Sust Commission Minutes November 2023.docxSust Commission Minutes November 2023.docx
REGULAR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, November 16, 2023
Heredia Room, City Hall
PRESENT
COMMISSIONERS: Amanda Kueper, Santwana Dasgupta, Adam Burnside, Craig Heinen, Matt Dobratz
STAFF: Rachel Lindholm (Sustainability Specialist)
LIAISONS: None
ABSENT
Logan Thein, David Vrieze Daniels (CSC), Ben Whalen (City Council)
Call to Order
Kueper called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Heinen motioned, Dobratz seconded, approved by all.
Public Comment
None
Staff ReportsSustainability Specialist Lindholm reported:
Renewable Connect Update
Xcel folding old Windsource in with Renewable Connect - Flex. Will incorporate wind and solar. Hopefully will be able to sign up online soon. Xcel does not get to claim additional credits
for these.
Carryout Bags
Edina passed fee for carryout bags (state has ban on bans, so fees are tool to reduce usage ala Minneapolis)
HERC
Hennepin trash incinerator will be going offline sometime between 2028 - 2040. Concerns over air pollution concentration in lower income neighborhoods. Will mean more landfill usage.
WLNC
Proposals for new nature center at Wood Lake have been received, narrowed down to three firms. Planning ongoing.
Discussion Items
New Commissioner
New Sustainability Commissioner has been selected after interviews by the city council. Will be in place for January 2024 meeting.
Youth Commission
Heinen and Burnside working to set up date to meet with Richfield HS students to pitch two student seats on commission. Still working to set something up with Holy Angels.
2023 Workplan
Environmental Fair
Farmers Market information table.
Action to fill youth commissioner seats.
Climate Action Plan passed by City Council with input from commission.
Letter to Editor to Sun CurrenAction Itemst
Update to Bylaws
Heinen motioned, Burnside seconded to clarify in bylaws that November meeting will be Thursday before Thanksgiving Day. Approved by all.
Committee Reports
None
Other/Next Meeting/Adjournment
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 25, 7:00pm in the Heredia Room.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm