Environment and Sustainability Commission

Task Force becomes a Commission

On December 17, 2019, the City Council approved a plan to transition the Environment and Sustainability Task Force into a permanent Advisory Commission.

Meetings

  • 5:30 p.m.
  • Usually on the third Tuesday of every month [See the Calendar.]
  • Most meetings take place in the second-floor conference room of City Hall, 2875 145th Street West; see meeting agenda for the exact location

Agendas and Minutes

Agendas are posted on the website. Minutes will be posted after they are approved by the Commission.

Members

  • Renee Burman
  • Vanessa Demuth
  • Katherine Koch-Laveen
  • Karen Malkowski
  • Nathan Marks
  • Victoria Schlautman
  • John Smith

Overview

The purpose of the commission is to advise the city council on issues related to the environment and sustainability. The past few years the Rosemount City Council has participated in several programs involving sustainability measures. The programs provided assistance in many areas; however, quality of life and sustainability were two significant ongoing issues.

The issue of sustainable City services is a complex topic that includes a wide range of City services. We currently have three citizen commissions that advise the City Council on planning issues, parks, and utilities. Although commission members meet once a month and generally only focus on current City projects and new development, there are significant issues around innovation and citizen engagement that are not being addressed. The City Council’s objective in creating an Environment and Sustainability Commission is to look at areas where we can have a better impact on issues and look for creative ways to engage residents through education and opportunities to improve neighborhoods. Outcomes could be specific projects or recommendations on City policy.

The Commission in Action

Photo of winners at Leprechaun Days contestThe REST hosted a booth at the 2019 Leprechaun Day’s Mid-Summer Faire in Central Park. Citizens were able to learn about a variety of environmental topics. Citizens learned about what to recycle, local organics recycling options, tips for making yards pollinator-friendly, and home energy savings opportunities. Over 70 residents that visited the booth signed pledges to reduce their environmental footprint over the next year. Congratulations to the following Rosemount residents that won prize drawings to help them get started on their environmental pledges:


  • Wendy McCarthy for winning the free energy audit 
  • Jill Kalstabakken for winning a free organics kitchen bucket (pictured)


Photo of compost collection at pancake breakfastThe Rosemount Firefighters hosted their annual waffle breakfast during the 2019 Leprechaun Days. The event is a fundraiser for the Fire Department, where close to 1,000 waffles were sold. For the third year, the Environment and Sustainability Task Force (REST) and Rosemount’s Parks Department worked with the Firefighters to make it a green event by setting up recycling and organics (e.g., food waste) collection.  The compostable plates, cups, forks, knives and napkins were provided by the REST and The Mulch Store. Over 170 pounds of organics were collected. Organics collected were taken to The Mulch Store (commercial composter), where it was turned into compost, a soil rich in nutrients. 

Rosemount residents can make compost in their own backyard or bring it to a Dakota County organics drop-off site. Visit Dakota County’s residential organics recycling  page to learn more.



Conserve and Preserve blog

Read local stories and get tips about maintaining the sustainability of Rosemount.