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SECIA Environment Committee (EC)
updated 8/5/24
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2024 Potential Project Planning
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This working document was reviewed and okayed on January 23, 2024 by the SECIA Environment Committee. The committee may revisit & update it every 1-3 months to help organize our work.
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PriorityProject Topic/TitleBrief DescriptionEC RoleChampionPartnersStatusTimingGrants?
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BCommunity GardensSECIA sponsored gardens:
* Fairshare Farm
* Como Corner
* Accord Garden
* Talmage Crossing
* Pollinator Patch
* 15th & Talmage Diverter Rain Garden
* Poolside Pollinator Garden		* receive updates
* consult when requested
* participate in process to select garden interns
* help with posting flyers
* help organize garden events (see Engagement)
* pursue property tax exemption for Como Corner (& Talmage Triangle when acquired) ON HOLD until needed for TT
* consider developing job descriptions/agreements for garden leads		FSF Coordinators, Lila, Susanne, George-AbbyVolunteer gardeners, Van Cleve ParkongoingMar-Novsituational
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AGrants ReceivedHelp SECIA keep on top & on time of grants received for gardening and other environment projects. * urge SECIA to proceed with receiving & implementing MWMO grant to CW lofts DONE
* move forward implementation of MWMO grant for Talmage Triangle (TT)
* inquire about extending Art in Gardens (AiG) grant thru '24 EXTENDED TO SEPT 30; ALL DONE BUT RPT
* complete Poolside Pollinator Garden sign approval & installation DONE
* check that all bills are pd & final rpts submitted & ok'd for Art in Gardens & Poolside Pollinator Garden grants
* consider new grant application for "Get the Lead Out" to do info/outreach campaign on residential water testing, water filters, etc		Peggy; Kathy; GeorgeMWMO (CW Lofts & TT); UMN Good Neighbor Fund; MPRBCW Lofts MOU & grant agreement executed & CWL contracted with Metro Blooms to do design & Implementation; MWMO TT grant received; AiG almost done - extended through Sept '24; Poolside Pollinator completed in Spr '24Feb: GNF pymts & reports; MWMO MOU & grant agreement complete in
Apr: plan & execute AinG event(s),Pollinator sign & MWMO grants		MWMO CW Lofts grant approved in 2023 & TT approved in 2024; GNF$s secured in 2022 & 2023
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BTCE/Superfund Sites & Air QualityOngoing work to get mitigation & cleanup of TCE (trichloroethylene) plume(s) in soil under SE Como & monitor & provide input on air quality permits/issues, includes public awareness*track status of EPA public engagement process
* keep in touch with MPCA/EPA on status of mitigation, cleanup & responsible parties
* get documentation of SECIA historic work on TCE & air quality (including Good Neighbor Agreements)
* review & comment on all draft air quality permits in or near SE Como
* help educate SE Como residents & property owners - include renewing website info		Jake & _____MPCA; EPAongoing;
still need 2nd chanpion to work with Jake; EC getting info fr MPCA on Prospect Foundry & MacTac air quality permits		MPCA air quality permit open house on Aug 8; MPCA to attend Sept EC meeting regarding Prospect Foundry
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 ATalmage TriangleProposed creation of new rain garden adjoining Talmage Crossing; includes acquisition of part of land* continue to reach out to get affirmation fr landowner; work w/ lawyers
* submit final grant application to MWMO
* track status of grant approval & grant agreement process
* prep & issue RFP for contractors
* implement garden installation; recruit & organize volunteers
* provide support & problem solving
Peggy, Luke, KathyMpls Public Works Dept (PWD); Miss Watershed Mgmt Org (MWMO); Metro Blooms; MPRB Forestry acquisition process initiated (pending willing land seller)
MWMO grant rec'd - notification in Mar 2024		TBDMWMO received
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CEnvironment Committee Charter, Website…Environment Committee has approved charter, mission (or purpose) statement, up-to-date webpage, & attracts more younger participants* develop new charter per Board approved format DONE
*develop new EC webpage on SECIA website
* develop young adult mentoring for EC involvment
* become informed on possible SECIA merger & ascertain how EC would work under it; watch SECIA merger process & our options		Peggy, KathySECIA ED & communications internCharter completed & approved by SECIA Board
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A-BCommunity (Equitable) EngagementDiversity of SE Como residents are involved in environmental/garden related events (see also Earth Day below & additional Art in Garden events above)*plan environment/garden-related community engagement events at gardens & at Van Cleve (consider storytime in gardens)
* host more AiG events
* table at Environmental Justice fair (if held)
* explore cooperating with ComoKids - Kylee
*help publicize events
*host events/provide materials etc
* table at Como Cookout *table at Brook Ave SE PPL event		Kylee & _____SE Como gardeners & interns (Makena)Tabling completed at PPL event; plans for Como Cookout in progressspring-fall
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CEarth DayNeighborhood Earth Day event combining community gardens with usual Earth Day clean-up event
* Clean up map also to highlight gardens
* Tables, educational materials, clean-up supplies, etc at selected gardens
*promote Mpls Adopt-A-Drain (do stenciling if weather permits)		* help in planning
* be host at each garden (& have garden sign up sheets); also have garden info & environmental activity booklets for kids
* arrange for clean-up supplies (bags, gloves, trash picker-uppers)
* be advised/involved in possible ongoing clean-up projects & future storm drain stenciling NOT HAPPENING		SECIA interns Gregory, LilaKaryn & Kathy from EC; UM Off Campus Livingflier complete & publicity planned; staffing of each garden site & who disposes of bags determined; Earth Day event DONEEarth Day was held on Sun Apr 21, 1-4 pm;
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CClimate ChangeSECIA EC addresses implications of climate change on our work & community* provide input on the Mpls Climate Action Plan
* apply guidelines for outdoor activities when extreme heat or poor air quality occurs
* look at community garden climate resilency		KyleePCEP sign-on letter provided to Board for approval & sent to City
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DCommunity Green SpacesOpportunities for new gardens & greenspace improvements are explored* track Grand Rounds extension process (& advocate for pollinator habitat, trees, benches & other amenities in SE Como)
* advocate for opportunities for more trees in SE Como
* advocate for more public green space in SE Como
* consider EC role with Como Community Ctr grounds; a few members involved with phase 1, south bed and sidewalks are done
* pursue more gardens at Van Cleve (e.g. garden boxes, west entrance, etc)		_____MPRB / Van Cleve Park & Forestry Division;
City Trees; Como Community Ctr
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DSenior-Student Garden PartnersRenters would garden in yards of seniors; limited pilot in 2024-25 if SES leads* SE Como pilot for it
* figure out parameters
* E-Comotion, Off Campus Living e-newsletter,& SES newsleter 		Jim & KarlSE Seniors (University students); UMN Off Campus Living (OCL); FSF tool lending programproposed in 2022; postponed by SESspring planning & solicit parties; summer - pilot sites ON HOLD until 2025GNF?
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CEnergy Fair 2026Do another Energy Fair in 2026; fundraising in 2025, details TBD* work out budget
*search out potential grant opportunities
*submit grant applications		Ramy & ______EC. Grantors, OCL?, Van Cleve? Como St. Paul neighborhood?Planning stageget funding in place in 2025Hennepin Co. Green Partners? Others
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Priority Key:
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A = required to meet grant agreement
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B = necessary to sustain key accomplishments
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C = important for neighborhood goals / timely opportunity
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D = nice idea, good strain vs gain
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E = too much work / lack of champion / low priority
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F = decision not to do by EC in 2024
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