HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-09-2024 Sustainability Commission Packet
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE
Tuesday, April 09, 2024
6:00 PM
AGENDA
ATTENDANCE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC
Members of the public who wish to attend may do so in-person or via Microsoft Teams
www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting, Meeting ID 243 913 149 963 and passcode
xLXsYc. For questions please call the Public Works Department at 763 -706-3700.
COMMUNITY FORUM: At this time, individuals may address the Sustainability Commission about any
item not included on the regular agenda. All speakers need to state their name and connection to
Columbia Heights, and limit their comments to five (5) minutes. Those in attendance virtually should
send this information in the chat function to the moderator. The Commission will listen to brief
remarks, ask clarifying questions, and if needed, request staff to follow up or direct the matter to be
added to an upcoming agenda.
CALL TO ORDER
1. Roll Call
2. Review of Minutes
OLD BUSINESS
3. Sustainable Purchasing Policy Update
4. Complete Streets Policy Update
5. Partners in Energy Update
6. GreenCorps Host Site Update
7. Sustainability Commission Newsletter Submission
8. Implementing Ban on Black Plastic To-Go Containers From Restaurants
9. Sustainability Commission Representation at City Events
NEW BUSINESS
10. Round Robin
ADJOURNMENT
1
City of Columbia Heights AGENDA April 09, 2024
Sustainability Commission Page 2
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is
made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
2
SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
City Hall—Shared Vision Room, 3989 Central Ave NE
Tuesday, March 12, 2024
6:00 PM
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Ahmadvand at 6:02 p.m.
Members present: Commissioners Ahmadvand, Finkelson, Groseth, Jensen Christen, LaPlante,
Leoni-Helbacka, Kurek, Evenson
Members absent: Commissioner Johnson
Staff present: Sulmaan Khan, Interim City Engineer
Liz Bushaw, Administrative Assistant
Andrew Boucher, City Planner
Staff absent: Liam Genter, Urban Forestry Specialist
Council Liaison: Connie Buesgens (present)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Ahmadvand, seconded by LaPlante to approve the minutes of October 10, 2023 as
presented. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Sustainable Purchasing Policy Update
Khan said that he did see some comments on the group’s Teams page that had been
created. Ahmadvand asked what the cutoff should be to get feedback to Sulmaan –
Sulmaan said that whenever the group is comfortable they can move on to next steps.
Boucher said that if they have questions, he can run it past the MPCA resource he has.
LaPlante suggested that we do that as our version of the policy is close to completed.
Boucher said that most of the work has been done that would be needed for a City Council
work session, and Khan stated that May is probably the soonest time that this could get on
the agenda. Evenson suggested that the deadline for the commission to get in comments
would be in two weeks so that we can have them in time for the May work session.
2. Complete Streets Policy Update
Khan had included a draft of the policy in the packet , and went through the comments –
many of them have to do with not having the information to report on certain things. Some
3
Item 2.
City of Columbia Heights AGENDA December 12, 2023
Sustainability Commission Page 2
roadways were mentioned that are actually state roadways, so they become hard to
prioritize. Finkelson brought up that we should include MNDOT and county roads as
MNDOT had said they didn’t consider sidewalks to be their business. The trigger for the
complete streets program would just be when the street is up for reconstruction. Boucher
asked if the county or MNDOT have complete street design standards – Khan said that for
sure the state does. Boucher asked if we could incorporate their language into our policy,
and Khan replied that it is somewhat in the policy already. Boucher said that there is a
complete streets evaluation tool – we can upload our policy and judge our policy based on
the feedback. Khan said that the entire policy is in the Teams group and to please go in and
make comments. LaPLante asked if we can add language about coordinating with other
entities about the connected streets that would include a community engagement piece.
Finkelson stated that there should be some language outlining the expectations for the city
are such that our streets are “complete” streets. Khan asked for clarification about what
“downtown” means – Boucher explained that we do have a central business district that
could be considered downtown. Boucher asked if everyone could put their final comments
in by the next meeting, and possibly this will go on the May work session for City Council.
3. Partners in Energy Update
Khan stated that Columbia Heights has been approved for the Partners in Energy Program.
Boucher explained a little more about the program and said that he has a couple of
contacts there who can schedule a kickoff meeting for us in order to go over the process
and plan what would be best for the community. We would put together an Energy Action
Team that can include community members, city staff, businesses etc. Ahmadvand said
that having this kickoff at the expo would be a good idea, and Boucher agreed. LePlante
asked if a tabling event would get the message across, and Boucher said that he is open to
ideas about that. Ahmadvand said it might be best to have a separate event if there is
enough interest at the tabling event. Groseth suggested that we have the date and time of
the stand-alone event available for folks who might be interested. Boucher said that he
liked the engagement for the Medtronic project, and something similar might work well for
this project. Having a landing page for the Sustainability Commission would be a good way
to promote the commission in general. Khan introduced Grant who works for the CEE and
would like to be involved in the PIE program. Grant gave a short explanation about what
the CEE does. Ahmadvand asked what involvement would be needed from the schools, and
Boucher said they could be a good resource for getting the word out and community
engagement. Boucher also said that some feedback they got was to clarify goals: social
equity, land use etc.
4. GreenCorps Host Site Update
Boucher said that there is a companion program called ImpactCorps – they accept
proposals as they get them, so it is a rolling application. There is also the ability to suggest a
particular person for the role. GreenCorps is not a quarterly application – it is yearly. Leoni-
Helbacka said that the subcommittee formed at the previous meetig is called the
Sustainable Collaboration Committee – they will research and bring up other opportunities
4
Item 2.
City of Columbia Heights AGENDA December 12, 2023
Sustainability Commission Page 3
for grants or internships. They can investigate this ImpactCorps and find where we might
have a need for it. Boucher said that he would encourage the subcommittee to put their
suggestions into a workplan. Jenson-Christen said that talking to city staff to identify where
there might be needs in the city for an internship would be helpful. Kurek suggested that
GIS maps might be a great project to get one of these interns started on.
5. Sustainability Commission Newsletter Submission
LaPlante said that she came up with about 6 topic ideas for a submission. LaPlante went
over what ideas that she came up with. They decided that xeriscaping would be the best
topic to cover first for the newsletter, and compost and organics topics can be covered in
the city Expo. Boucher brought up a new citywide Time of Sale policy that may include
some energy audits.
6. Implementing Ban on Black Plastic To-Go Containers From Restaurants
Kurek asked if we could get in contact with the Business Council – this might be a great
topic to chat with them about. Leoni-Helbacka said that there is program called minimize
that does a reusable takeaway program that some of our businesses might be interested in
knowing about.
7. People Over Parking Act
Finkelson mentioned withdrawing this until further notice.
8. City Representation
Groseth said that she would like to have more representation at city events. We could have
a couple of people at many events in the city and tailor the message to the event.
NEW BUSINESS
9. Expo
Ahmadvand asked how many people would want to go to the Expo, several members of
the commission will be at the event. LaPlante asked to send ideas for handouts and print
outs to our communications team. Ahmadvand asked about approving the materials that
we will have at the table – the group can send over ideas for comments. Kurek asked about
the PIE being included in the tabling event and whether or not we should have a
GreenSteps City blurb as well. Ahmadvand asked if it would be possible to get the SC
webpage up by the time the expo happens.
10. Round Robin
5
Item 2.
City of Columbia Heights AGENDA December 12, 2023
Sustainability Commission Page 4
Connie shared that Fridley submitted a grant application for a hydraulic separator that
would reduce pollutants to Sullivan Lake.
Evenson brough up park system planning, and wanting to be included in some of that
planning.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ahmadvand, seconded by LaPlante to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 p.m. Motion passed
unanimously.
Auxiliary aids or other accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request when the request is
made at least 72 hours in advance. Please contact Administration at 763-706-3610 to make arrangements.
