Sustainability CommissionItem 5aDiscussed
Solid Waste Program Update: Survey, GreenCorps Member, and Fall Events
Staff reported the organized collection survey has been revised with translations and a memo to council is expected to be approved by the city manager next week, with postcards mailing the first week of October. A new GreenCorps member starts a 11-month term on September 28, and upcoming events include the Winter Clothing Swap (Sept 26), Preserving the Harvest Apple Workshop (Sept 27), and Pumpkin Smash at Veterans Park (Nov 7). Recycling efforts at Penn Fest were reported successful and will continue.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
The organized collection survey could shape future changes to residential trash/recycling service, and new events like the clothing swap and Pumpkin Smash offer free community resources.
Concern to consider
Any future organized collection program could change how residents contract for waste hauling, though details are not yet finalized.
What happens next: A memo on the organized collection survey is expected for city manager approval next week, with postcards mailing the first week of October; the new GreenCorps member joins commission meetings starting September 28.
Sources: Sustainability Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Sustainability CommissionItem 5bDiscussed
Sustainability Program Update: Woodlawn Terrace, WLNC Chargers, USDA Grant, and PiE Campaign
Staff described an upcoming energy efficiency project at Woodlawn Terrace pairing city staff with Home Energy Squad to provide lighting kits and home visits, and confirmed EV chargers at Wood Lake Nature Center (WLNC) will be operational before the building opens. The USDA grant contractor will begin planting in the coming weeks, and staff presented Partners in Energy (PiE) census block maps used to target future low-income home energy squad (LI-HES) and weatherization outreach campaigns.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Woodlawn Terrace residents will gain access to free energy efficiency resources, and WLNC's EV chargers add clean-transportation infrastructure for the public.
Concern to consider
Targeted outreach campaigns rely on specific census block data, which may leave residents outside those blocks without immediate access to weatherization resources.
What happens next: The USDA grant contractor begins planting in coming weeks; the Woodlawn Terrace energy efficiency project moves forward with staff and Home Energy Squad coordination; PiE outreach mailings for LI-HES and weatherization will be sent to targeted areas.
Sources: Sustainability Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Sustainability CommissionItem 6aDiscussed
EAB Letter to Council Update
Commissioner Kueper reported receiving replies from Council Member Oleary and Mayor Supple regarding the commission's earlier letter on emerald ash borer (EAB) treatment funding, and shared information on public fund availability and the need for additional tree planting. Commissioners discussed adding more educational information about EAB and tree treatment to the city website.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Continued advocacy for boulevard ash tree treatment funding could help preserve tree canopy and property values city-wide.
Concern to consider
Without additional funding or education, some homeowners may be unaware of options to treat or replace at-risk boulevard ash trees.
What happens next: Commissioners will review city sustainability and forestry websites and suggest edits related to EAB information for residents.
Sources: Sustainability Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Sustainability CommissionItem 6bDiscussed
Workplan/Project Review
Commissioners reported on multiple ongoing projects, including efforts to supply resource rooms at Richfield Middle School and Richfield High School with canned goods, clothing, and school supplies, plans for a t-shirt-to-tote-bag event at the new Wood Lake Nature Center, and progress on procuring BPI-certified compostable vendor products ahead of next year's outdoor market. Commissioners were also encouraged to comment on ongoing
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Multiple community-benefit projects are progressing, including school resource support and expanded compostable vendor requirements at city events.
Concern to consider
Some initiatives, like the RHS resource room needs, still lack complete feedback from school staff, delaying full implementation.
What happens next: Boone will report back once she completes engagement with the last remaining building on sustainability efforts; staff will continue BPI-certified compostable product procurement before next year's outdoor market.
Sources: Sustainability Commission agenda (city portal) ↗
Sustainability CommissionItem 7aDiscussed
Community Services Commission (CSC) Report
Commissioner Meyer reported the parks master plan is underway with open houses held at all city parks, and Wood Lake Nature Center (WLNC) is on track for completion by October 12 with a public grand opening on November 21. Ice arena construction, begun this year, is expected to finish in November, Veterans Park construction will start in 2027, the city is hiring an events coordinator for WLNC and the ice arena, and the Legion property was approved for a five-floor housing development.
informational or procedural item — no vote taken
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Potential benefit
Residents will soon gain new public amenities, including the reopened Wood Lake Nature Center (Nov 21 grand opening) and a completed ice arena, plus new housing supply from the approved Legion property development.
Concern to consider
Ongoing construction, including fencing around WLNC through November, may temporarily limit public access to these areas.
What happens next: WLNC completion is expected October 12 with a public grand opening November 21; ice arena construction is expected to finish in November; Veterans Park construction begins in 2027.
Sources: Sustainability Commission agenda (city portal) ↗