HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-17 ENR Packet
AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Monday, August 17, 2020
7:00 p.m.
Held Remotely Via Conference Call
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When Prompted Enter Meeting ID: 993 4484 8668
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Call to Order
Roll Call
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes:
July 20, 2020
Unfinished Business
Environmental Purchasing Policy
New Business
Visitor Presentations
Commissioner Presentations
University of Minnesota Horticulture Sciences
Staff Presentations
GreenStep Cities – Step 5 Award
Update on Nature Center Task Force
Adjourn
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Agenda Item 4.a.
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
MONDAY, JULY 20, 2020 7:00 P.M.
(THIS MEETING WAS HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM AND CONFERENCE CALL)
1.CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:02
p.m. by Chairperson Miller.
2.ROLL CALL
Keith Buttleman, CommissionerPresent
Mollie Miller, ChairpersonPresent
Candace Okeson, Vice ChairPresent
Ann Palzer, CommissionerPresent
Ted Redmond, CommissionerPresent
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist
3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Redmond moved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Okeson. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CommissionerOkeson moved to approve the May 18, 2020, Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted.
Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
5.NEW BUSINESS
a.Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Gould
Commissioner Okeson moved to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Joe Gould.
Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
July 20, 2020
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b.Maplewood Nature Center Task Force
1)Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner, presented the report.
2)Ann Hutchinson, Lead Naturalist, discussed details of the Nature Center closing with the
Commission.
The Commission discussed the closing of the Nature Center and the formation of the Task
Force. They made the following suggestions:
Funding: Funding should be looked at more broadly.
o The Task Force should not be limited to recommendations on funding that do
not include any property tax or City funded sources.
o There are many programs in the City that are funded by property taxes only.
Nature and environmental education should not be any different.
o To limit it to just outside funding devalues the environmental education,
outreach, and nature programming offered at the Nature Center.
Membership: The Task Force is charged with coming up with a solution to a big
problem. But the Task Force is very small with limited diversity.
o The Maplewood Nature Center Master Plan Task Force was larger and more
diverse.
o There should be more than one representative from a school. We have two
large school districts.
o The Task Force does not specifically call out a resident of Maplewood, unless
they are a volunteer at the Nature Center or on the Friends of Maplewood
Nature group. The Task Force should include a resident at large position.
Partnerships:
o One meeting could focus on partnerships and then a larger and more diverse
group could be invited.
o Commissioner Miller spoke to a representative of Tesla in Maplewood. They
were very enthusiastic about partnering with the City at events or other
environmental projects. They would be a good partner for the Task Force or
future Nature Center funding.
Nature Center Master Plan: The City should consider all of the previous
recommendations from the Master Plan. Many people put in a lot of time and effort to
create that plan not too long ago.
Commissioner Palzer moved toappoint Commissioner Okeson as the designated
Environmental and Natural Resources’ representative on the Nature Center Task Force, with
Commissioner Palzer as a backup.
Seconded by Commissioner Redmond. Ayes – All
The motion passed.
6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a.Environmental Purchasing Policy
1)Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner, presented the report.
The Commission reviewed the Environmental Purchasing Policy, asked questions, and
recommended changes as follows:
July 20, 2020
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Consider adding a policy on green building purchasing.
The statement and goals section should include social equity purchasing.
Does the policy include efficiency standards?
Include a definition for approved or preferred products. Include this as an
implementation strategy.
The City can save money by purchasing items in bulk. Bulk purchasing should be
included as a preferred purchase method.
Consider adding a policy around climate friendly local foods.
The preamble should include guidance on purchasing products that are local over
long-distance.
The City should default to electric or hybrid vehicles unless there is a specific case
why that can’t happen.
The Commission tabled the Environmental Purchasing Policy to allow staff to make
the changes and review again in August.
7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None present.
8.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
a.Tesla Discussion
Commissioner Miller notified the Commission that she has been in contact with a
representative from Tesla. They are interested in a partnership with the City during events or
other partnership opportunities. The Commission recommended that City management be
aware of the opportunity for the Nature Center Task Force partnership discussions.
9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS
None.
10.ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Miller adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.
July 20, 2020
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Agenda Item 5.a.
ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date August 17, 2020
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
REPORT TO:
REPORT FROM: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
PRESENTER: Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
Environmental Purchasing Policy
AGENDA ITEM:
Action Requested: MotionDiscussion Public Hearing
Form of Action: Resolution OrdinanceContract/Agreement Proclamation
Policy Issue:
An Environmental Purchasing Policy establishes guidelines for environmental purchasing as an
addition to existing procurement policies.
Recommended Action:
Recommend approval of the Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy.
Fiscal Impact:
Is There a Fiscal Impact? No Yes, the true or estimated cost is $0
Financing source(s): Adopted Budget Budget Modification New Revenue Source
Use of Reserves Other: n/a
Strategic Plan Relevance:
Financial SustainabilityIntegrated CommunicationTargeted Redevelopment
Operational EffectivenessCommunity InclusivenessInfrastructure & Asset Mgmt.
Adopting an Environmental Purchasing Policy (EPP) demonstrates the City’s commitment to buying
goods, materials, services, and capital improvements in a manner that reflects Maplewood’s core
values of fiscal responsibility, social equity, community, and environmental stewardship. In
addition, establishing environmental purchasing policies is a GreenStep Cities best practice and
can help the City achieve its energy and sustainability goals.
Background
Environmental purchasing is the practice of ensuring that all purchases prioritize goods and
services that have a lower impact on the environment and human health when compared to
competing products. Environmental purchasing considers metrics such as pollution, toxicity, waste
generation, water and energy use, recycled content, and greenhouse gas emissions in addition to
price when determining which products to purchase. As a part of a purchasing policy, it is intended
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to shift purchasing decisions toward more sustainable alternatives while remaining fiscally
responsible.
Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy History
2009: The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy approved by the City Council in 2009
outlined several strategies for creating more energy efficient City operations, including the adoption
of an EPP.
2011: The Green Team and Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission drafted the
original EPP which was approved by the City’s Management Team in April 2011.
July 2019: The City’s Sustainability Intern Meg Hannasch attended the ENR Commission meeting
and outlined general updates and revisions being proposed to the EPP by the Green Team. The
ENR Commission reviewed the updates and offered comment and feedback.
June 2020: The Green Team finalized the EPP revisions and recommended approval of the
amended document.
July 20, 2020: The Environmental and Natural Resources Commission reviewed the Environmental
Purchasing Policy during their July 20, 2020, meeting. The Commission recommended changes,
tabled the item, and requested a review of the amended document in August.
ENR Commission Recommendations
The Commission recommended the following changes to the Environmental Purchasing Policy
during their July 20, 2020, meeting:
Consider adding a policy on green building purchasing.
The statement and goals section should include social equity purchasing.
Does the policy include efficiency standards?
Include a definition for approved or preferred products. Include this as an implementation
strategy.
The City can save money by purchasing items in bulk. Bulk purchasing should be included as a
preferred purchase method.
Consider adding a policy around climate-friendly local foods.
The preamble should include guidance on purchasing products that are local over long-
distance.
The City should default to electric or hybrid vehicles unless there is a specific case why that
can’t happen.
Staff has researched these issues and proposed amended language on the attached Environmental
Purchasing Policy.
Attachments
1. Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy 8-12-20
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Attachment 1
Environmental
Purchasing Policy
FINAL DRAFT JULY 14, 2020AUGUST 12, 2020
ENR Packet Page Number7 of 16
Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy
#®³¤³²
1.0 EFFECTIVE DATE ............................................................................................................. 3
2.0 STATEMENT OF POLICY ................................................................................................. 3
3.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE ................................................................................................... 3
4.0 DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................... 3
5.0 AREAS OF PURCHASING ................................................................................................ 6
1. Electronics .......................................................................................................................... 6
2. Energy ................................................................................................................................ 6
3. Fleet ................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Green building - Cleaning and management ..................................................................... 7
5. Landscaping and Natural Resource Management ............................................................. 7
a. Plant/Seed/Forage Purchases ........................................................................................ 7
b. Pesticides and Herbicides .............................................................................................. 8
c. Hardscapes and Landscape Structures ......................................................................... 8
6. Pollution Prevention ........................................................................................................... 8
7. Recycled Content Products ................................................................................................ 8
8. Water Conservation ........................................................................................................... 9
9. Local Food ......................................................................................................................... 9
6.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵В
7.0IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵͵ЊЉ
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Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy
1.0 EFFECTIVE DATE
This policy will take effect on _______________.
2.0 STATEMENT OF POLICY
It is the policy of the City of Maplewood to shift City purchasing to procurement of goods
and services that have a reduced effect on the natural environment and human health
when compared to competing products and services that serve the same purpose. The
policy will ensure socially-responsible procurement and the promotion of social equity
through contracts. The City will purchase goods and services that:
are energy efficient;
meet energy efficiency standards;
have reduced toxicity;
are beneficial to indoor air quality;
conserve on water;
have a high percentage of recycled content;
minimize waste;
are plant-based;
are locally produced;
consider the embodied energy; and
take into account the life-cycle greenhouse gas impact; and
promote equity.
3.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The purpose of this policy is to:
minimize health risks to City staff and residents;
improve air quality;
protect the quality of ground and surface waters; and
The scope of the policy applies to all City departments and employees, vendors,
contractors, and grantees for all products and services provided to the City to the
greatest extent practical.
4.0 DEFINITIONS
certification association.
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Maplewood Environmental Purchasing Policy
the City of Maplewood.
ogram by the Minnesota Crop Improvement
Association for weed-free forage and gravel. The certification includes a list of
standards that provide land managers assurance that noxious weeds will not be spread
through the movement of forage, hay, mulch, or gravel brought in to the property.
with minimal impacts to the environment.
architect, association, partnership, corporation, supplier, contractors or other entity that
has a contract with the City of Maplewood or serves in a subcontracting capacity with an
entity having a contract with the City of Maplewood for the provision of goods or
services.
reduce environmental impacts. Eco Logo certification indicates a product has
undergone rigorous scientific testing, exhaustive auditing, or both, to prove its
compliance with stringent, third-party, environmental performance standards including:
materials, energy, manufacturing and operations, health and environment, product
performance and use, and product stewardship and innovation.
maintained by the Green Electronics Council for purchasers, manufactures, resellers
and others wanting to find or promote electronic products with positive environmental
attributes. EPEAT registered products must meet environmental performance criteria
that address materials selection, design for product longevity, reuse and recycling,
energy conservation, end-of-life management, and corporate performance.
efficiency product labeling program.
energy efficiency for all similar products, or that is at least thirty percent (30%) more
efficient than the minimum level that meets federal standards.
Energy that issues a series of product energy-efficiency recommendations that identify
recommended efficiency levels for energy-using products.
ed in City operations to determine vehicle
usage, run-time, idling, and fuel consumption.
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certifiers. The Green Seal is a registered certification mark that may appear only on
certified products.
commitment to minimize their impact on human health and the environment while
producing quality printed products.
term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as
biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of
resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed
according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing
only the target organism. Least toxic pest control materials are selected and applied in a
manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and non-target organisms, and
the environment.
without reducing safety, quality, or effectiveness; where the product or service is
available at a reasonable cost (thirty percent \[30%\] price preference) in a reasonable
period of time.
either collected from a recycling program or from waste recovered during the normal
manufacturing process.
manufacturing process, which has converted a resource into a commodity of real
economic value, and includes post-consumer content but does not include excess
resources of the manufacturing process.
post-consumer content materials, in a product.
purposes without additional processing except for specific requirements such as
cleaning, painting, or minor repairs.
party certification programs that defines environmentally sound management of
electronic equipment. There are three programs that offer this certification: E-Stewards
Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment, Responsible
Recycling Practices (R2), and R2/RIOS.
efficient products that use twenty percent (20%) less water, save energy, and perform as
well as or better than regular models. Examples of water sense products include spray
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sprinkler bodies, irrigation controllers, bathroom sink faucets/accessories, shower heads,
toilets, and flushing urinals.
5.0 AREAS OF PURCHASING
1. ELECTRONICS
a. Purchase information technology products that meet at least the EPEAT
Bronze rating level, across commodities for which an active EPEAT
registry exists, where practical.
b. Request for Proposals and Contracts will give preference to the
procurement of environmentally preferable electronic equipment including
EPEAT registered products.
c. The City will implement environmentally sound electronic equipment
recycling through Third Party Certification of Electronics Recyclers.
2. ENERGY
a. New and replacement equipment for lighting, heating, ventilation,
refrigeration and air conditioning systems, water consuming fixtures and
process equipment and all such components shall meet or exceed
Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) recommended levels.
b. Energy Star certified products where there is a U.S. EPA Energy Star
rating. When an Energy Star rating is not available, products shall meet
or exceed the FEMP recommended levels.
c. When energy is purchased, renewable or green sources are preferred.
These include solar power or photovoltaics, community solar garden,
wind power, geothermal, and hydroelectric energy sources with a higher
renewable percentage than required by Minnesota law and do not include
fossil fuels (coal, oil or natural gas).
3. FLEET
a. Prioritize new electric or hybrid vehicles over gas-powered vehicles.
where practical.
b. Replace gas-powered vehicles with:
1) with electric or hybrid vehicles that are suitable for each task
where practical.
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2) with the most fuel-efficient vehicles available that are suitable for
each task.
c. Vehicle and equipment fuels made from non-wood, plant-based contents
such as vegetable oils are encouraged and where life cycle
environmental impacts are judged to be lower than alternatives.
4. GREEN BUILDING - CLEANING AND MANAGEMENT
a. A Green Building Code review and analysis is required for any new,
expanded, renovated, or remodeled building that is owned or financed by
the City of Maplewood. The review will ensure the building meets the
b. All cleaning or products (i.e. for janitorial or automotive use) shall at a
minimum meet Green Seal or Eco Logo Standards where practical.
c.b. Purchase products that are fragrance free and low in volatile organic
compounds (VOC).
d.c. If pesticides are needed for pest management in City buildings, the City
will purchase the least toxic pesticide products.
