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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-19 PACKET 04.A.iiREQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # DATE 1/19/11 PREPARED BY Community Development Howard Blin ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Environmental Commission's meeting on December 8, 2010. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Environmental Commission's meeting on December 8, 2010. BUDGET IMPLICATION $N /A $N /A N/A BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION DATE REVIEWED APPROVED DENIED ❑ PLANNING ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ ❑ ❑ • PUBLIC WORKS ❑ ❑ ❑ • PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ ❑ ❑ • HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ❑ ❑ • ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ ❑ ❑ ® ENVIRONMENTAL 1/12/11 ❑ ® ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ❑ MEMO /LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ® OTHER: Approved minutes of Environmental Commission meeting on 12/8/10 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENT_ I.' j .> City Administrator Date COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: VAPPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER S t • + a It - • 1 T A meeting of the Environmental Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 — 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on December 8, 2010, in the Council Chambers. Attendees Members Present: Barbara Gibson, Rita Isker, Patrick Lynch, Patrick McLoughlin, David Olson, Matthew Porrett Members Absent: None Others Present: Justin Olsen, City Councilmember Derrick Lehrke, City Council Elect Howard Blin, Community Development Director Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Call to Order Porrett opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and presented a list of topics which the Commission members had previously brainstormed. Porrett noted that there are three vacancies on the Environmental Commission. Blin reported on the means the City uses to advertise for commission openings. Staff will review also using Facebook to advertise. Olsen described the process for interviewing and selecting commission members. Typically the Chair and Council Liaison interview candidates and make recommenda- tions to the City Council. Porrett stated that the Commission had discussed having a member from this Commission attend all Council meetings. Olson stated he does not have a clear idea of what the role of the Commission is. He noted the Strategic Plan for the Woodbury Environmental Commission was impressive. Olsen described the level of staff resources in Cottage Grove compared to Woodbury. McLoughlin asked how the City uses the funds received for recycling. Levitt responded the money is used for some events and part of a staff salary. Commission members discussed applying the City Council goals to the Environmental Commis- sion. They recapped the September 7 joint meeting of the Commission and City Council for members who were not in attendance. Gibson stated that the Council goals are high level with no specific details on implementation. Gibson asked to look at commissions in similarly sized cities. Porrett stated a list of activities should be presented to the Council for their authorization. He referred to the list, noting that for example, having the Friends of the Mississippi talk about the critical area rulemaking process at the January meeting. McLoughlin asked for a list of potential topics, such as Nelson Mine EIS Environmental Commission December 8, 2010 Minutes Page 2 and other issues. He expressed that the Commission should be 60 percent technical review and 40 percent education focused. Gibson asked for a list of air permits issued by the PCA in Cot- tage Grove. Commission members agreed to establish future agenda items on the agenda under the heading "Commission Member's Requests or Comments." Lynch proposed an agenda with new and old business sections. He also suggested alternating formal and informal meetings. Porrett noted that he would like more interaction with other Commissions. Olsen noted that a conference of all Commission Chairs is planned for January or February. The Commission desired that February be an informal meeting to receive further direction from Council following their planning session. They also desire to meet with the City Administrator at the February meeting. The Commission would like more information on the Marathon Citizen Group and asked to review the report completed by the Sustainability Task Force. Porrett asked about the Commission's role in the new Public Safety /City Hall building. Olsen stated that the Commission would be asked to review plans. Porrett discussed weekly updates on dynamic issues, such as on the air monitor. He requested that the Commission be given the City's Comprehensive Plan. He also asked for Commission notification of all environmental complaints. Gibson suggested having the South Washington County Bulletin run an article about the Environmental Commission and an interview with the Chair. Other Business None _.. The meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.