Sust Commission Minutes October 26Sust Commission Minutes October 26
REGULAR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, October 26, 2023 Heredia Room, City Hall
PRESENT
COMMISSIONERS: Amanda Kueper, Adam Burnside, Craig Heinen, Matt Dobratz
STAFF: Rachel Lindholm (Sustainability Specialist)
LIAISONS: David Vrieze Daniels (CSC)
ABSENT
Santwana Dasgupta, Logan Thein, Ben Whalen (City Council)
Call to Order
Kueper called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Dobratz motioned, Heinen seconded, approved by all.
Public Comment
None
Staff Reports
Sustainability Specialist Lindholm reported:
Forestry/EAB Grant
Update on $498k fed grant to remove 185 EAB-infected trees in ROW in the 2 Justice40 census tracts in SE Richefield. 545 trees will be planted to replace those removed and also for infill.
Discussion about the opportunity for commission to advise on types of trees selected for planting.
Buckthorn events
Alicia Waters has organized several buckthorn removal events this fall and will being doing 1 or 2 more in November in Veterans Park. Check Facebook page for more info.
Recycling Audit
Week of Nov. 13. Staff will be sorting loads from each route that week. Volume and composition sets rates for next year. Shared worksheet that determines rates.
Discussion Items
Microplastics
Burnside shared info on prevalence of microplastics in our environment, impacts on human health, etc. Discussion about what other communities have done, what can Commission/Richfield
do to decrease the use of plastics in Richfield, reduce plastic waste on ground, in waterways. Will work to craft policy discussion/recommendation letter to City Council. Discussed plastic
bag fees ala Minneapolis, and extended producer responsibility.
Recognition Program
Dobratz shared plan to recognize residents/businesses that practice sustainability. Commission would solicit recommendations, evaluate and award on a quarterly/semi-annually basis. Will
work on criteria.
Action Items
None
Committee Reports
For the Community Services Commission, Vrieze Daniels reported:
Staff changes, with Rec director leaving. Pool was profitable for the year. Looking to update annual pass scholarship requirements. Parks will most likely be treating marijuana like
cigarettes, consumption not allowed.
Other/Next Meeting/Adjournment
Next Meeting: Thursday, November 16, 7:00pm in the Heredia Room. Last of the year, so if we have problem with a quorum we will look to December 7 as a back up.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 pm