Sustainability Commission

SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE Tuesday, May 13, 2025 6:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Evenson at 6:01 p.m. Members present: Commissioners Evenson, Carlson, Groseth, Johnson, LaPlante, Leoni-Helbacka, Kurek Staff present: Andrew Boucher, City Planner Liam Genter, City Forester/Natural Resources Specialist Sara Ion, City Clerk Members absent: Commissioners Jensen-Christen, Small Council Liaison: Rachel James Community Forum: No community members present. OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS 1. Approval of meeting minutes from April 8, 2025 Commissioner Evenson made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from April 8, 2025. The motion was seconded by Commissioner LaPlante and passed unanimously. 2. Xcel Energy Partners in Energy – Energy Action Plan Planner Boucher gave a recap of the development of the Energy Action Plan that was developed over the last year in partnership with the Xcel Energy Partners in Energy program. Over the course of five workshops the Energy Action Team identified goals and worked towards the creation of the Energy Action Plan. The team identified 4 focus areas that they considered the top priorities for the plan including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and reducing energy burdens. The team identified assets that the community can leverage to achieve their goals, as well as barriers that might stand in the way. Planner Boucher explained the next steps for the Energy Action Plan, which will be presented to the City Council at the June 2, 2025, work session and then voted on at the June 9, 2025, council meeting. Commissioner LaPlante asked if budget cuts or other funding issues at the state or federal levels could negatively impact the Energy Action Plan or the subsidies available to residents through the energy utility. Planner Boucher stated that he had no knowledge of any impacts to Partners in Energy, or available rebates, which to his knowledge are funded City of Columbia Heights MINUTES May 13, 2025 Sustainability Commission Page 2 through utility rates and not contingent upon state or federal grant funding. Boucher explained that as part of the Partners in Energy program we will receive ongoing support from Xcel energy for two years, including help building and launching a website for the program to bring in participants and showcase successes. Boucher thanked everyone on the commission for their efforts in building and contributing to the plan, and a special thank you to the commissioners that served on the Energy Action Team. Commissioner Evenson made the following motion: MOTION: Move to give a positive recommendation to the Energy Action Plan and that the Council Liaison, Rachel James, introduce the plan at the June 2, 2025 City Council Work Session and direct staff to proceed with preparing the plan for the June 9, 2025 City Council meeting. Motion was seconded by commissioner Johnson and approved unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Groseth made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Commissioner Kurek. The motion was approved unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Liam Genter City Forester/Natural Resources Specialist