Community Guide to Environmental Decision

2012 Making at the City of

Art by: Pratibha Gupta, “Karma” The Community Guide to Environmental Decision-Making at the City of Minneapolis Was supervised by Shalini Gupta and compiled by Claire Aletta Brady and Jenna Schroeder

Center for Earth, Energy, and Democracy 216 Cecil Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55414 www.ceed.org

May 2012

Sources include the City of Minneapolis’ website and conversations with various city staff. The final product is a combination of preexisting work and original summarization of environmental programs in the City of Minneapolis.

The Center for Earth, Energy and Democracy’s mission is to work at the intersection of energy, environment and community development to develop solutions that are democratic, sustainable and socially just.

Working in collaboration with grassroots communities, policy makers and researchers, CEED conducts research and provides community education on important energy, environment, and development issues – so that all members of society may effectively participate in public deci- sion-making.

Environmental Decision-Making at the City of Minneapolis Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC)

Contact: Gayle Prest Website: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/boards-and-commissions/Citizens-Environmental-Advisory-Cmte.asp Phone: (612) 673-2931

Summary: CEAC is comprised of up to 18 community members appointed every two years. The committee includes citizens, representatives from environmental advocacy groups, technical environmental experts, and representatives from industries or companies having a major impact on the environment. The intention is to provide an opportunity for discussion, comment, and action on environmental issues/projects of concern to the City. The committee is voluntary and members do not receive compensation. Their role is to provide community input to the Environmental Coordinating Team (ECT).

Meetings: Monthly. Have been held in the past on the 2nd Wednesday of the month from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. Meetings are open to the public.

Appointment Process: An open appointment process is used. When an opening occurs on a board or commission, a vacancy notice is published on the City’s website. Openings occur on a bi-yearly basis unless a member leaves before the end of their two-year position. The mayor and the city council appoint eight members each. Applications are accepted by the City Clerk’s Office. To check openings, see www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/boards-and-commissions/open/

Recent Members: Ross Abbey—Chair—(Abbey Law Firm, Bright Green Consulting), Terrance Noble, Jamison Tessneer (MPIRG), Gretchen Camp, Michelle Stockness, Michelle Schroeder (Izaak Walton League), Russ Henry, Darrell Gerber (Clean Water Action), Marty Broan, Sarah Sponheim, Annette Rondano, John Harkness (Sierra Club), Brian Ross, Mark Snyder, Patty Selly, John Sylvester.

CEAC Priorities:

· Water quality issues (monitor TMDL process)

· Climate change

· Energy efficiency

· Residential use of Pesticides

· Transportation / Transit issues

· Mercury emissions from crematoria

· Waste reduction and organics collection

· Homegrown Minneapolis initiative

· Green Jobs — Sustainable Industry

· City of Minneapolis/Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

· HERC Expansion Environmental Coordinating Team (ECT)

Contact: Gayle Prest Website: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/ect-agendas.asp Phone: (612) 673-2931

Summary: The ECT is comprised of employees from various City departments. Official members are appointed by the Regulatory, Energy, and Environment Committee (REE). Members of the Community Environmental Advisory Committee (CEAC), the mayor, Minneapolis Park Board, and city council members often attend meetings. They incorporate input from the CEAC. The ECT provides a framework for the regular exchange of information on environmental issues and natural resources. This framework is intended to allow the City departments to work with one another and prioritize projects. They review and make recommendations on the Sustainability Indicators Program within the Office of Sustainability, including targets, baseline, annual reporting, and business planning functions. The ECT reports their findings and suggestions to the city council REE committee.

Meetings: Monthly. Have met in Room 319 at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public.

Recent Members: The ECT has representatives from Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), the Public Works Department, the City Coordinators Office (Gayle Prest), the Communications Department, the Health and Family Support Department (Gretchen Musicant), Regulatory Services and Emergency Preparedness Department (Daniel Huff), the State Attorney’s Office, the Fire Department, and the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. Different representatives and departments attend different meetings depending on the agenda, therefore there is no set group of attendees. Members of CEAC, representatives from the Mayor’s Office, city council members, and representatives from Xcel and CenterPoint Energy also attend. Regulatory, Energy, and Environment Committee (REE)

Contact: Jackie Hanson Website: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/standing-committees/regulatory-energy-environment.asp Phone: (612) 673-2046

Summary: The REE is a city council committee comprised of six city council members. The ECT is under their umbrella. They take input and suggestions from the ECT into consideration. They work to develop policies, programs, and initiatives that promote a sustainable city. The intent is to oversee the Sustainability Indicators and ensure that the indicators are integrated into the business plans of all city departments. They are also in charge of setting policy for the Department of Regulatory Services and Emergency Preparedness (RSEP) and have final word on determining what becomes law.

Meetings: Weekly. Has met Mondays at 1:30 during the first week of each council cycle in Room 317 at City Hall.

Recent Members: The REE is made up of city council members They include: Elizabeth Glidden—Ward 8 (chair), —Ward 2 (vice-chair), Lisa Goodman—Ward 7, Don Samuels—Ward 5, —Ward 9, and Diane Hofstede—Ward 3.

