Energy and Environment Committee

AGENDA CITY OF CREVE COEUR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE 300 NORTH NEW BALLAS RD JULY 15, 2026 5:30 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of June 17, 2026, Minutes UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2. Green Cities Challenge A. Ripple Glass B. Native Plants Presentation 3. Newsletter Articles BUSINESS FROM MEMBERS BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL LIAISON BUSINESS FROM STAFF LIAISON ADJOURNMENT Posted by: Date/Time posted: If you need special accommodations to attend a meeting, services may be arranged by contacting the Office of the City Administrator in advance. City of Creve Coeur Page 1 Page 1 of 5  MINUTES CITY OF CREVE COEUR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE 300 NORTH NEW BALLAS RD COUNCIL CHAMBER JUNE 17, 2026 5:30 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL Committee Chair Saranya Konala - Present Committee Vice Chair Walker Gaffney - Absent Committee Member Tarab Kumar - Absent Committee Member Andrew Lowenthal - Present Committee Member Robert McCormack - Present Committee Member David Morgenstern - Present Council Liaison Donna Spence - Absent Staff Liaison Melissa Bradford - Present Franklin Rosario, Ripple Glass Regional Manager - Present (Beginning of Meeting) Paulette Pierson, Horticulture, Ecology, and Beautification Committee Chair - Present APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of April 15, 2026, Minutes RESULT: Motion to Approve the April 15, 2026, Minutes MOVER: Robert McCormack SECONDER: David Morgenstern AYES: Andrew Lowenthal, Saranya Konala, Robert McCormack, David Morgenstern NAYS: None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 2. Green Cities Challenge Franklin Rosario, regional manager for Ripple Glass, met with the Committee virtually. Ripple Glass offers convenient drop off sites for glass recycling. Through the program, Ripple Glass drops of the bin at the host location, picks up the bin once it's full, and transfers the glass to a processing facility in Pevely to be turned into new glass bottles. There are currently 14 bins in the St. Louis region. The program is free for bin hosts. Ripple Glass has a camera inside the bin so they know when it is full and ready for pickup. City of Creve Coeur Page 1 Page 2 of 5  MINUTES CITY OF CREVE COEUR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE 300 NORTH NEW BALLAS RD COUNCIL CHAMBER JUNE 17, 2026 5:30 PM Melissa Bradford asked if there have been any issues with broken glass outside the bin. Franklin said it can happen. Ripple Glass does monthly site inspections of each bin. If there is any broken glass, Ripple Glass is responsible for cleaning it. If there is a problem site, they will conduct inspections more frequently. Ripple Glass is responsible for the bin and the area around it, and they can provide a certificate of insurance to the bin host. David Morgenstern asked if there is any conflict with haulers like Republic Services. Franklin stated that there is no conflict, and Republic Services actually assists with hauling the St. Louis materials to Pevely for processing. David asked what size the bin is. Franklin stated it is 21 feet long, a standard roll off container size. It has sliding doors for people to insert their glass. David asked if it has a light at night. Franklin said the bin does not have a light, but they are usually installed near a streetlight. Webster Groves's bin fills up once every three months. Saranya Konala asked how does Ripple Glass address contamination. Franklin stated that contamination is not a major issue. Contamination is measured by weight, so a bag of trash thrown in does not greatly impact contamination. Also, the smaller shape of the container openings prevents large items like furniture from being thrown in the bin. Franklin stated that typically either the city is a host or helps make introductions to the private company who would be the host. Melissa stated that the city does not have a location available on city-owned property, but the Committee could act as a proponent encouraging installation of a recycling bin on private property, like a retail center parking lot. David asked if Ripple Glass provides educational materials about what glass is accepted, and Franklin confirmed yes. The Committee thanked Franklin for sharing this information with them. Franklin left the meeting virtually. The Committee discussed possible locations, such as Heritage Plaza (not Creve Coeur) or Bellerive Plaza (in Creve Coeur). RESULT: Motion to recommend taking action to facilitate the installation of a Ripple Glass City of Creve Coeur Page 2 Page 3 of 5  MINUTES CITY OF CREVE COEUR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE 300 NORTH NEW BALLAS RD COUNCIL CHAMBER JUNE 17, 2026 5:30 PM recycling bin for public use MOVER: David Morgenstern SECONDER: Andrew Lowenthal AYES: Andrew Lowenthal, Saranya Konala, Robert McCormack, David Morgenstern NAYS: None Melissa stated she met with the Horticulture, Ecology and Beautification (HEB) Committee prior to this meeting to share the Energy & Environment Committee's idea to invite the Missouri Botanical Gardens to give a presentation to the public on native plants. The HEB Committee recommended that the event be held late September in the Council Chamber, the presentation should include information about how native plants can be used for stormwater management, the Stormwater Committee should be included, and an attendance prize could be offered. The HEB Committee also volunteered to write a newsletter article afterwards about native plants. Saranya suggested including an activity for any kids present. Andy suggested the presentation include information about deer-resistant native plants. Paulette stated it is a challenge because most deer-resistant plants are not native plants. Saranya requested Melissa send out information to the Committee on how to sign up for the Green Cities Challenge newsletter. 3. Newsletter Articles Saranya summarized newsletter topics planned for upcoming newsletters, including an article on fuel-efficient driving tips from Donna and an article about the Green Business Certification Program from Saranya. Melissa Bradford stated that an article about the Green Business Award winner will be published in the July newsletter. BUSINESS FROM MEMBERS No discussion was held. BUSINESS FROM COUNCIL LIAISON No discussion was held. City of Creve Coeur Page 3 Page 4 of 5  MINUTES CITY OF CREVE COEUR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE 300 NORTH NEW BALLAS RD COUNCIL CHAMBER JUNE 17, 2026 5:30 PM BUSINESS FROM STAFF LIAISON Melissa Bradford stated that the next meeting will be July 15. Paulette Pierson requested that any newsletter articles related to plants, gardening or deer be shared with the HEB Committee before publication, as the committee has several experts on these topics who can help fact-check the articles. Melissa Bradford agreed that they will continue to do so. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m. City of Creve Coeur Page 4 Page 5 of 5