Sustainability Minutes - Oct. 24, 2024
REGULAR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024
Bartholomew Room, City Hall
PRESENT
COMMISSIONERS: Amanda Kueper, Matt Dobratz, Amanda McKnight, Craig Heinen
STAFF: Rachel Lindholm (Sustainability Specialist), Zachary McCarty (Solid Waste Specialist)
LIAISONS: None
ABSENT
Adam Burnside (Commissioner), Student Commissioner Helen Burk, CSC Liaison Kris Anderson
Call to Order
The meeting began without a quorum at 7:10 p.m. Commissioners arrived shortly after and business proceeded as usual.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Heinen motioned for approval of the minutes/agenda. Dobratz seconded.
Public Comment
No public comments.
Staff Reports
Lindholm is waiting to provide an update on the communications plan until there are more deliverables available for commissioners to review.
McCarty provided an update on the Hennepin County Community Zero Waste Grant and asked for any commissioner ideas on businesses, non-profits, and local organizations that may be able
to take advantage of the grant. Per the County, “Examples of projects could include community-led swaps, repair clinics, special material collections, and recycling or organics drop-off
sites that address waste programming gaps or culturally specific needs.”
Discussion Items
Presentation from City Bella residents
Katie Boone, a resident of City Bella, introduced Pat Brezonik who gave a presentation about the cooperative’s sustainability initiatives:
- Installed LED lighting in all common areas in 2015
- Established sustainability committee in 2020
- Received a grant to install 28 level-2 chargers in the parking garage in 2022
- Planning solar panel installation on plaza roof in the next couple years
- Engaged Environmental Engineering students from the U of M to review the cooperative’s carbon footprint as a capstone project
- Looking into replacing water heaters with heat pumps for cost and efficiency
Pumpkin Smash Curbside Organics Sign Up Effort
McCarty plans to create a sign-up flyer in Canva with a QR code so people can sign up online on-site at the pumpkin smash event. McKnight suggested including a QR code for signing up
for the sustainability newsletter, and possibly creating a Link Tree for all the sustainability resources online as a one-stop shop. Lindholm said she will discuss with the Communications
Division and report back to the group.
Work Plan Updates
Heinen sent a message to the high school about visiting the Green Team to talk about youth commissioner positions in the near future.
Dobratz suggested coming up with a timeline for the recognition program and trying to promote in the next sustainability newsletter.
McKnight didn’t have any updates aside from reiterating her willingness to help coordinate the creation of a Link Tree.
Action Items
No action items. <
Committee Reports
No committee reports.
Other/Next Meeting/Adjournment
Next Meeting: Thursday, Nov. 21, 7:00 p.m. in the Heredia Room.
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:16 p.m.