Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability – ACES , Austin, MN

5:30 p.m. Pickett Place Community Room

Meeting was called to order at 5:45 by President Susan Hurm – in attendance: Susan Hurm, Jim Hurm, Ruth Klamm, Mark Owns, Karen Sundal, Merlene Stiles, Dan Kane, Terry Dorsey.

Minutes from last meeting – approved

Treasurer’s Report – Mark –approved

MEP Updates – Merlene – no report

A.C.E.S. – nonprofit status – Mark – emailed documentation to Patience at MEP

Caring for Creation Events – Food Preservation workshop August 1 at St Olaf – see flyer

Bible studies by Intern Natalie at Grace Lutheran 7/29 at 10:30 AM and also August 2 at 7 PM

Event at the Hormel Nature Center 7/29 at 6:30 PM – will have “Park It” flyers available

Park It & Get Fit – (see flyer) – promotion and prizes for bike and alternative transportation. Susan is preparing Cool City flyer for the mayor, including handouts, rules and coupons.

Freedom Fest Results – float in the parade was a success

Rain Barrel Workshop & Austin Utilities Rain Barrel Rebate – Mark, Jim & Susan etc.

Mark is obtaining materials and will make a couple sample rain barrels. Jim is investigating locations for storing and making the rain barrels (Hormel, Austin Packing, Habitat) Jim will also check into the process for generating rebates through Austin Utilities. Merlene will check with Jim her husband if the rain barrels can be stored in one of his empty greenhouses. The rain barrel maker committee will develop a plan to convert to rain barrels and decorate to promote water conservation. They will investigate rain barrels as potential fundraiser. Ideas include drawing to win, class to build your own, or direct sales at future events (Mower Co Fair, Arts in the Park, Re-Fest or all of the above). Merlene will go to Central Athlete for simplified A.C.E.S. logo for decal to be used for the rain barrels.

Moved, 2nd and passed to spend up to $150 for materials to prepare rain barrel assembly project – Susan, Jim and Mark in charge.

Moved, 2nd and passed to sign up for a table at Arts in the Park (cost $25) 8/30/09, volunteer to staff event, distribute flyers and possibly decorate or sign up class for rain barrels. Terry will contact for Bruce Loeschen the AHS art teacher to paint a barrel for the event.

Mower County Fair Booth/Display – August 11-16, 2009 –

Susan is preparing Display Board for the exhibit at the IKES Fish and Game building.

Prepare A.C.E.S. drawing box for the 1st drawing for Park It & Get Fit.

Merlene will replace one of the (largest broken) CFL on light box with another type to demonstrate.

Sign up sheet for volunteering at the Ikes building – Ruth

Hybrid car / concept car display – Terry

RE-fest –September 19 – More planning at next meeting – no action taken

Minnesota GreenStep Cities – no report

Nomination of new A.C.E.S. Officers – will take place on/by September 24th designated as A.C.E.S. official Annual meeting – Nomination committee – Susan, Jim H, Ruth.

New Business – Ruth brought up group Cooperative Energy Futures that looking for local contractors etc to get energy efficient bulbs in bulk – discussion concluded not to use at the fair, but to invite to participate at RE-Fest. Terry saw concept of “hour car” and will research further. Dan Kane had concerns about utility costs and visibility to residential customers. Terry’s neighbors had similar complaints. Issues will be continued with the Austin Utilities.

Adjourn Meeting – 6:50 PM

aces, inc – Thursday, January 22, 2009 -  AGENDA

5:30 PM Riverland Community College Room N123

Call to Order – Meeting was called to order at 5:35 PM by president, Susan Hurm.  In attendance were Susan Hurm, Terry Dorsey, Ruth Klamm, Dorothy Owens, Harry Stevens, Karen Sundal, Bob Wangsness, Dan Kane, Victoria and Olena – exchange student from Ukraine, Mark Owens, Mary Krueger (new), Denna Jacobson (Advisor for Go Green Club AHS), Ivan webmaster, Jim Hurm, -  not present: Merlene Stiles, Jim Stiles, Larry Dolphin

Treasurer’s Report given by Mark Owens – balance $1,270.68 – authorized expenditures and membership deposits noted. 

Minutes 11/20/08, 12/11/08 & 12/18/08 have been posted and today’s meeting minutes will be posted on the website.

Introductions were made around the room.

Paperless meeting minutes and agenda – It was moved and passed that we adopt – the logistics to be worked out by February 2009 meeting. – see electronic communication from Harry.  Harry proposed placing minutes and agenda be projected on screen rather than on paper – becoming dynamic.  Members and visitors online will have ability to edit – authorized edits become permanent.

Membership Dues Reminder:  Please pay prorated dues – list passed around.

Sisters of Ukraine – grants were discussed and funds to help with website costs

Caring for Creation Resource Fair at St Olaf Lutherans Church  2/15/09  aces will set up a table and display information to participate in the event – set up around 1 PM

Presented that aces hold February meeting with the Going Green Club at AHS – details to be worked out.

March meeting – to be announced

National Green Week Feb 2-8 Pacelli Catholic Schools - short notice to promote this widely, Denna will look into high school and middle school participation – Pacelli will weigh snack waste before and after the project.

Plan Earth Week Events and Flyer – Susan led the discussion in Larry’s absence – known events

April 15  – Izaak Walton League Game Feed

April 22 – Earth Day & aces Greens & Soup Lunch (plans discussed tonight)

April 25 – Austin’s Clean & Green Day – spring clean up in the past by Park and Rec – Larry will contact them to determine if aces Inc can work on this year

Discuss plans for aces Greens & Soup Luncheon (see Aces Green Luncheon handout)

Wednesday, April 22 at the Auditorium at the Nature Center – 11:45 to about 1:30 PM

Ruth presented Committee plans so far and asked for authorization to contact WalMart and others for raffle items (moved and passed) and also to use funds for decorations for the event up to $50 (moved and passed)

Tickets will be sold by members.  Ruth’s committee will continue planning. At the next meeting begin sign-up and volunteer.

Recreate & Relaunch aces website to be named www.becoolgogreenaces.org the name and cost of $15 is approved – Harry and Ivan are maintaining.  The smig website is still good co.net/aces

Application for Recognition of Exemption – Non-profit Status is nearly complete – Mark asks for help to review and complete details.  Susan got a call from the Attorney General’s office and our name has been reserved and should be used in its entirety for proper identification – Austin Coalition for Environmental Sustainability, Inc.

Communication’s Green Team  Report – several media photos and articles were in the local papers – RE-fest prizes and awards – and the books and certificates are ready to present.

Schedule Feb. Green Team Meeting – Identify Next Project – Cochairs

Minnesota Environmental Partnership Report

The MEP office has moved to Austin – 223 ½ N Main St. Suite 206 Phone 507-355-1399

Invited to participate in the March 16^th Monday 8-6 pm Ride the Bus to the Capitol.

Briefing paper for The Legislature is available on the MEP Website.

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.

 

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aces – Thursday, December 18, 2008 -  Minutes

5:30 PM Habitat for Humanities – Board Room

800 7^th Ave. NE – Board Room

 

Call to Order  Meeting was called to order at 5:40 PM by president, Susan Hurm.  In attendance were Susan Hurm, Keith Barnes, Terry Dorsey, Merlene Stiles, Jim Stiles, Ruth Klamm, Dorothy Owens, CH Stevens, Karen Sundal, Bob Wangsness, Larry Dolphin, Mark Owens and Jim Hurm

(Treasurer’s Report and Minutes for 11/20, 12/11 and today’s meeting minutes will be read in January)

Membership Dues Reminder:  Please pay prorated dues by 1/1/09

Green Teams: Each Team reported on results of Focus & Progress Reports:

 

Green Team Partnership Report  - Co Chairs – Mark & Keith

Three Main projects for 2009: (list items 4,5,8,9,12)

1- Promote and expand recycling in the community, colleges, school businesses, and county.

2- Bike friendly community,

3- Community-wide reduce Carbon footprint

 

RETAP update – Jim Hurm reported waiting for Austin Utilities info to finalize the audit.  (results of audit of City Hall and the Bus Warehouse)

ICLEI waiting for software update in January

 

Green Team Renewable Energy Co chairs – Ruth & Larry

Austin Foundation Grant – we were not recipient

St. Olaf Foundation Grant – not received – did not get on the agenda – Ecumenical district wide program with St Olaf, Grace Lutheran, and Our Savior’s – on Feb 15^{th –} Aces and others will be invited to display.

LCPPM and – Pat Benson is seeking intern for us for the summer, and grant money for aces staff.

Fundraiser - Green Spring Luncheon was approved – April 22^th is Earth Day – invite Isaac Walton, Horticulture, Friends of Nature Ctr, LWV – yet to be defined.

 

Research Request -   Recyclable Bins for Parks – Ruth circulated info gathered

            Merlene noted we look at what the City of Redwing has done for city recycling bins

Community Ownership – Wind Turbines – attended by Merlene and Mark

Environmental Friendly Lawn Care Mulching & Mowing – future public education campaign

Guest Speakers – no report

 

Green Team Communications – Co chairs – Bob & Terry

Presentations and Newspaper articles (Terry):

- Park It & Win a Prize – article and photos submitted to both local papers and appeared this week

– Energy Audit Winner – Toov household – Terry interviewed the family – article to be submitted

- certificates from RE•fest –  Children’s Books &  Drawing  Winners – being presented this week

- Riverland Student Housing (Exchange Students) – Recycling Request – in progress

- Ukraine, Riverland &  aces Connection /website  - In progress

- Revise and update aces brochure – Sundal printing can update location as needed

– community calendar, website link, www.co.net/becoolgogreen

 

2009 Foci to include 1) bike friendly community, 2) Reusable bags and 3) alternative energy – (#5,6,8,9)

 

MEP Report – Merlene summarized the drafted recommendations – includes such concepts as clean cars and energy, main street revitalization, bike paths, work and eat locally, and much more.

The meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.

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