6
Item 2.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A COMPLETE STREETS POLICY DEFINING A PROCESS 1
TO ENSURE FUTURE STREET AND TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS, GIVE AMPLE 2
CONSIDERATION TO ALL FUTURE USERS AND INCORPORATE FEATURES AS 3
NECESSARY TO FULFILL THE CITY’S VISION OF COMPLETE STREETS 4
WHEREAS, the 2040 Comprehensive Plan acknowledges the City of Columbia Heights has not 5
established design guidelines related to complete streets. It does state the city will need to 6
consider how to address existing transportation needs and identifies Complete Streets as an 7
item for consideration; and 8
WHEREAS, Complete Streets supports economic growth, community equity and stability by 9
providing complete, accessible, and efficient connections between home, school, work, 10
recreation, and retail destinations by improving pedestrian and vehicular environments; and, 11
WHEREAS, increasing walking and bicycling offers improved health benefits for community 12
members by reducing air pollution, stormwater runoff, and energy consumption, and makes 13
Columbia Heights a more livable and equitable community; and, 14
WHEREAS, Complete Streets enhance safe walking and bicycling options for school-age 15
children, in recognition of the Safe Routes to Schools program; and, 16
WHEREAS, the City of Columbia Heights recognizes the importance of equity in relation to 17
street infrastructure and modifications such as sidewalks, crosswalks, shared-use paths, bicycle 18
lanes, signage, and accessible curb ramps that enable safe, convenient, and comfortable travel 19
for all users regardless of age and ability. 20
SECTION 1. PURPOSE 21
This policy defines a process to ensure future street and transportation projects consider the 22
equity of current and future users and incorporate features as necessary to implement Complete 23
Streets. The City views each street and transportation project as unique. This means design 24
features will likely differ from street to street, yet each street may still be considered “complete’. 25
Complete Streets call for a safe, accessible transportation network that accommodates users of 26
all ages and abilities, which encompasses bicycles, pedestrians, transit riders, and motorists. 27
The intent behind Complete Streets is that streets should be for everyone. To carry out this 28
vision, a Complete Streets approach shall be integrated into the planning, design, construction, 29
operation, and maintenance of the transportation system. 30
SECTION 2. POLICY 31
The City of Columbia Heights is committed to the implementation of Complete Streets to create 32
a comprehensive transportation network that is safe, equitable, multi-modal, complete, and 33
connected network. 34
All new construction and reconstruction or retrofit transportation projects shall account for the 35
needs of all modes of transportation and all users of the road network. 36
All maintenance projects and ongoing operations, such as resurfacing, repaving, restriping, 37
rehabilitation, or other types of changes to the transportation system receiving state or federal 38
funding, must account for the needs of all modes of transportation and all users of the road 39
network. 40
7
Item 4.
Accommodation must be provided for all modes of transportation to continue to use the road 41
safely and efficiently during any construction or repair work that infringes on the right of way 42
and/or sidewalk. 43
When transportation projects are initiated by other jurisdictions, such as the state or county, but 44
are located within or on the edge of city limits, city staff should advocate for the integration of 45
Complete Streets principles. 46
Private development projects are encouraged to follow and Complete Streets approach. And to 47
the extent possible, city staff should encourage private development projects to follow a 48
Complete Streets approach. 49
Effective July 1, 2024, all projects entering the design phase will comply with this policy except 50
as to the components for which an exception has been granted. 51
SECTION 3. DESIGN 52
Design Complete Streets to be context-sensitive and meet the needs of the community and 53
surrounding area while emphasizing safe and accessible travel for all people. All facilities shall 54
be designed in accordance with the best state-of-the-practice design guidance available, such 55
as: 56
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 57
o Manual on Uniform Traffic Control 58
o Separated Bike Lane Planning and Design Guide 59
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) 60
o Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities 61
o A policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets 62
o Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities 63
Minnesota Department of Transportation 64
o Bicycle Facility Design Manual 65
o Minnesota’s Best Practices for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Guide 66
o Complete Streets Policy and Complete Streets Handbook 67
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) 68
o Urban Street Design Guide 69
o Designing for All Ages and Abilities 70
o Urban Bikeway Design Guide 71
o Transit Street Design Guide 72
Guides which use highway engineering principles and prioritize vehicle throughput over all other 73
uses of the street must be avoided. For example, encouraging wider lanes and fewer crossings, 74
in order to move vehicles more efficiently, is often done at the expense of safety and mobility for 75
anyone not in a vehicle. This kind of guidance is at odds with the Complete Streets approach. 76
SECTION 4. EXCEPTIONS 77
Complete Street elements shall be considered and included in street construction, 78
reconstruction, repaving, and rehabilitation projects unless: 79
The cost of establishing facilities for all users would be excessively disproportionate to 80
the need or exceed budget costs. 81
8
Item 4.
