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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEnvironmental Quality Committee Minutes 07-10-2019Approved Minutes Page 1 of 3 Regular Meeting of July 10, 2019 Approved Minutes Environmental Quality Committee Meeting July 10, 2019 Chair Prokop called a Regular Meeting of the Plymouth Environmental Quality Committee to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Medicine Lake Room of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on July 10, 2019. MEMBERS PRESENT: Marita Prokop, Marky Williamson, Paul Senne, Andy Polzin, Clark Gregor, Joel Spoonheim, Laura Babcock. MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: City Engineer Chris LaBounty, Senior Engineering Technician Ben Scharenbroich, Council Member Nick Roehl, Council Member Jim Prom. Public Forum Steve Japs, 4570 Weston Lane North, wanted to express his support for the GreenSteps Cities Program. He also wanted to inquire if the EQC would be interested in co-sponsoring an event to bring in speakers for either the City Council or for other community leaders to discuss impacts resulting from climate change. He would be able to arrange for speakers for such an event. The committee indicated they will have a discussion about hosting an event at a future meeting. Council Member Jim Prom, 5760 Oakview Lane North, was present to explain to the Environmental Quality Committee in his opinion why the City Council did not move ahead with the GreenStep Program at the June 25, 2019 City Council meeting, and to answer any questions the committee may have. Committee Member Williamson asked if the Council would have a problem if the ECQ pursued some of the projects that GreenStep recommends. Council Member Prom explained that Plymouth already is doing a lot of the steps in the program and Plymouth is a leader in that field. Committee Member Babcock felt an important factor that the GreenStep program offers is benchmarking how the City is doing. She feels the City should measure the impacts of the investments and provide results to the residents. Prom responded that the City is already reporting it to the regulatory forces. He furthered that the City can participate without actually joining the program. He also said this should be pursued without using more staff time or adding personnel. Committee Member Spoonheim stated that the GreenStep program is beneficial for benchmarking and comparing collective data across cities in a consistent manner, and that Plymouth could benefit from a program that provides external benchmarking. Approved Minutes Page 2 of 3 Regular Meeting of July 10, 2019 Council Member Roehl said the City could be better at benchmarking but each item should be looked at individually to choose what works best for Plymouth. Approval of Agenda Motion was made by Committee Member Gregor, and seconded by Committee Member Williamson, to approve the agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Consent Agenda Motion was made by Committee Member Polzin, and seconded by Committee Member Williamson, to adopt the Consent Agenda that included the following items: (1.) Approve June 12, 2019 Environmental Quality Committee Meeting Minutes With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. General Business (1.) MS4 Annual Public Hearing – Accept Public Comments on the 2019 Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) Senior Engineering Technician Scharenbroich explained this was an Open Hearing for the public to comment on the document, but asked the EQC if they had any questions on the plan. Chair Prokop inquired if training should be required before issuing a permit, to be sure best practices are being followed. Scharenbroich explained that there is a program in place that requires erosion and sediment control for new construction projects in the city. He also talked about education programs the city hosts at the elementary schools for third and fourth graders. Committee Member Williamson questioned if developers should be required to meet with Master Gardeners to be advised on plantings and landscaping in new developments. Scharenbroich shared that is a great idea worth exploring. He also shared that currently the City Forester, the Planning Department, and the Water Resources Department all have input with new developments during the plan review process. Committee Member Spoonheim questioned if there is room in the plan to identify broader chloride management. City Engineer LaBounty shared information about current efforts with the Bassett Creek watershed for aggressive education tactics for the highest salt applicators. He indicated that this is being tracked by the watershed. Committee Member Babcock questioned if a license was required for salt application at businesses. Senior Engineering Technician Scharenbroich said that was not a requirement. Approved Minutes Page 3 of 3 Regular Meeting of July 10, 2019 Babcock also asked if training of vendors is required. Scharenbroich said the city hosted a training event, and invited all landscaping and snow removal companies in the area. Only one contractor of a few hundred invited attended. The Public Hearing to accept comments was opened at 8:17 p.m. With no public present for comment, the hearing was closed at 8:18 p.m. Reports and Staff Recommendations (1.) Water Efficiency Rebate Program Update Senior Engineering Technician Scharenbroich provided the latest update: 250 residents have applied for the program and received a rebate, and 190 devices have been purchased, all of which were irrigation controllers and sprinkler heads. The MN Tap intern, Sam Mader, has compiled the data and has conservatively estimated the gallons of water saved per household at 25,000 – 30,000. Mader will be at the August meeting to present his report on water conservation efforts the City can apply. (2.) GreenStep Cities Program Update City Engineer LaBounty reported that at the June 25, 2019 City Council meeting, staff presented a Resolution to participate in the GreenStep Cities Program. The Mayor and Council voted not to take action on the item, but would discuss it at a future study session if the council votes to have it included in a future meeting. Adjournment Chair Prokop adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.