Loading...
11/19/2002 - 00024941CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING NOVEMBER 19, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the November 19, 2002, meeting to order at 7:31 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barb Johns, Jack Velin, Barbara Kovacic, Anne Andrews, Rich Svanda Members Absent: Michelle Maher Others Present: Julie Jones, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF OCTOBER 15, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to approve the October 15, 2002, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: a. Review of MN Environmental Literacy Test Questions Ms. Jones explained that the backside of the test was mistakenly not included in the meeting packet, so she distributed those survey questions on urban sprawl for the Commission to complete. After the members had a few minutes to complete the survey questions, she explained the background of how and why the statewide environmental literacy survey was completed. She then gave out the answers to the survey questions the Commission took. Ms. Jones distributed the full survey report and summarized some of the findings. The Commission members discussed various items from the report. Ms. Jones suggested that the Commission members use the information in the report when they consider creating environmentally-related questions for the next citizen survey, eliminating the usual questions on satisfaction with recycling services. She explained it would be beneficial to know what residents consider environmental priorities for when special funding becomes available. Ms. Andrews mentioned that other cities have special curbside collection of problem materials. Ms. Jones explained that those types of services are extremely expensive, and the City of Fridley would never be able to provide such a service under the current budget and taxing restrictions. b. Selection of Environmental Facts for 2003 City Newsletters Ms. Jones explained that the Did You Know item selected at the last meeting will actually serve as the January newsletter item, so the Commission only needs to select five from the list of 11 facts for the remaining 2003 newsletters. Ms. Jones clarified questions from the Commission about glass recycling. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 19. 2002 PAGE 2 Mr. Svanda suggested using the fact statements offered by staff on: Trees Plastic Compost Waste reduction Lawn care Lawn fertilizer The suggestion was made to print the lawn fertilizer fact in the spring newsletter and the compost fact in the fall newsletter. Mr. Svanda suggested adding information about the legal and environmental ramifications of blowing grass clippings into the street. The suggestion was made to submit the lawn care fact for a summer newsletter issue. c. Consideration of 2003 Meeting Schedule MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Velin, to approve the 2003 Commission meeting schedule as proposed. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNAIMOUSLY. d. Review of 2002 Work Plan and Discussion of Goals for 2003 Ms. Jones asked if there were any questions on the 2002 Work Plan. Ms. Johns stated she would like to carry over the "Light Pollution" action item into 2003. She stated she still hopes to get a speaker on that topic. Mr. Svanda suggested adding an item to the 2003 plan that includes getting alternative drop-off information out to the public. He would also like to include "used motor oil" on the list. Ms. Jones warned that it would be inappropriate to print some of the information listed on the spreadsheet provided to the Commission in the City newsletter, but much of the information could be used. The Commission members asked about the well water-related action items on the 2002 work plan which are not complete. Ms. Jones explained that Jon Haukaas, Public Works Director, gave her an update on the Commons Wellfield issue, but said he would be able to provide a more detailed report on wellhead protection following an upcoming meeting in December. She explained that the last time the Commission got an update, the Commons Wellfield was on the Superfund list. However, the Superfunds were not reauthorized by Congress, so the project is now competing nationwide for funding. Without a known responsible party or source, it is unlikely that the project will get funded. The EPA told the City that it would sue all property owners in the area who use TCE on behalf of the City. But, the City is reluctant to take that action since it is unfair to sue all users not knowing if they are responsible. The State will help the City with costs for "treating" the well water. But, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 19. 2002 PAGE 3 recently, the TCE levels have been dropping, so the City is not sure treatment is necessary. Ms. Jones stated Mr. Haukaas stated there is a new issue developing because of a new rule taking effect in 2007 that wells must not exceed certain levels of radionucleides, and Fridley's deep wells (not the shallow ones contaminated with TCE) contain radionucleides. The Commission discussed the idea of developing a logo or graphic for the "Did You Know" section in the City newsletter. It was decided that staff should bring some possible design ideas to the next meeting. The Commission considered other possible items for the 2003 Commission work plan. Mr. Svanda stated the Commission should add the "Did You Know" section for the City newsletter to the work plan. The Commission decided that a general environmental education item needs to be added to the 2003 work plan with several sub items. Ms. Jones suggested removal of the "mobile home monitoring" since a new multi-family recycling grant will likely be more critical on which to focus review. The Commission decided to keep the "monitoring of inedical waste facility" on the 2003 list. Ms. Jones explained the current problems at the Metro Safety Solution facility regarding the outside storage of pathological waste. 2. OLD BUSINESS: a. Review of New Drinking Water Information from Public Works Mr. Svanda noted that some readings on the report were in parts per million, and some were parts per billion. He believed the City of New Brighton had conducted adequate testing. The Commission members had no further questions or concerns. b. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project Ms. Jones explained that little progress in the project has been made over the past month. No answers were yet available regarding the use of MnDOT property for expanding ponding at 85tn and University Avenue. Ms. Jones stated that the brochures, which will not be mailed until next spring, are almost finalized. Ms. Jones stated one new piece of information was that the Anoka Conservation District just got some grant funds from the Metropolitan Council for conducting a cost-share program for rain gardens and rain barrels. They are hoping these funds could be used in the Springbrook project. Mr. Velin had concerns about mosquito larvae in rain barrels. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 19. 2002 PAGE 4 Ms. Jones responded that the sub-committee has investigated those concerns and is aware that special precautions must be taken to deter mosquito hatching in rain barrels. c. Discuss Recycling Drop-off Options Ms. Jones reported that the turnout at the November 9th drop-off was overwhelming. Many residents needed to be turned away, which was unfortunate. She explained that the site is simply not big enough to accommodate that many vehicles in a day. She did not have complete weight totals yet, but she did not expect the heavy November turnout to offset the poor weight totals from the previous seven monthly drop-off days. It was expected that the weight of material recycled at the 2002 drop-offs would be less than what was collected in 2001. Ms. Jones said that many residents who came to the November 9th event were concerned about what they will do next year. She said there are reasonable options for getting rid of the items the City accepted at the drop-offs. However, the disposal of fluorescent lamps was one that concerned her since many people are not going to be willing to pay to get rid of them. She was pleased to learn that Van-O-Lite in Fridley was working with Xcel Energy to see if some sort of contract arrangement, similar to what the City had, could be arranged. Ms. Jones stated the inconvenience of the November 9th event for residents convinced her more than ever that the City should be pressuring Anoka County to develop a centrally-located facility for problem waste items that can be recycled. The pollution caused by the long lines was staggering, and much more would be recycled if it were more convenient. 3. OTHER BUSINESS None /_\�11L�1�1:7►1►�i1�►�1 MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Ms. Andrews, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE NOVEMBER 19, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:28 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison