6:05pm: Introductions, welcome members of the public
Yer attended as a guest from Eastside Saint Paul.
6:15pm: In-person/online meetings going forward
The Board discussed our recent experience with hybrid meetings and the difficulty having a meaningful interactive meeting in this way. We agreed to meet in person quarterly, and virtually in the months between. Because the Board can only take official actions when a quorum exists in person, items requiring a vote will be saved for the in-person quarterly meetings; virtual meetings will be educational. If an issue arises requiring a vote sooner than the next quarterly meeting, we can call an in-person meeting with adequate notice. The next in-person meeting will be October 13.
6:35pm: Review July meeting minutes, approve this month’s agenda
Meeting minutes were not approved due to lack of a quorum. Several months’ minutes will need to be approved at the October meeting.
6:35pm: Rethinking I-94: A historical perspective
Plans for I-94 will be the topic of upcoming meetings, with the first focusing on providing a historical perspective to educate the CJAB rather than taking any actions. We can later hear from Reconnect Rondo and Our Streets Minneapolis, two groups with different visions for I-94. MnDOT is currently in a lengthy environmental review process looking at alternatives as part of the Purpose & Need Statement.
7:15pm: 1-4 housing study: recap and upcoming city-wide actions
Sustain Saint Paul has requested to make a presentation at an upcoming CJAB meeting about its 1-4 unit housing study. There is a lack of affordable 1-4 unit housing in Saint Paul and the proposal is to eliminate single-family zoning restrictions to allow denser housing. The climate benefit of denser housing could be in terms of energy efficiency, transit, etc. We may hear first from the City Planning department.
7:00pm Updates from the board
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From city staff
Russ highlighted the many clean energy programs and incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, including tax incentives for EVs, air source heat pumps, home energy efficiency and weatherization, as well as green lending. $60b is included for a new Environmental Justice program.
The Ramsey County food scraps collection pilots are now wrapping up and the City is planning larger pilots for the fall, potentially transitioning to a permanent program.
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From the Executive Committee
Melissa thanked Adri Arquin and Kathleen Bacigalupi for their service to CJAB as they are departing for college.
Nick highlighted Xcel Energy’s recent announcement of a new transportation vision – delivering zero-carbon fuel for all vehicles in the states Xcel Energy serves by 2050 – as well as a slate of new EV programs recently proposed for PUC approval in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
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From Board Members
None
8pm Adjourn