Loading...
10/18/2005 - 00028025CALL TO ORDER: CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 18, 2005 Chairperson Johns called the October 18, 2005, meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent: Others Present: Anne Andrews, Barb Johns, Paul Westby Jack Velin, Rich Svanda Del Jenkins Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner Kaitlin Feyna, St. Cloud College Student APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 20, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Commissioner Ms. Andrews, seconded by Commissioner Mr. Westby to approve the September 20, 2005, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW BUSINESS Chairperson Johns began the meeting by inviting our student guest to introduce herself. Ms. Feyna is a junior at St. Cloud State University. She is enrolled in a class called Democratic Citizenship and chose to attend the Environmental Quality & Energy Commission meeting to complete her field assignment. Her objective is to talk with the members and learn how the Commission operates. To provide background, Ms. Johns stated that the Commission as instrumental in the City starting its curbside recycling program. She added that all seats on the Commission are unpaid/volunteer positions. Approve 2006 Meeting Calendar Chairperson Johns introduced the 2006 meeting calendar schedule. She asked for comments about the dates. Hearing none she asked for a motion to approve the 2006 meeting calendar. MOTION by Commissioner Mr. Svanda, seconded by Commissioner Mr. Velin to approve the 2006 meeting calendar. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Chairperson Johns declared the motion carried unanimously. Recommend to City Council Use of Service Exchange Fund Ms. Harris reported that the Service Exchange Fund earned $70,463.15 during the first six months Page 1 of 4 of the contractual agreement. Now, the Environmental Quality and Energy Commission needs to decide what services on which to spend the money. Next, the Commission will need to provide a Recommendation to City Council. After Council approval, staff will begin designing new service programs and educational brochures. The sooner the Commission earns approval for its plans the sooner staff can begin implementing services for Fridley residents. Ms. Harris added that BFI/Allied Waste, the City's curbside recycling partner, will pay for hauling services and publication costs up to the service exchange fund limit for projects determined by the City. Ms. Harris began research on costs for services. Ms. Harris suggested to the Commission that a quarterly %2 sheet mailer with recycling education and promotion of the service exchange fund would be a good use of the Service Exchange Fund since it would fulfill a 2005 and 2006 Work Plan task of providing environmental education. She asked for job quotes from Commers Printing and Print Central. The bid from Print Central came in before the EQEC meeting. Printing, mailing and postage for a%2 sheet mailer would cost $3280.78, including postage. Commission members liked the idea and agreed that the proposed publication does meet the 2006 Work Plan. Ms. Harris suggested adding scrap metal collection to the Spring and Fall recycling drop-off days. This material is heavy and would further the City in reaching its annual recycling goals. This would cost about $400 per roll-off or about $800 per event. BFI/Allied Waste would provide the roll-off and hauling of scrap metal. No decision was reached by Commission members. They will continue this discussion. Ms. Harris also researched cost of providing weekly service to a 2 cubic yard dumpster at the public works garage from April 1 to October 30. The monthly cost from BFI, the City's curbside recycling partner, is approximately $40. As a result of their discussion the EQEC plans to focus its spending in three areas: educating the public about environmental issues; increasing awareness about the recycling program; and increasing annual recycling tonnage. First, to educate the public about environmental issues, staff plans to mail a quarterly %2 sheet publication promoting solid waste reduction. This would enable the Commission to fulfill a 2006 Workplan task of providing education to the public about environmental topics. Second, to increase awareness about the recycling program, staff plans to include information about the curbside recycling collection in the %2 sheet mailer. Also, the Commission proposed purchasing trinkets for the 49ers Day Parade to advertise the recycling program. Staff agrees that this is a good use of funds. Third, the Commission proposes to offer a$10 off discount for each electronic and appliance brought to the April 15, 2006 Spring Drop-off. This discount will serve both as a reward for past recycling efforts and as an incentive to bring more appliances and electronics at the drop-off day. Design Energy Web Page for Fridley's Web Site (Discussion) Ms. Johns made a motion to wait until the November Commission meeting to give input on designing the new energy tips web page. Hearing no objections, the item will be postponed until the November 15th meeting. Page 2 of 4 C�7��7=1���101��� Recommend Approval of 2006 Work Plan to City Council Ms. Johns introduced the 2006 Work Plan. She asked for comments. Hearing none she asked for a motion to approve the 2006 Work Plan. MOTION by Commissioner Mr. Svanda, seconded by Commissioner Ms. Andrews to approve the 2006 Work Plan. Upon a voice vote, all voting aye, Ms. Johns declared the motion carried unanimously. Drop-off Day Tonnage Report Ms. Johns inquired about the Fall Drop-off Day on Saturday, October 8. Ms. Harris reported that 2.05 tons of electronics, 49 appliances, and 560 fluorescent tubes were collected. The amount of electronics, appliances and fluorescent tubes was more than the items collected at the Spring 2005 Drop-off. Ms. Harris attributed the higher rate of residential participation to better advertising (the date was listed in the 2005-2006 Recyclopedia distributed to all residents by Anoka County) and the fact that fall is generally busier than the spring drop-off. C���:1�:�=1���101��� Medical Waste Reports Ms. Harris distributed the Anoka County Medical Waste report from the month of September. There were no issues to report. ANNOUNCEMENT: Ms. Harris announced that she submitted an application for the 2005 round of the Governor's MnGREAT Awards. These awards recognize applicants whose work reduces waste, conserves resources, and saves energy in their public workplaces. The applications are judged by the State's Interagency Pollution Prevention Advisory Team (IPPAT) which is coordinated by the Office of Environmental Assistance. The City's application emphasized the successes of Your Eco Home show. The show's achievement can be measured. The annual recycling rate has not decreased since the Your Ecc Home show's inception in 2001. By contrast, the national recycling rate has continued to drop annually over the past five years as reported at the 2004 National Recycling Coalition. The show has been effective in educating residents about recycling and encouraging environmental awareness. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Velin, seconded by Mr. Svanda, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE OCTOBER 18, 2005, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:25 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Page 3 of 4 Rachel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison Page 4 of 4