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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-02-12 PACKET 07.2.City of Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Workshop January 8, 2014 A workshop meeting of the Environmental Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, in the Council Chambers and telecast on Local Government Cable Channel 16. Call to Order Vice Chair Bigham called the Environmental Commission meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Attendees Members Present: Karla Bigham, Ryan Fleming, Shauna Klug, Rosemary Palmer Members Absent: Rita Isker, David Olson, Thaddeus Owen Others Present: Jennifer Levitt, City Engineer Ryan Burfeind, Graduate Engineer Emily Schmitz, Code Enforcement Officer Derrick Lehrke, City Council Liaison Brandon Smith (appointment to Commission on 1/15/14 Council agenda) Approval of Agenda It was suggested that the agenda be modified to add "Introductions" following "Open Forum." Palmer made a motion to approve the amended agenda. Klug seconded. The motion was approved unanimously (4 -to -0 vote). Open Forum 10 NOT-- Introductions Levitt introduced Brandon Smith, whose appointment to the Environmental Commission will be on the agenda for the City Council meeting on January 15; and Ryan Burfeind, Graduate Engineer, and Emily Schmitz, Code Enforcement Officer, who will be staff liaisons to the Commission. Workshop Items 6.1 MS4 Application Burfeind provided an overview of the MS4 permit and reviewed the BMP's and changes in the permit. He conducted an overview on the MCM of the permit and what changes will be taking place. Bigham asked when ordinance changes would take place. Burfeind responded that it would take a year to implement the ordinance changes. Fleming asked about MCM5 and if it is Environmental Commission Minutes January 8, 2014 Page 2 of 3 long -term on privately owned property. Burfeind stated that the City won't construct or do maintenance. Levitt outlined the CO process for businesses and pond maintenance. Klug asked about evaluation 1998, why we don't do it every year, and if is a cost - related item. Levitt responded reviewed non - degradation plan. 6.2 Green Step Cities Inventory Schmitz provided an update on the GreenStep Cities inventory and reported that at the end of the summer the City had achieved Step 2. Klug stated that the Mixed Uses section shows commuter rail for Red Rock and asked if it is now bus rapid transit. Levitt stated that is correct, noting that BRT should meet the mixed -use definition so the information just needs to be updated. Klug asked if the gardens at each of the schools meet best practices. Schmitz explained that completion is constituted if there are gardens. Fleming asked when the City's SWMP was last updated. Levitt stated it was updated with the comprehensive plan three years ago and there have been no been major changes in policy since then. Bigham asked if there could be incentives for green businesses, such as reduced costs, to encourage green business developments. 6.3 Sustainable City Award Nomination Levitt gave an overview of the Sustainable City Award nomination program. Palmer asked why people are not responding to this program. Levitt stated that getting nominations can be a challenge even for more established award programs. Bigham suggested working with the Chamber of Commerce. Levitt responded that staff would follow up with the Chamber. Lehrke noted that the Chamber covers more than just Cottage Grove. Bigham also suggested that the City contact Barb Brown from the school district to work with the high schools. She proposed that the awards should be environmentally friendly and could include gift certificates to local businesses. Palmer stated the winner should be featured in the City's newsletter. Fleming suggested that a local artist work on the plaque. It was decided to extend the application deadline to March. 6.4 2014 Work Plan Schmitz gave an overview of the GreenStep program and asked the Commission what changes could be made to meet Step 3. She broke down the Best Practices that the City is close to meeting. Levitt asked if the City needs to meet all of the Best Practices that were outlined. Schmitz responded yes. Klug asked which ones are easy to reach and which are more challenging. Schmitz stated that efficient buildings and green streets are more challenging. Levitt noted that green purchasing can have large costs. She then stated that the City already does green streets; it just needs to be made into a policy. Palmer noted the application for green streets is generic for all cities so the City probably cannot encourage bicycling and pedestrian traffic as much as more metropolitan cities. Levitt stated that we could construct narrower streets, reduce runoff, and install sidewalks. Bigham stated that the first three Best Practices are harder and the second three are easier. She thought people in the community are interested in getting involved, based on what she heard at the Strawberry Festival. Fleming asked if BP #1 involves just entering energy data. Schmitz answered that the City has to track energy usage. Klug asked for more information on the GreenStep program. She suggested providing recognition about the Environmental Commission at the Strawberry Festival. Bigham proposed a Facebook page for the Environmental Commission. Palmer asked if the Environmental Commission should have a booth at the Spring Business Fair to provide education. Bigham suggested holding an environmental fair. Levitt stated that three years ago the City worked with Environmental Commission Minutes January 8, 2014 Page 3 of 3 the Chamber on a luncheon that was environmentally based but there was not good attendance. Smith asked about Habitat for Humanity. He suggested creating a list of vendors for residents to utilize for disposal of miscellaneous homeowner items. Tour opportunities that were suggested included: Friends of the Mississippi, National Park Service outreach, South Washington Watershed District, and Waste Water Treatment Center. Bigham suggested featuring the compost site as part of the Commission's education outreach to the public. Staff stated that they will follow up on the work plan and email a reminder to members. Reports 7.1 City Council Update Lehrke reported that Famous Dave's will open on January 13. He then stated that several other City commissions have two youth seats and asked if the Environmental Commission should add two youth seats also. Levitt stated that the ordinance would need to be amended. 7.2 Response to Commission Inquiries None 7.3 Environmental Commission Comments and Requests None Adjournment Fleming made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Palmer seconded. Motion passed unanimously (4 -to -0 vote). The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.