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01/20/2004 - 00028034CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING JANUARY 20, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the January 20, 2004, meeting to order at 7:34 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barb Johns, Rich Svanda, Anne Andrews, Jack Velin, Michelle Maher, and Barbara Kovacic Members Absent: none Others Present: Julie Jones, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 18, 2003, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Ms. Andrews, to approve the November 18, 2003, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes as written. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. NEW BUSINESS: a. Consideration of CRT Resolution Julie Jones explained that Commissioner Kordiak had requested Anoka County cities to support legislative efforts of the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board to require manufacturers of electronic items containing CRTs to offer more affordable and convenient recycling options. Ms. Jones explained that CRTs are considered to be the leading source of lead in Minnesota's waste stream, which explains why the State has been focusing heavily on CRT recycling for a number of years. Several commissioners pointed out that the new popularity of flat screen computer monitors and the switch to digital television in 2006 will be generating incredible volumes of obsolete electronics containing CRT's in the very near future. Ms. Jones reported that the City of Fridley paid about $6,000 in subsidies for the 10 tons of electronics the City collected at our recycling days in 2002. Because the City has decided to no longer finance such subsidies for recycling electronics, residents will pay the full cost at the 2004 drop off events planned, which will likely be about $.70/pound. That fee equals the cost of $35 for the average portable television or PC monitor. Many residents are unwilling to pay the full cost, and staff fears that will lead to increased levels of illegal dumping in City parks. Staff recommended approval of the resolution. Mr. Svanda asked if the State has analyzed existing disposal options for CRTs. Ms. Jones said the State has been concerned about the limited disposal options for CRTs for a number of years. Ms. Jones pointed out that Fridley residents receive a copy of the Recyclopedia from Anoka County annually that lists disposal options for electronics. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES January 20, 2004 PAGE 2 MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Ms. Kovacic, to forward the CRT Recycling Resolution to the City Council as written. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. b. Consideration of Environmental Essential Statements for 2004, City Newsletter Julie Jones requested direction on Environmental Essential items proposed last year for the City Newsletter. Many of the facts had not yet been used, including the water conservation one that did not make the cut into the next City newsletter. She explained that there are five more newsletters scheduled for 2004, so the commission should select five priority topics. Mr. Svanda suggesting adding some air quality fact statements, including one about: 1. Not mowing your lawn during the hottest time of the day during air quality alerts 2. Carpooling 3. Reducing short (most polluting) car drives by biking, walking, or consolidating multiple trips Ms. Andrews suggested including information on the air quality items about how people can find out when there is an air quality alert in the newspaper or on the web. Commission members concurred that they would like to also see the water conservation (#10) and composting (#7) statements from the 2003, list used. c. Discussion of 2003, Federal Energy Bill Julie Jones explained that she provided information on the Federal Energy Bill to the Commission, as it was a top environmental topic last November. There has been no formal request from the City Council on this item; however, she felt the Commission may want to discuss it in case an opinion is requested of them in the future. Commission members shared their thoughts on the bill and decided it was an issue to watch in 2004. d. Review of Draft Lawn Maintenance Ordinance Julie Jones explained that the City committed in both the Springbrook Watershed Clean Water Partnership grant and our 2003 NPDES permit application to review possible ordinance changes that would protect surface water quality. Staff had considered comments from both the Springbrook Watershed Project Education Subcommittee and the EQEC when preparing suggested code changes. The draft changes affect the weed ordinance, which the Commission had in their packet and proposed public nuisance and swimming pool code changes, which Ms. Jones distributed at the meeting. The commission members reviewed the proposed code changes and discussed their connection to water quality. The difficulty in enforcing certain practices was also discussed. Mr. Svanda questioned the intent of the designated natural area definition in 110. Ms. Jones ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES January 20, 2004 PAGE 3 agreed that the definition could be misinterpreted and said she would try to develop a better definition. Ms. Maher argued that it seemed unreasonable to ask homeowners to keep leaves out of the street. It was clarified that the intent of the code would be to discourage property owners from purposefully blowing leaves from their yard into the street. The commission members generally agreed to the code changes proposed. 2. OLD BUSINESS: a. Continued Discussion of Clean Air Minnesota Materials Julie Jones explained that she had received a call from Colleen Coyne (MEI), who spoke at the November meeting, as she was wondering if Fridley was considering becoming a partner in the Clean Air Minnesota campaign. Ms. Coyne had told her that the City of Bloomington and the University of Minnesota recently came on board as partners. Mr. Svanda recalled that Ms. Coyne was going to provide us with additional information, which included a new publication on explaining why cities should become a Clean Air Minnesota partner. Ms. Jones said she would call Ms. Coyne and inquire about the publication. b. Update on Multi-Unit Recycling Grant Project Julie Jones reported that there has been no new activity with the grant since the last meeting. c. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project Julie Jones reported that the Springbrook Watershed Advisory Committee is now considering how to proceed with the project. Completing the University pond project under budget and the success of the wetland drawdown frees up funding for projects that were tentatively planned in case the project secured additional CWP grant funds. However, at a meeting on December 15, the idea of conducting another ponding project in Blaine upstream of the Coon Rapids Evergreen Park Regional Storm Water Ponds was presented. The Committee wants to pursue its options further before proceeding with streambank stabilization projects in 2004. Another meeting was held on January 6, and it was decided to proceed to hire ACD to conduct the topography study of SNC. It was also decided, that the City of Blaine would conduct further study into possible storm water treatment areas upstream of Coon Rapids. The plans are that the Advisory Committee will use that information to decide later on this year to ask for a continuation of the project, asking the MPCA for additional CWP grant funds. Ms. Maher asked if the Advisory Committee is planning to extend the project. Ms. Jones responded that the Committee actually has two different options. One is to ask the MPCA for an extension, which means they need more time to spend the grant money we already have. The other option is to ask for a continuance, which means we ask for additional CWP funds. She said the Committee seems to be leaning towards seeking both an extension and a continuance of the project. Ms. Jones also reported that the Springbrook Watershed Education Subcommittee is planning ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES January 20, 2004 PAGE 4 a Yard & Garden Fair for Saturday, April 17, 2004, at the Springbrook Nature Center. A landscape company called Landscape Alternatives has been secured as an event sponsor. Update on Commission Opening Julie Jones reminded everyone that there continues to be a vacancy on the Commission. A notice of vacancy is being placed in the next City newsletter. Ms. Jones also explained that Tuesday night extended hours are apparently being eliminated, starting in March, so it would be best if she can know by 4:30 p.m., if there is a quorum before she leaves the office. 3. OTHER BUSINESS: a. Clean Water Campaign Mr. Svanda explained that there is a new initiative starting in the State related to cleaning up impaired waters in Minnesota. Comprehensive monitoring has not been done, but data available indicates that many water sources are classified at impaired. He explained that this effort has enormous financial implications to the State and property owners. He gave Ms. Jones a packet of information that can be copied and included in the next meeting packet for discussion. 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 16, 2003, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:22 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison