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04/11/2006 - 00027983CALL TO ORDER: CITY OF FRIDLEY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 11, 2006, 7:00 P.M. Chairperson Johns called the April 11, 2006, meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members Present Members Absent: Others Present Del Jenkins, Barb Johns, Paul Westby, Rich Svanda, Jack Velin, Tina Nelson Anne Andrews Rachel Harris, Environmental Planner Paul Morin, Center For Energy and Environment APPROVAL OF MARCH 14, 2006, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MINUTES: MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Westby to approve the March 14, 2006, Environmental Quality & Energy Commission minutes. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW BUSINESS Ms. Johns introduced the guest speaker, Paul Morin of the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), who talked about Tips for Lowering Home Energy Costs & Current CEE Programs. Mr. Morin described the programs of the Center for Energy and Environment. CEE performs audits for single family dwellings, multiple unit residential buildings and commercial buildings. They also offer the following services: (1) 2006 Lighting Rebate Program - 2.3 million in rebates available for qualified Xcel Energy Minnesota business customers; (2) List of 10 easy do-it- yourself tips that will help lower energy use and utility bills; (3) Home Energy Inspection - designed to help save money on utility bills by making sure that mechanical systems are working properly and that the home has the proper amount of insulation; (4) Home Energy Loan - low- interest loans are available to make energy improvements to your home including furnace replacement, windows and insulation; and (5) Commissioning and Recommissioning - helping businesses, schools and hospitals reduce energy costs, increase comfort and improve indoor air quality. Mr. Morin mentioned that there are key contributors to poor indoor air quality. Those include moisture, ice dam problems, mold in walls, and stucco water damage like has been found in newer homes. Mr. Morin talked about one project that CEE worked on for the Metropolitan Airport Commission that highlights CEE's home energy inspection program where CEE improved the efficiency of more than 8,000 homes. Ms. Johns asked how old the houses were that received the improvements. Mr. Morin said most houses were 1920s and 1930s era with a few 1940s era houses. The biggest energy conservation improvement to these homes was the addition of continuous duty fans to bathrooms. These fans run constantly and cost $100. A non-continuous duty fan generally costs $30. Mr. Morin gave each person in the audience a low energy compact fluorescent and a compact disc with consumer information about energy conservation practices. He added that new windows are not as cost effective as other investments. For example, caulking and weather stripping will pay more in energy savings than the cost of the supplies; and turning the thermostat down by 10 degrees will cost nothing and will save 15 percent on the energy bill. Mr. Jenkins noted that his townhome association has given each resident a fluorescent bulb for the outdoor lamp. Mr. Morin said that it is good to be energy conscious. A 90 — 95 percent efficient furnace will reduce heating costs by 30 percent. Mr. Svanda has added a blower motor to his high efficiency furnace and uses a high efficiency filter. With that he was able to lower the average house temperature to 64 degrees and maintain constant warmth with no hot or cold spots. The filter works to reduce dust in the house. Mr. Morin said attic bypasses and insulation in homes prior to the 1950s had very little insulation. There is a 5-10 year payback for insulation. After 1950, the homes were more thoroughly insulated. Ms. Johns asked how well wall systems added to the basement work. Mr. Morin replied that they work pretty well. However, if you have moisture problems in your basement, he recommends not finishing it. Otherwise, you will create the ideal habitat for mold, especially in carpet. It is best to check with your local building inspector on rules for finishing basements. Mr. Svanda asked how the test for finding air leaks in an insulated attic is conducted during the energy audits performed by the Center for Energy and Environment. Mr. Morin uses an infrared camera and a large blower fan in the doorway. Fan pulls in cool air and blows out the warm air. Then, an infrared camera is used to pinpoint heat change. The regular cost for an energy audit is $150. But, the subsidy covers half of the cost so the actual cost is $62.50. At the conclusion of the energy audit, customers will get a report of the estimated improvement costs and savings if the improvements are implemented. He said that the City of Fridley provides a subsidy of $62.50 for both the $300 home performance inspection and $150 energy audit. Mr. Svanda had hired CEE to perform a home energy audit and Mr. Morin was his inspector. He is very happy with their service as they fixed his home's problems. Ms. Johns thanked Mr. Morin for his presentation and noted that fellow Commission members enjoyed the dialog. Fridley Recycling Drop-off Day Ms. Harris stated that she is expecting a busier than usual Recycling Drop-off Day on Saturday, April 15, 2006 due to the 3 free electronics which residents are allowed to bring. She has recruited the assistance of one volunteer to help direct traffic and check for proof of residency at the site entrance. The ability to offer free recycling for three electronics at the Drop-off Day stems from revenues generated from the sale of recyclable materials collected in Fridley's curbside recycling program. This offering is generous and Ms. Harris hopes residents will see the purpose for continuing participation in the curbside recycling program. Rain Garden Installation at Jay Park: May 13, 2006 9 am -12 noon Ms. Harris reported that Rice Creek Watershed District needs 40 volunteers to plant 3,000 small plants (plugs) in Jay Park on May 13, 2006. This event is being coordinated by Rice Creek Watershed District. The project was approved by the City of Fridley Engineering Department. The rain garden will aid the City of Fridley in fulfilling part of the necessary educational activities required by the NPDES permit. Ms. Harris' role in the event is that of an event promoter. She has also offered to help Rice Creek Watershed District recruit volunteers. Jay Park is located one block north of Mississippi Street on Main Street. There will be a picnic for the volunteers following the planting. If you would like to be involved, please RSVP to Dawn Dubats at the RCWD 763-398-3070 ext. 178. Some hand trowels and shovels will be provided, but if you have your own, label it and bring it along. Mr. Westby asked how many plants will need to be installed. Ms. Harris replied 2,000 plants. Ms. Nelson has participated in a different rain garden planting event. The plant installation went fairly quickly since the site is graded and prepped for planting. Ms. Harris understands that the small plants will already be placed next to the holes where they should be planted. Results of 2005 Citizen Survey Ms. Harris reported on results from the most recent Citizen Survey. Eighty percent of citizens participate in the recycling program. Over 65 percent of our residents participate in the Recycling Drop-off Days. Of the choices listed for additional items to be collected at Recycling Drop-off Day, furniture was the most popular item. OLD BUSINESS March Service Exchange Fund Revenue Ms. Harris noted that the Service Exchange Fund earned $10,000 in March 2006. That brings the total for the past six months to $64,000. Revenue from this fund can be withdrawn after April 1, 2006. The City Manager approved initial spending of this revenue on the Spring 2006 Drop-off Day to give Fridley residents a free electronic drop-off. March 20 — 23 Allied Waste/BFI Food Drive Allied Waste/BFI collected 1,469 pounds of food curbside during the annual Fridley Food Drive. This non-perishable food was delivered to SACA on Friday, March 24. Thanks to Allied Waste/BFI for coordinating the food drive. Mr. Jenkins asked how much we collected last year. Ms. Harris replied 800 pounds. Mr. Svanda said this years total is a good amount. OTHER BUSINESS Medical Waste Reports Ms. Harris distributed the Anoka County Medical Waste report for the month(s) of March. There were no issues to report. Ms. Harris distributed the 49ers Day Parade Trinkets. Commission members saw the magnets in March, but not the key tags. The key tags, made of 100% recycled PET, were distributed during the April meeting. Ms. Johns asked if the key tags were made from plastic bottles like the kind Fridley residents can recycle curbside. Ms. Harris confirmed that they are made from plastic bottles. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Mr. Svanda, seconded by Mr. Jenkins, to adjourn the meeting. UPON A VOICE VOTE, ALL VOTING AYE, CHAIRPERSON JOHNS DECLARED THE MOTION CARRIED AND THE APRIL 11, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & ENERGY COMMISSION MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:33 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Rachel A. Harris Environmental Planner and Staff Liaison