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12/17/2002 - 00024945CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING DECEMBER 17, 2002 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the December 17, 2002, meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barb Johns, Jack Velin, Anne Andrews, Rich Svanda, Michelle Maher (arrived at 7:42 p.m.) Members Absent: Barbara Kovacic Others Present: Julie Jones, Environmental Planner Steve Hobbs, Executive Director of Rice Creek Watershed District APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 19, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Velin, to approve the November 19, 2002, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes as written. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEW BUSINESS: a. Discussion about Rice Creek Watershed with Steve Hobbs, Executive Director of Rice Creek Watershed District Ms. Johns welcomed Mr. Hobbs. Mr. Hobbs started the discussion by explaining the purpose of watersheds. He stated the Rice Creek Watershed District was formed in 1972 as a means to manage the water resources in 29 communities in the Rice Creek Watershed. He stated they are not only striving to maintain water quality in the Rice Creek Watershed District, but are also hoping to improve water quality. He distributed copies of the recently completed Water Resource Management Plan for the Rice Creek Watershed District. Ms. Johns asked what the Board structure was. Mr. Hobbs explained what areas Board members represent and how they get their funding. Mr. Svanda asked how the Rice Creek Watershed Plan and the Metropolitan Council's Blueprint work together. Mr. Hobbs explained that he sees the municipal and watershed comprehensive plan processes not working well together under the current system. This is one area he hopes to improve. Ms. Johns explained the concern about upstream development affecting Fridley, the downstream community. Mr. Hobbs stated the Rice Creek Watershed District works on the philosophy that upstream ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 17, 2002 PAGE 2 development must handle its water on site, especially through new filtration technologies. Some of those infiltration options were discussed. Ms. Johns asked Mr. Hobbs what the biggest challenge of his job is. Mr. Hobbs stated the main problem is people's lack of understanding of the natural water system. The NPDES permit requirements were briefly discussed. Mr. Svanda asked if the Watershed District has authority to stop development that will negatively impact a water resource. Mr. Hobbs stated they can. Ms. Maher asked if the Watershed District has the authority to acquire land. Mr. Hobbs stated they can. Mr. Hobbs showed on a map how the storm water flows in the Rice Creek Watershed, explaining some of the water quality measures planned. Ms. Jones asked about the Rice Creek Watershed District's budget. Mr. Hobbs stated their annual budget is about $2.8 million, which is generous since they only have five staff inembers. About $2 million of that is dedicated for projects. Unlike other entities, watersheds are not bound by levy limits. The average household pays $25/year, and recent surveys have found the public will support higher fees to protect water quality. Mr. Svanda commented that it sounds like the City should be seeking the Watershed's assistance with reworking the City's ordinances. Ms. Jones explained that Fridley is coordinating those efforts with MECA and the other three cities involved in the Springbrook Watershed Project. Mr. Hobbs stated the Rice Creek Watershed District will be interested in partnering with the City of Fridley in educational efforts and with restructuring ordinances to help meet the new NPDES standards. Mr. Hobbs stated the Rice Creek Watershed District now has a web site at www.ricecreekwd.com. Ms. Jones requested clarification on where the water drains in the district and clarification on where the St. Paul water supply comes from. It was confirmed that the St. Paul waste intake is solely in the Mississippi River in Fridley north of Rice Creek. Ms. Jones asked Mr. Hobbs to comment on Blaine's proposed comprehensive plan update. Mr. Hobbs explained how the Blaine wetland management plan is working with its comprehensive plan update. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 17. 2002 PAGE 3 The Commission members thanked Mr. Hobbs for coming to the meeting. 2. OLD BUSINESS: a. Review of Well Water Protection Update Ms. Jones distributed copies of two new memos regarding well water issues that were presented to Council at a November 25 workshop. The Commission members had no questions on the information provided by staff. b. Review Draft 2003 Work Plan Ms. Jones explained that she restructured the layout of the 2003 work plan slightly to make it easier to read. She also added a generalized item about protecting Fridley's natural resources, which is something she felt was missed in the discussion last month. Ms. Svanda suggested rewording the hazardous waste facility item. Mr. Svanda also suggested adding an item to the 2003 work plan to "get involved with the City budget process". Ms. Jones explained that this is an important item to add, citing the example of the yard waste transfer site being cut from the 2004 budget. The Commission members voiced great disgust that such a decision would be made with no consultation with the EQE Commission. Mr. Svanda also suggested adding an item to the work plan regarding the new NPDES plan and draft ordinances. c. Consideration of Ideas for "Did You Know" Graphic The Commission members were not interested in using the example staff provided. They decided to dedicate more time to this project at the next meeting. Ms. Andrews stated she would try to develop some sample logos. d. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project Ms. Jones explained that it was just discovered yesterday that MNDOT is unwilling to give perpetual rights to use the Northtown pond at University Avenue and 85th Avenue for storm water retention efforts in the Springbrook Watershed Project. MNDOT says the intersection is scheduled for changes in 2004, and they will be willing to discuss possible ponding measures as part of the road work. However, these possible changes will not fit within the timeframe of the current grant pro�ect. So, now, the project efforts are being focused back to the Wal-Mart storm water pond on 85t Avenue. Testing is going to occur over the next three months to determine if lowering the pond depth will dewater the surrounding wetland areas. Until this is proven not to be a problem, alteration of the pond, which used to be a wetland, will not be approved. Educational efforts for the project continue to move forward, however, as the construction work remains on hold. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 17. 2002 PAGE 4 3. OTHER BUSINESS Ms. Jones announced that the 2003 Living Green Expo will be held on April 12-13 at the State Fair Grounds. She suggested that the Commission members may want to consider volunteering at the event, which would be very educational. The Commission members requested staff to investigate what volunteer opportunities might be available. Ms. Jones announced that the Commission Appreciation dinner is scheduled for Sunday, February 2, 2003, at Joe Dimaggio's in Fridley. Ms. Maher asked if there was any information about the scrap yard fire on Monday. Ms. Jones explained the cause of the fire was a gas tank explosion. ADJOURNMENT 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 DECEMBER 17, 2002, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:40 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison