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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-01-18 PACKET 04.A.i.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # DATE 1/18/12 , /® PREPARED BY Community Development Jennifer Levitt ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Environmental Commission's meeting on November 9, 2011. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Environmental Commission's meeting on November 9, 2011. 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 1/11/12 ❑ ® ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ❑ MEMO /LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: ® OTHER: Approved minutes of Environmental Commission meeting on 11/9/11 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS Administrator Date COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: [ ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER Environmental Commission City of Cottage Grove Wednesday, November 9, 2011 A meeting of the Environmental Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 — 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on November 9, 2011, in the Council Chambers. Attendees Members Present: Karla Bigham, Barbara Gibson, Rita Isker, Patrick Lynch, David Olson, Thaddeus Owen, Rosemary Palmer, Emily Rixen Members Absent: Rick Chase Others Present: Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Justin Olsen, City Councilmember Call to Order Chair Owen opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Approval of Agenda Motion was made to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously (8 -to -0 vote). Open Forum /Additional Agenda Items The Environmental Commission received training on how to access the Commission packets through the city - provided iPads. Owen introduced Emily Rixen, who was recently appointed to the Environmental Commission. e' T 5.1 Tobacco Free Policy Emily Anderson provided a presentation on the proposed tobacco -free policy for the City's parks. The presentation keyed on the dangerous chemicals contained in secondhand smoke. The focus of Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation is to have restrictions on tobacco use in outdoor environments such as park and recreational areas. She stated that nine out of ten cities have policies that prohibit tobacco use in parks. Some cities adopt an ordinance rather than a policy. She discussed the difference between policies and ordinances and why some cities may choose to adopt an ordinance. The main reason cities chose an ordinance is in regards to en- forcement. Signs are free to a city if a policy is passed. Funding is provided to the organization through a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) grant. Olsen discussed with the Commis- sion options on enforcement and policy versus ordinance. Levitt stated that staff is recom- mending a policy, not an ordinance at this time. The organization provides tools to the City for outreach and education. Gibson noted that secondhand smoke risks are only within feet of the source, so she does not want the risk overstated. Anderson stated that litter is the biggest issue environmentally. Cigarette filters are not biodegradable, so they do not decay and cannot Environmental Commission November 9, 2011 Minutes Page 2 of 2 be absorbed by the environment. Tobacco -free park policies help to prevent youth tobacco use. Isker made a motion to recommend approval of a tobacco -free park and open space policy. Gibson seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 5.2 Minnesota GreenCorps The Commission agreed to set up a subcommittee to review and develop an application to be a Minnesota GreenCorps member. The subcommittee will report back to the full Commission after meeting to develop some ideas. .�7 q The Commission discussed internal performance versus external (response from the commu- nity). There was a question on when this program should be reassessed and evaluated. The Commission agreed that assessment would be an ongoing activity and would be different for each task. Levitt stated that the program goal will be to reassess in February/March 2013 and staff will work to develop measurements and record achieved goals. 6.2 East Metro Water Resource Education Program There was no discussion on this item; the packet was for informational purposes only. Approval of Environmental Commission Minutes Bigham made a motion to approve the minutes from the Environmental Commission meetings on September 14, 2011, and October 12, 2011. Olson seconded. Motion passed unanimously (8 -to -0 vote). Reports City Council Update Owen asked if the new Public Safety /City Hall facility will be LEED certified. Olsen responded that the City will not be seeking LEED certification due to the financial burden from the process. He then reported that the trails at the new Public Safety /City Hall site will be open after Thanksgiving. Response to Commission Inquiries None Environmental Commission Comments and Requests Levitt discussed LED lights on Hemingway Avenue. Adjourn A motion was made to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.