Routine maintenance of the transportation network that does not change the roadway 82
geometry or operation, such as mowing, sweeping, and spot repair. 83
Emergency repairs such as a water main leak that requires an immediate, rapid 84
response; however, temporary accommodations for all modes should still be made. 85
Depending on the severity of the repairs, opportunities to improve multimodal access 86
should still be considered where possible. 87
Where a reasonable and equivalent project along the same corridor is already 88
programmed to provide facilities exempted from the project at hand. 89
Requests for an exception must be approved by the Sustainability Commission on a case-by-90
case basis. Public notice must be given 30 days prior to granting an exception. The request 91
should include supporting data or evidence showing the need for an exception. 92
When exemptions occur, the City Engineer shall be responsible for seeking alternative options 93
to accommodate users with whom the City was unable to initially accommodate. 94
SECTION 5. PERFORMANCE MEASURES 95
The City shall maintain a publicly available list of performance measures on the City website 96
and prepare an annual report documenting the City’s progress with respect to these 97
performance measures as described in this policy. 98
Evaluating Complete Streets Projects: A Guide for Practitioners by AARP, Smart Growth America, and the 99
National Complete Streets Coalition provides metrics and measurements for evaluating Complete 100
Streets policies. These performance measures should be used to track Complete Streets 101
implementation progress, prioritize projects, and evaluate designs. 102
Equity shall be incorporated into every performance measure listed above to the extent data are 103
available. 104
SECTION 6. CONFLICTING OR COMPETING NEEDS 105
When there are conflicting needs among users or modes, safety shall be the highest priority; 106
particularly safety for the most vulnerable street users (pedestrians, bicyclists, children, seniors, 107
and people with additional accessibility needs). Selection and quantitative weighting of 108
performance measures shall also support investment in the most underinvested and 109
underserved communities. 110
Motor vehicle speed, flow, and driver convenience shall not be prioritized over safety for 111
vulnerable street users. Reducing excessive motor vehicle speed on streets where vulnerable 112
users are likely will be considered a net benefit to the community. 113
To the extent that current code allows, when space is a limiting factor and where vulnerable 114
users are likely, allocating space to a mode that is not currently accommodated shall be 115
prioritized over providing additional space to a mode that is already accommodated. 116
The City must also mitigate unintended consequences such as involuntary displacement. 117
SECTION 7. CREATING A NETWORK 118
To connect people to the places they want to go, the entire trip should be safe and comfortable. 119
This requires a seamless, connected street network, regardless of mode, including safe and 120
9
Item 4.
convenient pedestrian crossings and access to transit. Even a small interruption in the 121
connection or one hazardous section can make a trip challenging. 122
Every street does not necessarily need to provide separate accommodations for every mode, 123
but a network should be in place so that likely trips can be made by walking, biking, and taking 124
public transit, as well as driving. The street network is also complemented by pathway 125
connections in many locations. 126
The City shall require developers to implement Complete Streets as per this policy. 127
Furthermore, the City shall work proactively with the State of Minnesota, neighboring 128
communities and counties, and businesses and educational institutions to develop plans, 129
facilities, and accommodations that further the City’s Complete Streets policy. Such coordination 130
should result in continuing such infrastructure beyond the City’s borders to the extent feasible. 131
SECTION 8. SUPPORTIVE LAND-USE 132
The City shall incorporate this policy into all city-developed land-use policies, plans, and zoning 133
ordinances. New or revised land-use policies, plans, zoning ordinances, or equivalent 134
documents should specify how they will support and be supported by the community’s Complete 135
Streets vision. The City must consider the needs of not just today’s users, but those who will be 136
using it in the coming years. 137
SECTION 9. EDUCATION AND TRAINING 138
The City shall provide training to all staff in all City departments who are responsible for site and 139
road improvements on the content of this policy and the City’s new standards for using the 140
policy for project development and review. Training shall also be provided for staff who are 141
responsible for street maintenance and operations to offer an understanding of how 142
maintenance and operations activities affect the experience of all street users. The City shall 143
also encourage staff professional development and training on non-motorized transportation 144
issues through attending conferences, classes, seminars and workshops, as appropriate. 145
10
Item 4.