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09/21/1999 - 00002333CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING September 21, 1999 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Sielaff called the September 21, 1999, meeting to order at 7:32 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Rosalie Landt , Barbara Johns, Jack Velin, Peter Panchyshyn Members Absent: Michelle Maher, Rich Svanda Others Present: Julie Jones, Planner/Recycling Coordinator APPROVAL OF July 20, 1999, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Panchyshyn, seconded by Velin, to approve the July 20, 1999, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: a. Discuss Possible Tour of BFI Recyclery for October Meeting Julie Jones reported that BFI, the City's current curbside recycling contractor, has volunteered to conduct a tour of their Recyclery in Minneapolis for the commission if they are interested. She explained that the tour would have to be conducted during a weekday. Due to limited parking at the site, BFI also volunteered to vanpool everyone over to the Recyclery from the Municipal Center. After discussing the options, the commission members decided that having a tour in the late afternoon in October would work best for everyone. Tuesdays or Thursdays were preferred. Chair Sielaff suggested that if the tour could be arranged for the regular October meeting date, that the commission could then have its regular monthly meeting after the tour. b. Report on Mid-Year Recycling Totals Julie Jones reported that Fridley residents are putting more recyclables at the curb this year, resulting in the City looking favorable to meet 1999 recycling goals, despite closure of the Recycling Center. Multi-unit recycling has also ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING September 21, 1999 PAGE 2 increased in 1999, compared to last year. Mr. Sielaff asked if Ms. Jones knew reasons for the increases. Ms. Jones stated that she suspects that Fridley residents that were once using the Recycling Center to recycle are now instead putting materials at the curb for collection. However, it is puzzling that participation rates, as reported by the drivers, have not changed significantly. Mr. Sielaff questioned as to how closure of the recycling center is impacting tonnage goals. Ms. Jones explained that it is ironic that monthly tonnage increases in curbside collections almost identically match the average amount previously collected at the recycling center. In addition, about five tons a month has been collected on average at the monthly drop off days so far. She explained that if the current trends continue, Fridley should meet its recycling goals for the year. Mr. Velin questioned staff's comments in the cover memo regarding the problem of not qualifying for all of the SCORE funds in 1999. Ms. Jones clarified the SCORE funding procedures. She explained that staff is seeking ways to remedy the problem for 1999 and 2000. Mr. Sielaff questioned why the City Council would not just lower SWAP fees to reduce the revenues. Ms. Jones explained that changing the SWAP fee rate requires an ordinance change, which takes about three months to complete, making it too late in the year to be able to adjust fees for 1999 receipts. She explained that it would be an easier process if fees could be set by resolution. MOTION by Ms. Landt, and seconded by Ms. Johns, to suggest that the City Council modify the City ordinance that includes the recycling fee rate and instead establish a fee by resolution process, allowing rates to be more easily adjusted to reflect current curbside contract rates. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. OLD BUSINESS: a. Review of City Manager's Response to Citizen Survey Question Comments. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING September 21, 1999 PAGE 3 The question the Commission had requested to be included in the survey regarding the impacts of urban run-off on the Springbrook Nature Center was discussed. Ms. Jones confirmed that the City Manager was not comfortable adding this question to the survey because they could not be specific on details. She stated this question is actually going to be asked of the public at the CWP Open House at the Nature Center on October 16. It was suggested that the question proposed by the Commission for the citizen survey be included on the comment cards at the Open House event with an additional question about what city the participant is from. It was further suggested to reword the question to state: "Would you support protection/improvement of these wetland areas?" --with a simple yes or no option for answer. b. Report on Monthly Recycling Drop-off Days Ms. Jones reported that the monthly drop-off days are operating smoothly; however, participation has been very low. Costs will be well within budget for the year. Tonnage of material collected is falling short of goals for this new recycling service. Although the costs of this service are reasonable for the amount of material being recycled, staff is pursuing some other options for increasing use of the service: 1) More advertising, 2) Conducting an electronics drop off during the November collection day, and 3) ) Combining the effort with the City of Spring Lake Park in the year 2000 to make it more profitable for the vendors. There were questions as to the benefit of coordinating efforts with the City of Spring Lake Park. Ms. Jones explained that joint drop-off days would cost the City of Fridley less since they would be splitting up costs. Also, the City is losing use of the current collection site in 2000 due to construction of the joint Fire Training/Public Works building. Since the City of Spring Lake Park is volunteering use of their Municipal Building parking lot, there is another benefit to joining together in the effort. 3. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Update on Springbrook CWP Project ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING September 21, 1999 PAGE 4 Ms. Jones distributed flyers for the October 15 and 16 Open House at the Springbrook Nature Center, which will be an effort to educate City officials and the public about the CWP project. She explained that there will be an Advisory Committee meeting on September 28 to go over plans for the Open House and to review the latest monitoring data available. MPCA staff is currently compiling the data so that modeling can begin. She explained that the monitoring is now complete for the project, with the exception of testing sediment samples that are supposed to be done anytime. Ms. Jones also stated that she is still compiling the mid-year budget report for the MPCA, but it appears that the project is running well under budget. Mr. Sielaff questioned which session, the October 15t" or the 16t"� is most appropriate for the Commission members to attend. Ms. Jones stated that the October 15 Open House with a formal presentation would be most beneficial for the Commission members to attend; but if that was not possible, the October 16 Open House will also have some information available to view. She explained that the walking tour will be the same that the Commission took earlier in the project. Mr. Panchyshyn asked if they needed volunteers. Ms. Jones stated that she does need several volunteers for Saturday, October 16, to do things like run active educational displays and serve refreshments. b. Update on Wellhead Protection Mr. Jones reported that John Flora had no new information on the Wellhead Protection Plan, stating that he was still awaiting information from the State. 4. OTHER BUSINESS a. Jack Velin updated Ms. Jones on the 49ers Day Parade. The shirts that BFI provided were very nice. Everyone agreed that the recycled content pencils were a big hit with the crowd. The Commission ran out of pencils, however, and probably could have used twice as many. Ms. Johns mentioned that the BFI parade truck did not have any banners on it, and they had made arrangements for two banners. b. Ms. Landt asked staff why nothing is being done regarding beautification of University Avenue. She thought there were plans to plant wildflowers so the County did not have to mow. Some members thought the fencing was to be removed. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING September 21, 1999 PAGE 5 Ms. Jones stated that she was aware that the HRA is proceeding with plans for a redevelopment project near 57t" and University, but was unaware of other projects related to beautification of University. 5. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Ms. Landt, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE SEPTEMBER 21, 1999, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:58 P. M. Respectfully submitted, Julie Jones Staff Liaison