Environmental Management Commission

AGENDA Environmental Management Commission June 21, 2021 – 7PM Council Chambers, Oakdale City Hall 1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. May 17, 2021 4. MANAGEMENT REPORTS a. Grow Solar Twin Cities group buy program update 5. ALL OTHER ITEMS a. Editorial calendar review b. Commissioner updates 6. NEXT MEETING DATE a. July 19, 2021 7. ADJOURNMENT  REGULAR MEETING OAKDALE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MAY 17, 2021 CALL TO ORDER The Oakdale Environmental Management Commission (EMC) held a virtual meeting on Monday, May 17, 2021. The meeting began at 7:05PM 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 Gretel Fink Bonnie Wilson Absent: Nick Kantola Karen Jackson Also Present: Shannon Reidlinger, Sr. Community Development Specialist Bob Streetar, Community Development Director Kevin Zabel, City Council Liaison Quorum Present: YES ☒ NO ☐ APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMISSIONER FINK MADE A MOTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GERDING, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF APRIL 19, 2021, AS WRITTEN. VOTED IN FAVOR: COMMISSIONER BROWN AYE COMMISSIONER FINK AYE COMMISIONER GERDING AYE COMMISSIONER WILSON AYE CHAIR MILLER AYE 5 AYES MANAGEMENT REPORTS a. Electric Vehicle (EV)-Ready Community Study Environmental Management Commission Minutes May 17, 2021 Page Two Ms. Reidlinger shared a PowerPoint presentation on the Electric Vehicle (EV)-Ready Community Study. Ms. Reidlinger started by reminding the Commission that electric vehicles (EVs) were included in the EMC’s 2021 work plan and the goal tonight is to discuss the City’s unique role in facilitating EV readiness. She explained that in Minnesota, the transportation sector accounts for 25% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the state. EVs were noted in the Oakdale 2040 Comprehensive Plan, Chapter Eight, Goal One, Policy Six, which specifically calls on the city to “support private and public infrastructure that accommodates and encourages use of electric and autonomous vehicles and explore options for City fleet use of EVs”. Ms. Reidlinger shared in detail the EV-Ready Community Study highlighting Oakdale’s role in EV-readiness through five key principals: 1. Policy 2. Zoning and subdivision ordinances 3. Administration 4. Program 5. City fleet EVs Finally, she shared the recommended actions for 2021 – 2023. Chair Miller mentioned either hosting a ‘bulk buy’ event, similar to events held by Drive Electric Minnesota, or promoting one in a neighboring city. Ms. Reidlinger shared that Drive Electric Minnesota did facilitate a bulk buy event a few years ago. She is not aware of a similar event for this year or next as it would need to be coordinated with several cities. Commissioner Gerding acknowledged the efforts Ms. Reidlinger is completing behind the scenes to facilitate these EV discussions. Ms. Reidlinger shared she has been meeting with a number of cities for about a year discussing and sharing best practices from those cities who are further along in the process of EV-readiness. In response to a question from Commissioner Wilson, Ms. Reidlinger recommended that an easy first step would be building the City’s foundation for EV-readiness with the zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments. In addition, conducting a FleetCarma study was also a good first step. In response to a question from Commissioner Fink, Ms. Reidlinger shared that there was no cost to the zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments and she would research into the costs of FleetCarma and possible grants for this as well. In response to a question from Commissioner Wilson, Ms. Reidlinger stated the City Council was included in the packet distribution list, and she would discuss with Community Development Director Streetar to determine next steps regarding the City Council, and wanted Environmental Management Commission Minutes May 17, 2021 Page Three the EMC’s support on some of the targeted next action steps prior to bringing to the Council. Chair Miller queried the Commissioners individually and asked if each were in support moving forward with the recommendations of the EV-Ready Community Study as presented. VOTED IN FAVOR: COMMISSIONER BROWN AYE COMMISSIONER FINK AYE COMMISIONER GERDING AYE COMMISSIONER WILSON AYE CHAIR MILLER AYE 5 AYES Environmental Management Commission has full support of the EV-Ready Study. OTHER ITEMS a. Editorial Calendar review The Commission discussed the monthly updates to the Editorial Calendar. b. Commissioner updates: • Grow Solar Twin Cities from Chair Miller Chair Miller noted prices continue to fall for solar energy and developers are currently being sought for bids. He noted that the request for proposal would be going out soon. He would be sending out information for all Commissioners to review and requested a response back to him regarding if they support it. • Commissioner Gerding asked for check-in & quality control comments regarding the Adopt-A-Drain program. Commissioners reported they started in February and March and cleaning was difficult as drains were either covered in snow or frozen in ice. A suggestion was made to only run the program Spring through Fall. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Council Member Kevin Zabel shared his updates by noting that there is a new Finance Director, Jason Zimmerman, who would be starting in mid-June. Environmental Management Commission Minutes May 17, 2021 Page Four He also shared that Chief Sullivan has submitted his retirement request. Council Member Zabel reminded the EMC of their time slot for tomorrow’s meeting with the City Council. City Council would be discussing virtual meetings going forward post COVID-19. Council Member Zabel shared Commissioner Gerding’s Green Corps updates from the last EMC meeting with City Administrator Volkers, who has had experience with Green Corps at her previous position. They will work with Staff to determine how Oakdale can work with Green Corps. In response to a question from Commissioner Gerding. Council Member Zabel explained that the manner in which Commissions host their meetings is solely governed by State law. He shared the ability to meet solely via Zoom is directly tied to the local pandemic emergency that we had in place. Once the pandemic goes away, the rules would change. There were decisions regarding those rules that would need to be made, and would be determined. In response to a question from Commissioner Wilson, Council Member Zabel explained the meetings tomorrow with each of the Commissions would start with introductions and then continue with an open forum. NEXT MEETING DATE Chair Miller reminded the Commission the next meeting would be Monday, June 21, 2021. ADJOURNMENT A MOTION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GERDING, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FINK, TO ADJOURN THE MAY 17, 2021 REGULAR MEETING OF THE OAKDALE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AT 8:04 P.M. COMMISSIONER BROWN AYE COMMISSIONER GERDING AYE COMMISIONER FINK AYE COMMISSIONER WILSON AYE CHAIR MILLER AYE 5 AYES. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Knutson Recording Secretary TO: Environmental Management Commission FROM: Shannon Reidlinger DATE: June 18, 2021 SUBJ: Grow Solar Twin Cities group buy program update This memorandum informs the EMC of Oakdale’s involvement with past solar group buy programs in advance of the launch of the Grow Solar Twin Cities 2021 solar group buy. Context It is the City’s policy to promote solar energy as a method of mitigating the impacts of climate change on the community; specifically, the City shall “protect and encourage on-site solar energy development that maintains community character while utilizing local solar resources to the fullest potential” (2040 Comprehensive Plan Chapter Eight, Goal One, Policy Three). In accordance with this policy, Oakdale has participated in solar group buy programs led by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) since 2018. The group buy program is targeted to residential and small commercial properties. According to the MREA, the goal of a solar group buy is to “increase consumer education and PV installation in the Twin Cities…through a group purchase involving a competitive contractor selection process, an advantageous pricing and rebate structure, and free information sessions” 1. During an informational session, called a Solar Power Hour, homeowners and small business owners are educated on energy efficiency, the basics of solar energy, and relevant incentives and financing options for solar installation; attending a Solar Power Hour is also a first step in participating in the group buy program. Oakdale has previously hosted a Solar Power Hour information session at City Hall on: • August 20, 2018 • October 10, 2018 • June 5, 2019 • August 5, 2019 Solar Power Hour information sessions have also been hosted in Eden Prairie, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Richfield, Roseville, Saint Louis Park, White Bear Lake, and Woodbury. In 2018, households or small businesses in Oakdale who signed a contract, received a proposal, or were in the queue to receive a proposal from TruNorth Solar by the end-of-year participation deadline received a $.30/watt rebate off the contracted price of their system 1. This milestone was achieved due to strong interest in the solar group buy program. Grow Solar Twin Cities 2021 solar group buy Having released its request for proposals in May, the MREA aims to select a solar system provider for the 2021 group buy at the end of June. Installations shall be completed and energized before December 31, 2021. In order to provide prospective group buy participants with relevant information about solar installation, the MREA will coordinate and deliver a minimum of 12 free, public Solar Power Hour information sessions. These sessions will be virtual until it is safe to offer them in person and marketed by MREA via email, paid social media promotion, promotional partnerships, and in the press 2. Promoting the Solar Power Hour information sessions in Oakdale aligns with the focus of the 2021 EMC Work Plan. 1 Grow Solar (n.d.). Solar Twin Cities. https://www.growsolar.org/solar-twin-cities/ 2 Grow Solar (2021, May 20). Request for proposals: Grow Solar Twin Cities 2021 solar group buy. https://www.growsolar.org/request-for-proposals-rfps/twincities2021/ TO: Environmental Management Commission FROM: Shannon Reidlinger DATE: June 18, 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 June and July of 2021. 2021 EMC Editorial Calendar June – Active Lifestyles Dates related to monthly topic Resources related to monthly topic Landscape Revival Native Plant Expo & Market • Promote city parks & trails World Bicycle Day – June 3 • Adopt a Park World Environmental Day – June 5 National Trails Day – June 5 • Oakdale Community Walk July -- Sustainability Dates related to monthly topic Resources related to monthly topic Plastic Bag Free Day – July 3 • Washington County organics drop-off program • Environmental center – free Plastic Free July product room • Reuse information and resources