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07/18/2000 - 00008304CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING J U LY 18, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the July 18, 2000, meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barbara Johns, Jack Velin, Rich Svanda, Pete Panchyshyn, Michelle Maher, Barbara Kovacic Members Absent: None Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator APPROVAL OF MAY 16, 2000, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Panchyshyn, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to approve the May 16, 2000, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: a. Welcome New Member, Barbara Kovacic The Commission members introduced themselves and welcomed Ms. Kovacic to the Commission. b. Rail Transportation Information Ms. Jones reported that the latest information staff has received indicates that the EIS will be published with the Environmental Quality Board on September 4, 2000. A public hearing and comment period will follow. It is possible staff will be able to obtain a copy of the EIS before September 4. If this occurs, the Commission could begin its review of this massive document at the August meeting. However, it is most likely that review will not be possible until the September Commission meeting. Ms. Jones stated that regarding the August 10 sample ride, she had been told that one seat has been reserved for the chairperson or some other commission member if the chair is unable to attend. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 18, 2000 PAGE 2 Ms. Jones stated that the Planning Commission will be considering whether or not to amend the City's Comprehensive Plan to include the Park-N-Ride station on August 16. Ms. Kovacic asked on which side of the tracks is the station site expected to be placed. Ms. Jones responded that the site design is very preliminary but will likely be on both sides of the tracks, with the bulk of the parking area expected east of the existing tracks. c. Report on Salvage Yard Licensing Ms. Johns questioned how contaminated soils would be cleaned up at one of these salvage yards if the property were purchased. Standard site clean-up was discussed. The information provided in the meeting packet on salvage yards was briefly discussed. Ms. Jones reported that if the Commission has questions regarding the County licensing of salvage yards in Fridley that City staff cannot answer, then a County staff person could attend a future meeting to discuss the matter. Mr. Svanda suggested, and other Commission members agreed, that they would like to see the latest inspection reports from the salvage yard sites in Fridley to see exactly what the County is inspecting. Ms. Jones stated she would attempt to get that information for the next meeting. d. Discussion of State Wetland Regulations Ms. Jones repeated the procedures explained in the memo from Paul Bolin for protecting natural wetlands in the development application process. Ms. Johns asked how existing wetlands are protected that are on private property, but are not in a redevelopment situation. Ms. Jones responded that she felt anyone with a concern about an existing wetland should contact the Community Development Department and staff could contact the appropriate jurisdiction to investigate the concern. Ms. Jones explained that there are very few natural wetlands in place in the City and that all new development now must have on-site water retention ponds. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 18, 2000 PAGE 3 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Staff Report on Antifreeze Poisoning Issue Ms Jones reported that staff is still working on the antifreeze poisoning issue in former Commission member Rosalie Landt's neighborhood. The Police Department is distributing a letter in the area warning of the dangers and legal implications of purposeful antifreeze poisoning. She stated she is attempting to get some basic storage and warning information about antifreeze in a future City newsletter. The Commission suggested encouraging residents to recycle the antifreeze. b. Discussion of Deconstruction Opportunities with City-Owned Buildings Ms. Jones summarized her conversation with a representative of the Green Institute, a local firm that works on deconstruction projects. She explained that they were very positive about the City pursuing this waste reduction opportunity. She inquired as to what direction the Commission would like to take. Ms. Maher suggested finding out more about the costs involved in deconstruction. Ms. Johns stated she would like to get information about deconstruction to the general public applying for demolition. After further discussion, Ms. Johns stated she saw three parts to this issue: 1. Have the HRA consider a deconstruction policy. 2. Have the City educate the public. 3. Establish a policy for the deconstruction of municipal buildings. It was suggested that someone from the Green Institute and the Housing Coordinator attend the August Commission meeting. c. Update on June and July Monthly Drop-Off Days Ms. Jones reported that collections at both the June and July monthly drop-off days were disappointing. Tons of materials collected have not grown much from last year's totals, as hoped. When a traffic count was taken at the June 10t" collection, however, it was discovered that 190 vehicles came through the site, so there are a significant number of residents using the drop-off. Ms. Jones stated staff is currently considering conducting another special event this ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 18, 2000 PAGE 4 fall, if the budget will permit, to boost tonnages. Staff is also considering if it makes more economical sense to hold less collections in 2001. d. Update on Status of Tree Zoning Text Amendment & Tree Sale Plans for 2001 Ms. Jones reported that the tree preservation zoning text amendment failed to obtain a first reading from the City Council. The majority vote on the Council felt that staff's current methods of encouraging tree preservation were adequate and preferred since they could be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Ms. Jones reported that she was unsure of the plans for a tree sale in 2001 since Rosie Griep is leaving her position with the City. It appears that she will be assigned the task of securing funds for the project when Rosie leaves. e. Discussion of Recycling Education at Mobile Home Parks Ms. Jones reported that both of the mobile home parks agreed to insert the curbside recycling brochure developed by BFI earlier this year in their resident newsletters. The management at both of the parks also agreed to insert an additional educational brochure developed by staff in September 2000. Staff plans to review participation at the mobile home parks again in October 2000. Ms. Johns asked how recycling is working at apartment buildings in Fridley. Ms. Jones responded that there are problems with noncompliance and contamination. One of the solutions that she is working on is development of a project with area scout troops to work with apartment recycling at key problem locations. 3. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Update on Springbrook CWP Project Ms. Jones reported that the Technical Committee is holding another meeting on July 10t" to continue to revise the details of the draft final report. Recent tours of the stormwater drainage system immediately surrounding the park to the north and east have shown extreme needs for maintenance, which is being added to the plan. She explained the current focus of the technical discussions about the issue of draining down the main wetland to allow revegetation. The Commission discussed the complications of that process. An August 21St meeting with the Fridley City Council is tentatively planned, with a four- city meeting to follow soon after. The purpose of the four-city meeting will be to ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 18, 2000 PAGE 5 consider a Phase II grant/loan application. b. Update on Wellhead Protection Staff had no new information to report on the wellhead protection project. c. Update on Commission Opening Ms. Jones stated that she still did not know what happened to the second candidate for the other Commission opening. She had been assured that the City Manager's Office is aware of the Commission opening and will be advertising it in the Focus News if the previous applicant is no longer interested. Mr. Velin reminded staff to include an updated Commission member roster in the next meeting packet. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Panchyshyn, seconded by Ms. Maher, to adjourn the July 18, 2000, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JULY 18, 2000, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:08 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison