Environmental Management Commission

AGENDA Environmental Management Commission November 16, 2020 – 7PM Zoom meeting Click the link below to join the Zoom meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81027870536?pwd=LzRYdmZmMVR4Rm9JdlVxTkxwZW12dz09 Meeting ID: 810 2787 0536 Passcode: 872870 Dial in: +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 810 2787 0536 Passcode: 872870 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbYfUcs7g 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. October 19, 2020 4. MANAGEMENT REPORTS a. Environmental communication strategy update 5. ALL OTHER ITEMS a. Review of 2021 EMC Work Plan draft 6. NEXT MEETING DATE a. January 11, 2021 7. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Environmental Management Commission meeting will be held January 11, 2021 @ 7 PM (location to be determined).  REGULAR MEETING OAKDALE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION October 19, 2020 CALL TO ORDER The Oakdale Environmental Management Commission (EMC) held a meeting on Monday, October 19, 2020 at the Oakdale City Hall, 1584 Hadley Avenue North, Oakdale, Minnesota. The meeting began at 7:00PM with the pledge. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Chairperson: Keith Miller, Chairperson Commissioners: Nick Kantola, Vice Chair Gretel Drainville Noah Gerding Bonnie Wilson Also Present: Shannon Reidlinger, Sr. Community Development Specialist Susan Olson, City Council Member Absent: Connor Brown Karen Jackson Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐ APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMISSIONER GERDING MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER KANTOLA, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 13, 2020. 5 AYES. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: ENERGY EFFICIENCY RESOURCES DISCUSSION Chair Miller reminded the Commission of the January Work Plan that has been upset by the Coronavirus. Chair Miller discussed energy efficiency with a focus on energy and climate change to help citizens save money as well as reduce greenhouse gasses, relating to both Oakdale residents and business owners, and comes at a great time as October is Energy Awareness Month. Chair Miller introduced Shannon Reidlinger, Senior CD Specialist. Ms. Reidlinger shared that there are many opportunities to promote different energy audits with financing options in Oakdale for both residents and businesses. Chair Miller began the discussion with energy audits, wanting to focus on energy efficiency, starting with the audits for residents and businesses. Chair shared that the Clean Energy Resource Team, Environmental Management Minutes October 19, 2020 Page Two CERTS, has worked with the City in the past and found them very effective. Xcel also does home energy audits with different tools. He shared that during these times, the Commission could look into online options. Commissioner Drainville shared she recently moved. Xcel Energy reached out to her and provided both the Home Energy Squad and Xcel Energy Audit in tandem. It started with a virtual video chat with pictures submitted; she also walked around her home with her computer during the chat. For the actual energy audit, after the virtual visit, where individuals came into her home, Xcel first mandated quarantine if the resident wasn’t going to wear a mask, otherwise the homeowner needed to wear a mask the entire time. Commissioner Drainville shared that the Xcel team brought their own indoor shoes and mentioned that they not only changed lightbulbs but also changed weather stripping on doors and provided a free quote on additional products for further energy efficiency. She felt that this is a full service as long as residents have the necessary technology. Commissioner Drainville suggested that we promote this with the public. In response to a question from Commissioner Wilson, Commissioner Drainville mentioned that the City’s social media options are Facebook, Instagram. Ms. Reidlinger shared that we also have a Twitter presence. She shared that Ms. Hassebroek left social media posts for a Home Energy Challenge. In response to a question from Commissioner Wilson, Ms. Reidlinger stated she will work with the City Communications Specialists to promote social media items regarding this. In response to a question from Commissioner Drainville, Ms. Reidlinger mentioned that on the Citizens Utility Board (Cub) website it’s noted they do call-in Utility Bill Clinics. She also shared that an Electric Car event has also been held off until next year. Chair Miller noted that there are Bill Reading Clinics online, available with CERTS. These are hour long sessions. Chair Miller mentioned that while we have done these in person in the past that is no longer advisable. He suggested that we put this out on social media as well. In response to a question from Commissioner Drainville, Ms. Reidlinger responded that she will look into using the City channel to put out information for the EMC. In response to a question from Chair Miller, Ms. Reidlinger will check with CERTS to see if a speaker would come to the November EMC meeting to present opportunities for Home Energy Audits, CERTS tools and guides that they have online and perhaps check to see if a modified Utility Bill Clinic would be feasible. In response to a question from Chair Miller, Ms. Reidlinger will check on the monthly newsletter that discusses what each commission is working on. Commissioner Drainville suggested that we could share that through our social network channels. Commissioner Wilson suggested that we add the memo from Staff in this month’s packet to the announcement of the clinic. She noted that this bullet pointed list was comprehensive. Environmental Management Minutes October 19, 2020 Page Three In response to a question from Commissioner Gerding, Ms. Reidlinger mentioned that she will bring the idea of a themed calendar to the Oakdale Communications Specialist to prepare an intentional calendar with dates so that the Commission has advance knowledge of special dates/months, and will be better able to support Staff. Chair Miller discussed incentives and financing, mentioning that there are several opportunities, for example Xcel Energy has incentives (Savers Switch) for homeowners. MinnPACE and the St Paul Port Authority along with the MN Department of Commerce have opportunities for both residential and commercial. Oakdale is a MinnPACE partner, and Chair Miller noted the City should keep promoting the incentives and financing available. In response to a question from Commissioner Drainville, Ms. Reidlinger stated she will contact the Communications Specialist to ask about other avenues of communications to residents, and see how residents currently interact with the City. Chair Miller wants to get this information to the Oakdale Business Association. Commissioner Gerding added in terms of the incentives and financing resources, the City needs to get the messaging out to those that are already engaged, those that are unaware of the Environmental Management Commission, and to those that want to be engaged, but have no access. Commissioner Wilson mentioned the Willowbrooke project and that new construction is a great opportunity to bring up Energy. Chair Miller has contacted the builder, Lennar, and is awaiting a return call. REVIEW OF 2020 EMC WORK PLAN Chair Miller noted that the 2020 Work Plan, which was finalized at a City Council meeting in February, was unable to be fulfilled. The Commission is now tasked with working on the 2020 Work Plan. Chair Miller noted in detail, items of the 2020 Work Plan. In response to a question from Council Member Susan Olson, Ms. Reidlinger noted that she reviewed the minutes from the last City Council Workshop and notes that the EMC recommended City Code Amendment to define requirements for parking in an electric vehicle (EV) charging station and penalty for violation was not supported, and has been put on hold. She will confirm. In response to a question from Chair Miller, Ms. Reidlinger will get updates on the Zoning Code Amendments, Building Permit Processes and the City Financing for EV Charging Stations for the November EMC meeting. Chair Miller mentioned that the EV Bulk Buy will be placed in the 2021 Work Plan. Chair Miller shared in detail the bullet points under the Comp Plan Priorities, including the Adopt a Drain project. The Commissioners all want to continue this water conservation project next year. Environmental Management Minutes October 19, 2020 Page Four Commissioner Gerding noted the EMC should effectively promote this priority. He notes that he has found used masks in drains, and feels from a community education piece, we could mention this during the promotion. In response to a question from Chair Miller regarding the Green Step Cities Best Practices Priorities, Ms. Reidlinger noted that the work of the Bike and Pedestrian Plan has been ongoing but has been pushed back due to the pandemic. She will obtain an update from the Community Development Team and report back. In response to a question from Chair Miller, Ms. Reidlinger shared she will share a draft with the Commission on all the data gathered so far. ELECTRIC VEHICLES STUDIES DISCUSSION Ms. Reidlinger shared the main highlights of the 2019 Electric Vehicle Study specifically that Oakdale has committed to finding ways to reduce emissions through supporting Electric Vehicle Infrastructure. Staff wants to build upon this study to understand where in Oakdale we may install charging stations so that accessibility to electric vehicles are encouraged and promoted. Chair Miller noted that there are grant monies available from the State of Minnesota based on their settlement of the Volkswagen case, and would like to connect with that via CERTS. He shared currently we have the Park & Ride, and will have the Helmo Station for public transportation. In response to a question from Commissioners Drainville and Wilson, Ms. Reidlinger shared that the goal of the 2020 EV Study is to find best locations for installation, and one outcome of this study is to produce a list of locations in Oakdale where good opportunities to install charging stations. In response to a question from Commissioner Wilson, Ms. Reidlinger explained that the goal is to understand what is involved with installation infrastructure. Chair Miller discussed that there are different charging stations: regular, fast, and super-fast. He would like to explore options for City Fleet EV usage with the projects of upgrading the Police Station and Public Works. Commissioner Kantola shared that getting the Police vehicles indoors will greatly assist to lessen emissions. 2020 / 2021 STUDY: NEXT STEPS Chair Miller shared that he had a discussion with Ms. Reidlinger and Mr. Streeter regarding priorities for 2021. Chair Miller explained that the biggest challenge is Climate Change, and wants to start with energy efficiency and also to promote again the Solar Twin Cities program again and Electric Vehicles. Environmental Management Minutes October 19, 2020 Page Five Commissioner Drainville wants to highlight the Xcel Wind Sourcing program. She explained that the rebate was in full this year, and joining in this program is as simple as checking a box on your Xcel bill website. Chair Miller would like Commissioners to bring more ideas to the November meeting regarding mitigating Climate Change and to feel free to bring forward new items. NEXT MEETING DATE Chair Miller reminded the Commission that the next meeting would be Monday, November 16, 2020. 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 8:07 P.M. 5 AYES. Respectfully submitted by Jackie Knutson, Recording Secretary TO: Environmental Management Commission FROM: Shannon Reidlinger DATE: November 13, 2020 SUBJ: Environmental communication strategy update It is the City’s policy to foster environmental resiliency, adaptation, and mitigation among the community. Coordinating timely communication about programs and information is an important consideration in achieving the City’s environmental management priorities. Implementing an environmental communication strategy will ensure residents, business owners and their employees, developers, and other audiences in Oakdale receive the information and resources they need to make environmentally sustainable decisions. Consequently, staff has prepared a draft environmental communication strategy in collaboration with the City’s Communications Specialist. The goal of the environmental communication strategy is to increase awareness about emission reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and recycling, in alignment with 2040 Comprehensive Plan priorities and the 2021 EMC Work Plan. The principles informing the City’s environmental communication strategy include:  Communications shall be timely and consistent, meeting audiences where they are and ensuring messaging reflects environmentally relevant themes.  Communications shall target residents, and businesses and their employees in Oakdale.  Communication methods shall include: o The City of Oakdale website (including the Community Events Calendar) o The Oakdale Update newsletter o Mailings and other notifications (including email) o Social media (including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) o City Hall signage (including televised broadcasts) o News releases as appropriate The environmental communication strategy shall be implemented using an annual editorial calendar. The editorial calendar provides an opportunity to focus on relevant themes at key times throughout the year. These themes may be ongoing in nature (i.e. increasing energy efficiency and recycling, conserving water, reducing waste, etc.) or specific to a date or program (i.e. an electric vehicle Ride and Drive event, a Washington County Recycling Grant project, the Adopt-a-Drain program, etc.). TO: Environmental Management Commission FROM: Shannon Reidlinger DATE: November 13, 2020 SUBJ: 2021 EMC Work Plan draft The 2021 EMC Work Plan guides and focuses the commission’s work in the coming year. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and staff transitions, the 2021 EMC Work Plan will adhere largely to the format of the prior year’s work plan. The 2021 Work Plan reflects priorities identified in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and the GreenStep Cities program, and concentrates on completing and implementing the recommendations of a new Electric Vehicle Charging Station Site Selection study; supporting community-wide energy efficiency efforts; and concluding a Bike and Pedestrian Plan update. The work plan also details ongoing items typically included in the commission’s yearly work related to education and promotion of waste reduction, recycling, and water conservation. The City Council will review the work plan in the first quarter of 2021. Electric Vehicle Priorities 2040 Comp Plan Action Description relevance Analyze electrical infrastructure requirements for installing EV charging stations throughout Oakdale.  Ensure process for business permits meets best practices for form, rate, and education. Analyze financing requirements for installing EV charging stations EV Charging Station Site throughout Oakdale. Chapter 8, Goal 1, Selection Study  Determine opportunities for grant Policy 6 completion and funds to supplement charging station implementation installation costs.  Add EV charging infrastructure and equipment as eligible expenses under the BRLF and HIA loan programs. Analyze policy requirements (zoning/subdivision code amendments) for installing EV charging stations throughout Oakdale.  1. Allow EV charging stations as an accessory use in all zoning districts. 2. Establish design standards for public, commercial, and multi-family EV charging stations. 3. Establish the minimum number of accessible EV charging stations in new development. 4. Identify appropriate incentive for EV charging infrastructure in new multi- family or commercial developments. 5. Define requirements for parking in an EV charging station parking space. Analyze City fleet requirements for installing EV charging stations throughout Oakdale.  Coordinate FleetCarma study. Analyze opportunities for electric vehicle and EV charging station education.  Sponsor, coordinate, and promote a local ride-and-drive where residents may test drive an EV (if possible given COVID restrictions) and speak with actual EV owners about their experience. Other 2040 Comprehensive Plan Priorities 2040 Comp Plan Action Description relevance Promote energy efficiency  Host a Solar Twin Cities Power Hour. Chapter 8, Goal 1, and renewable energy in Policies 1 & 5 residential & commercial  Promote Xcel Energy Rebate properties Programs, PACE, and Trillion BTU. Leverage funds from the Washington Chapter 8, Goal 1, Reduce waste generation, County Recycling Grant to promote Policy 7 increase recycling recycling and waste reduction programs. Promote Adopt-a-Drain (including EMC’s Chapter 8, Goal 2, Promote water adoption of drains at City Hall) through Policy 4 conservation communication channels and at community events. Chapter 8, Goal 1, Zoning regulations for Update zoning code for solar as Policy 4 solar accessary use. Chapter 8, Goal 1, SolSmart Designation Achieve SolSmart Bronze designation. Policy 3 Connect low-income Chapter 8, Goal 1, residents to Host a CUB Bill Clinic. Policy 2 weatherization and EE resources GreenStep Cities BP Priorities 2040 Comp Plan Action Description relevance Complete the bike and pedestrian plan Implement GreenStep update to identify and remedy trail-gaps Chapter 3, Goal 4 Cities Best Practice Action between city streets and off-road 11.5 trails/bike trails to better facilitate walking and biking. Complete the bike and pedestrian plan Implement GreenStep update to increase active transportation Chapter 3, Goal 5 Cities Best Practice Action and car travel alternatives (i.e. transit; 12.3 paratransit/Dial-A-Ride; ridesharing/cab services; rental cars; bikes; airports). 2020 metrics reporting Update metrics to reflect 2020 data.