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Oakdale EMC refines 2025 work plan; discusses comp‑plan alignment and green purchasing
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a revised draft 2025 work plan, removed several 2024 items (electric showcase, solar group‑buy and a CUB clinic), and discussed aligning EMC priorities with the city comprehensive plan, GreenStep reporting due April 2025, and possible green purchasing policy research.
At the Nov. 18 meeting the Oakdale Environmental Management Commission revisited its draft 2025 work plan, incorporating feedback from an October discussion and removing or deferring larger initiatives that staff said require more planning and council buy‑in.
Hannah Dunn told commissioners that certain 2024 items were removed from the 2025 draft: sponsoring a ride‑and‑drive/electric vehicle showcase and hosting a Twin Cities Grow Solar group‑buy (replaced with research into available solar group‑buy programs). She also said the Citizens Utility Board clinic item was removed because CUB has been identified as a potential eco fair vendor.
Dunn explained next steps: commissioners will have an appreciation dinner with the city council on Feb. 10, 2025 to informally discuss the draft plan; staff will incorporate feedback and present a final plan for council approval following that discussion. She reminded the commission that GreenStep city reporting (Oakdale is a Step 5 city) is due in April 2025 and will require reporting on 2024 metrics.
Commissioners asked about the Home Energy Squad rebates that the EMC has promoted. Dunn said the program has a dedicated $5,000 budget and that roughly one quarter of that budget has been used to date; staff will request aggregated outcome data from the Home Energy program to see how many households acted on recommended energy improvements.
Members raised topics for possible inclusion or coordinated action in future plans, including aligning EMC priorities with the comprehensive plan update, researching green purchasing policies used by peer cities, and considering green‑space/tree‑cover goals while coordinating with the tree board and planning commission.
Next steps: staff will continue to revise the draft based on commissioner feedback, add park system plan engagement as appropriate, and bring the refined plan to the Feb. 10 dinner with council. The city council will consider final approval thereafter.
