07/19/2005 - 00028012CALL TO ORDER:
CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
JULY 19, 2005
Chairperson Johns called the July 19, 2005, meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Barb Johns, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin and Paul Westby
Del Jenkins, Barbara Kovacic, Anne Andrews
Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner
APPROVAL OF MAY 17, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Svanda, seconded by Commissioner Velin, to approve the May 17,
2005, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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Fridley Shoreland Restoration Project, Guest Speaker from Anoka Conservation District
Ms. Harris announced that the guest speaker from Anoka Conservation District, Gregg Thompson,
sends his regrets that he unable to speak tonight due to a restoration project in Washington County
running over schedule. Mr. Thompson will instead speak during the August Environmental Quality
and Energy Commission about the benefits of shoreland restoration and discuss cost-sharing of
additional shoreland restoration at Moore Lake.
Commissioner Westby said that he has consulted with Mr. Thompson about his stormwater pond at
his business and found him knowledgeable. Mr. Westby looks forward to Mr. Thompson's
presentation.
BFI Recycling Service Exchange Fund
Ms. Harris reported that for the month of April, Fridley residents recycled 151 tons of cardboard,
mixed paper, newspaper, glass bottles and jars, metal cans and plastic bottles. This tonnage
earned $7,424 for the new revenue exchange fund.
This fund is managed by the City's recycling partner BFI/Allied Waste and will be used to pay for
additional recycling services for Fridley residents. After 6 months, staff will have the opportunity to
use the funds earned from April — September. The two uses that have been proposed are a
subsidized electronics drop-off and a subsidized appliance drop-off. Keep up the good work Fridley
residents!
Ms. Harris said, "Conservatively, we'll have $42,000 to spend on recycling services in October."
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Mr. Westby asked if recycling tonnage decreases in the winter months and if so, would we receive
fewer service exchange fund dollars.
Ms. Harris replied that yes, residents recycle less in the winter months and the tonnage is lower.
Ms. Johns inquired, "Why is the tonnage lower in the winter?"
Ms. Harris said people typically, people are not consuming as much in January — March after
spending a lot of money in November — December.
Mr. Velin and Mr. Westby wondered about the possibility of offering a free electronic drop-off.
Mr. Svanda said that he is not supportive of offering a free electronic drop-off.
Ms. Harris said whatever we choose we should be consistent from year to year so as not to confuse
the residents.
Mr. Westby asked, "What does a drop-off cost?"
Ms. Harris said drop-offs cost about $15,000 a year or $7,500 each.
Mr. Velin suggested including an informational flyer about the Service Exchange Fund in the
National Night Out packets.
Ms. Harris replied that promoting the Fund in National Night Out packets is a good idea, but, the City
could start spending the Service Exchange Fund after the initial 6 month time frame had passed;
and that would be in October. Therefore, we could include a flyer with 2006 National Night Out
materials.
Northstar Commuter Rail
Ms. Harris reported that BIKO updated staff on the Fridley commuter rail station plans. These plans
will need to be much further developed, but the basic concept is what Commission members could
comment on at this time.
The model of the Fridley commuter rail illustrates that the train will operate 8 times each morning
and afternoon rush hour and once over the lunch hour. There are six rail stations planned with the
first in Anoka and the last in Fridley. Many more details have to be worked out.
Ms. Harris reported that she will keep Commission members up-to-date as the project develops.
Proposed Shoreland Ordinance Review and Discussion
Ms. Harris reported to the Commission that staff determined the percentage of impervious surface
for residential lots. The major change from our existing code language is an increase in lot
coverage from the current 25% that includes the house, garage and out-buildings to 35% that
includes the house, garage and out-buildings plus driveways and patios. Lot coverage is defined as
the amount of impervious surface on a lot.
Ms. Harris asked Commission members to review the draft ordinance that was included in the May
2005 meeting packet and be prepared to discuss the ordinance language.
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49ers Day Parade
Ms. Harris shared photos from the parade. Commission members wore short sleeve polo shirts,
courtesy of BFI/Allied Waste, at the parade. A retired BFI recycling truck also participated in the
parade. Mr. Velin did a fine job of driving the golf cart during the parade.
Commission members distributed nearly 2000 pencils to onlookers. Ms. Johns and Ms. Harris
quizzed children, adults and senior citizens about what materials they recycle weekly. For right
answers, people received a pencil.
Staff will review the budget to determine what funding is available to purchase materials to distribute
at next year's parade.
OTHER BUSINESS
Medical Waste Reports
Ms. Harris passed around the Anoka County Medical Waste report from the months of May and
June.
Other Enclosures
Discussion ensued about the enclosed Star Tribune article "Cities turn to `goose guy' to keep fowl in
check"
Ms. Johns asked Ms. Harris if Fridley could hire the Goose Guy. His efforts have made outdoor
recreation more enjoyable in the cities where he was hired.
Ms. Harris replied that hiring the Goose Guy has not been budgeted. She suggested that the City
work to reduce the hospitable landscape for geese. One way to do this is to plant native plants
along the shores of public waterways. Geese prefer to live among low lying plants so that they can
look out for predators. Taller plants along the shore will deter geese from living along the lake shore
all summer.
Mr. Westby inquired whether Fridley had a problem with geese.
Ms. Johns replied that the City does have a goose problem.
Ms. Harris stated that in years past Moore Lake's swimming beech is usually shut down at least
once a summer due in part to goose and duck fecal matter polluting the water. The swimming beach
is also affected by storm water runoff.
Mr. Westby asked if staff could submit an Environmental Essential in the upcoming newsletter about
goose fecal matter polluting our waterways.
Ms. Harris replied that the text deadline for article submissions had already passed for the October
newsletter issue. Also, she had submitted two possible Environmental Essentials for the newsletter,
one about goose fecal pollution and a second about recycled paper school supplies, but neither
made the cut to be published.
Ms. Johns made a motion to publish an Environmental Essential in each newsletter.
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Mr. Svanda seconded the motion.
Staff will draft the language for the recommendation to City Council and then the Commission will
review it at the August 16 meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Westby, to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE JULY 19, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel A. Harris
Staff Liaison
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