Sustainable Eagan Advisory Commission Meeting – April 8, 2025

The Sustainable Eagan Advisory Commission (SEAC) met on April 8, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagan Municipal Center. The meeting included a presentation on the Eagan-Inver Grove Heights Watershed Management Organization’s (EIGHWMO) 10-year watershed plan update, discussion of the final Eagan Climate Action Plan, and staff reports.

Presentation: EIGHWMO 10-Year Watershed Management Plan Update

Victoria Ranua, Board Administrator for the EIGHWMO, presented the ongoing update of the watershed management plan, which is conducted every ten years. She explained that the WMO focuses on education and individual landowner actions, noting that Eagan has over 1,000 water bodies within its watershed and is uniquely positioned as a single-entity watershed that has made significant progress—delisting seven impaired water bodies for nutrients. Commissioners were asked to provide input on water-related priorities for the next plan.

• Commissioner concerns and suggestions:
  • Donald Patrick noted that Thomas Lake turns green in the summer (algae).
  • Sarah Anderson raised drought concerns and extreme rainfall events.
  • Ian Hook highlighted extreme rainfall and runoff.
  • Emma Patrick mentioned trash in lakes and shoreline degradation.
  • Anna Anderson noted the need for education on salt use for ice.
  • Kathleen (commissioner) emphasized responsible irrigation and hardscaping impacts.
  • Sarah (commissioner) brought up PFAS in drinking water.
  • Donald Patrick asked about pollution from the oil refinery and pipelines.
  • Emma Patrick suggested education on fats, oils, and grease and on wastewater treatment processes.
  • Commissioners also inquired about commercial users and salt reduction incentives, fish consumption safety, and mercury advisories.

Ranua indicated that these comments will help shape the plan and that a draft will be available for public comment later.

Discussion: Final Eagan Climate Action Plan Update

Gillian Catano, Sustainability Coordinator, provided an update on the final Climate Action Plan (CAP). The plan includes 75 actions across eight sectors with goals to reduce community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050. A public comment period (February 11–March 10, 2025) received approximately 90 pieces of engagement. The final plan has been prepared and staff recommends presenting it to the city council for adoption on April 15, 2025 (consent agenda). The SEAC expressed support for this recommendation.

Catano then outlined the implementation framework:

• 2025 mobilization period: Establish internal staff team, seek SEAC input at a May 13 workshop, and present a first two-year work plan to the city council in June.
• Phased implementation: Five two-year phases (Phase 1: 2026–2027, focusing on foundational actions and internal capacity; Phase 2: community engagement and incentives; Phase 3: infrastructure and policy; Phase 4: complex actions; Phase 5: sustain and scale).
• 2025 pre-planned projects: Fleet study, EV charging installations, facility energy audits.

Commissioner feedback:

• Sarah Anderson asked about leadership (Catano will lead), and suggested prioritizing the southwest region of Egan (community center point desert).
• Donald Patrick asked about youth involvement and SEAC flexibility—Catano agreed to consider a youth voice.
• Ian Hook asked about aligning with the planning commission—Catano noted the need for cross-commission education.
• Emma Patrick asked about federal policy impacts—Catano stated no significant impact to date due to local support and dedicated sustainability fund.
• Anna Anderson noted the importance of engaging harder-to-reach utility customers.
• The commission also discussed the May workshop to align SEAC’s work plan with CAP actions.

Staff Reports & Commissioner Acknowledgment

Gillian Catano thanked Commissioner Anderson for her two-year term, noting her co-chair of the website/communications subcommittee and contributions to the CAP.

Catano announced Earth Week celebrations (April 19–26, 2025) including a kickoff event at Trat Farm Park (April 19, 1–4 p.m., with vendors and plant-based food truck) and the Green Up Egan cleanup service opportunity.

The next SEAC workshop is scheduled for May 13, 2025, to set the 2025–2026 work plan.

Key Outcomes

• SEAC unanimously expressed support for the final Climate Action Plan to be adopted by the city council on April 15, 2025.
• The commission directed staff to consider youth engagement and southwest Egan as priorities in CAP implementation.
• Staff will present a two-year work plan to the city council in June 2025.
• The May 13 workshop will be used to define SEAC’s role in supporting CAP implementation.
• Commissioner Anderson’s term concluded; the commission thanked her for her service.