2019-09-24_PWETC_Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Howey indicated her greatest concern is that there has been little action implemented to make the city cleaner, safer and healthier when facing the consequences of climate change. Roseville is only on Step 3 for GreenStep cities programs while Maplewood and Falcon Heights are at Step 5. While she is grateful that the city has made a little headway in this program that is backed by sound practices, the advancement into the latest steps is where the greatest impacts can be tracked and actually realized. Commissioner Misra arrived at 6:32 p.m. Ms. Howey explained she was confused about the specific structure moving forward to be effective as a Commission and as a city. She was looking through the July minutes and was confused by a reference from Chair Cihacek regarding not wanting to form a subcommittee, task force or increase what the Commission is already doing, and she wondered who is taking on the work. If it is not this Commission, then it needs to be clearly understood who is and is there capacity and willingness of the members of this Commission to be a leader in the development of this said sub -committee that would cross departments in the city. There is clearly a lot of work to be done. The Commission with a seemingly very broad agenda, including community resiliency issues, and providing just a few meetings during the year will not address the need adequately, in her opinion. Ms. Howey noted Resilient Roseville is willing and would like to be a resource for any sub -committee or group that is dedicated to this work. This group could do research as directed and would like to be cheerleaders and promoters of city actions to further engage and activate other city residents to work together in responding to and limiting climate change. She explained the group would appreciate any guidance and where and how to best direct concerns moving forward. She would like to see the city supply the level of urgency that is required, working together to have the maximum impact on our community. Chair Cihacek noted this item was discussed in August and September as well as July so there is some missing context. At that time the Commission asked Parks and Planning to form a subcommittee with forestry resources for multiple perspectives. Particularly who has responsibility for forestry assets, what are those gaps and where does the city get a better handle on forestry which would address the climate change concerns. That issue is moving down the line to other commissions to form that. One thing to remember is for the Commission to form a sub -committee task force it must be composed of the members at this Commission. More people cannot be brought in by city Ordinance. A specific thing that her group could do is ask the city to empower other advisory bodies or boards and that could be something to address to the city Council. Chair Cihacek explained the PWETC is specifically looking for experts and resources to educate them on things that can be brought forward on a policy level to stop climate change. If Ms. Howey knows of speakers or resources to send the Page 2 of 6