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04/20/2004 - 00028041CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 20, 2004 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the April 20, 2004, meeting to order at 7:38 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Barb Johns, Jack Velin, Anne Andrews, and Barbara Kovacic Members Absent: Rich Svanda Others Present: Julie Jones, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 17, 2004, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Kovacic, seconded by Andrews, to approve the February 17, 2004, 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. Review of 2003 Fridley Recycling Report Ms. Jones reported that recycling totals were down again in 2003, as expected with the discontinuance of monthly recycling drop off days. She explained that this downward trend in disturbing because waste generation continues to climb. She distributed a newly created summary of only the curbside recycling totals since curbside recycling is the main source of material reported. The bar graph showed a decline of 3.4% in 2001 and a decline of 2.3% in 2003. She noted that 1999, Fridley's peak year for recycling, was when we implemented the two-sort system with BFI. There has been a slight downward trend in curbside recycling weights since 1999. Ms. Kovacic commented that many of her neighbors do not have their garbage and recycling collected on the same day. She has noticed that many of them do not recycle. Ms. Jones reported that she noticed in recent refuse license applications that many haulers are not collecting according to the recycling routes. The Commission felt correcting this situation, which does not support recycling, should be pursued by staff. Ms. Jones explained that developing same-day recycling garbage collection code requirements is not in the 2005 goals and objectives, but would investigate the possibility of adding it in. b. Discussion of Single Stream Recycling Ms. Jones explained that single stream recycling is when a collector picks up commingled recyclables in a single, wheeled cart with automated equipment. She reviewed what she found to be the benefits and problems related to single stream recycling. She did not recommend the system for several reasons. Her greatest concern was the higher cost. She was also concerned that the reduced staff in Community Development could not handle all of the calls that the every other week collection schedule would create. She was also concerned that the public needs some additional education before they have an understanding of what is recyclable and what is not. Ms. Johns agreed that the majority of Fridley residents are not recycling correctly now, and are not ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES April 20, 2004 PAGE 2 ready for an enclosed system. All commission members agreed that they did not see any benefits to single stream recycling at this time. c. Discussion of Revenue Sharing Ms. Jones explained that revenue sharing is when a recycling contractor pays a percentage of the revenues from the sale of recyclables collected back to the City when market prices exceed a certain level. Because market prices have been good over the past year, she explained, this is becoming a popular clause in municipal curbside recycling contracts. Fridley has never considered such an arrangement in the past, she explained, because of the inability to adjust the utility billing fees to accommodate fluctuating contract prices. However, if the City Charter is amended to allow the City flexibility to adjust prices up or down by a larger percentage, she felt revenue sharing would be a smart clause to negotiate in our next curbside recycling contract. She also found that the City's chances of successfully negotiating such a financial arrangement would only be successful if we were negotiating an extension onto the existing contract. She had confirmed with the City Attorney that this was feasible, provided that the City Council finds the negotiated proposal financially reasonable. Ms. Johns questioned why bidding with a special clause, that requires a two-sort system would not work. Ms. Jones explained that she has heard of Cities doing that, but they still ended up accepting a single stream proposal. The Commission agreed that Staff should pursue negotiating an extension of the existing contract with BFI, incorporating a revenue sharing clause. There was concern; however, about losing SCORE funds. Ms. Jones explained that staff is concerned; as well, about the County funding system, and plans to have some discussions with the County about how it might be modified for a revenue sharing situation. `��7��7=1���101���1 a. Update on 49ers Day Ms. Jones reported that a golf cart has been reserved for the Commission to use in the June 17, parade. She said that BFI is set to have their recycling truck in the parade unit with the Commission, but that the OEA will not be providing the Reducemobile. There are 1,500 recycled newsprint rulers to hand out, but no budget to buy any thing additional. Ms. Johns suggested asking BFI to contribute pencils or something to hand out at the parade. Another idea was to ask RCWD or Anoka County for something. b. Review of 2004 Work Plan Ms. Jones asked if there were any changes necessary to the draft 2004 Commission Work Plan she prepared, based upon the comments at the last meeting. Ms. Jones noted a typo, but there were no other changes. c. Update on Multi-Unit Recycling Grant Project Ms. Jones reported that Eureka Recycling provided staff to install signs, posters, and door hangers at the two smaller buildings in the project. At Springbrook Apartments, they went door-to-door for three consecutive Saturdays, distributing recycling tool kits. The tool kit consisted of two paper grocery bags with stickers on them explaining what was recyclable. The interns distributing the bags answered any ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES April 20, 2004 PAGE 3 questions about recycling that the residents had. Ms. Jones explained that she was unable to accompany the interns until the last day and was very disappointed that management had not replaced missing recycling carts as she had asked. The problem has since been corrected through the code enforcement process. She had not completed any formal analysis on recycling levels post education, but did report that the smallest building in the project had "clean" recycling collected for the first time in years after their bins were cleaned out and information was distributed to tenants. d. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project Ms. Jones reported that the City of Blaine is not planning to study options for storm water controls upstream of Northtown Mall until after June 1. The earlier plan was to be done with this process in April. She had checked with the MPCA, and it appears that the group could not yet apply for a continuance until our existing funds are spent or committed. Ms. Jones had heard that the topography study of SNC has been completed by the ACD. Now, work can begin on determining possible streambank stabilization designs in the park. The Wetland Drawdown Subcommittee needs to meet again to review comments by some State biology experts on the draft Springbrook Wetland Management Plan. Ms. Jones reported that the April 17, "Yard & Garden Get Together", at the Springbrook Nature Center went very well. An estimated 250 people attended with over 100 attending the various workshops. All of the speakers were excellent and there were many requests to hold the event again. e. Update on Commission Openings Ms. Jones reported that Michelle Maher had decided not to renew her position on the Commission, leaving a second opening on the Commission. The City Manager has indicated that the City Council plans to interview two possible candidates at their next meeting. 3. OTHER BUSINESS: There was no other business. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Kovacic, seconded by Andrews, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 20, 2004, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:57 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Jones Staff Liaison