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10/20/1998 - 00003710CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 20, 1998 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Sielaff called the October 20, 1998, meeting to order at 7:29 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Jack Velin, Peter Panchyshyn, Rosalie Landt Members Absent: Rich Svanda Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 15, 1998, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Ms. Landt, to approve the September 15, 1998, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: a. Review of Draft 1999 Work Plan Ms. Jones explained that she had created the draft plan from the Community Development Department's 1999 goals and objectives approved by the City Council this past spring. She noted that she had modified it to reflect closure of the Recycling Center. She suggested that the recycling goal statement be modified since the City will not meet its County recycling goal with closure of the Recycling Center There was extensive discussion about the 108% of goal statement, possible changes to curbside service, and consideration of whether or not to solicit new proposals for curbside service. The advantages and disadvantages of organized garbage and recycling collection were also discussed. Mr. Sielaff requested staff to investigate the results of a solid waste fact-finding study that was done about five years ago, so that the Commission could study the issue further at the November 17, 1998, meeting. Further discussion of the work plan was continued until the November meeting. b. Discussion of History of Recycling in Fridley ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 1998 PAGE 2 Ms. Jones asked if anyone had any information regarding the history of recycling in Fridley that could help fill in missing parts of the summary in the meeting packet. She explained that completion of the summary would be a nice addition to the City's future wed site. Mr. Sielaff suggested researching old Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes for missing details in the history since no one was able to remember dates. c. Approval of 1999 Proposed Meeting Dates Ms. Jones asked the Commission to review the proposed meeting dates so they could be forwarded to the City Manager's Office. MOTION by Ms. Landt, seconded by Mr. Velin, to approve the 1999 meeting dates as presented. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. OLD BUSINESS: a Consideration of Monthly Operation Alternative for Fridley Recycling Center Ms. Jones explained that staff had searched out other alternatives for the Recycling Center operations in 1999, including working together with other cities outside Anoka County. All efforts have failed. One last effort that staff is prepared to take to the Council on November 9 is consideration of keeping the site open to collect certain problem materials, once a month, April through November. This method of collection involves no City staffing. The City of Blaine does the same thing for about $8,000/year, which fits within the $10,000/ year cost limit given by the City Council. This option would eliminate the need for special spring or fall clean-up days since it would be done once per month. She explained that the second Saturday of each month has been selected since Coon Rapids operates its appliance pick-up the first Saturday of each month, and Blaine operates its appliance pick-up the third Saturday of each month. MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Ms. Landt, to request the City Council to pursue a proposal to keep the Fridley Recycling Center open for collection of problem materials at least monthly. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 1998 PAGE 3 b. Consideration of Reducing Commission Size Ms. Jones reported that there was no second printing in last week's local paper announcing openings on the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission. She stated there was also nothing printed in the fall issue of the City Newsletter since she was told it is City policy to not post openings in the newsletter. She expressed concern over the difficulty in securing a quorum under the current shortage of two members and how that will affect the Commission's ability to review environmental topics in future months. Ms. Landt suggested putting a notice in the block captains' newsletter. She expressed her concern that reducing the Commission would result in such a small group influencing environmental recommendations in the City. Mr. Sielaff suggested continuing to advertise the Commission openings until the first of the year, putting a set deadline on a decision, and then reconsider what steps to take. c. Update on Draft County & Regional Solid Waste Master Plans Ms. Jones explained that there are more meetings ahead for the Task Force in November and December. The Coordinating Board is scheduled to approve the Regional Solid Waste Master Plan on December 16. The Anoka County plan will be approved in January. She was unsure if there would be a County public hearing. Then, the plans are compiled and submitted to the OEA by March 1, 1999. Ms. Jones shared a chart from the draft County plan that showed waste projections through the year 2017. She voiced concern that these projections show that over one-third of the County's waste will be landfilled in the year 2017. Mr. Sielaff expressed concerns that there should be a public hearing at the County level. 3 OTHER BUSINESS: a. Update on Six Cities Watershed Management Organization (SCWMO) Joint Powers Agreement Ms. Jones explained that the Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) is requesting the SCWMO to amend its Joint Powers Agreement in order to gain final approval if its Waste Management Plan. John Flora had informed her that two things that BWSR is requesting that the SCWMO is not going to agree to is that the Joint Powers Agreement incorporate taxing authority and change to a ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 1998 PAGE 4 majority vote rule instead of a 5-6 vote. Other recommended changes that the SCWMO is agreeing to make are referenced in the memo in the meeting packet. She stated that the City Council is expected to take action on the recommendations in the memo next month. b. Update on EcoTeams Ms. Jones reported that she was informed by a new Full Circle Institute (formally GAP) staff inember this week that they no longer have rights to the EcoTeam curriculum since they have severed their ties to the national organization. However, they were prepared to complete the work that they had committed to earlier. At the same time, they appear to have no one on staff who is familiar with the program and able to lead new groups. Ms. Jones explained that staff in contemplating its next move since funds were paid to GAP in 1996 to complete four teams. The main problem, however, is that no one has come forward interested in being part of a team despite repeated advertisement of the programs. The Commission members voiced concern that Full Circle Institute be required to repay the unused funds, possibly in exchange for conducting additional classroom activities. c. Update on Springbrook Clean Watershed Partnership Program (CWP) Ms. Jones explained that much monitoring data is now available from the CWP testing, but staff has not had time to compile it. She anticipated that there would not be information formulated for the committee meetings until January 1999. Everything has proceeded on schedule except the sediment sampling which can still be done in the winter months and the amphibian study which can be done next spring. Mr. Sielaff asked when the City needs to complete another report to the MPCA. Ms. Jones stated that reports are done every six months, and the next one would be due in January 1999. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION by Mr. Panchyshyn, seconded by Ms. Landt, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE OCTOBER 20, 1998, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:24 P. M. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES OCTOBER 20, 1998 PAGE 5 Respectfully submitted. Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison