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09/19/2000 - 00008409CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the September 19, 2000, meeting to order at 7:38 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 APPROVAL OF AUGUST 15, 2000, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Panchyshyn, seconded by Mr. Velin, to approve the August 15, 2000, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes as written. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. NEW BUSINESS: a. Discussion of Mid-Year Recycling Report Ms. Jones reported that the City of Fridley should meet its County recycling goal in 2000 if trends for the first half of the year carry into the second half of the year. However, since the City has qualified for less than 50% funding the first half of the year, staff may pursue a special recycling project this fall with the intention of maximizing SCORE funds and ensuring that the City meets the recycling goal. She was unsure what such an event or special project may be until the budget versus year-to-date expenditures is closely analyzed. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Consideration of Deconstruction Policy Ms. Jones reported that after much deliberation, the Community Development staff has decided to proceed with conducting a"test" deconstruction project at 6175 East River Road, a house purchased by the Fridley HRA for scattered site acquisition. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19. 2000 PAGE 2 Staff did not want to incur expenses conducting the test demolition, but ultimately decided that the expense would allow staff to possibly answer some of the concerns staff still has regarding liability, City staff time, and determination of demolition cost savings. Ms. Jones further reported that staff will recommend that any draft deconstruction policy statement forwarded to the City Council include three things: 1. The City/HRA only pursue deconstruction projects where there is no net cost to the City. 2. Staff will have discretion to decide which properties are suitable for deconstruction. 3. The Green Institute is requested to assist the City with information and education about deconstruction. After much discussion, the Commission decided to wait until after the test project is complete to draft deconstruction policy language. Ms. Johns suggested that the Commission members come to the next meeting with some sample draft policy language. b. Update on Food Waste Reduction/Compost Bin Distribution Plans for Spring 2001 Ms. Jones reported that she had no new information about a potential compost bin distribution project beyond the information in the packet. She did show education and advertising materials that Earth Machine provides as part of its mass-sale events. The Commission members agreed that the cost of the bins should be subsidized to make the bins more attractive. Educational opportunities to accompany a mass-bin distribution were discussed. It was suggested that composting workshops could be a means to offer a discount on a bin purchase or vice versa. c. Update on September 9, 2000, Monthly Drop-Off Day Ms. Jones reported that few weight totals have been received yet for the September 9t" collection, but participation appeared to be light. Ms. Kovacic questioned if staff has considered advertising the drop-offs in the Anoka Shopper. Ms. Jones stated that was planned for in the 2000 budget. d. Report on Commuter Rail Project ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19. 2000 PAGE 3 Ms. Jones reported that Barbara Dacy, Community Development Director, will be attending a meeting later in the week when more information should be available about when the EIS for the commuter rail project will be available. It is suspected that it will be available for the October EQE meeting. The Commission members reviewed and discussed past discussion of the Planning Commission public hearings on the commuter rail issue. Ms. Johns requested that staff attempt to only forward the Commission the parts of the EIS it needs to see with some sort of overview that helps tie the portions to the overall plan. 3. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Update on Springbrook CWP Project Ms. Jones reported that the Final Report on the Phase I CWP Project was sent to the MPCA that day. She reported on the discussion that occurred at the September 11, 2000, four cities' City Council meeting and on the many staff ineetings that have occurred since that meeting as an attempt to gain support from all four City Councils. She stated that all the pieces involved in determining if there will be a Phase II application this year will have to fall together in the next three weeks. The Commission members strongly supported Fridley's plans for a Phase II application and voiced concern that something should be done soon to make Northtown and Spring Lake Park accountable for the damage they have caused to the Nature Center. b. Update on Wellhead Protection Ms. Jones reported that she had no additional information other than the information in the meeting packet. Ms. Johns expressed concern that the Wellhead Protection Plan process is moving so slowly. She questioned why the City is not moving forward quickly to protect the City's drinking water supply even though the State deadline is not until 2003. c. Update on Commission Opening Ms. Jones reported that no interviews have taken place regarding the applicants for the vacant Commission opening. Because one Commission member will be away on maternity leave for a few meetings, the Commission members expressed concern about the Commission's ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19. 2000 PAGE 4 ability to maintain a quorum at future meetings. The members were very disappointed that filling the vacancy has been delayed for many months. They asked staff to bring this matter to the City Council's attention. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Ms. Kovacic, to adjourn the September 19, 2000, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2000, MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:31 P. M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison