2020-08 AgendaSUSTAINBILITY COMMISSION
Regular Meeting Agenda
Thursday, August 27th, 2020, 7:00 pm
Virtual Meeting - WebEx
Commission Members Staff/Others Liaisons
Jeremy Barthels, Laura Durenberger-Grunow, Carolyn
Engeldinger, Amanda Kueper, Kameron Murray, Alyssa
Sanden, Brian Shaw
Chris Link (Public Works Operations
Superintendent)
Rachel Lindholm (Sustainability Specialist)
Ben Whalen (City Council)
Heather MacDonald (CSC)
1. Call to Order/Welcome
2. Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Regular Meeting Minutes: June 25th, 2020
3. Public Comment
Resident comment and items not printed on agenda
4. Staff Reports
Reminders: Community Builds, Tree Trust, HESE
Secretary volunteering/rotating schedule (Lindholm)
5. Discussion Items
PiE Team (Lindholm)
Climate Action Plan feedback (Lindholm)
6. Action Items
Motion to recommend Climate Action Plan (with proposed edits) to City Council
7. Committee Reports
Community Services Commission (CSC) (MacDonald)
8. Next Meeting
Thursday, September 24th, 2020, 7:00 pm
Virtual Meeting held on WebEx
9. Adjournment
REGULAR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, June 25h, 2020
Held virtually over WebEx
PRESENT
SC: Laura Durenberger-Grunow, Carolyn Engeldinger, Amanda Kueper, Alyssa Sanden, Jeremy Barthels, Brian
Shaw, Kameron Murray
STAFF: Rachel Lindholm, Amy Markle
LIAISONS: Ben Whalen (City Council), Heather MacDonald (CSC)
ABSENT None
Call to Order
Kueper called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm. Kueper asked Murray and Shaw to re-introduce themselves as they were absent
last meeting.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Murray moved to approve the agenda and previous minutes, seconded by Shaw, approved by all .
Public Comment
None
Staff Reports
Richfield Sustainability Efforts Presentation
Lindholm presented on some of the sustainability practices and projects that the City has undertaken over the past few years.
She also explained 4 lenses of sustainability – environmental, economic, social, and racial justice – and how environmental
racism/injustice is present in Richfield. Barthels commented on the closed grocery space in the HUB/loss of food access and
asked if there are any plans for it. Whalen said that the developer owns the space so it’s not up to the city; there have been talks
but nothing definitive. Shaw asked about the general city demographics; Lindholm shared the stats in the most recent
comprehensive plan. Kueper asked how the natural areas in parks are maintained as some appear to be full of invasive species.
Lindholm gave information about Adams Hill park and will follow up with Public Works staff. Kueper also asked about tree
maintenance; having forestry staff answer questions at a future meeting was suggested. Sanden asked about an Adopt -A-Drain
program; Lindholm said that Patrick Martin is the City’s water resources specialist and has worked on this effort in the past.
Commission Work-plan Pandemic Update
Organized Collection – The City Council has identified organized collection as one of the top priorities for the city, so
staff will be refocusing on this initiative and sharing updates with the commission over the next few months.
Richfield Climate Action Plan – This will be discussed in detail at the August meeting. The CAP will be brought to
council in the fall for a work session and subsequent approval.
MacDonald and Durenberger-Grunow asked about resources for answering resident questions about organized collection,
especially regarding the benefits and responses to FAQs or concerns. Lindholm affirmed that they will be put together and
shared with the commission. Markle explained that this process is not quick and will definitely focus on resident education a lot
as it goes forward.
Discussion Items
Lindholm reminded commissioners to consider signing up for Xcel’s free Home Energy Squad virtual visits. The city is
participating in a contest to increase registrations, but also wants to promote an easy way for residents to save money and
reduce the amount of energy used. MacDonald asked about renters being able to participate. Lindholm said that those who rent
houses can participate but she would have to ask the program about multi-units.
Action Items
None
Committee Reports
MacDonald reported on the CSC’s last meeting, giving an update on the Ice Arena refrigeration project. Lindholm shared grant
updates on the inclusive playground project.
Other/Next Meeting/Adjournment
Next Meeting: Thursday, August 27th, 7:00 pm, will be held virtually over WebEx.
Adjournment: Motion to adjourn by Murray, seconded by Barthels. Meeting adjourned by Kueper at 8:27 pm.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE SC