Find your ward: http://apps.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/AddressApp/SearchByAddress.aspx?AppID=WardFinderApp

REE Purpose Develop and champion policies, programs and initiatives that promote a sustainable city. Oversee the Sustainability Indicators to insure that the indicators are integrated into the business plans of all city departments. Make appointments to various boards and commissions. Considers license applications for business, liquor, beer and wine, gambling, and rental dwellings. Makes recommendations about condemned buildings under Chapter 249 of the Minneapolis Code of Ordinances. Sets policy for the Department of Regulatory Services and energy and environmental issues. Minneapolis Climate and Energy Related Policies, Agreements and Reports

See here for a list of all City environmental related reports: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/reports/index.htm

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets (www.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/climate/index.htm)

In 2012, the Minneapolis City Council adopted targets for reducing citywide greenhouse has emissions 15 percent by 2015 and 30 percent by 2025, below 2006 levels. A Climate Action Plan is being developed and finalized in 2012 to lay out strate- gies for achieving these targets. Strategies will be focusing on three areas: Buildings & Energy, Transportation & Land Use, and Waste & Recycling. This is an update of the 1996 Minneapolis Energy Plan, which looked at strategies for increasing efficiency in municipal, residential, and commercial/industrial buildings, as well as transportation. (www.ci.minneapolis. mn.us/www/groups/public/@citycoordinator/documents/webcontent/convert_285512.pdf ).

Greenhouse Gas Inventory (www.minneapolismn.gov/www/groups/public/@citycoordinator/documents/webcontent/wcms1p-092812.pdf)

In 2012, the City updated it's greenhouse gas inventory for the community, identifying emissions for the years 2006 through 2010.

Sustainability Indicators Report (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/livingwell.asp)

The Sustainability Indicators Report started in 2006 and annually details the efforts by the City of Minneapolis to implement 10-year targets for 26 different indicators of sustainability. These indicators are: healthy infants, teen pregnancy, HIV and gonorrhea, healthy weight, asthma, lead poisoning, climate change, renewable energy, air quality, bikeways, green jobs, downtown transportation alternatives, airport noise, tree canopy, healthy lakes, waste reduction and recycling, storm water, local foods, affordable housing, homelessness, brownfield sites, violent crimes, graduation rate, community engagement, employment and poverty, and the arts. The City Coordinators Office is in charge of this report and it is released annually, usually in June.

Minneapolis 2020 (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/council/council_goals_index)

In April 2010, the City Council adopted 5-year goals for the city. These include goals around: A Safe Place to Call Home, Jobs & Economic Vitality, Livable Communities, Healthy Lives, Many People One Minneapolis, Eco-Focused, and A City That Works. The Eco-Focused goal is to make Minneapolis is an ‘internationally recognized leader for a healthy environ- ment and sustainable future’. The strategic directions chosen to achieve this goal are: Clean, renewable energy sources successfully integrated; Trees: a solid green investment; Lakes and streams pristine; Use less energy, produce less waste; World class parks fully enjoyed; and Locally grown food available and chosen. Minneapolis Climate Change Grants (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/sustainability/action/grants/sustainability_climatechangegrants_home)

From 2007-2010 the City of Minneapolis offered climate grants, with the 2010 ones granted from money received through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding that the City received for a variety of energy efficiency proj- ects. The grants to organizations were to help Minneapolis residents take steps to save energy and support clean energy in their neighborhoods.

U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/agreement.htm)

In 2007, Mayor R.T. Rybak signed the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Under the Agreement, Minneapolis com- mited to take following three actions:

Strive to meet or beat the Kyoto Protocol targets in their own communities, through actions ranging from anti-sprawl land- use policies, to urban forest restoration projects, to public information campaigns;

Urge their state governments, and the federal government, to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the greenhouse gas emission reduction target suggested for the United States in the Kyoto Protocol -- 7% reduction from 1990 levels by 2012; and

Urge the U.S. Congress to pass the bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation, which would establish a national emis- sion trading system.

1993 Minneapolis-St. Paul Urban CO2 Project Plan (www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/www/groups/public/@citycoordinator/documents/webcontent/convert_284899.pdf)

In 1993, in conjunction with the City of Saint Paul, Minneapolis adopted a greenhouse gas reduction plan. The plan called for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 20% below 1988 levels by 2005, with an intermediate goal of 7.5% by 1997. City of Minneapolis Climate and Energy Directory MAYOR’S OFFICE

R.T. Rybek, mayor City Hall, Room 331 350 South Fifth Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 Phone: (612) 673-3853 Fax: (612) 673-2305

Erica Prosser, Constituent Services Director Phone: (612) 673-2133 [email protected]

CITY COUNCIL REGULATORY, ENERGY, AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (REE)

Elizabeth Glidden, Ward 8, chair Phone: (612) 673-2208 [email protected]

Cam Gordan, Ward 2, vice chair Phone: (612) 673-2202 [email protected]

CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE

Sandy Colvin Roy, Ward 12, chair Phone: (612) 673-2212 [email protected]

CITY COORDINATOR’S OFFICE (CCO)

Office of Sustainability City Hall, Room 301M 350 S 5th Street Minneapolis, MN 55415

Gayle Prest Phone: (612) 673-2931 [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CPED)

Barbara Sporlein, planning director Phone: (612) 673-2616 [email protected] Emily Stern Phone: (612) 673-5191 [email protected]@mn.us

DEPARTMENT OF REGULATORY SERVICES AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (RSEP)

Office of Environmental Services Public Service Center 250 S 4th St Rm 414 Minneapolis, MN 55415 Phone: (612) 673-5897

Daniel Huff, green building policy manager Phone: (612) 673-5863 [email protected]

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Brian Millberg, energy manager Phone: (612) 673-3000 [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD

Scott Vreeland, park board commissioner Phone: (612) 721-7892 [email protected]

Annie Young, park board commissioner Phone: (612) 230-6443 [email protected]