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08/15/2000 - 00008349CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 15, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the August 15, 2000, meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barb Johns; Jack Velin; Pete Panchyshyn; Michelle Maher; Barbara Kovacic Members Absent: Rich Svanda Others Present: Julie Jones, Recycling Coordinator Michael Kraus, Green Institute Larry Calhoun, Green Institute APPROVAL OF JULY 18, 2000, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Panchyshyn, to approve the July 18, 2000, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes as written. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: a. Request to Consider Multi-City Backyard Composter Distribution Ms. Jones informed the Commission that a meeting is being held on August 29, 2000, to consider plans for a metro-wide mass sale of "Earth Machine" composters. This has been done in other cities like Madison, Wisconsin, and New Orleans, Louisiana. She explained how such an event would be organized and that expected costs of the composters are $35 plus tax. She said the City's support of this project would aid waste reduction since the composters are effective in composting food waste. Ms. Jones stated the reason she wanted to notify the Commission of this opportunity was that it may require volunteer assistance. Ms. Johns suggested that someone test it out prior to the sale or get some references from other communities who have tried it. Other Commission questions were: Do we know who our target audience is? Is there are other composters on the market that work better and do we know what they are? ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 15, 2000 PAGE 2 There were concerns that the City would have many unhappy residents wanting to return bins if they were dissatisfied. Ms. Jones stated she would attempt to get answers to these questions at the meeting on August 29. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Presentation by the Green Institute on Deconstruction Mr. Michael Kraus explained how the Green Institute got its name. He noted that the last solid waste composition study in the seven county metropolitan area revealed that 800,000 tons/year of C& D waste is being landfilled. He explained how C& D waste is landfilled primarily and is cheaper to dispose of than regular waste. He explained how donations work at the Reuse Center in the Phillips' neighborhood in South Minneapolis. Ms. Maher asked how much it costs for the Green Institute to dismantle a house. Mr. Kraus explained that the Green Institute typically asks for a small retainer fee of $100 to prevent people from canceling out of the schedule. Typically, in a small home like the one the Fridley HRA recently acquired, they could salvage the windows, doors, wood flooring, and possibly some floor joists. What would be salvaged would probably be enough to reduce the demolition costs by one roll-off, which generally costs $400-500. Mr. Kraus showed some photographs of some of their projects. The benefit of tax credits for deconstruction was discussed. Mr. Kraus stated he sees a positive future for deconstruction because of increased waste generation and the impending need for new landfill space. He stated the Green Institute relies on groups like the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission to promote what they are doing in the community and to promote legislative change that makes deconstruction more affordable. Mr. Panchyshyn asked if the Green Institute has problems with liability. Mr. Kraus stated that workman's compensation covers their liability, but they do have a strong safety program. Ms. Maher asked how they can deal with structures with lead-based paint. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 15, 2000 PAGE 3 Mr. Kraus stated they encapsulate items (like windows) and sell them with instructions on how to properly handle it. They also lease a hepostripper to customers. Their staff often stays away from certain items like asbestos. Mr. Kraus suggested that the Green Institute do the HRA's East River Road house as a demonstration to prove that deconstruction can work in Fridley. Mr. Kraus explained that the Commission can help support the Green Institute by getting information about deconstruction out in the community and encouraging Anoka County to promote the establishment of facilities in this part of town. Following Mr. Kraus' presentation, Ms. Jones stated the Housing Coordinator is scheduled to attend the next meeting to discuss deconstruction options for the HRA projects. b. Review of County Inspection Reports on Fridley Salvage Yards Ms. Jones reported that it is good to see the County finally taking action to cleanup operations at area salvage yards. The inspection reports showed many serious problems that staff will be watching. c. Update on August 12 Monthly Drop-Off Day Ms. Jones reported that participation was improved on August 12. The City collected 55 appliances, so they made the quota. Some scrap metal and furniture was collected. Electronics quantities were down a little. Ms. Jones reported that it will be difficult to reduce the appliance drop-off option to less than one month, because there are very limited affordable options to recycle appliances in Anoka County. d. Report on Commuter Rail Ride Ms. Johns and Ms. Jones both rode the Northstar Commuter Line train ride from Fridley to Minneapolis and back on August 10, 2000. They reported on both the positive and negative parts of the test ride. 3. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Update on Springbrook CWP Project Ms. Jones reported that the Advisory Committee is meeting on August 17, 2000, to review the latest draft of the Final Report. The Fridley City Council will be receiving a presentation on the Final Draft by staff on August 21, 2000. The City Council will then need to decide how they want to proceed. The Final Report details out 12 projects ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 15, 2000 PAGE 4 for a Phase II CWP application which will cost about $550,000 over three years. b. Update on Wellhead Protection Ms. Jones reported that it appeared that there would be no new information on wellhead protection until January/February 2001, based upon the memo from John Flora. Mr. Velin questioned why there is nothing mentioned in the memo about trying to find out where the contamination is coming from in Fridley's wells that are closed down. c. Update on Commission Opening Ms. Jones reported that interviews with the two candidates who have applied for the remaining commission opening have not yet been scheduled. She believed, however, that the appointment would be made by the next Commission meeting. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Panchyshyn, seconded by Ms. Kovacic, to adjourn the August 15, 2000, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE AUGUST 15, 2000, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:24 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison