04/16/2002 - 00024928CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
APRIL 16, 2002
CALL TO ORDER:
Chairperson Johns called the April 16, 2002, meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present: Barb Johns, Jack Velin, Rich Svanda, Barbara Kovacic
Members Absent: Michelle Maher
Others Present: Gregg Thompson, Anoka Conservation District
Julie Jones, Environmental Planner
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 19, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES:
MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Velin, to approve the February 19, 2002, Environmental
Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NEW BUSINESS:
a. Water Quality Presentation
Ms. Jones introduced Gregg Thompson, a landscape restoration specialist, working for the
Association of Metropolitan Soil Conservation Districts and the USDA out of the Anoka
Conservation District offices. The purpose of Mr. Thompson's presentation was to educate the
EQE Commission on various water quality improvements that could be made in the City of
Fridley. Ms. Jones felt this information was important in light of the Commission's potential
involvement in the Springbrook Watershed project.
Mr. Gregg Thompson started the presentation by showing slides of what natural vegetation
used to be in Anoka County and the little natural vegetation that is left. He showed many slides
that showed the benefits of native shoreline planting, including pictures of Moore Lake. He then
showed some slides of rain gardens and rain barrels. He also showed some previous pavement
examples.
Mr. Thompson explained what Project NEMO is: Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials
which was developed by the University of Connecticut.
Ms. Jones explained that it is one component of the proposed education plan for the
Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project that each of the four cities would go through
the NEMO program.
Mr. Thompson also showed slides showing non-native invasive species and the damage they
can do.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 16, 2002 PAGE 2
Ms. Johns asked how the Commission could encourage the City to expand shoreline buffer
strip restoration efforts at Moore Lake, particularly at the east storm water inlet ditch.
Ms. Jones advised that the Commission wait until demonstrated results are visible at the
current restoration site along the retaining wall, because until there is Park staff and
neighborhood support, it will be difficult to complete further restoration efforts.
b. Review Northstar Corridor Final EIS
Mr. Svanda commented that there was no point spending time reviewing the Final EIS or
submitting comments since the document and study are basically complete.
Ms. Johns stated she still had some concerns about noise.
Ms. Jones explained that staff will be investigating the noise issue further. A public meeting for
the neighborhood surrounding the proposed station site is scheduled for April 24, where the
noise issue will likely be discussed.
The Commission discussed the possibility of making Fridley a"Quiet Zone".
Ms. Jones stated she was sure that staff will be investigating a"Quiet Zone".
c. Discussion of Spring Lake Level Issue
Ms. Jones explained that the City of Spring Lake Park is proposing to raise the level of Spring
Lake one foot by redirecting water from the St. Paul water intake line that comes from the
Mississippi River. Because the lake borders several cities, including Fridley, the City of Fridley
will be asked to execute a joint powers agreement to conduct the water purchase. There is no
cost proposed to Fridley; however, there are some environmental concerns that have been
raised by other agencies. Should the City Council request the Commission's input on this
decision, she thought the Commission should be made aware of the conflicting opinions
surrounding the proposal.
Mr. Svanda asked if there is any outlet from the lake into Fridley.
Ms. Jones replied that she did not know but would investigate that question further.
2. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Review 2002 Work Plan
Ms. Jones asked if there were any changes or omissions to the 2002 Commission Work Plan
as drafted.
The Commission recommended no changes to the Work Plan.
b. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project Grant Applications
Ms. Jones reported that the City finally received notification from the MPCA that its application
for Phase II CWP grant funding for the Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project was
awarded. The project now has over $371,000 in grant funding in addition to the $300,000 in City
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 16, 2002 PAGE 3
commitments. While planning the first meeting of the Advisory Committee regarding plans for
the Implementation Project, she realized that there needs to be a new person selected to
represent the EQEC on the Advisory Committee. Brad Sielaff, former EQEC Chair, has agreed
to remain on the Committee, but he is unable to attend daytime meetings when the Committee
normally meets. She asked if anyone on the EQEC was interested and able to attend meetings
during the day.
Ms. Kovacic volunteered to be on the Advisory Committee as the Commission representative.
c. Report on Status of Phosphorus-Free Fertilizer Bill
Ms. Jones reported that the phosphorus lawn fertilizer bill previously reviewed by the EQE
Commission was changed significantly, went to conference committee, and was adopted. The
new law does not include restrictions on the sale of phosphorus fertilizer, but restricts any
person from using phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizer after January 1, 2004. The flaw in the
bill is that compliance is voluntary and stores will still be allowed to sell whatever type of
fertilizer they wish. Since cities are restricted from passing more restrictive phosphorus fertilizer
rules, we can only do our best to educate the public about what they are supposed to use for
lawn fertilizer. There is a clause in this law that requires evaluation of it's effectiveness by
January 15, 2004, so there may be opportunity to do more at that time.
The Commission members voiced disappointment in the removal of sale restrictions from the
bill.
Ms. Jones agreed that the end product is not what the City of Shorewood wanted, but it is
better than what they were able to negotiate last year.
3. OTHER BUSINESS:
a. Discuss Future Metropolitan Council Environmental Policy Plan
Ms. Jones explained that she wanted to make sure the EQEC was aware of the changes the
Metropolitan Council is making to their Blueprint outline as it will likely affect future layouts of
Comprehensive Plan updates by the City.
b. Parade Plans
Ms. Jones reported that the State OEA office has decided to park their Reducemobile for the
summer due to budget cuts. However, she thought the BFI recycling truck would still participate
in the environmental unit.
c. Commission Openings
Ms. Jones reported that the City Manager's Office has received one application for one of two
current openings on the EQE Commission. She had no information regarding when the
applicant is set to be interviewed by the City Council.
Living Green Expo
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES
APRIL 16, 2002 PAGE 4
Ms. Jones reminded the Commission members that the Living Green Expo is Saturday, April
27, 2002.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Ms. Kovacic, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE April 16, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:42 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Jones
Staff Liaison