5. LANDSCAPING AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
a. Plant/Seed/Forage Purchases
1) Organic and/or neonicotinoid free plants and seeds shall be
purchased where practical to reduce pesticide use and protect
pollinators.
2) Straw and weed-free forage and mulch shall be purchased,
including certified weed-free hay.
3) Plants should be selected to minimize waste by choosing species
for purchase that are appropriate to the microclimate, species that
can grow to their natural size in the space allotted them, and
perennials rather than annuals for color. Native and drought-
tolerant plants that require no or minimal watering once
established are preferred.
4) Only plants that are not on the Ramsey County Cooperative Weed
5) Non-native plants that self-seed shall be avoided, to prevent
spread beyond the planting area.
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b. Pesticides and Herbicides
1) The purchase of pesticides and herbicides shall be carefully
researched to ensure the effectiveness on the target species and
appropriate rates of application.
2) Minimal amounts of pesticides and herbicides should be
purchased at a time to reduce hazards of storage and possible
employee exposure.
3) When considering two pesticides and herbicides to purchase that
are equally effective, the product that is the least harmful to the
environment and non-target species should be chosen.
c. Hardscapes and Landscape Structures
1) Locally sourced hardscape, mulch, and landscape structures are
encouraged. Examples include locally sourced rock, mulch, and
compost.
2) Hardscapes and landscape structures constructed of recycled or
reused content materials are encouraged.
3) Durable landscaping tools and material purchases are preferred
over items of lesser quality where practical.
6. POLLUTION PREVENTION
a. Purchase products with the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), highest recycled content, and low or no formaldehyde when
purchasing building maintenance materials such as paint, carpeting,
flooring, adhesives, furniture, and casework.
b. Purchase products and equipment that are heavy metal free (no lead,
cadmium, or mercury).
c. Purchase renewably-derived fuels or fuels that are cleaner and less-
polluting than gasoline and conventional diesel fuel, including biodiesel,
natural gas, and electricity.
d. The purchase of all pentachlorophenol, arsenic, and creosote treated
wood by the City is prohibited.
7. RECYCLED CONTENT PRODUCTS
a. All dishware purchased for City events will be:
1) reusable; or
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2) made from compostable material that is certified by the
Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI); or
3) recyclable.
b. Use printing services that are Great Green Printer certified.
c. All products shall contain the highest post-consumer content, but at least
thirty percent (30%) post-consumer content.
d. Purchase white and colored copy paper that is one-hundred percent
(100%) post-consumer content.
e. When specifying asphalt concrete, aggregate base or Portland cement
concrete for road construction projects, the City of Maplewood shall use
recycled, reusable, or reground materials and consistent with accepted
engineering practices.
f. Specify and purchase recycled content transportation products, including
signs, cones, parking stops, delineators, and barricades.
g. Asphalt and roadbed aggregate should contain the highest percentage of
recycled content material possible.
8. WATER CONSERVATION
a. Purchase U.S. EPA Water Sense certified products.
9. LOCAL FOOD
a. Purchase climate-friendly food for City events.
6.0 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. The Environmental Planner and the Green Team will serve as the steering
committee for the Environmental Purchasing Policy. The steering committee will
update the City Manager and Department Heads from time to time on the policy,
covering:
b. Informal data on purchases of environmentally preferable products.
c. Financial implications of the policy, if any.
d. Overall accomplishment and challenges
e. Recommendations for the future.
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2. Each Department Head will have the responsibility of ensuring adoption within
his or her department and report any issues to the above parties.
3. Environmental Purchasing Policy training will take place during annual
supervisory training. Supervisors will be responsible for training relevant City
staff buyers. Contractors and grantees shall include instruction on the
requirements of the policy by the supervisor and City staff buyer.
4. Successful bidders shall certify in writing that the environmental attributes
claimed in formal competitive bids are accurate. Contractors shall be required to
specify the minimum or actual percentage of recovered and post-consumer
content in their products, even when such percentages are zero. Where
products or services have no logo or certification, third party verification of claims
by companies such as Scientific Certification Systems or UL may be requested
as appropriate.
5. Preference for local businesses shall be accorded to promote businesses in the
City that provide environmentally preferable products and services.
7.0 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
1. Establish a City operations purchasing committee made up of the Environmental
Planner, Green Team members, and purchasers to review and make
recommendations on environmental purchasing best practices. Best practices to
include, but not limited to:
a. Creation of an environmentally preferred product list.
b. Development of buying guidelines for environmentally preferred products.
c. List of bulk purchase products that reduce waste.
2. Establish integrated pest management guidelines for future purchasing decisions
related to the long-term prevention of pests in buildings and landscaping.
an
ould be converted to electric or hybrid as well as other improvements that
canould reduce environmental impacts and be made to save money over the life
of the vehicle. The study will include best practices for purchasing and budgeting
for fleet.
4. Create a financing mechanism for funding future City operations sustainability
projects.
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