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Minnetonka Sustainability Commission names interim chair, welcomes new coordinator and lays out 2025 priorities
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting the Minnetonka City Sustainability Commission elected Diane Meyer as interim chair, introduced new sustainability coordinator Ali Sutherland, reviewed 2024 accomplishments (including a nearly $50,000 MPCA grant) and approved a Q1 work plan focused on outreach, Earth Day and event programming.
Diane Meyer called the Minnetonka City Sustainability Commission to order on Jan. 21 and accepted a unanimous voice vote naming her interim chair while Chair Bridal Golub is out of town. "I'm Diane Meyer, one of the sustainability commissioners," Meyer said as she opened the meeting.
The commission used the opening minutes to welcome Ali Sutherland, the city's new sustainability coordinator. Sutherland said she previously served seven years as an environmental specialist in Inver Grove Heights and will prioritize implementation of the city's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. "I will be working with the commission and then also, another big item is to work on the implementation of the climate action and adaptation plan," Sutherland said.
Sutherland summarized the commission's 2024 highlights to frame the 2025 work plan: the council-approved climate action plan (April 2024) followed extensive stakeholder outreach with roughly 800 responses; community events and workshops on waste reduction and clean energy; the Everything Electric event (about 120 attendees in 2024); two building-material reuse collections that diverted nearly 5,000 pounds of material in partnership with Hennepin County and Better Futures; and an MPCA grant just under $50,000 to fund home energy audits.
Commissioners approved the meeting agenda and minutes by voice vote and confirmed a quorum. The commission's 2025 priorities for the first quarter will focus on events and outreach, education and recognition, learning partnerships and implementing near-term items from the work plan. Sutherland asked commissioners to flag tours, presentations and volunteer availability for upcoming activities.
The meeting closed after staff and commissioner reports and a motion to adjourn passed. The commission will reconvene in March to continue planning for Earth Day, the Everything Electric event and the Sustainable Minnetonka awards.
