Loading...
08/16/2005 - 00028016CALL TO ORDER: CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING AUGUST 16, 2005 Chairperson Johns called the August 16, 2005, meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent: Others Present: Del Jenkins, Barb Johns, Rich Svanda, Paul Westby Anne Andrews, Barbara Kovacic, Jack Velin Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner APPROVAL OF JULY 19, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Commissioner Mr. Svanda, seconded by Commissioner Mr. Westby, to approve the July 19, 2005, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW BUSINESS Fridley Shoreland Restoration Project, Guest Speaker from Anoka Conservation District Ms. Johns welcomed guest speaker Gregg Thompson from Anoka Conservation District. Mr. Thompson works as a Landscape Rehabilitation Specialist with the Association of Metropolitan Soil and Water Conservation Districts. He spoke about the causes of shoreland restoration and reviewed two projects in Fridley that have successfully implemented shoreland restoration; one at Harris pond that was resident initiated and one at Moore Lake that was initiated by Anoka Conservation District. Mr. Thompson listed the three main causes of shoreland erosion: goose grazing, mowing to the edge and foot traffic. For example, mowing to the water's edge kills plants with long roots, then plants with shorter roots take over and are unable to anchor the soil in place and finally water or ice erodes soil. Mr. Thompson named some benefits of shoreland restoration: (1) Prevent erosion; (2) Limit goose fecal coliform bacteria pollution by limiting feeding ground (they prefer short grass adjacent to water ways so that they can see predators approaching); (3) Maintain water quality — deep plant roots act as filters. Too much nitrogen or phosphorous in the water leads to green algae growth. This prevents sunlight from reaching plants on lake bottom. Plants can no longer produce oxygen to balance lake health. No oxygen in the water can lead to a fish kill. The best method to reach Mr. Thompson is via his email metroswcd(a�isd.net. Ms. Johns asked if there are brochures available if neighbors want information about shoreland restoration. Page 1 of 5 Mr. Thompson replied that there are. Go to Rice Creek Watershed's website and look for the downloadable .pdf under publications. Ms. Harris asked when you will have funding available for spring 2006? Mr. Thompson said Anoka Conservation District has to reapply each year for grant funding, but expects to have matching funds available in 2006. Ms. Johns inquired how other cities deal with the usual practice of mowing grass to the edge of the shore. Mr. Thompson noted that cities with shoreland have begun using cluster-type plantings so shoreland restoration looks more like a garden and more intentional. Also, use interpretive signs to educate the public about the change in landscape maintenance. Mr. Westby asked whether Anoka Conservation District has videos that the City can show on public access cable. Mr. Thompson replied, "Yes, there are education videos that you can borrow." Ms. Harris interjected that the City's cable station is unable to show videos produced outside of our studio due to copyright laws. Mr. Westby then requested that Mr. Thompson send shoreland restoration information to Ms. Harris for use in the newsletter. Mr. Thompson added that Lock Lake has fifteen (15) homeowners reviewing shoreland restoration plans. One of the Locke Lake homeowners has become a"Shoreland Ambassador" after installing shoreland restoration plantings. Now three (3) owners total are restoring shore. Mr. Westby asked whether fertilizers are creating a problem in the Mississippi River. Mr. Thompson stated, "Yes." Phosphorous and nitrogen cause problems. Mr. Westby said what can we do? Mr. Thompson said reduce fertilizer and excess water that causes runoff. Phosphorous fertilizes algae growth. Nitrogen leads to excessive plant growth. Ms. Johns added, "Like you said, public education is really important." Mr. Westby said, "I really believe we need to protect our water." Ms. Johns said, "Let's move forward with educating the public. Use brochures and the videos that Brian filmed. Share lists of alternative resources. Service Exchange Fund Ms. Harris reported that the Service Exchange Fund has $39,000 in it as of August 1, 2005. More will accrue by October 31, 2005, after which the City will be able to begin spending the fund. Ms. Johns said that we have a lot of money. Mr. Westby inquired whether we had to use this money strictly for recycling or can we use it for shoreland education. Page 2 of 5 Ms. Harris replied that we need to spend the money on waste reduction in general, especially on the promotion of the recycling program. Review Environmental Essential Recommendation Ms. Harris distributed a spreadsheet with data reviewing the past 4 years of bi-monthly newsletters. The data showed that 2 of the past 24 issues had no Environmental Essential or other related environmental article. Ms. Johns noted that the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission is strongly committed to educating the public in Fridley and appreciates continued support of this goal. Mr. Westby wondered if we have any idea what Fridley residents care about. Both Ms. Johns and Mr. Svanda commented that no survey of Fridley residents had been offered regarding this topic. Mr. Westby suggested that water quality will become very important. Mr. Svanda asked Ms. Harris if she thought the recommendation to Council in support of publishing an Environmental Essential in every newsletter was necessary. Ms. Harris stated that last week she thought it was necessary. Her experience in the past 6 months revealed that two of four, or 50 percent of, Environmental Essentials had been published. However, after her research today, Tuesday, August 16, the proposed recommendation was unnecessary, in her opinion. Mr. Svanda agreed. Based on the data supplied by Ms. Harris, the newsletters have usually contained some type of environment related article. The Commission agreed to hold off on the recommendation to Council in support of publishing an Environmental Essential in every newsletter. Proposed Shoreland Ordinance Review and Discussion Work on a city-wide shoreland ordinance began in 1997, but the proposed ordinance language did not pass City Council. The new version that you have been asked to review is based on New Hope's successfully adopted shoreland ordinance. The Department of Natural Resources also approved the language in New Hope's ordinance. Since the DNR has the authority to rebuke a City's shoreland ordinance, gaining the DNR's approval is vital. Ms. Harris reviewed the biggest change from current ordinance language to proposed ordinance language is that staff recommends an increase 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. This recommendation is based on the DNR's requirement of ordinance language containing a minimum of 35% lot coverage. Ms Harris replied to Mr. Jenkins' inquiry about New Hope's process of adoption of shoreland ordinance. New Hope staff reported the ordinance passed with no problems or opposition from the public. Mr. Svanda noted Section 1.F.2 & 5 are duplicate of 3& 6. Ms. Harris replied that they are very similar and would look into the rational for each. Page 3 of 5 Mr. Svanda wondered why the code would allow increasing a non-conforming use. Ms. Harris responded the difference is between the two types of non-conformities; a non-conforming use in which a property owner obtained a special use permit versus a legal non-conforming use that existed as legal use prior to the adoption of a new code. Mr. Svanda observed that the definition for "Ordinary High Water Mark" is presented in two ways on page 3. The two descriptions are confusing. Ms. Harris appreciated the observation and will correct the misinformation. Mr. Svanda also reported that section 4.C. Administration did not fit in as part of the "Shoreland Classification System". He suggested that Administration stand alone as a new section. Ms. Harris agreed. Administration will become section 5. Mr. Westby inquired whether the adoption of the Shoreland Overlay District will supersede the DNR regulations for the National waterways. Ms. Harris responded that the DNR requirements will remain the most stringent for National waterways and property owners will still need to abide by them. Ms. Harris will provide a copy of the shoreland ordinance with suggested revisions in the next meeting packet. OLD BUSINESS C���:1�:�=1���101��� City of Fridley Rain Garden Installation Projects Since the meeting was already nearing two hours, Chairwoman Johns stated that we would hear an update about rain garden installation at next month's meeting in September. Medical Waste Reports Ms. Harris passed around the Anoka County Medical Waste report from the month of July. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Jenkins, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE AUGUST 16, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:37 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Page 4 of 5 Rachel A. Harris Staff Liaison Page 5 of 5