2025-6 AgendaSUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
Regular Meeting Agenda
Thursday, June 26th, 2025, 7:00 pm
Heredia Room, City Hall
Commission Members Staff/Others Liaisons
Amanda Kueper, Adam Burnside, Craig Heinen, Helen
Burk, Katy Boone, Chris Danner, Alexa Wozniak
Rachel Lindholm (Sustainability Coordinator)
Zachary McCarty (Solid Waste Specialist)
Rori Coleman-Woods (City Council)
Hayley Tompkins (CSC)
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Regular Meeting Minutes: May 22, 2025
3. Public Comment
Any resident comment and items not printed on the agenda
4. Staff Reports (Lindholm, McCarty)
General updates: Solar on Public Buildings, Direct Pay
Solid Waste updates:
• Winter clothing swap: September 13th, 2-4:15; Pre Drop at farmers market from 7-12
• Pumpkin smash November 8th 9:30-12
• Organics map- if looking for tabling/events we’re looking at targeting southern parts of
Richfield
• Organics audit recap
5. Discussion Items
June Workplan Items (Kueper):
Research action steps to reduce plastic trash and microplastics in
Richfield’s land and water Burnside
Support staff and advise Council on the development of Richfield’s
tree canopy protection/replacement/expansion policy Kueper; Lindholm
Fill remaining Youth Commissioner position
6. Action Items
None
7. Committee Reports
Community Services Commission (CSC) (Tompkins)
8. Next Meeting
Thursday, August 28th, 2025, 7:00 pm
Heredia Room, City Hall
9. Adjournment
REGULAR SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION MEETING
Thursday, May 22nd, 2025
Heredia Room, City Hall
PRESENT
COMMISSIONERS: Amanda Kueper, Craig Heinen, Helen Burk, Chris Danner, Katy Boone, Alexa Wozniak, Adam
Burnside
STAFF: Rachel Lindholm (Sustainability Coordinator), Zach McCarty (Solid Waste Specialist)
LIAISONS: Hayley Tompkins (CSC), Rori Coleman-Woods (City Council)
ABSENT Heinen, Burk, Coleman-Woods
Call to Order
Kueper called the meeting to order at 7:02 pm.
Approval of Minutes/Agenda
Burnside motioned, Wozniak seconded, approved by all.
Public Comment
None
Staff Reports
Lindholm and McCarty reported.
• Lindholm will be working to refresh Richfield’s Climate Action Plan as it has been five years since it was last revised. There will
be a focus on incorporating more adaptation/resilience measures. Expected to be before City Council before end of 2025.
• Solar on Public Buildings – Applications submitted for Public Works building and Richfield Ice Arena. Contractor has been
confirmed.
• Hennepin County has launched a few small climate-related RFPs with a quick turnaround. Grants are available to both
municipalities and nonprofits; City is exploring options to use the grant for coverage of miscellaneous costs related to Solar on
Public Buildings.
• Trash-walking event went well – a couple of families turned out to support.
• Shred/Recycling Event – 175 vehicles came through. 728 lbs of electronics collected for recycling. Minor issues with ineligible
items.
• Commissioners are invited to attend an organics audit on June 12 from 12:00-2:00pm (hoping to start closer to 11:15am). 1-2
volunteers needed. City is also promoting a “fix-it clinic” and volunteers are welcome to be in a video. Email McCarty if
interested.
• Urban Wildland Half Marathon is using reusable cups. Check them out in the last few water stations on the course.
• Space is reserved at Veterans Pavilion on September 13th from 1:30-4pm for a “swap” event where people can bring gently
used items. County is supporting with promotion and collection for charity. Seeking suggestions for items that would work well
for people to bring.
Discussion Items
Nine Mile Creek Watershed Presentation
Gael Zembal, Education Outreach Coordinator for the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District presented about their initiatives in Richfield.
Nine Mile Creek’s watershed includes the SW Metro stretching from Hopkins to Bloomington, covering the SW area of Richfield. The
organization is responsible for educational workshops and programs, water quality monitoring, cost sharing and capital projects, and
permitting. Cost-sharing – people can apply for funding to put in rain gardens, salt reduction projects, etc.
Recently published a DEI and Accessibility Plan which also informs their 10-year planning process. Richfield has been identified as a
“priority zone” under this plan, along with other portions of the watershed, because of recognition of a need for more public engagement
and climate resilience planning. They are seeking to engage with the public and increase awareness of their work. The group discussed
ways to spread the word including putting opportunities in the Richfield Recap, promoting on social media, or promoting at festivals and
special events.
The District is seeking support for flyering and workgroup membership. Asked if commissioners would be willing to help distributing
flyers.
May Workplan Items
Outreach to condo buildings:
Boone discussed how she will be focusing on the five largest condo buildings in Richfield for outreach learning about their sustainability
efforts. Will focus on solid waste in asking building managers about what is available to residents, both for “regular” trash/recycling and
special collections. Will also ask about education of residents and barriers the buildings may be facing to participation. Danner will focus
on rental properties, starting in Downtown area and east Richfield.
DRAFT MINUTES UNTIL APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION
Community outreach for organics participation / invasive plants:
In discussing these two projects together, the group discussed potential opportunities for tabling at community events and outreach to
residents. The Farmer’s Market was discussed as a potential venue for tabling. Planning for these projects is underway; Wozniak is
seeking feedback about how to best contact residents.
Lindholm and McCarty discussed how studies have already been completed in neighboring communities with data about why residents
do not participate in organics programs. Haulers also have lists of who is/not participating that are helpful for targeting specific areas.
Committee Reports
• Community Services Commission:
o Splash pad and pool are in-progress. City worked to address some leaking pipes.
o Farmer’s market is open for the season.
o Most WLNC animals have been moved to the Community Center.
Next Meeting/Adjournment
Next Meeting: Thursday, June 26, 7:00 pm
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:28 pm. Booner motioned, Danner seconded.