2026-0224 PWETC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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change had already been under consideration by MnDOT, so the timing of both changes contributed to public reaction. Ms. Bakken said the City will evaluate how the bike lane performs when it is reinstalled and may refine the design, including refreshing worn striping. She found it personally useful and made a point of using it regularly while biking to work, noting that she observed increased bike usage during the summer. She also mentioned seeing at least one instance of a motorcycle using the bike lane, acknowledging that there can be a learning curve and adjustment period when new infrastructure is introduced. Chair Ficek added that, in his experience, even walking along the sidewalk felt more comfortable with the bike lane in place because it created additional space between pedestrians and vehicle traffic. He noted that this provided an unexpected side benefit beyond bicycle use. Ms. Bakken provided updates across several sustainability initiatives. She reviewed progress under the Partners in Energy program, noting that although the City formally graduated in 2022, implementation continues. In 2024, the City exceeded its annual goal for residential energy engagement, reaching more than 1,500 households through utility programs, and more than doubled its commercial engagement goal with over 200 participating businesses. Renewable energy participation among residents continued to grow, with more than 1,300 residents subscribed to solar or renewable programs. She highlighted that overall electricity and natural gas usage declined from 2023 to 2024, largely due to milder weather. Looking ahead, she plans to increase outreach to households experiencing energy burden, potentially host an energy resource fair, and continue promoting Home Energy Squad visits. Ms. Bakken also shared updates on the GreenStep Cities program, where Roseville maintained Step Five status and improved metrics related to building energy use, fleet fuel efficiency, and tree planting. The City completed three Gold Leaf climate actions in 2024, including maintaining a green team, supporting a student internship, and advancing bike planning efforts. Ms. Bakken stated that in pollinator initiatives, the City transitioned from "No Mow May" to a broader year-round pollinator protection focus, updated website resources, and increased education about keeping grass clippings out of streets to reduce phosphorus runoff. The first native plant sale was highly successful, distributing over 4,000 plants and numerous seed mixes, and will return this year. A pollinator education event was also held in partnership with the Minnesota Bee Lab. Ms. Bakken briefly referenced the Climate Equity Action Plan process, noting that community engagement is nearing completion and adoption is anticipated later this year. Page 15 of 18