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.