8.26.21
REGULAR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, August 26th, 2021
Held virtually over WebEx
PRESENT
COMMISSIONERS: Laura Durenberger-Grunow, Carolyn Engeldinger, Amanda Kueper, Alyssa Sanden, Jeremy Barthels, Brian Shaw </w
STAFF: Rachel Lindholm
LIAISONS: Jenna Hansen (CSC)
ABSENT
Ben Whalen (City Council)
Call to Order
Kueper called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Sanden moved to approve the agenda and previous minutes, seconded by Barthels, approved by all.
Public Comment
None
Staff Reports
Organized Collection (Lindholm)
-900 households signed up for organics collection (9% of households)
-every other trash pickup for small can only - some confusion around that
-Size requests need to be in by Sept. 1 to get their desired size cart
-Week of Oct. 4 is transition week – put carts out like normal – they will be collected, then new carts dropped off that day
-more info will be mailed out to residents soon
-Sanden asked how residents can sign up for every other trash week pickup. Need to contact new hauler, or contact Rachel for help
-If residents or anyone else has questions, call Rachel
-Refund for rest of cycle? – Pay your bill in full. Haulers will issue refunds to residents starting in October
-Yard waste will continue until Nov. with new hauler
-Phone comment line? Will there be a separate email to keep it organized?
-Remember that you should contact your hauler first about customer service issues. But service should be better, because the stakes are higher for the hauler
-Definitely contact Rachel for repeat issues or escalation needs (damages collection from haulers, etc.). Bad behavior – like hydraulic fluid spills
-Organics – county funding? Score funding from County passed on to residents – credit on water bill. Exact amount uncertain.
-Where can residents put the new cart? - city code has not changed in relation to this, but there existing accommodations for those with pull-under garages
-Will city keep drop-off sites going? Yes! Especially for multi-unit residents
-What bags are allowed? Should use BPI certified compostable plastic bags.
-Paper bags better than nothing, but may still get gross. Kueper suggests they be allowed, to increase accessibility and convenience of using the program.
-Why does everyone pay for the organics program? Works same as recycling – more equitable, doesn’t punish people for recycling; a third the price for subscription-based system
Penn Fest (Lindholm)
-Penn Fest still a go
-Sunday, September 19
-COVID precautions in place
-Rachel will be tabling about organics collection. Bags and countertop containers available
Partners in Energy Report (Lindholm)
-Currently working on website for energy related resources
-Working through first actions
Invasive Removal Events (Lindholm)
-October 16 - Wood Lake Invasive Removal
-November 14th - Wood Lake Invasive Removal
-Partnering with Hennepin County for a buckthorn pull (stage 1 in fall, stage 2 in spring) - Wood Lake
Greencorp Member (Lindholm)
-A new Greencorp member will be starting on Sept 20
Discussion Items
None
Action Items
-Talk to one person/resident this month about the new trash/organics program.
Committee Reports
Hansen reported on the CSC’s last meeting, giving an update on:
-Richfield fall/winter programing
-A survey for feedback on a new building for Wood Lake
Other/Next Meeting/Adjournment
Next Meeting: Thursday, September 23, 7:00 pm, will be held in person.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Shaw, seconded by Engeldinger. Meeting adjourned by Kueper at 8:07 pm.