Oakdale environmental commission elects new leadership, plans spring event
Oakdale's Environmental Management Commission unanimously elected Commissioner Gerding as chair and Commissioner Dittle as vice chair during its February 10 meeting. The commission also advanced planning for the Ecoair environmental event scheduled for May and discussed how to better reach diverse communities through targeted outreach.
The Environmental Management Commission held its annual leadership election, with Commissioner Gerding taking the chair role and Commissioner Dittle becoming vice chair. Both positions were approved unanimously by the commission.
Much of the meeting focused on the upcoming Ecoair event, which takes place in three months near Castle Elementary School and Hope Church. Commissioners brainstormed promotional strategies to boost attendance, including yard signs on city streets, outreach to local churches and fire departments, and targeted advertising on ethnic radio stations like Hmong radio. Commissioner Brendan emphasized the importance of reaching diverse communities through channels they actually use, noting that many residents rely on radio rather than social media for news. The commission also discussed youth activities like composting demonstrations and bird feeder making to engage younger attendees.
The commission reviewed its 2025 environmental communications strategy, proposing adjustments to when certain topics are promoted. Chair Gerding suggested moving water conservation messaging to May or June—when residents are actively watering lawns—rather than the current timing. He also proposed shifting energy efficiency promotion from October to June, arguing residents should prepare for winter earlier. The commission agreed to add a general "sustainability" theme to its communications calendar.
In other business, commissioners discussed the voluntary drain-clearing program, where volunteers maintain three city drains at City Hall and Walton Park. Chair Gerding shared that the drains typically contain non-compostable items like plastic bottles and bottle caps rather than organic debris, and that some drains accumulate more debris than others based on location.
Mayor Zabel provided updates on city initiatives, including a Home Energy Audit program where the city covers 50% of the $100 cost, with residents receiving a federal tax credit for their portion. He also announced progress on the new Public Works Campus, which will include environmental features like native pollinator areas, and noted the upcoming adoption of the Park System Master Plan with environmental upgrades.
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Votes (5)
Ecoair Event Update and Promotional Strategy Discussion
Hannah provided an update on the Ecoair event, noting it is three months away with vendors being finalized and communications ramping up. Commissioners discussed diverse promotional strategies, including using yard signs on city streets, engaging local community groups (churches, fire departments), leveraging local media calendars (WCCO/KARE 11), and targeting specific demographics via ethnic radio (e.g., Hmong radio). Ideas for youth engagement included composting demonstrations and bird feeder making. Logistics like the number of food trucks and the indoor/outdoor nature of the event were also addressed.
Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Moved by Chair Gerding [20:11] · Seconded by Unknown [21:11]
The commission proceeded with its annual election. Commissioner Gerding was nominated for Chair, and Commissioner Dittle (the absent current Vice Chair) was nominated for Vice Chair. After a motion to close nominations was seconded and approved, a verbal vote was held for the election of both positions.
2025 Adopted Drain Schedule Review
Hannah presented the proposed 2025 schedule for Commissioners to clear three adopted drains at City Hall and Walton Park. Discussions clarified the voluntary nature, time commitment (15 minutes, twice a month), and the types of debris typically found (mostly non-compostable items like plastics). Chair Gerding shared insights on the process, including recommended supplies and varying debris levels between drains.
2025 EMC Environmental Communications Strategy Discussion
The commission reviewed the 2024 editorial calendar to develop a flexible 2025 communication strategy. Key ideas included aligning April's theme with the Ecoair event, potentially moving food scraps promotion to August, and shifting water conservation (May/June) and energy efficiency (June) promotions to better align with seasonal relevance and rebate opportunities. The addition of a general 'Sustainability' theme was proposed, and the efficacy of current plastic recycling messaging was discussed, referencing the 'Recycling Exists' campaign. The role of informal channels like Nextdoor for cardboard reuse was also noted.
Staff Liaison Updates
Hannah provided updates on the Metro Gold Line BRT service launch, the new Metro Transit micro Mobility shared ride service in the area, and the opening of the RFP for 3MP PFAS Priority Settlement Money. Mayor Zabel elaborated on the Home Energy Audit program, highlighting city cost-sharing and federal tax credits. He also discussed the current high interest from developers, the start of construction for the new Public Works Campus with its integrated environmental and landscaping plan, and the imminent adoption of the Park System Master Plan, which includes environmental upgrades like native pollinator areas.
Notable Quotes (11)
you stick it there on sun on Friday it's going to be they're not going to take it down because mot doesn't work on the weekends unless they have to yep
I just watched this video before I came it's called Composting 101 for kids I don't know if you've seen that or not
one of the things we talked about was being more intentional on communicating in ways that how the communities um communicate right and a lot of it had to do with the um the Asian community and the small communities that were around here and part of it was well you know with social media everything shared a lot of it was they get a lot of their news through the radio right especially the small radios and the Mong radio and is that something we can look into
the drains that I've we adopt three drains and as you can see from the map and generally what I find is limited to no compostable items so it's a lot of like plastic bottle caps plastic bottles that are crunched driven over cans those kinds of things
the drain in the roundabout uh the West drain by the first field um I I have found over the last few years uh does not have as much debris as the drain U adjacent to City Hall and the parking lots up front
how would we feel about potentially moving water conservation to like May or June potentially just driving around the city the amount of water waste I see with sprinklers going off like maybe promoting time sprinklers or humidity sprink sensors on sprinklers
instead of having a call out with the Eco day was sustainability right because that's not on the list yet right yeah yeah just general sustainability
I know that for the month of October we talk a lot about Energy Efficiency and having just gone through uh at our house a home energy audit I'm wondering would it how would Commissioners feel about sharing that maybe in like June I us be able to do better cuz I think that would be better cuz you know I know fall is when people start thinking about it but um they really should be doing it ahead of time before it gets cold
the city picks up 50% of the cost of it so um and the other 50% I think it's just $50 right $100 total we pick up half the resident picks up half um but the half covered by the resident is is a tax deduction the feds will give you that as a tax credit so for doing home energy audits
what how how is the city thinking about Landscaping erosion water things any other kind of Environmental investment that could be a showcase for Oakdale at the new Public Works campus yeah so a full environmental and Landscaping plan was designed when the building was designed
because we tried to limit the the asphalt and concrete as much as possible so there is still um Green Space and buffer around the building as well and then things like the salt storage those are going to have enclosed toine spaces for for that to live
Ordinances & Resolutions (10)
Previous meeting documents referenced to refresh Commissioners on past Ecoair discussions.
Reviewed by the EMC to inform the development of the 2025 environmental communication strategy.
A proposed schedule assigning Commissioners months to clear designated city drains.
Annual plan developed by the EMC to guide public outreach on environmental themes.
A Bus Rapid Transit service set to begin operation on March 22nd.
A new shared ride service by Metro Transit operating in parts of Woodbury, Oakdale, and Lake Elmo.
A Request for Proposals opened by the DNR for settlement money related to PFAS cleanup, which city staff will review for potential projects.
A program offering home energy assessments, with city cost-sharing and federal tax credits for residents.
A multi-county public awareness campaign aimed at dispelling myths about recycling.
A comprehensive plan for the city's 29 parks, developed with public feedback, nearing adoption by the City Council.
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Other Topics from This Document
Commission Leadership Election
Adopted Drain Program Schedule
Environmental Communications Strategy
City Updates on Infrastructure and Environmental Initiatives
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