01/18/2000 - 00004304CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
JAN UARY 18, 2000
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Sielaff called the January 18, 2000, meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Brad Sielaff, Jack Velin, Pete Panchyshyn, Barbara Johns,
Michele Maher (arr. 8:00 p.m.)
Members Absent: Rich Svanda, Rosalie Landt
Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 21, 1999, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Panchyshyn, seconded by Ms. Johns, to approve the December 21,
1999, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Development of Tree Preservation Ordinance
Ms. Jones summarized the City Council's discussion of potential City tree
preservation requirements.
Possible options were discussed by the Commission members. There was
general agreement that something should be changed in the ordinance to
prohibit extensive tree removal in residential areas. (Ms. Maher arrived at 8:00
p.m.) It was agreed that when lots are split would be a good time to track the
removal/replacement plans. The possibility of requiring a performance bond was
debated. It was generally agreed that a tree preservation plan need not be
"prepared by" a landscape architect, but could possibly be "approved by" a
qualified expert.
Ms. Jones reported that staff would draft ordinance language for review at the
next Commission meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
Januarv 18. 2000 PAGE 2
b. Review Public Water Supply Section of Comprehensive Plan Draft
Mr. Sielaff commented on page 9-9, "Surface Water Characteristics", voicing
concern that there should be data available for Rice Creek. He also commented
that the data on Moore Lake should be quantified so that the reader knows what
the data means. If any other data is available on other water bodies like Locke
Lake, it should also be pursued for inclusion in the plan.
Mr. Velin questioned data on page 9-11 on Well No. 9, which is contaminated,
yet other wells from the same aquifer are still in use. The Commission members
were concerned about addressing contamination of those wells. Brad Sielaff
commented that there is a lot of data available on the well contamination issue
that could be summarized (possibly in a table) on page 9-24. He also mentioned
that water quality data should also be included. There were also questions
about the term of agreement with New Brighton, mentioned at the bottom of page
9-3.
Mr. Sielaff stated that under the "Water Audit Program" on page 9-27, it would
be beneficial to know how much was the decrease in unaccounted-for water
losses.
Mr. Sielaff stated that on the bottom of page 9-28, the City should clarify under
what conditions it would consider implementing a block rate program.
There was a desire for more information about comments in the second
paragraph on page 9-29 about updates to Floodplain and Wetland Ordinances.
Mr. Velin questioned the frequency of water well testing.
Ms. Maher commented that requiring water conserving toilets and showerheads
are another means of water conservation, as well as restricting the line size
allowed into Fridley homes.
Mr. Sielaff questioned whether or not there is a financial benefit to reducing
infiltration/inflow in sanitary sewer lines below current levels.
c. Review of 2000 Workplan
Mr. Sielaff stated that he felt the Commission should consider doing more as far
as water conservation.
Mr. Sielaff also stated that the Commission should consider having a special
recycling event in 2001.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
Januarv 18. 2000 PAGE 3
d. Consideration of Changing Meeting Schedule
After some discussion, the Commission members agreed that adequate parking
is rarely a problem and that there was no need to change the regular meeting
time.
2. OLD BUSINESS
a. Discussion of Ordering California Recycling Study
Ms. Jones reported that she finally received a response to her request for a
California recycling study stating that the report costs $20. She recommended
that, instead of the California recycling study, they order a"nationwide" diversion
rate study or some "variable-rate" information.
The Commission members agreed to pursue obtaining the other studies
mentioned by Ms. Jones.
3. OTHER BUSINESS
a. Update on Springbrook CWP Project
Ms. Jones reported that there is still no modeling data available from the MPCA
so no meetings have been scheduled to start reviewing the draft final report.
She is scheduling an Education Subcommittee meeting for early February to
finalize plans to finish the educational objectives of the project. The project did
get part of a Wal-Mart grant that was applied for last fall and some donations
from Northtown. She will be working on the year-end financial report over the
next two weeks.
b. Update on Wellhead Protection
Ms. Jones reported that there is no new information regarding the Wellhead
Protection Plan.
c. Update on Plans for 2000 Monthly Drop-off Days
Ms. Jones reported that she is trying to find a vendor that will take clothing
donations in place of Goodwill Industries and is attempting to find a vendor to
take electronics for a fee from residents. NSP appears hopeful that the
fluorescent program will continue. She would like to add car batteries to the
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
Januarv 18. 2000 PAGE 4
collections this year if possible as another new item, but is concerned about
containment. Much work will take place over the next few weeks to negotiate
contracts.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Panchyshyn, to adjourn the January 18, 2000,
Environmental Quality & Energy Commission meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON SIELAFF DECLARED
THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JANUARY 18, 2000, MEETING ADJOURNED AT
9:25 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Jones
Staff Liaison