Environmental Management Commission

AGENDA Environmental Management Commission April 19, 2021 – 7PM Zoom meeting Click the link below to join the Zoom meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88684196865?pwd=dGVGTU4zeDRwREsrbXhPNHlpSk1vQT09 Meeting ID: 886 8419 6865 Passcode: 210460 Dial in: 1-312-626-6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 886 8419 6865 Passcode: 210460 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kztBRgO9r 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. March 15, 2021 4. MANAGEMENT REPORTS a. GreenStep Cities metrics b. Multi-family dwelling recycling opportunity assessment 5. ALL OTHER ITEMS a. Editorial calendar review b. Commissioner updates i. Solar Twin Cities update from Chair Miller 6. NEXT MEETING DATE a. May 17, 2021 7. ADJOURNMENT The next regular Environmental Management Commission meeting will be held May 17, 2021 @ 7PM via Zoom.  REGULAR MEETING OAKDALE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MARCH 15, 2021 CALL TO ORDER The Oakdale Environmental Management Commission (EMC) held a virtual meeting on Monday, March 15, 2021. The meeting began at 7:00PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. CALL OF ROLL On a call of roll, the following were present: Chairperson: Keith Miller, Chairperson Commissioners: Noah Gerding, Vice Chair Connor Brown Nick Kantola Bonnie Wilson Absent: Gretel Drainville Karen Jackson Also Present: Shannon Reidlinger, Sr. Community Development Specialist Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐ APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMISSIONER KANTOLA MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BROWN, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 8, 2021, WITH CORRECTIONS AS FOLLOWS: PAGE 2, CORRECTION FROM CHAIR WILSON TO COMMISSIONER WILSON AND PAGE 1, CORRECTION FROM NICK KANTOLA, VICE CHAIR TO NOAH GERDING, VICE CHAIR. VOTED IN FAVOR: COMMISSIONER BROWN AYE COMMISSIONER GERDING AYE COMMISIONER KANTOLA AYE COMMISSIONER WILSON AYE CHAIR MILLER AYE 5 AYES Environmental Management Commission Minutes March 15, 2021 Page Two MANAGEMENT REPORTS a. 2021 Washington County Recycling Grant draft projects Ms. Reidlinger shared three topics that would be included in the 2021 grant cycle and is looking for feedback prior to submitting the application. 1. Promote Washington County’s organics composting program 2. Promote Washington County’s BizRecycling program 3. Promote residential recycling through simple high-level education In response to a question from Commissioner Wilson, Ms. Reidlinger shared the Edge Newsletter goes to a limited audience. The Oakdale Update would be used for broader messaging. In response to a question from Chair Miller, Ms. Reidlinger noted the EMC would have a cross promotional opportunity at the Oakdale Farmer’s Market to highlight the benefits of composting via a table with flyers which was to be discussed for finalization. b. 2021 renewable energy policy and implementation Chair Miller opened up the discussion by noting that renewable energy is in the Oakdale 2040 Comprehensive Plan; currently the City uses Solar for electricity. Ms. Reidlinger shared her memorandum with the Commission regarding renewable energy and where to focus efforts in 2021. Solar is one area already discussed, and Ms. Reidlinger is looking for other priorities to address as well. She noted two specific ‘call-outs’ in the 2021 EMC Work Plan: host a Solar Twin Cities Power Hour and to host a Citizens Utility Board (Cub) Clinic for Utility Bills. Commissioner Wilson mentioned promoting Wind Energy through the Wind Source by Xcel Energy. Chair Miller shared that the Midwest Renewable Energy Association would be doing the Solar Twin Cities Program. He explained this program typically starts late May, early June and is wrapped up in October. Chair Miller shared another suggestion regarding Community Solar Gardens that are taking subscriptions. This would allow residents without assessable personal solar use to participate. He suggested that if we find open subscriptions in surrounding areas, we make this a social medial post to alert residents and businesses. Environmental Management Commission Minutes March 15, 2021 Page Three Chair Miller noted connecting with developers and businesses to educate about renewable energy financing options is another avenue. Ms. Reidlinger summarized this discussion by noting four action items: 1. Participate in the Solar Twin Cities Programs 2. Obtain information on Solar Gardens available to Oakdale residents and promote. 3. Informing developers and business of opportunities to install solar equipment. 4. Research the Xcel Wind Source Program and promote. OTHER ITEMS a. Editorial Calendar review The Commission discussed the Editorial Calendar. Commissioner Wilson suggested noting environmental items on the front page of the Oakdale City webpage. She also wanted to highlight Earth Day. Commissioner Gerding noted that April has national volunteering month and week. Adopt-A- Drain program would be one to promote from the EMC. b. Willowbrooke Development Chair Miller contacted the Willowbrooke developer and was told that when a Property Manager has been assigned they would contact him to discuss EMC concerns. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Council Member Kevin Zabel electronically shared his updates: a) Council Member Zabel will discuss with Council a possible ordinance, if there is interest in multi-family units offering recycling for their residents b) The Council would like to remind the EMC to think about their ‘budgetary asks’ for 2022 and think about projects that will require funding. Chair Miller shared ideas for funding for next year and asked the Commission to bring ideas to April’s meeting. Commissioner Kantola reminded the group about the Arbor Day Tree giveaway. Environmental Management Commission Minutes March 15, 2021 Page Four Commissioner Gerding thanked Commissioner Kantola for going on the broadcast of Oakdale Update to inform the public of not only the Arbor Day Tree giveaway, but also other City programs. He also shared that he was working on single-use plastics and discussing with other cities. NEXT MEETING DATE Chair Miller reminded the Commission the next meeting would be Monday, April 19, 2021. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILSON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GERDING, TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 15, 2021 REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAKDALE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AT 8:02 P.M. COMMISSIONER BROWN AYE COMMISSIONER GERDING AYE COMMISIONER KANTOLA AYE COMMISSIONER WILSON AYE CHAIR MILLER AYE 5 AYES. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Knutson Recording Secretary TO: Environmental Management Commission FROM: Shannon Reidlinger DATE: April 16, 2021 SUBJ: GreenStep Cities metrics In order to maintain its Step 4 & 5 designation with the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program in 2021, the City is required to submit an annual report on key sustainability metrics. This memorandum summarizes those reported metrics. Minnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary challenge, assistance, and recognition program designed to help cities achieve their sustainability and quality-of-life goals. The free, continuous improvement initiative is based upon 29 best practices that are tailored to Minnesota cities and encourage civic innovation. The 29 best practices focus on cost savings and energy use reduction. The City of Oakdale was awarded Step 5 designation in 2020. To maintain this designation, the City is required to document and demonstrate improvement on Step 4 metrics. A summary of selected core metrics reported for 2021 is as follows: Metric category Metric category Data reported number description 4.9% decrease in kBTU per ft2 per year for City 1.1 buildings over 2019 City Buildings 5.4% decrease in $ spent on energy per ft2 per year 1.2 and Lighting for City buildings over 2019 1.3 % LEDs in street lights increased to 41.2% in 2020 2.5 Green Buildings No new green certified private buildings 15,751 more miles traveled by City fleet (gasoline 3.1 City Fleets and diesel) over 2019 Infrastructure .8 miles of reconstructed sidewalks and trails 4.1 for Walking and completed in 2020 Biking No new public electric vehicle charging stations 5.1 added in 2020 One new public alternative fueling station (e.g. e85, 5.2 Car, Transit, and CNG) added in 2020 Bike Options Maintained % of housing units within 3/4 mile of 5.8 transit route; this metric will increase with new development Community vehicle miles traveled per person per day Transportation 6.1 decreased .5% over 2018 (most recent data Nodes & Miles available) Open Space, 8.6 Estimated 200+ more new trees planted over 2019 Parks, Trees Residential gallons of waste water produced per 11.1 Waste Water person per day decreased 9.4% over 2019  Business gallons of waste water produced per job per 11.2 day decreased 32.4% over 2019 Ratio of inflow and infiltration volume to total volume 11.5 entering the wastewater collection system decreased 15.9% over 2019 13.1 Solid Waste MSW collection data not provided for 2020 915.4 more megawatt hours of renewable energy Renewable 14.4 purchased from community solar gardens for City Energy operations in 2020 269,764 tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2018 (most 17.4 Climate recent data available) – 5.2% increase over 2017 TO: Environmental Management Commission FROM: Shannon Reidlinger DATE: April 16, 2021 SUBJ: Multi-family dwelling recycling opportunity assessment This memorandum highlights the City’s multi-family dwelling recycling priorities for the purpose of generating discussion about the potential policies implementing those priorities. The City’s overall policy regarding recycling is defined in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan and implemented by Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances. 2040 Comprehensive Plan The City’s role is to build a more resilient community by supporting and facilitating the conservation of natural resources that make a functioning society possible for future generations. Recycling is one method of practicing natural resource conservation. As stated in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the City’s goal with regards to recycling is to “promote and encourage strategies that reduce waste generation and increase options for reuse, recycling, and composting of items in City operations, residential and commercial developments” (Chapter 8, Goal 1, Policy 7). Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances While encouraged by the City’s Comprehensive Plan resiliency policy, recycling is voluntary in Oakdale (Code of Ordinances, Chapter 6, Sec. 6-12[d]). To support voluntary recycling activities, waste haulers licensed by the City are required to provide single-sort recycling service to all residences regardless of dwelling type (Sec. 6-24 [b]); however, the recycling habits of Oakdale residents may vary. For example, while residents in single-family homes can collect recyclable materials in an easily-accessible, hauler-provided container, those in multi- family dwellings like an apartment might experience more difficulty in moving recycling from their unit to a community collection bin. Opportunity assessment To encourage increased voluntary recycling activities in Oakdale multi-family dwellings, City staff will conduct an opportunity assessment of multi-family recycling. The goal of the opportunity assessment is to determine the issues related to recycling that are unique to multi-family dwellings. The outcome of the assessment will be a recommendation, drafted by the EMC, for new or updated policy regarding multi-family recycling. The opportunity assessment will be conducted in three phases. 1. Phase One: Evaluate current conditions and identify opportunities for improvement. The objective of Phase One is to increase the EMC’s understanding of current recycling rates and barriers for residents in Oakdale’s multi-family dwellings. Findings from this phase may encompass: a. Current recycling activities (by both residents and property managers of multi-family dwellings), including collected tonnage b. Current and past initiatives to increase recycling in multi-family dwellings c. Obstacles to supporting and/or participating in recycling collection at multi-family dwellings 2. Phase Two: Create actionable goals and a policy to achieve those goals. The objective of Phase Two is to develop draft goals for improved multi-family recycling. In addition to the findings from Phase One, the EMC will consider Oakdale’s Comprehensive Plan as well as multi-family recycling best practices (presented by staff) to identify goals and generate policy recommendations. 3. Phase Three: Implement developed policy and monitor effectiveness. The objective of Phase Three is to implement drafted policy and measure progress towards the EMC’s identified multi-family recycling goals. Phase Three will begin with a presentation by the EMC and staff of opportunity assessment findings, as well as a draft policy and implementation plan, for City Council review. Achievement of the goals identified by the EMC in Phase Two will then be monitored throughout Phase Three to increase awareness of the efficacy of multi-family recycling policy implementation. TO: Environmental Management Commission FROM: Shannon Reidlinger DATE: April 16, 2021 SUBJ: Editorial calendar review The EMC Editorial Calendar is designed to generate public outreach and communication about the Commission’s priorities related to solid waste, recycling, composting, air and water quality, and energy conservation. Topics of interest, dates of note, and relevant community resources may vary as the calendar is refined and updated; consequently, the EMC shall provide a recommendation to staff on the messages and resources of highest importance month-to- month. This memorandum seeks to open discussion on the message and resources of focus in April and May of 2021. 2021 EMC Editorial Calendar April – Environmental Stewardship Dates related to monthly topic Resources related to monthly topic Earth Day – April 22  Compost bin & rain barrels ParkRx Day  Adopt-a-Park Nat’l Environmental Education Week – third full  Adopt a Drain week  Pet waste National Park Week Keep America Beautiful Month May – Bicycling and Transportation Dates related to monthly topic Resources related to monthly topic Bike to Work Day – third Friday  Bicycle safety & education National Bike to Work Week  Electric Vehicles National Bike Month