Environmental Management Commission
Regular MeetingOakdale, MN · January 13, 2020
Minutes
REGULAR MEETING
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
City of Oakdale
January 13, 2020
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) of the City of Oakdale was
held on Monday, January 13, 2020 at the Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale,
Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Miller at 7:00 p.m.
CALL OF ROLL
On a call of roll, the following were present:
Present: Keith Miller, Chairperson
Nick Kantola, Vice Chair
Commissioners: Gretel Drainville
Noah Gerding
Bonnie Wilson
Also Present: Jennifer Hassebroek, Sr. Community Development Specialist
Susan Olson, City Council Member
Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMISSIONER DRAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GERDING, TO
APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION WORKSHOP HELD
NOVEMBER 18, 2019.
5 AYES.
ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
Chair Miller explained the annual nomination procedure for Chair and Vice Chair.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER DRAINVILLE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILSON,
TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER MILLER FOR THE POSITION OF CHAIR.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DRAINVILLE,
TO NOMINATE COMMISSIONER KANTOLA FOR THE POSITION OF VICE CHAIR.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GERDING, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DRAINVILLE,
TO CLOSE THE NOMINATIONS FOR THE POSITIONS OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.
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Page Two
January 13, 2020
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER KANTOLA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DRAINVILLE,
TO ELECT COMMISSIONER MILLER AS CHAIR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
COMMISSION FOR A PERIOD OF ONE (1) CALENDAR YEAR, COMMENCING WITH THE JANUARY 13,
2020 MEETING.
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GERDING, SECONDED COMMISSIONER WILSON, TO
ELECT COMMISSIONER KANTOLA TO THE POSITION OF VICE CHAIR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION FOR A PERIOD OF ONE (1) CALENDAR YEAR, COMMENCING WITH
THE JANUARY 13, 2020 MEETING.
5 AYES.
ADOPT A STORM DRAIN
Ms. Hassebroek discussed the City’s new Adopt a Drain program. She noted that the GIS data on
storm drain locations had been updated and that the program will be ready to roll out this year, as
discussed by the Commission in November.
Ms. Hassebroek provided an overview of the Adopt a Drain website (https://adopt-a-drain.org/)
and talked about the importance of the program for protecting water quality.
In response to questions from commissioners, Ms. Hassebroek explained that it is a metro-wide
program and that there is no limit to the number of storm drains a volunteer may adopt.
ADOPT A STORM DRAIN PROGRAM PROMOTION
Commissioners discussed ideas for free promotion of the Adopt a Drain program. Commissioners
Drainville and Kantola noted that they would work on messaging. The Commission suggested
handing out information at the Arbor Day Tree Giveaway in April and at a Farmer’s Market;
Commissioners Drainville and Gerding offered to work shifts.
The Commission indicated that it would adopt a drain or drains near City Hall and promote it on
social media to encourage participation from the community.
Staff will identify drains for the Commission to adopt and set up a schedule.
In response to a question from Commissioner Drainville, Ms. Hassebroek noted that she would
look into whether the Commission could have access to list of residents who have adopted a park.
Commissioner Wilson asked if Staff could get a version of the Adopt a Drain handout with a
Washington County stamp on the letter.
Chair Miller and Commissioner Drainville suggested promoting the program to different
neighborhoods/associations at their annual meetings.
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January 13, 2020
Page Three
Commissioner Drainville suggested promoting to businesses, perhaps offering to promote the
business on the city’s website and/or on social media.
Chair Miller stated that the timeline to begin will most likely be April and that the program
complements the city’s Adopt a Wetland program.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS and COMMISSIONER UPDATES
Ms. Hassebroek reminded the Commission of the joint meeting with the City Council on Monday,
February 24 at 5:00 pm.
Ms. Hassebroek noted that she was asked by the staff at CEE if the city was interested in
participating in a metro wide contest to see which city can have the most residents sign up for a
Home Energy Squad visit. More information will be forthcoming.
Chair Miller mentioned a meeting in Roseville on February 13 of the area commissions primarily in
Ramsey County and north metro and some east metro locations. He added that the meeting
would be used as a follow up on the plans and actions cities are taking on resiliency; it is an
Alliance for Sustainability meeting. Chair Miller will send the information to commissioners
regarding this meeting.
Chair Miller asked Ms. Hassebroek to prepare materials for the joint meeting with the City Council
in February.
Commission Wilson saw a Green Step City sign in Lake Elmo and asked if Oakdale has any.
Commissioner Kantola stated he has seen them at the entrances to the city.
Ms. Hassebroek stated that she would look into ordering some.
NEXT MEETING DATE
Chair Miller reminded the Commission that the next meeting would be Monday, February 10,
2020; the meeting was moved up a week due to President’s Day.
ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DRAINVILLE,
TO ADJOURN THE JANUARY 13, 2020 REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAKDALE ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMISSION AT 7:33 P.M.
5 AYES.
Respectfully submitted by Jackie Knutson, Recording Secretary
Agenda
AGENDA
Environmental Management Commission
January 13, 2020 – 7:00 PM
Council Chambers, Oakdale City Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – NOVEMBER 18, 2019
4. ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
5. ADOPT-A- STORM DRAIN DISCUSSION
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS & COMMISSIONER UPDATES
a. Joint Meeting with City Council - Monday, February 24, 2020 @ 5 PM
7. NEXT MEETING DATE – FEBRUARY 10, 2020
8. ADJOURNMENT
The next regular Environmental Management Commission meeting will be held
February 10, 2020 @ 7:00 PM, Oakdale City Hall
REGULAR MEETING
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION
City of Oakdale
November 18, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) of the City of Oakdale was
held on Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Oakdale Municipal Building, 1584 Hadley Avenue North,
Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Miller at 7:00 p.m.
CALL OF ROLL
On a call of roll, the following were present:
Chair: Keith Miller
Commissioners: Bonnie Wilson
Nick Kantola
Gretel Drainville
Noah Gerding
Also Present: Jen Hassebroek, Sr. Community Development Specialist
Kevin Zabel, Council Member
Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER KANTOLA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
DRAINVILLE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 21,
2019.
5 AYES.
2020-2021 WORK PLAN
Ms. Hassebroek provided an outline of the purpose of the work plan and the draft outline 2020-
2021 work plan provided.
Commissioner Wilson inquired about the CUB Bill Clinic. Ms. Hassebroek responded that it is a free
consultation for residents to review utility bills coordinated by the Citizen’s Utility Board.
Chair Miller recommended completing the zoning code update for solar in residential neighborhoods.
Commissioner Wilson asked about adding a map of cleared walking paths and bicycle lanes on the
city website.
Chair Miller provided a recap of a meeting recently held at 3M for Bike MN.
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November 18, 2019
Chair Miller also commented on the need for signs on the road to notify residents where bike lanes
in the city are located. Councilmember Zabel asked how bike routes might be defined. Chair Miller
responded that it goes beyond trail system and includes areas of streets or entire streets that are
designated and marked as bike routes.
Chair Miller discussed combining a ride and drive event with promotion of an EV bulk buy event.
Commissioner Grainville asked about multi-family recycling projects and impact of 2019 recycling
promotion efforts. Ms. Hassebroek stated the city would continue multi-family recycling promotion in
2020 and would have a better idea of recycling rate changes in May when the county releases
annual recycling report figures.
Chair Miller recommended continuing promotion of multi-family energy efficiency audits and rebates
in 2020-2021.
Chair Miller inquired about updating the Generation Green program. The commission discussed the
merits of updating the program and what green standard might be appropriate to incentivize, if at all.
Chair Miller highlighted the work that is currently underway to increase energy standards statewide
and questioned whether or not the city should spend the time to update the program in light of that
work.
The commission discussed promotion of Adopt-a-Drain and having the Public Works director come in
and speak to the commission about storm water and wetland issues.
Councilmember Zabel commented on having a storm water drain cleaning or drain painting event in
various neighborhoods to promote storm water health and the local impact on water quality.
Chair Miller recommended taking a look at the GreenStep Cities efficient city fleet best practices. The
members discussed school bus emissions and school fleet best practices.
Council Member Zabel discussed the plan to move police and public works fleet vehicles indoors to
reduce idling.
Chair Miller asked about the role of the city in helping neighborhood association groups to update
their covenants covering native plants, solar, clotheslines, and other environmentally-focused rules.
Council Member Zabel suggested providing new associations with draft covenant language as a
starting point to ensure residents are able to implement environmentally friendly options.
Chair Miller discussed the potential for promoting ways to reduce use of plastic bags and other
single-use plastic items. The group discussed general recycling education and how to educate
residents to use items more than once.
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November 18, 2019
Commissioner Gerding asked about the goals of an EV ride and drive event and the city’s role in
promoting or hosting one. The group discussed the option of having a ride and drive event as part of
Touch-a-Truck or another city-sponsored event. Commissioner Drainville asked about the ability to
partner with Hy-Vee on an event as they have EV chargers on site. Council Member Zabel
commented on the natural fit with hosting it during Touch-a-Truck.
Commissioner Wilson commented on promoting the Environmental Management Commission at city
events and in the city newsletter.
Chair Miller recommended adding information about how to subscribe to a community solar garden
to the city website or other newsletters.
Council Member Zabel discussed the vacancy of the city administrator position and hiring process
with the commission, as well as the budget for next year. He also discussed the change in official city
newspaper.
Chair Miller expressed thanks for the support of the City Council for the commission’s programs and
projects.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS & COMMISSIONER UPDATES
Commissioner Gerding commented on his use of the Washington County organics recycling program
and the ease of using it. Commissioner Drainville also uses the program. Both commissioners
offered to provide testimonials for city communications staff to promote the program.
Ms. Hassebroek commented on the February meeting being combined with the joint City Council
meeting.
NEXT MEETING DATE
January 13, 2020
ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION WAS MADE COMMISSIONER GERDING, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILSON, TO
ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 21, 2019 REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAKDALE ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT COMMISSION AT 8:35 PM.
5 AYES.
Respectfully submitted by Jen Hassebroek
TO: Environmental Management Commission
FROM: Jennifer Hassebroek
DATE: January 2, 2020
SUBJ: Election of Commission Chair and Vice Chair
BACKGROUND
Chapter 6 of the City Code of Ordinances states that the Environmental Management
Commission shall elect from its membership a Chair and Vice Chair annually at its
first meeting of the year. Neither the City Code of Ordinances nor EMC by-laws specify
term limits with regards to serving in these positions. Therefore, all commission
members are eligible to serve in 2020.
ELECTION PROCESS
The following is the process for the Election of Chair & Vice Chair. Ballots for voting
will be distributed.
1. Nominate candidates for the Chair & Vice Chair position. Commissioners may
nominate themselves. Nominations do not require a "second", but other members
may "second" the nomination to show support.
"Motion to nominate Commissioner _______ for the position of Chair"
"Motion to nominate Commissioner _______ for the position of Vice Chair"
2. When there are no new nominations to be made a commissioner should motion
that nominations close. The motion to close requires a "second".
"Motion to close nominations for the position of Chair and Vice Chair"
3. Election using the ballot provided. Commissioners write in their choice from those
nominated and pass the ballots to staff for tabulating.
4. Staff will announce results.
5. Election of Chair & Vice Chair requires a motion and a second.
"Motion to elect Commissioner ____________for the position of Chair of the
Environmental Management Commission for a period of one (1) calendar
year, commencing with the January 13, 2020 meeting".
"Motion to elect Commissioner ____________for the position of Vice Chair of
the Environmental Management Commission for a period of one (1) calendar
year, commencing with the January 13, 2020 meeting".
TO: Environmental Management Commission
FROM: Jennifer Hassebroek
DATE: January 2, 2020
SUBJ: Adopt-a-Storm Drain
At the November meeting the commission discussed promoting Adopt-a-Storm Drain
in 2020. The software used to locate and “adopt” storm drains has received an
update of GIS information and should be more accurate then when the program was
first rolled out last year. Adopt-a-Storm Drain program staff have indicated that they
should be contacted if any additional drains not located on the website are identified
and they can update the map manually.
Staff will provide an overview of the online signup process and copies of the
materials provided to participants for discussion about promotion methods.
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