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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-04-15 PACKET 04.A.i. REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM #� • DATE 4/15/15 / . .� • PREPARED BY Engineering Jennifer Levitt ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR *�*��*************�************************�**�* COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Environmental Commission's meeting on January 14, 2015. � STAFF RECOMMENDATION Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Environmental Commission's meeting on January 14, 2015. 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 4/8/15 ❑ � ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS ❑ MEMO/LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: � OTHER: Approved minutes of Environmental Commission meetings on 1/14/15 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS �f 1 � � �, � ...�._._ � p �� , ,�� .� � `� �'� 1 ' `°' City Administrator Date *****�*****************�****�**************�**** COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER City of Cottage Grove Environmental Commission Meeting January 14, 2015 A meeting of the Environmental Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Wednesday, January 14, 2015, in the Council Chambers at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Parkway South. Call to Order Vice Chair Imdieke called the Environmental Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Attendees Members Present: Rita Isker, Shauna Klug, Rosemary Palmer, Brandon Smith Members Absent: Ryan Fleming, Thaddeus Owen Others Present: Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer Approval of Agenda Smith made a motion to approve the agenda. Isker seconded. Motion passed unanimously (4-to-0 vote). Open Forum/Additional Agenda Items None Unfinished/New Business 5.1 2015 Work Plan Levitt explained that the Work Plan in the meeting packet incorporated the comments and ideas expressed by the Commission at their November 12, 2014 meeting. The big focus will be putting together a water conservation plan. She noted that the City Council is holding their annual goals workshop on Saturday, January 24. After that goal setting session, they may direct staff to work on other goals and objectives, so the Commission might have to revisit the Work. Smith stated that he raised a point about the GreenStep Cities initiative and asked if there were any steps that could immediately be taken to put us closer to Step 4, which is the next one after we complete Step 3. Levitt responded that she believes a lot of the objectives have been captured, but there are a couple that need staff time dedicated reaching them, possibly utilizing the City's summer intern. Those objectives pertain to Xcel Energy providing us certain data on our facilities that is not electronically transferable, which requires data entry and inputting. This could possibly be completed by the fall of 2015. Palmer made a motion to adopt the 2015 Work Plan. Smith seconded. Motion passed unani- mously (4-to-0 vote). Environmental Commission Minutes January 14, 2015 Page 2 of 3 5.2 Climb Theatre Plavs in Elementary Schools Levitt provided an overview of the program to provide plays in the City's elementary schools by Climb Theatre. Their new production is specifically focused on water conservation and quality and is geared to kindergarten through second grade. This play will be provided at each of the elemen- tary schools in Cottage Grove. Staff anticipates over 1,300 students will participate and plans on giving away water conservation coloring books. 5.3 Northeast Metro Water Supplv Studv Levitt summarized the information in the packet on the Northeast Metro Water Supply Study. Approval of Environmental Commission Minutes: 6.1 October 8, 2014 — Joint Washinqton Countv Environmental Commissions Palmer made a motion to approve the minutes for the Joint Washington County Environ- mental Commissions meeting on October 8, 2014. Isker seconded. Motion passed unani- mously (4-to-0 vote). 6.2 November 12, 2014 Smith made a motion to approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission meeting on November 12, 2014. Isker seconded. Motion passed unanimously (4-to-0 vote). Reports 7.1 City Council Update Levitt reported that staff provided an invitation to the City Council and Environmental Commission to the Northeast Groundwater Management presentation that the DNR will be putting on in Shore- view on February 3. There will be a similar presentation on February 9 at the City of Woodbury. 7.2 Response to Commission Inquiries None 7.3 Environmental Commission Comments and Requests None Adjournment Isker made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Smith seconded. Motion passed unanimously (6-to-0 vote). The meeting adjourned at 7: �2 p.m. to the Workshop Session in the Training Room. Environmental Commission Minutes January 14, 2015 Page 3 of 3 WORKSHOP Discuss Water Conservation Strateqies Levitt summarized the memorandum regarding water conservation strategies. The Commission discussed the Metropolitan Council report "Feasibility Assessment Approaches to Water Sustain- ability in the Northeast Metro." There was a lengthy discussion regarding lawn care and water conservation strategies. Sugges- tions included an award for the largest conservation by percent, providing education on plants in lieu of grass, rain barrels and downspout dispensers. The Commission desired to award conser- vation, such as the top three biggest reducers. They felt there should be more education on the even/odd watering ban and asked if there should be more enforcement of that ban. Other topics discussed included educational opportunities in the schools, giving students a kit or bag with water conserving showerheads, conservation pricing such as commercial rates and add- ing more residential or commercial pricing tiers, and providing information on water softener settings for correct hardness and recharge rates. The Commission requested that more information on water usage could be added to the monthly water bills. They also felt it would be valuable to have two years of usage rates be shown on the bills. Levitt will check with the Finance Department to see if that would be possible. The Commission suggested providing opportunities to purchase rain barrels and information on lawn care at the Environmental Commission booth at the Strawberry Fest. They would also like to increase the number of trees given away on Arbor Day. Levitt will work with the Parks Depart- ment to see if that would be doable.