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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-13 PACKET 07.2.Environmental Commission City of Cottage Grove Wednesday, January 9, 2013 The Environmental Commission held a workshop at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on January 9, 2013, in the Council Chambers. Attendees Members Present: Karla Bigham, Barbara Gibson, Rita Isker, Patrick Lynch, Thaddeus Owen, Rosemary Palmer, Emily Rixen Members Absent: David Olson Others Present: Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer; Derrick Lehrke, City Councilmember; Danette Parr, Economic Development Director; Emily Schmitz, Code Enforcement Officer; Jennifer McLoughlin, 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 (7 -to -0 vote). Open Forum /Additional Agenda Items Action Items 5.1 Green Award — Danette Parr Danette Parr, Economic Development Director, discussed the importance of environmental issues and sustainability with good economic growth. She highlighted Werner Electric as an example of business using wind energy. She outlined options for an award and types of categories. Owen recommended a press release and strong recognition of the award. Parr reminded the Commission that it could also be individuals or organizations. Lynch stated that there are lots of categories and asked how you award just one winner. McLoughlin outlined Woodbury's pro- gram and how they awarded. Woodbury modeled their program after St. Paul's. They award a winner in each category. Parr asked if keeping the award elite is a desire. The Commission agreed to keep it valuable to only award deserving candidates. Palmer asked how Woodbury advertises for the award. McLoughlin responded by press release, email list serve, city newsletter, and city update. Bigham asked if the categories listed in the memo could qualify as criteria for the award. Palmer stated areas acknowledgement, "green," educational community outreach — group them together. Environmental Commission January 9, 2013 Minutes Page 2 of 3 Parr suggested looking for sustainable material in an award, such as planting a tree in recog- nition, or something unique. Owen suggested an award basket with locally made organic products or soap or a local project. McLoughlin noted that businesses like plaques to be dis- played as recognition. Owen stated that there are three organizational options: business, residential, and organiza- tion. The Commission does not have to award in each category if there is not worthy candi- date. Isker asked about the timeframe and how far back could someone or an entity be recognized. McLoughlin responded that Woodbury does not have a timeframe listed. Gibson asked if people can reapply. McLoughlin stated that Woodbury did not have this issue. Owen suggested giving out up to three awards per year that would be judged by the Environmental Commission and staff members. Deadline would be February 1 for application submittal. Announcement of the award program will be made on Earth Day. Staff will draft the award for the Commission to review. Isker suggested acknowledging the winners at the Strawberry Festival. 5.2 GreenStep Cities: Next Step — Emily Schmitz and Jennifer Levitt Schmitz provided a Power Point presentation with an overview of the GreenStep Cities pro- gram. She explained that 28 BMP for inventory; the City desires to complete 8 BMP for step two or 16 BMP for step three (requires 9 BMP). The goal is to have inventory in April 2013. 5.3 Recycling Grant Review — Jennifer McLoughlin McLoughlin reviewed the 2012 grant projects that were completed. Project events included Public Works open house, Strawberry Festival, school recycling. Washington County is pushing the school district to recycle. They are seeing increased acceptance, involvement, and desire to recycle. The County would like to do a waste sort at Cottage Grove Middle School. Does the Commission wish to participate? Lynch asked to review what the Middle School has in place prior to committing to a waste sort. Bigham inquired about doing a tour of the school to review their recycling efforts. The Commission suggested conducting a student `get- caught recycling' program at the middle school and high school. Staff will work with the school district to see if this idea can work. The Commission agreed to reduce the resident `get- caught' program to two households per month with the objective of pursuing a student or business get- caught program in the community. Gift cards would still be bought locally for all the programs. 5.4 ISD #833 Recycling:— Jennifer McLoughlin Effort is still being made to help pursue and enhance recycling in the schools. This is an on- going effort in communication, education, and finding ways to partner together. 5.5 Washington County Score Card — Jennifer McLoughlin McLoughlin reviewed the Washington County scorecard. She is representing Woodbury and Cottage Grove on the Scorecard Commission. The first meeting is February 6. Applications are due February 15. Environmental Commission January 9, 2013 Minutes Page 3 of 3 5.6 Environmental Display — Jennifer Levitt Desire Option #1 — recycling needs to be changed to address the fact that garbage is not land - filled in the metro area. Today's garbage is tomorrow's materials. The Commission recommended creative products to promote recycling and what can be made or produced with recycled materials. Examples pro- vided include: Baltics Company turns coffee grounds /money /burlap bags into countertops or Buy the Yard which uses plastic bottles to make outdoor furniture. The Commission desired to see images of people sorting recyclables and then show the value of recycling with the end products that can be produced. 5.7 Recreational Fires — Jennifer Levitt Bigham outlined the discussion from the previous meeting. Education and outreach efforts to bring about awareness were the key direction from the Commission. Palmer asked how to get out the message and promote more awareness. Levitt will work with the City's new Communi- cation Coordinator on different outreach and media resources. Additionally there was a desire to review with Public Safety how to bring about awareness and enforcement. Gibson sug- gested the free permit option in the future. Owen stated the direction should be public awareness. The Environmental Commission will review final recommendations in February. 5.8 3M Abrasives System Division Firing Line Installation Permit — Jennifer Levitt Levitt reviewed the permit. The Commission approved sending a letter to the MPCA outlining the minor technical language errors. 5.9 Volunteers and Interns Palmer reviewed the U.S. Department of Labor Standards and the Fair Labor Standards plus the University of Minnesota Career Fair and internship options. It was requested for Human Resources to review the volunteer and intern options and provide a report on opportunities in the future to fulfill BMP for a next step for GreenStep Cities. Reports City Council Update Councilmember Lehrke introduced himself to the Commission as the new liaison. Response to Commission Inquiries There were no previous Commission inquiries to respond to. Environmental Commission Comments and Requests None. Adjourn A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting adjourned at 8:54 p.m.