05/19/1998 - 00003700CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
MAY 19, 1998
CALL TO ORDER:
Following a tour of the Springbrook Nature Center monitoring stations by Shannon
Lotthammer of the MPCA and following a recognition celebration for resigning
Commission members, Dean Saba and Bruce Bondow, Chairperson Sielaff called the
May 19, 1998, meeting to order at 8:38 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Rosalie Landt, Peter Panchyshyn,
Jack Velin, Rich Svanda
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator
Dean Saba, former EQE Commission member
Bruce Bondow, former EQE Commission member
Siah St. Clair, Springbrook Nature Center Director
Julie Jones noted that the agenda should be amended to include a presentation by
Siah St. Clair on the Springbrook Nature Center programs. Chairperson Sielaff
suggested that all the scheduled agenda items, including the approval of the April 21,
1998, minutes and the election of officers be postponed until the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Discuss Council's Desire to Reduce the Commission Size to
Five Members
Ms. Jones stated that the Commission members should take some time to
discuss the Commission size issue since the City Council may be taking action
on this item before the Commission's next meeting.
Mr. Sielaff stated that at a recent conference meeting, the City Council
discussed the possibility of reducing the EQE Commission size from seven
members to five members like all other advisory commissions. He asked the
other Commission members' reaction to this suggestion.
The Commission members discussed the history of how the old Energy
Commission was combined with the Environmental Quality Commission to form
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
MAY 19, 1998 PAG E 2
the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission. The combining of the two
different commissions was the reason for the large commission membership.
Mr. Velin questioned whether or not each ward is currently represented.
It was determined that each ward is still represented upon Dean Saba's and
Bruce Bondow's resignations. It was agreed that attempts should be made to
maintain representation by each ward.
Ms. Landt asked what response has been received from advertising the current
openings. Ms. Jones stated that the openings have not been advertised yet
since the City Council was waiting for a decision on the number of Commission
members.
MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Panchyshyn, to advertise for two new
Commission members. If no one responds to the advertisement, then
consideration will be given to reducing the size of the Environmental Quality &
Energy Commission.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Ms. Landt, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE MAY 19, 1998, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:41
P. M.
For those members who were able to stay, Mr. St. Clair gave a slide presentation on
the value of the Springbrook Nature Center and the programs offered at the Nature
Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Jones
Staff Liaison