Environmental Quality Commission

City Hall City of Northfield 801 Washington Street Northfield, MN 55057 northfieldmn.gov Meeting Minutes - Final Environmental Quality Commission Wednesday, May 15, 2024 6:00 PM Council Chambers 6:00 PM - REGULAR AGENDA CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chair Jones called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Present: 7- Vice Chair Michael Provancha, Commissioner Bruce Anderson, Chair Daniel Jones, Commissioner Janet Petri, Commissioner George Kinney, Commissioner Michelle Mattson and Commissioner Susannah Shmurak Absent: 1- Commissioner Jael Conde Also present: Risi Karim, Assistant to the City Administrator; Matt Bailey, Meeting Associate APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Vice Chair Provancha, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to approve the agenda as amended to add a presentation by Sean McFarling of Ever-Green Energy. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Vice Chair Provancha, Commissioner Anderson, Chair Jones, Commissioner Petri, Commissioner Kinney, Commissioner Mattson and Commissioner Shmurak APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. 24-325 April 17, 2024 EQC Meeting Minutes Attachments: 1 - April 17, 2024 EQC Meeting Minutes Amended to add presentation by Ever-Green Energy on a District Energy System after approval of the Minutes. A motion was made by Commissioner Kinney, seconded by Commissioner Mattson, to approve the April 17, 2024 EQC Meeting Minutes. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Vice Chair Provancha, Commissioner Anderson, Chair Jones, Commissioner Petri, Commissioner Kinney, Commissioner Mattson and Commissioner Shmurak PRESENTATIONS City of Northfield Page 1 Printed on 6/17/2024 Environmental Quality Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 15, 2024 2. 24-426 Sean McFarling, Senior Engineer and CAD Supervisor at Ever-Green Energy, presented on the feasibility of a geothermal District Energy System in Northfield. He responded to questions and comments from the EQC. OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT Janet Mitchell of 506 East 7th Street presented to the EQC petitions asking the City to require compostable plastics at all City-sponsored or City-hosted events REGULAR AGENDA 3. 24-326 2024 Work Plan Update Attachments: 1 - 2024 Work Plan 2 - Zero Waste (1) 3 - Zero Waste Event Guide (Long Version) 4 - ACE Project Northfield EQC (Cece, Cy, Mio, Sophie) - Zero Waste Plan Implementation: Assistant to the City Administrator Risi Karim reported that the final version of the short and long versions of the Zero Waste Event Guide will be presented to the Commission in May. Aidan Phinney, a student at Carleton College working with the Center for Community and Civic Engagement, spoke on his work preparing the Zero Waste Event Guide and the continuity of that work going forward after his graduation next month. - Inflation Reduction Act Workshop Series: Commissioners Petri and Anderson reported on the Polish delegation visiting Northfield June 7, 2024. Petri and Anderson have been coordinating with Rotary and City Staff to develop agenda and presentation material regarding climate action to Northfield. - Active Living: Walk and Bike Campaign: Commissioner Anderson reported on the progress of this initiative. He participated in Bike to School Day. - Food Education Campaign: Commissioners Provancha and Mattson presented the final version of the food education and sustainable community gardening resource guide, created in collaboration with students at St. Olaf Colllege. They staffed a table at the Earth Day event where this guide was distributed. - Native Planting Promoting: Tree Planting & Vegetation: Chair Jones spoke on drafting a letter to City Council and City Staff regarding a potential revision of City Code to accommodate native plantings on residential rights-of-way. Commissioner Shmurak volunteered her assistance on this initiative. STAFF UPDATES 4. 24-327 Staff Update Assistant to the City Administrator Risi Karim delivered updates from City staff. Commissioner Shmurak requested clarification on the process of getting items added to the EQC agenda. City of Northfield Page 2 Printed on 6/17/2024 Environmental Quality Commission Meeting Minutes - Final May 15, 2024 BOARD MEMBER AND COMMISSIONER REPORTS - Commissioner Shmurak asked the EQC for more information about the gravel mining operation being developed in Nerstrand. Chair Jones responded that as it is outside the Northfield City limits, the EQC has no authority to comment or advise on this development, but discussions may be had with City staff regarding the environmental impact of the development on Northfield. - Commissioner Anderson would like the EQC to address in June a recommendation to City staff on strengthening the City's Sustainable Building Policy regarding new construction. Assistant to the City Administrator Risi Karim provided context on the City's current options and positions regarding this. - Chair Jones attended the National Association of Environmental Professionals Conference last week. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Vice Chair Provancha, seconded by Commissioner Petri, to adjourn the meeting at 7:31 p.m. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7- Vice Chair Provancha, Commissioner Anderson, Chair Jones, Commissioner Petri, Commissioner Kinney, Commissioner Mattson and Commissioner Shmurak City of Northfield Page 3 Printed on 6/17/2024