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02/15/2005 - 00027999ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES 12/26/2006 PAGE 1 CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 15, 2005 CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Johns called the February 15, 2005, meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present: Anne Andrews, Barb Johns, Barbara Kovacic, Paul Westby, Rich Svanda Members Absent: Jack Velin Others Present: Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF JANUARY 18, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Ms. Andrews, seconded by Mr. Westby, to approve the January 18, 2005, 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. Update on Surface Water Quality Ordinance Drafting Ms. Harris shared a matrix she created of each ordinance affected by the shoreland overlay ordinance. She used this matrix to illustrate the complications of updating one section of code. Ms. Harris also passed out a copy of the New Hope Shoreland Ordinance that Fridley will use as a template to create their own. Mr. Westby asked why the section of New Hope's code relating to built structures on shoreland was crossed out. He asked because he wants to build a structure on his shoreland on the Mississippi River. Ms. Harris replied that to include any mention of unacceptable built structures, City Code would have to include a comprehensive list of all unacceptable items or by default those not mentioned would become acceptable. b. Update on 2004 SCORE Report and Annual Tonnage Ms. Harris reported that Fridley's recycling rates reached 2,598 tons in 2004. This includes residential, multi-family, and household goods donated to non-profit agencies. Ms. Johns inquired as to whether the tonnage amount reached Anoka County's requirement of 8 percent above goal. Ms. Harris replied that, in fact, Fridley is meeting its recycling participation rate of 8 percent above the targeted tonnage of 2405 tons per year. Although no funding from the county is lost for not reaching the "8 percent" goal, a drop in participation rates would require the Environmental Planner to attend additional meetings about advertising recycling and finance advertisements to encourage increased recycling rates. ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES 12/26/2006 PAGE 2 c. North Metro Home and Garden Fair, Saturday, March 5, 2005: Education Display Ideas Ms. Harris conferred with Commission members regarding possible educational displays for the Home and Garden Fair. Topics included low-toxin education, how to compost properly and water quality improvement practices. Commission members reviewed the educational display ideas and gave input on the Home and Garden Fair display plans. Commission members were most enthused about the low-toxic display idea. Commission members asked how Ms. Harris would convey the idea of low—toxins in the home. Ms. Harris stated that she planned to display photos of ordinary non-toxic beverages like apple juice and Gatorade next to similarly colored toxic cleaning products, like Pine Sol and Windex, thereby demonstrating the need to adequately label household poisons and prevent child poisoning. She replied that Environmental Planning has photographs and a short quiz to engage those who pass by. She also considered offering a drawing for one prize, such as a non-toxic home cleaning kit valued at $30, to those who take the quiz. Commission members approved the idea. Ms. Harris encouraged all commission members to stop by and visit the display on March 5. Compost Bin Distribution Event, Thursday, April 28 Ms. Harris mentioned that two volunteers are needed to help direct traffic at this county-wide distribution event at the Columbia lce Arena. Commission members were urged to each recruit one volunteer through high schools or churches to assist at this event. Ms. Kovacic relayed her enthusiasm for the compost bin distribution event and mentioned that she may purchase one this year. Commission members thanked Ms. Harris for including the compost bin sale information in the meeting packet. Ms. Johns asked how the information would be shared with the public. Ms. Harris replied that she would include information on the website, either in the form of a link to the county's website or a paragraph of information on the City's compost web page. Ms. Johns suggested that Ms. Harris also post the information on the City's cable channel. Ms. Harris nodded in agreement. 2. OLD BUSINESS: a. Update on Springbrook Watershed Implementation Project Ms. Harris recapped the project's progress: The Parks and Recreation Commission, the Planning Commission and the City Council have approved the Springbrook Watershed reforestation plan. The low bid and tree removal contract need City Council approval. Staff anticipated approval of the bid and contract at the January 24, 2005 City Council meeting. However, the bids came in higher than expected, so there was not enough funding to complete the project. Pending additional funds from the four participating cities, further discussion was tabled until the February 14, 2005, City Council meeting. Ms. Harris reported that the streambed restoration project passed at the Monday, February 14 City Council meeting. The contractor, WSB Engineering, will begin removing trees on Thursday morning, February 17 while the ground is still frozen. Commission members Ms. Johns, Mr. Westby and Ms. Andrews expressed surprise at the quick ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES 12/26/2006 PAGE 3 timeline. Ms. Harris replied that with the recent warm weather, the contractor was nervous about the ground thawing before the heavy equipment can grind down the trees. That is why the contractor would begin immediate removal. b. Select an Environmental Essential (EE) for April newsletter Ms. Harris had requested that commission members each provide two topics for the discussion. Ms. Johns suggested phosphorous-free fertilizer and pet waste for the 2005 Environmental Essentials. Ms. Kovacic suggested educating the public about phone book recycling. Mr. Westby suggested reminding residents about the hazardous waste drop off sites. Ms. Harris relayed a list of potential EEs from Ms. Jones. Commission members selected the following EE for the April/May 2005 newsletter. Fertilizing Fact: Nitrogen, not phosphorus, greens up grass. Solution: Using phosphorus-free fertilizer, as required by law (unless you are establishing new grass), still gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to green up. Fertilizer is phosphorus-free if it has a zero as the middle number. K��� �: I�:� =1��� I 0 I��3a 49ers Days Parade Ms. Harris reminded commissioners to mark their calendars for the Thursday, June 16 parade where they will be expected to volunteer. Ms. Kovacic asked what was expected of her as a volunteer. Ms. Johns and Mr. Svanda said commissioners walk quickly or jog alongside the golf cart handing out pencils. The event lasts about three hours. Ms. Andrews reminded Ms. Harris to reserve a golf cart for Mr. Velin to drive during the parade. Ms. Johns, Ms. Andrews and Mr. Svanda asked that the EQE Commission obtain a bigger sign for the 2005 parade. Video: "Your Eco Home" Winter 2005 (31 min.) Ms. Harris asked if commission members usually watch the "Your Eco Home" new releases during the EQE meetings. Ms. Johns replied, "No." Ms. Harris suggested that they not view the video as it was not the norm and time was running short. Commission members agreed to forgo the viewing. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Ms. Kovacic, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE FEBRUARY 15, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:35 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rachel A. Harris Staff Liaison