09/20/2005 - 00028021CALL TO ORDER:
CITY OF FRIDLEY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 20, 2005
Chairperson Johns called the September 20, 2005, meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Members Present
Members Absent:
Others Present:
Anne Andrews, Del Jenkins, Barb Johns, Paul Westby
Jack Velin, Rich Svanda
Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 16, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION
MINUTES:
MOTION by Commissioner Mr. Jenkins, seconded by Commissioner Ms. Andrews to approve the
August 16, 2005, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes.
COMMENTS: Ms. Harris corrected the misinformation about the City's urban Canada goose
management program. The City's Recreation Department does hire the "Goose Guy". The City
began hiring him in 1990. In that year, 183 geese were relocated. During five (5) of the first eight (8)
years, 100+ geese were relocated per year. In 2005, 10 young and 18 adults were relocated. New
this year, 8 nests were located and 36 eggs were destroyed using this alternative technique. But,
the summer population was too large to consider the experiment a success.
The goose population at Moore Lake continues to decline each year. This in turn reduces the
amount of fecal coliform bacteria entering Moore Lake. The Recreation Department has had
success with hiring the Goose Guy, but unknown contaminants continue to pollute Moore Lake and
cause the closing of Moore Lake's beach each summer. Moore Lake is fed by stormwater runoff.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
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NEW BUSINESS
Service Exchange Fund: Proposed Spending For First 6 Months
Ms. Harris said the new contract began on April 1, 2005. The monies accumulated in the service
exchange fund will be available to spend on programs beginning October 1, 2005. During the
August EQEC meeting, commission members reviewed the recycling contract for suggested uses of
the service exchange fund.
Ms. Harris proposed adding scrap metal collection to the Spring and Fall recycling drop-off days.
This material is heavy and will further the City in reaching its annual recycling goals.
Commission members will consider the options and bring ideas to the November meeting.
Proposed Shoreland Ordinance Review: Is It Ready To Show To The Planning Commission?
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Ms. Harris reported that she received an email from Commission member Richard Svanda, who
was unable to attend the meeting, with comments for consideration regarding the proposed
shoreland ordinance in your meeting packet. His comments relate to the following sections:
• 205.32.3.L. I find the definition of "Ordinary High Water Level" confusing because of the
initial language which is then followed by the reference to the definition of "ordinary high
water level" in Minnesota Statute 103.G005. It is not clear how they are consistent or may
contradict each other.
• 205.32.5.D. In both paragraphs (1) and (2), statements are made that documents must be
sent to the commissioner. It is not clear who needs to send these documents.
• 205.32.8.B.(4).g. and 205.32.8.C.(2).b. In both paragraphs, reference is made to a"qualified
individual". It is not clear who is a"qualified individual".
• 205.32.8.C.(2). Statements (A) through (G) refer to specific measures that may be taken to
treat stormwater runoff and/or prevent stormwater runoff from directly entering a public
water. I do not understand why these measures are proposed to be included in this Code.
Are these in addition to requirements of Chapter 208 which is referenced in paragraph
(2).a.(iii), different from the Chapter 208 requirements, consistent with Chapter 208 or
something other? It seems that for ease of understanding by the persons who may be
regulated that all Stormwater requirements for the City of Fridley should be contained in a
single City Code.
Ms. Harris said that in response to comment 205.32 O-3 3.L. staff had given a definition of the
Ordinary High Water Mark in easy to understand terms and then further referred readers to the
State Statute 103.G005. To eliminate confusion, staff will alter the definition to only refer to the
State Statute.
Ms. Harris noted that staff will clarify 205.32.5.D. and add "by the City" to indicate which entity will
send documents to the commissioner.
Ms. Harris relayed the reasoning for leaving the term "qualified individual" in sections
205.32.8.B.(4).g. and 205.32.8.C.(2).b. Staff decided not to limit the terminology to P.E. or engineer
or licensed professional since listing any specific term automatically precludes those terms not
listed. To remain consistent with general terms in our code staff chose to leave the term "qualified
individual" vague to capture all meanings.
Ms. Harris stated that section 205.32.8.C.(2). paragraph (A) through (G) will remain in the ordinance
at this time. These paragraphs describing measures to treat stormwater runoff are listed for the
convenience of the reader. Staff attempts to make the ordinances as user-friendly as possible and
to reduce reference to another chapter staff has chosen to retain these paragraphs.
Prepare 2006 Work Plan (Discussion)
Ms. Johns led a discussion about the 2006 Work Plan. Many of the topics worked on in 2005 will
continue in 2006, including environmental education, air quality, and water resources.
Ms. Johns suggested adding energy to the 2006 Work Plan. Since the Environmental Quality and
Energy Commission merged from the Environmental Quality Commission and the Energy
Commission little emphasis has been placed on energy matters.
Mr. Jenkins asked whether the City uses low energy street lights.
Ms. Johns replied, "Yes." In the past, the Commission has discussed the lighting that the City uses.
Lighting pollution is a concern.
Ms. Harris interjected that 2006 is a good year to address energy topics especially with Congress'
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passage of the Energy Bill in 2005. It would be good to raise consumers' awareness about energy
efficiency and renewable energy.
Ms. Harris asked if the Commission would be interested in working to educate residents about the
incentives for purchasing green energy.
Ms. Johns suggested we could work toward creating energy conscious consumers.
Commission members expressed interest in increasing awareness about energy matters. Ms.
Andrews asked if the City could coordinate a compact fluorescent bulb distribution.
Ms. Harris replied that the Minnesota OEA and/or Anoka County has offered bulb distributions in the
past. She volunteered to let the Commission know of any future bulb distribution opportunities.
Ms. Johns directed the enthusiastic Commission members to bring ideas to the next meeting for
creating an energy-specific web page. The web page would be unveiled next year as part of the
2006 Work Plan.
OLD BUSINESS
Review 2005 Work Plan
Ms. Johns reviewed progress on the 2005 Work Plan. To date, we have completed our projects.
Review 2005 Recycling Rates
Ms. Harris reported that the City is not meeting our goal of 2405 tons. For the first half of the year
(January 1— June 30, 2005) the recycling program collected 1,173.51 tons. This amounts to 49
percent of our goal. The difference between this period last year and the current year is that the
tonnage for multi-unit buildings has decreased by half. For the first 6 months of 2004, multi-units
recycled 164 tons. By comparison, for the first 6 months in 2005, multi-units recycled 84 tons.
OTHER BUSINESS
City of Fridley Rain Garden Installation Projects (verbal update)
Ms. Harris reported that the Public Works department will partner with Rice Creek Watershed
District to install a rain garden on part of the unused ball field in Jay Park. The ball field in Jay Park
lies in a natural depression.
Also, in 2006, Residential rain gardens will be installed as part of the street reconstruction project to
manage stormwater. Property owners are excited and amenable to the rain gardens. Public works
will maintain the gardens initially.
The project coordinator for both the Jay Park rain garden and the residential street rain gardens is
Jon Haukaas, City Engineer Director. He can be reached at 763-572-3552.
Medical Waste Reports
Ms. Harris passed around the Anoka County Medical Waste report from the month of July.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Ms. Harris made an announcement. She received an email today from Commission member
Barbara Kovacic tendering her resignation from the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission
effective immediately. She felt rewarded with her tenure on the Commission and her decision was
difficult. Ms. Kovacic said, "I have so enjoyed the time spent on this commission and feel like I have
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made a small impact on even one aspect of the direction that the city takes in environmental
matters."
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MOTION by , seconded by , to adjourn the meeting.
UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION
CARRIED AND THE SEPTEMBER 20, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY
COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:20 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Rachel A. Harris
Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison
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