09/15/1998 - 00003706CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 15, 1998
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Sielaff called the September 15, 1998, meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Jack Velin, Peter Panchyshyn, Rich Svanda
Members Absent: Rosalie Landt
Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 10, 1998, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to approve the August 10, 1998,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Election of Officers
Chairperson Sielaff declared the nominations open for the position of vice-
chairperson.
Mr. Svanda nominated Jack Velin for the position of vice-chairperson.
Hearing no other nominations, Chairperson Sielaff declared the nominations
closed.
MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Panchyshyn, to elect Jack Velin for
Vice-Chairperson of the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairperson Sielaff declared the nominations open for the position of
chairperson.
Mr. Velin nominated Brad Sielaff for the position of chairperson.
Hearing no other nominations, Chairperson Sielaff declared the nominations
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 1998 PAGE 2
closed.
MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to re-elect Brad Sielaff for
Chairperson of the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Update on Fridley Recycling Center Budget/Closing Debate
Ms. Jones reported that the City Council did not want to discuss the problem
waste option for the site on August 17, 1998, until they received a written
response from County Commissioner McCarron. She read Commissioner
McCarron's letter, which had been received by the Council on August 24, 1998.
She further reported that Barbara Dacy and herself inet with County staff on
September 10, 1998, to ask for financial assistance to operate the Fridley
Recycling Center as a year-round problem materials recycling collection site,
operated two days per week in 1999.
Ms. Jones stated the County's response was negative regarding subsidizing the
cost of recycling electronics since the County instead supports pursuing
manufacturer responsibility for these items. The County is also reluctant to
assist with advertising costs for the site since they feel this would give
preferential treatment to Fridley over other communities that operate recycling
centers and special recycling days. Anoka County staff did not believe that
Fridley would qualify for an OEA grant since the proposal was not unique.
Making the proposal a multi-city effort, however, would increase grant funding
potential.
Ms. Jones reported that staff is continuing to pursue the problem waste option as
a joint effort with the City of Spring Lake Park and will probably present this
option at a regular Council meeting in October. There is also a possibility that
the City can be part of a pilot project being examined by the OEA currently for
collecting electronics.
Mr. Sielaff suggested that maybe the City should pursue working with other
neighboring cities in Ramsey County, particularly if that would increase state
grant funding potential.
Mr. Sielaff expressed concern that some option be taken to the Council to
continue to operate the Fridley Recycling Center under some capacity.
c. Developing 1999 Workplan
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 1998 PAGE 3
The Commission was satisfied with the layout of the City's 1999 goals and
objectives and suggested following that format for a 1999 workplan.
Mr. Sielaff suggested that an item be added regarding the review of portions of
the City's comprehensive Plan related to water quality/resources.
2. OLD BUSINESS:
a Update on Springbrook CWP Project
Ms. Jones reported that several aspects of the project are behind schedule;
however, water quantity/quality testing is on schedule.
b.. Update on Wellhead Protection
Staff had no new information on wellhead protection.
c. Update on EcoTeams
Ms. Jones reported that there are plans to recruit seniors at the Community
Center to form an EcoTeam on October 20, 1998. A notice announcing it will
appear in the fall senior newsletter.
Ms. Jones stated she was unsure if Full Circle Institute was going to request the
City to pursue an OEA grant for expanding the EcoTeam program to apartments.
The grant application, if pursued, is due October 15, 1998.
3. OTHER BUSINESS:
a. Update on Advertising for Commission Openings
Ms. Jones apologized for neglecting to forward requested information to
administration last week when requested for a community news announcement
in the Focus News. She reported that staff has just faxed a notice to the paper
that day, so it should appear in the Focus the following week.
b. Update on Anoka County Solid Waste Management Master Plan
Ms. Jones reported that there is another County meeting to review the regional
master plan on September 16, 1998. The County plan contains no significant
new efforts to reduce or recycle more waste which is disappointing. Municipal
efforts to encourage the County to institute new programs related to tree waste
management, water quality education efforts, and problem waste recycling have
been unsuccessful.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 1998 PAGE 4
ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Panchyshyn, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE SEPTEMBER 15, 1998, MEETING ADJOURNED
AT 9:25 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Jones
Staff Liaison