Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnvironmental Quality Committee Minutes 02-12-2020Proposed Minutes Page 1 of 3 Regular Meeting of February 12, 2020 Approved Minutes Environmental Quality Committee Meeting February 12, 2020 Chair Prokop called a Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee to order at 7:04 p.m. in the Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on February 12, 2020. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Prokop, Committee members Babcock, Spoonheim, Gregor, Polzin, Senne, and Niedermaier. COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilmember Roehl. STAFF PRESENT: Councilmember Prom, City Engineer LaBounty, Interim Water Resources Manager Scharenbroich Plymouth Forum Resident Susie Anderson, 5450 Ximines Lane N, inquired about curbside organics collection, and where the plan is for the city to offer the service. Committee member Gregor responded that two licensed haulers currently offer the service. Interim Water Resources Manager Scharenbroich explained that later in 2020 the EQC will be making a recommendation to the City Council for an organics collection program. Ms. Anderson also inquired about implementing an organized one-hauler system for trash pick- up in the city. Councilmember Prom explained that Plymouth prefers to let the residents be free to choose who they would like to contract with. Ms. Anderson stated that her homeowner’s association had recently voted to use just one hauler; Councilmember Prom conveyed that contracting with one hauler is the best option for neighborhoods. Presentations and Public Information Announcements Committee members Prokop and Gregor shared that they attended the Hennepin County West Metro Group session on Sustainability. Gregor attended a group discussion about energy; Prokop attended a group discussion about transportation and land use zoning. Approval of Agenda City Engineer LaBounty added item 6B, Updates from the January 28 City Council Meeting. Committee member Babcock added item 6C, Discussion the 2020 EQC Work Plan. Motion was made by Committee member Spoonheim, and seconded by Committee member Polzin to approve the amended agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Proposed Minutes Page 2 of 3 Regular Meeting of February 12, 2020 Consent Agenda Motion was made by Committee member Spoonheim, and seconded by Committee member Babcock to approve the Consent Agenda that included the following item: (4.1) Approve January 8, 2020 Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. General Business (5.1) EQC Refresher, Orientation and Organization Interim Water Resources Manager Scharenbroich briefly reviewed open meeting law requirements and Robert’s Rules of Order for meeting procedures. (5.2) Election of Committee Chair and Vice Chair Committee members voted unanimously to elect Clark Gregor as Chair and Laura Babcock as Vice Chair. Reports and Staff Recommendations (6.1) 2020 – 2022 Water Efficiency Rebate Program Interim Water Resources Manager Scharenbroich provided an overview of the water rebate program. He indicated that Council approved the grant agreement with the Metropolitan Council for the grant money. The program will be for three years. He listed the items that will qualify for a rebate: toilets, washing machines, irrigation system controllers, sprinkler head upgrades and moisture sensors. Rebates for moisture sensors will be funded by the city without Metropolitan Council assistance. The committee asked for clarification on the application for the rebate amount to be per unit. The committee discussed the communications plan for the program. Committee member Babcock suggested reaching out to the vendors and maintenance providers of irrigation systems. The committee discussed options for promoting the program in addition to the communications plan. Motion was made by Committee member Gregor and seconded by Committee member Senne to approve the 2020 – 2022 Water Efficiency Rebate Program with an amendment to the application. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Proposed Minutes Page 3 of 3 Regular Meeting of February 12, 2020 (6.2) Updates from the January 28 City Council Meetings City Engineer LaBounty provided the following update from the January 28 City Council Special meeting: Council received two presentation about energy reduction strategies for city facilities. The first presentation was from Ameresco who had performed an audit in 2018 of all city facilities. They presented on evaluating and managing energy reduction projects for city facilities. The second presentation from IDEAL Energies was about installing solar panels on existing roofs. Both firms would front the costs of the projects and the city would pay for the projects through energy savings. Council directed staff to research different business models for using solar and energy reduction projects by other firms, but will leave these presentations on the table for consideration at a future work session. LaBounty indicated a group of students from the University of Minnesota volunteered to pull together data from comparable cities on the results, benefits and down-sides of using such firms for energy-saving projects. City Engineer LaBounty provided the following update from the January 28 City Council Regular meeting: At a previous study session on October 22, 2019, Council discussed the Greensteps Cities program and voted not to proceed with it. Although it was not a public hearing, the Council gave the public an opportunity at the January 28th Council Meeting to voice their opinions and comments on the Greensteps program. After listening to discussion, Council voted 4-3 not to join the program but did support using the Greensteps Cities free resources that are available and when they make sense for Plymouth. (6.3) Discuss EQC 2020 Work Plan City Engineer LaBounty presented an update on the EQC 2020 Work Plan. He stated that there will be three primary topics to focus on: chlorides and education outreach, organics collection, and the city recycling program which includes Drop-Off Day and the city recycling drop-off site. The work plan is flexible and can be amended during the year per Council direction. The work plan will go to Council in March for approval. Future Meetings March 11, 2020 Adjournment Chair Prokop adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.