Development News for Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota

Natural Resources Commission Seeks New Student Commissioner

The Natural Resources Commission announced an opening for a new student commissioner. The previous student commissioner, Trudeau, served for two years and has moved on due to starting her senior year. The term for the new student commissioner will run from October 2025 through August 2026. The position is open to all high school students in grades 9-12 and serves as a non-voting member, providing a youth perspective. Applications are due by 10 A.M. on September 19th. Interested students can find the application on the commission's website or at City Hall.

Interstate Valley Creek Stabilization Project Nears Completion, Enhances Wetland Habitat

The commission received an update on the Interstate Valley Creek stabilization and BMP project. The project involved stabilizing two stream reaches, re-meandering, and installing a weir to create wetland habitat. The stream banks were stabilized using bioengineering, such as root wads and footer logs, with vegetation already starting to grow. The weir was installed to address down-cutting and restore water flow to a wetland that had been drying up. Future restoration work, including adding woody vegetation and tree plantings, will be coordinated with the ongoing River to River Greenway project to avoid disturbing new plantings. The project is substantially complete, with only the planting of infiltration basins remaining after the Greenway project is finished. The Army Corps of Engineers inspection yielded positive feedback. Commissioners expressed admiration for the project's effectiveness and scale, particularly the weir's impact on water flow and wetland hydrology, and suggested public education through on-site signage.

City Awarded $150,000 Geothermal Planning Grant for Public Works Facility

The Natural Resources Commission received an update on the geothermal planning grant awarded to the city. The city was awarded up to $150,000 from the Minnesota Department of Commerce to plan a geothermal energy system for the Public Works facility. The grant covers analysis of heating/cooling demand, equipment evaluation, geologic site conditions, and financial analysis. The city has 16 weeks to contract with a consultant and is currently preparing a request for proposals. Commissioner Dahl shared personal positive experience with a similar system installed in 2010, highlighting its reliability, efficiency, and low cost, with the primary upfront cost being the initial drilling. The results will be posted on the city's sustainability page.

Natural Resources Commission Approves Participation in Trick-or-Treat Event, Focus on Energy Education

The Natural Resources Commission discussed participation in the annual Trick-or-Treat event at the Par 3 city golf course, scheduled for Saturday, October 18th, from 4 to 6 P.M. The commission voted to sponsor a hole and tasked the Education and Outreach Committee with designing it, focusing on Partners in Energy and sustainability themes. Last year's participation focused on stormwater education and promoting the Adopt-a-Drain program. Potential activities for this year include promoting home energy squads and offering a free home energy audit drawing. The commission will commit to sponsoring a hole and will have individual commitments by the end of the month.