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Tag: Energy & Environment Committee

Wayzata’s Energy and Environment Committee Provides Update at City Council Meeting

September 18th, 2024

Lauren Lindelof speaks to the Wayzata City Council. Image courtesy City of Wayzata.

The City of Wayzata’s Energy and Environment Committee delivered an update at the September 17, 2024, City Council meeting, outlining ongoing projects and future initiatives aimed at sustainability and environmental stewardship.

$50,000 Grant Award from MPCA

Committee Chair Lauren Lindelof highlighted a number of developments including the approval of a $50,000 local climate action planning grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), which has been approved but is still being finalized.

The grant may be used for data analysis on various topics, including an electric vehicle study, utility infrastructure, emergency preparedness, water and waste data, conducting a vulnerability assessment, or creating a city operations implementation plan.

“It’s not been finalized yet, but we have been notified our grant application was approved. The draft agreement with the MPCA will come before the council, for your review, before any work is started,” stated Lindelof.

Dark Skies Initiative

The committee is also exploring ways to advance its Dark Skies initiative. Dark Skies is an initiative aimed at reducing light pollution to preserve natural night environments, improve human health, protect wildlife, and enhance energy efficiency by promoting responsible outdoor lighting practices.

Lindlof explained that the committee’s Dark Skies objectives include developing a new lighting ordinance for future developments, creating educational materials for the public, and revising city-owned lighting, such as on Lake Street and at the beach, to ensure a comprehensive policy.

Solar Array Tour at the Muni

Wayzata RestaurantsIn addition, the public is invited to tour solar arrays at the Wayzata Bar & Grill, the restaurant owned by the City as part of the National and Minnesota Sustainability Tour on Sunday, October 6, from 3-5 p.m. The event will showcase the city’s commitment to renewable energy.

Pollinator Friendly Gardens

Efforts to enhance Wayzata’s natural environment were also discussed. Energy and Environment Committee member and Wayzata High School student Ava McNanley is helping maintain a bee-friendly garden at the high school, which complements the city’s native garden initiative. Additionally, native plantings have been installed at the Wayzata Library.

Nominees for Sustainability Award Sought

The committee continues to seek nominees for its annual Sustainability Award. The award recognizes organizations or businesses that have made strides in reducing waste, lowering energy use, utilizing renewable energy, adopting native landscaping, or conserving water.

Finally, Lindlof reported on the successful LED lighting retrofit projects at the Wayzata Fire Department and Klapprich Park, further showcasing the city’s ongoing efforts to improve energy efficiency.
Energetic Committee Propelling Wayzata Forward

June 28th, 2020

The Energy & Environment Committee is relatively new, but its tackling issues that have been around for a long time.

Energy & Environment Committee Zoom Meeting June 23, 2020

On Tuesday, the group met on Zoom like so many meetings are being held these days.

Councilmember Jeff Buchanan serves as the Council Liaison. Committee members include: Kathleen Jones, Emily Robare, Amy Stielow, KC Chermak, Polly Anderson, Chrissie Olson, Alessandra Bajetti (student member)

“The creation of the Energy and Environment Committee really came out as a key initiative of the City’s 2040 Visioning process,” said Wayzata City Manager Jeff Dahl. “That engagement process included the involvement of several hundred community members.”

Wayzata has partnered with Xcel Energy and the Center for Energy and Environment in the Partners in Energy Program.

The program provides communities free services to develop an energy plan in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Wayzata is among more than 20 communities that are taking part in the program. Nearby communities of Minnetonka and Shorewood are also a part of the program.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the committee talked about the importance of obtaining grants as a way to fund the mission:

The purpose of the Energy and Environment Committee is to conduct research and provide recommendations to the City Council concerning energy and environmental issues and initiatives confronting the City based on research and collaboration with City staff. Under direction from the City Council, the Committee shall work to protect and preserve the ecological resources of the community so that they are in balance with the economic, recreational, and historic resources of our land and Lake Minnetonka for generations to come.

“There really is no capital budget for the group, so they are initially focused on engaging the community and information gathering in order to both conserve energy and sustain our natural resources,” said Dahl. “While this initiative will have positive net financial impacts to the community, it will lean heavily on grants to help with any major projects that need resources.”A big part of the committee’s role is to act as a research arm of the City Council.

The committee is expected to make recommendations to the City Council that can inform environmental priorities into city departments and operations.

One idea is examining the fleet of vehicles the city currently has and exploring purchasing practices to best conserve energy and save money.

Improving water quality and conservation is also a priority for the group.”It (The Energy & Environment Committee) will help build community and meet our overall vision, which is: Wayzata is a charming, socially connected, and walkable lakeside community,” said Dahl. “A multi-generational community at the forefront of sustainability, with a healthy environment, enticing parks and public spaces. It is a proud steward of its premier natural asset; Lake Minnetonka.”

Tag: Energy & Environment Committee

Wayzata’s Energy and Environment Committee Provides Update at City Council Meeting

$50,000 Grant Award from MPCA

Dark Skies Initiative

Solar Array Tour at the Muni

Pollinator Friendly Gardens

Nominees for Sustainability Award Sought

Energetic Committee Propelling Wayzata Forward