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07/16/2002 - 00024932CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING JULY 16, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the July 16, 2002, meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barb Johns, Jack Velin, Rich Svanda, Barbara Kovacic Members Absent: Michelle Maher Others Present: Julie Jones, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF APRIL 16, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Ms. Kovacic, to approve the April 16, 2002, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: a. Discussion of Water Quality Issues in Fridley Ms. Jones reported that she was unsure if Robert Peterson would be at the August meeting. The history of the recent changes in staff for the Rice Creek Watershed District were discussed. Mr. Svanda stated he would like to know what environmental issues the Rice Creek Watershed District is dealing with and what kind of environmental plan the District has in place and how they follow that plan? It was also suggested that the Commission ask about what development projects the District foresees in the near future. Ms. Johns suggested going to the Rice Creek Watershed web site to see if there are maps or other valuable information for the Commission to see. Ms. Johns stated she had some questions about the Fridley water supply report in the recent City newsletter. Mr. Svanda stated he would like to see what the TCE levels are currently in the contaminated wells and what other volatile organic compound levels are present. Is there any PAH's (polyosometic hydrocarbons) showing up in our well water. How much water ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 16, 2002 PAGE 2 is the City purchasing from New Brighton? What are those test results? The Commission asked staff to provide this information at the next meeting. Ms. Johns asked for an update on the Moore Lake shoreline restoration project. Ms. Jones reported that the project is coming along well. The survival rate on the plants over the winter was good despite a dry fall. ACD staff is weeding the site monthly and has replanted in the east section where the plants did not survive as well. She stated she was happy to see park staff is not mowing the emergent plants along the shore as they used to, providing more habitat for dragonflies which are now prevalent in the area. b. Review of Mid-Year Recycling Report Ms. Jones reported that 2002 recycling totals are remaining steady for the most part. Curbside recycling totals are down one tenth of one percent from totals this same time last year, which is typical for what is being seen in the industry. Multi-unit numbers being reported by the haulers are up from this same time period last year with one hauler left to report yet. This was surprising to her considering all the problems with these accounts. She noted that she found compliance problems at half of the large apartment complexes in Fridley inspected recently. She explained some of the code violations found. Ms. Jones stated that use of the recycling drop-off days has been quite light so far this year. Tonnages collected the first three collections were only 55% of the weight of material collected the first three drop-offs last year. Ms. Jones attributed the drop in participation to less advertising this year due to budget cutbacks. She explained that the drop offs have been cut from the 2003 budget. If residents are notified of this change, we will likely have high participation in the fall. Ms. Johns asked what other options do residents have for dropping off items. Ms. Jones explained that there are other options to drop off most items in the County, but they are quite expensive. Ms. Johns stated she was concerned that high costs would translate into increased illegal dumping, which would be costly to the City. c. Election of Officers MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Ms. Kovacic, to again elect Barb Johns as Chairperson and Jack Velin as Vice-Chairperson for 2002-03. There were no other nominations. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. OLD BUSINESS: ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 16, 2002 PAGE 3 a. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project Ms. Jones reported that the project is moving ahead vigorously. Several committees are holding regular meetings to get the project moving now that all four cities have approved the project work plan. A draft plan is being presented by the project's engineering consultant tomorrow, which involves design ideas for what can be done to infiltrate storm water upstream of the east inlet into Springbrook. Ms. Jones stated plans are moving ahead to begin drawing down the water depths in the wetlands. This is expected to occur for at least two years to see if lowering water levels will result in plant growth. Ms. Jones stated plans are underway for some joint 4-City NEMO workshops, which will likely involve the EQE Commission, beginning in September. The Education Subcommittee is meeting next week to begin planning the NEMO (Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials) workshops. NEMO is an educational tool designed to educate the various players involved in approving development and redevelopment projects on the municipal and watershed levels about storm water runoff controls. 2. OTHER BUSINESS a. Multi-Unit Recycling Pilot Project Ms. Jones announced that she has agreed to participate in a multi-unit recycling pilot project with Eureka Recycling that will test the effectiveness of some educational materials on recycling rates at two apartment buildings in Fridley. She stated this is a project greatly needed in Fridley right now in light of all the problems they are seeing with apartment recycling. b. Commission Position Openings Ms. Jones reported that a woman named Ann Andrews was interviewed by the City Council at its last meeting. She anticipated that Ms. Andrews would be appointed by the next EQEC meeting. There also were other applicants, which had not been scheduled for interviews by the Council yet for the other commission opening. Mr. Velin asked what ward Ms. Andrews represented. Ms. Jones said she will have to check and see if ward representation guidelines were adhered to. c. Vacation Ms. Jones reported that she is scheduled to be on vacation the week of the next meeting. She questioned whether or not the Commission should meet since there were no time-sensitive agenda items expected. The Commission members agreed to not meet in August, so the next meeting will be September 17, 2002. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES JULY 16. 2002 PAGE 4 ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Velin, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE JULY 16, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:55 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison