02/16/1999 - 00002309CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
FEBRUARY 16, 1999
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Sielaff called the February 16, 1999, meeting to order at 7:34 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin, Peter Panchyshyn,
Members Absent: Rosalie Landt
Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 19, 1999, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Velin, to approve the January 19, 1999,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
1. NEW BUSINESS:
a. Discussion of Commission Membership Size
Mr. Sielaff asked the Commission members' opinion on whether or not they
wanted to continue to attempt to solicit more members to keep the commission
size at seven members. A discussion followed.
MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Panchyshyn, to reduce the size of the
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission to five members.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF
DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
b. Presentation of 1998 Year End Recycling Report
Ms. Jones summarized the 1998 Year End Recycling Report included in the
meeting packet. Possible problems with the curbside recycling program and
successes of the Recycling Center were discussed. The difficulty in achieving
the 1999 County recycling goal was also discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 16, 1999 PAGE 2
c. Discussion of Plans to Review City's Solid Waste Management System
Ms. Jones explained that she had included copies of certain study results in the
January meeting packet to help the Commission focus on what objectives they
may set for a new study. She stated that she was interpreting two main
objectives from comments at earlier meetings:
1. Are costs for garbage and recycling services reasonable in
Fridley?
2. Are there recycling collection systems out there that better
maximize participation levels?
The Commission members agreed that these were their objectives.
Ms. Jones suggested that research be done on those cities that have the most
successful recycling programs so that the City could use them as a benchmark
for measuring the success of Fridley's recycling program.
How to interpret various County data collection methods was debated. Ms
Jones suggested that she investigate what information is available and then
bring a proposal for action to the Commission at the next meeting.
d. Reduction of SWAP (Solid Waste Abatement Program) Fee
Mr. Sielaff suggested that Ms. Jones update the Commission on plans to reduce
the SWAP fees that residents pay to cover costs of recycling programs.
Ms. Jones stated that there will be a public hearing to consider reducing the fee,
which is set in ordinance, from $6/quarter to $5.50/quarter. She explained that
this is necessary to maximize the amount of SCORE funds that the City is
eligible for. She stated that there is some debate that the reduction could be
greater and that it will be up to the City Council to decide the exact reduction
amount.
e. Discussion of Plans for Fridley's 50t" Anniversary Celebration
Ms. Jones reported that she has been able to get the BFI parade recycling truck
secured for Thursday, June 17, 1999, the night of the 49'ers Day parade. This
would include an appearance by Mobius, BFI's recycling mascot, and a generic
recycling banner. She said that BFI would allow people to walk with the truck to
distribute literature, pencils, etc., but could not allow non-BFI employees to ride
on the truck.
Mr. Velin stated that the Commission will need to submit an application to be in
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 16, 1999 PAGE 3
the parade and anyone participating will need to purchase a$2.00 49'ers Day
button.
The Commission members indicated that they would like to have a banner
mentioning the Commission and distribute flyers at the parade, using golf carts if
they are available.
2.. OLD BUSINESS:
a Review of Anoka County's Response to EQEC Comments on Solid
Waste Master Plan
Ms. Jones reported that Anoka County staff had not yet completed and sent their
reply to the Commission's comments.
b. Continued Discussion of 1999 Work Plan
The Commission discussed each goal and analyzed the status of each item.
Mr. Svanda questioned the goal of increasing monthly participation to 70%. He
questioned whether the goal was realistic.
Ms. Jones stated she was unsure how BFI would be reporting numbers—if they
would be weekly or monthly. Depending on BFI's method, the Commission may
want to reword the goal. However, she believed it was a realistic goal.
The other recycling goals were also discussed. The goal regarding the
Recycling Center was changed to refer to the monthly problem waste collections.
Mr. Svanda suggested that the two Saturday educational programs don't
necessarily have to be at Springbrook Nature Center, but could be other events
like participation in the parade.
Ms. Jones suggested rewording the Springbrook CWP goal to state, "Work
towards completion of Phase 1..." since the project is not scheduled to be
complete until 2000.
c. Update on Monthly Problem Waste Collections
Ms. Jones reported that the City is moving ahead with the monthly problem
waste collections which will start April 10, 1999. A contractor to collect scrap
metal has been found. Contracts are currently being negotiated. Collections are
planned at this time to be held at the Recycling Center site.
3 OTHER BUSINESS:
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 16, 1999 PAGE 4
a. The Living Planet Report
Ms. Jones explained the "World Wildlife Foundation's Living Planet Report" that
she found on the Internet and offered to share her copy of the first half of the
report if anyone wanted to see it.
b. Update on Springbrook CWP Project
Ms. Jones stated there was no new information on the project since the last
meeting.
c. Update on Wellhead Protection
Ms. Jones stated she had no additional information to report other than that
included in the meeting packet.
d. Update on ECO Team Program
Ms. Jones stated she had no additional information to report since the last
meeting.
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 FEBRUARY 16, 1999, MEETING ADJOURNED AT
9:17P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Jones
Staff Liaison