Commission Minutes Feb 2022RICHFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY COMMISSION
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE SC
REGULAR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, February 24th, 2022
Virtual - WebEx
PRESENT
COMMISSIONERS: Amanda Kueper, Jeremy Barthels, Adam Burnside, Craig Heinen, Logan Thein, Santwana Dasgupta, Amy Utley
STAFF: Rachel Lindholm, Roxanne Nelson (MN GreenCorps)
LIAISONS: Ben Whalen (City Council), Jenna Hanson (CSC)
ABSENT
None
Call to Order
Kueper called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Burnside moved to approve the agenda and previous minutes, seconded by Barthels, approved by all.
Public Comment
Ava McKnight shared public comment about the City’s tree list, commenting on non-native trees versus cultivars. She would like the habitat benefit to be considered over the aesthetics,
for pollinator health. She also added comments about the importance of keystone species and understory trees. Lindholm said a future forestry presentation from staff during a commission
meeting might be beneficial.
Staff Reports
New Commissioner Introductions
Commissioners, liaisons, and staff introduced themselves as this was the first commission meeting all attended.
Organized Collection
Staff finished SCORE reporting which shares tonnage with the County. Compostable bag distribution is going well and continues at the Community Center (9:30-4:30) and at Public Works
(8:30-4:30). Once finished, a draft of the mailer with Hennepin County will be shared with commissioners.
Partners in Energy
Staff are working on a multi-family building energy efficiency and assessment mailer to be sent to property owners and managers. There have been lighting kits at City Hall for residents,
which have been so popular that the entire quantity is already gone! Staff have been trying to connect with local organizations, like House of Prayer church to share energy efficiency
and reduction info with community members. Commissioners are invited to share suggestions for partners with staff.
Other
Kueper asked Lindholm for any follow-up information on the previous topic of declaring a climate emergency. Lindholm shared that she would have to ask the chief of police, city attorney,
and city manager if it would be ok to use the word “emergency”, and she’d rather only do that if the commission is interested in pursuing this. Kueper said that commissioners could express
their interest in pursuing this as a future discussion item.
Lindholm also mentioned new resources including the State’s Climate Action Plan and the MN Sustainability Index. Links will be sent out after the meeting.
Discussion Items
Sustainability Fair w/ LWV
League of Women Voters members Donna Drummond, Carolyn Engeldinger, and Susan Rosenberg presented the League’s idea of a 2023 Sustainability Fair with various exhibitors who can help
community members reduce their carbon footprint. The high school is interested in partnering to host the event. Lindholm will talk to other staff about the City’s ability to partner
officially. Commissioners shared positive feedback and ideas for the event like compiling a guide of information. Commissioners will each compile ideas for potential exhibitors. Dasgupta
suggested the idea of a sub-group to work on the fair.
2022 Brainstorming
Lindholm shared the previous list of ideas with the new commissioners and shared information on how they relate to existing city goals. For next month’s meeting, commissioners will identify
or suggest their own project ideas or preferences from existing ones. Commissioners asked for clarification about the process of commenting on items under the direction of other commissions.
Action Items
Dasgupta motioned to support the sustainability fair event and Thein seconded it, approved by all.
Dasgupta volunteered and then motioned to nominate herself as the new Secretary. Thein seconded, approved by all.
Committee Reports
Hanson reported on the CSC’s last meeting:
2nd annual ice festival at Taft Lake was well attended – 150 people
Candlelight walk at WLNC
Summer positions are open – with signing bonuses
Summer programming has been sent out in the citywide rec program
Other/Next Meeting/Adjournment
Next Meeting: <Thursday, March 24th, 7:30 pm, Virtual via WebEx.
Adjournment: < Motion to adjourn by Burnside, seconded by Heinen. Meeting adjourned by Kueper at 8:27 pm.