvements on core metrics in 2019 and beyond and thus retain Step 5 status for multiple years. The EEAC supports this recommended action as we work to build a more sustainable and healthy community.