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09/17/2002 - 00024936CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the September 17, 2002, meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barb Johns, Jack Velin, Barbara Kovacic, Anne Andrews Members Absent: Rich Svanda, Michelle Maher Others Present: Julie Jones, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF JULY 16, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Ms. Kovacic, to approve the July 16, 2002, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. NEW BUSINESS: a. Introduction of New Commission Member, Anne Andrews Each Commission member introduced themselves and welcomed Anne Andrews to the Commission. Ms. Johns asked if staff had determined if the Commission is represented by each ward. Ms. Jones stated staff has determined that each ward is represented. b. Review of Drinking Water Information from Public Works Ms. Jones explained that she had more detailed water test results if anyone was interested in reviewing the information. Ms. Johns stated that she was surprised at how much water the City of Fridley purchases from the City of New Brighton. She suggested continuing the discussion on the City's water supply until the next meeting when Rich Svanda could be present, since he had raised the questions about the City's water report at the last meeting. 2. OLD BUSINESS: a. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project Ms. Jones, for the benefit of the new Commission member, explained the history of the Springbrook Watershed Project. She then explained the proposal to re-route storm water to the north Wal-Mart pond that is currently being further investigated. She explained the Advisory Committee's dilemma of not having enough funding to implement the only storm water infiltration option proposed by the engineering consultant. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 17. 2002 PAGE 2 Ms. Jones explained what City staff is doing as far as drawing down the level of the wetlands by removing stop logs in the outlet weir. She also explained the educational efforts of the project, including creation of brochures that will be direct mailed to property owners in the Springbrook Watershed. Plans are also being discussed regarding conducting an outdoor yard/garden expo that would be designed to encourage upstream residents to purchase rain barrels and construct rain gardens. Ms. Jones explained the struggle to get the other cities to participate in the NEMO workshops, which are designed to encourage City planners to pay more attention to the means of protecting water quality through design. She said there are also plans to complete another video for cable TV. Ms. Johns suggested trying to get together in the future with environmental commission members from other cities to see if they can learn from each other. 2. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Johns asked how the recycling drop-offs are going this year. Ms. Jones explained that collections have been poorly attended. She stated that she is debating how to communicate to the public the fact that there will likely be no recycling drop- offs in the future when the City Council does not make its final budget decisions until October 21. Ms. Jones stated that she had the opportunity to attend the annual MAPA Conference in Minneapolis last week, and she was able to attend a couple of session on tree preservation and one session on wind power. She told the Commission members that she had information on file on those topics, and they were invited to borrow this information if they liked. Ms. Johns stated she would like to discuss the issue of trees next spring. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Ms. Andrews, seconded by Ms. Kovacic, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:18 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison